Stephen Boyko is on a mission. A mission to put food in the mouths of the hungry, and school supplies in the hands of the needy. A Marathon for Mexico mission to be exact.
In 2010, Boyko was part of the Carlyle Pentecostal Assembly mission trip to Mexico. The trip, which happens every two years, is scheduled again for February and March of 2012 with a possible 50 spots available for those that wish to go. Boyko is not only going to be filling one of those spots this year, he is planning on doing a whole lot more.
Seeing the need of those living in Mexico, Boyko has decided to make an even bigger impact this year. On September 11, Boyko will be running the Queen City Marathon in Regina in order to raise much needed funds for the people of Mexico.
Boyko's participation in the 2010 trip saw him serve in a number of ways. "We handed out clothing at work camps, built houses and stuff for people down there, handed out food hampers and school supplies, and they put on bible schools for children too. We do a little bit of everything really."
"I just felt that I should be going down to do that. The first couple of days were like being hit by a two by four. Basically it just takes your breath away, how poor they are. Seeing the people in tar paper shacks is a really big eye opener."
As for this time around, "I think I can help a lot more and be more helpful this second time around. I will be more mentally and emotionally prepared to do it. So I am really looking forward to it and am hoping to do a little extra this year."
As a result, Boyko has decided to put his running shoes to good use. By running the marathon, Boyko is hoping to receive donations from the public to purchase materials to meet the needs of those in Mexico. All of the money raised will go directly to the cost of supplies, and in turn, to those in need.
The Carlyle Pentecostal Assembly group first started going to Mexico in 2006 when they took 12 individuals. The group went in 2008 with 12 individuals, and again in 2010 with 32 people. This year, the group is planning on having two trips, one in February and one in March. It is hoped that they will be able to take a total of 50 individuals down this year to lend a hand to those in need.
The group has a connection with a missionary who runs a short-term solutions area down in Mexico. The woman in charge of the missionary sets up the group's schedule for them, in turn, allowing the group to essentially show up and get right to work.
Pastor Louis from the Carlyle Pentecostal Assembly said "The ministry in Mexico is basically set up to host short-term groups. So they host groups like ours throughout the year. They have connections with the local organizations down there, so they know which groups are in need. And it also ensures that a broad range and number of groups are helped."
The projects that the group participates in are indeed varied. Pastor Louis said "We do a lot of different things when we are down there. In the past, we have done things like food hampers. So for about $13 Canadian, you can feed a family for a month. We have taken piles of used clothing and done clothing distributions. We take school supplies. Last time, we did about 60 backpacks, loose leafs, and things like that. That is a big hindrance for a number of kids down in Mexico because in order to go to school, they have to supply their own school supplies and sometimes they can't afford to do that."
"We basically travel for two days on a bus to get to Mexico. When we get there, we have seven days full of things to do, and then we get in the bus and drive straight back here. All the individuals that go pay for the trip out of their own pocket. So, it costs each individual about $700. And then sometimes, individuals raise money on top of that for food hampers or school supplies or things like that."
"The money that Stephen is raising is going specifically to food hampers and potentially school supplies. So it will go directly to these items and to the people of Mexico in order to enhance their life in Mexico."
For those that wish to get involved and support Boyko on his mission, he is taking donations up until Sept. 11 when he will run in the Queen City Marathon. People can sponsor Boyko in whatever capacity they wish, whether it be by the kilometre or a straight donation. In order to donate, people are asked to contact Boyko at 453-2556 or Pastor Louis at 453-6061. Donations made to the church should be earmarked at Marathon.
