How Much Are We Worth?

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“Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.”  The Go-Giver

Time is Getting Close…!

Tic Tock…I am watching the clock!

There are about 15 days before I depart for Costa Rica to attend the annual graduation ceremony at the Copey Learning Center. I anticipate this being a great time seeing friends and witnessing the students celebrate their educational achievements.

Hats off to so many who helped make this school year so special. Many of you have contributed in various ways and I publicly extend my heartfelt gratitude to all.

I have received photos of students in class working and learning. This past week, the high school students in Copey hosted a group of students from a diferent location. Emma Terry was intrumental in organizing this visit to Copey. After leaving the Copey Learning Center, she relocated to a different community in Costa Rica to continue teaching. Emma thought it would be instructional and beneficial to have her current students meet the Copey students. (Emma shown with her Copey students in 2023)

This is just another case where the continuing connections with Copey provide wonderful opportunities and experiences. In early December, Dr. Edward Davis and Professor Shelly Koch representing Emory & Henry University, will return for the third time to Copey bringing about a dozen E&H Universtiy college students. How can you put a price on these experiences? 

Of course, we can be very proud of our annual Pathway Project. We bring Copey students to the United States and they exchange cultural experiences while they spend time in southwest Virginia. This is absolutely amazing.

Then, we are equally excited when several US citizens (Friends) travel to the community of Copey. This serves to benefit those students who do not make it to the USA. These connections, Emma and the university, are solid and we all are beneficiaries of these incredible relationships.

A Special Request!

I am making a special request for all Friends to help Anne Beaudoin become an author of a “best seller.” Many of you know the story about Anne. She was sitting only a few feet from me in January 2013 during my first visit to Copey when “Friends  of Copey” was first conceived. Anne nor I understood the significance of that short meeting in Copey and it would take nearly a year before “Friends” was born. She was literally there at the “very beginning” and has been a constant supporter and inspiration for our efforts.

Several of you met Anne during the June 2023 Annual Reception in Virginia. She traveled from her home in Canada to Virginia to attend the 10th Anniversary of “Friends of Copey.”

I am asking you to do something special for Anne by purchasing her new book. You will enjoy her excellent writing style and you will have a better appreciation of the work we support. Her book will be an wonderful Christmas gift for family and friends as you share the fact that you and Anne have much in common and are “Friends.”

Anne published her first book “Following My Tug” around 2013. Her book described in extraordinary detail her journey from Canada and her entry into Costa Rica. Clearly, Anne captured so many of the cultural nuances and subtle idiosyncrasies of beautiful Costa Rica and its welcoming people. Please read review her web site listed below.

Now, with a new publisher, Anne is preparing to launch her memoirs with a renewed version of her Costa Rican journey. On November 2, 2024, Anne’s memoir became available for Early Bird readers as an e-book! I personally recommend this wonderful accounting of her journey. Let us help Anne hit the “best sellers” list. 

Learn more about Anne’s upcoming book at: annebeaudoinwriter.com/book

Perks of Pre-Ordering Your E-Book:

  • A DISCOUNTED RATE for a limited time.

  • Ordering now helps Anne get the book to #1 on Amazon!

  • Early preview—be the first to write a review.

Here’s where you can get your copy:

Final Word…!

One of the biggest challenges “Friends of Copey” has had over the years is the ability to collect, gather, and quantify the multiple ways our support benefits a small rural community located in another country. Some of the challenge is closely tied to the methods we use applying our support. Sometimes the results of our efforts scream out “success” and other times we are limited to the hope and faith we share that in years to come, we will have made life-changing differences. This is giving more in value than in the payments we receive.

Another feature of the challenge is related to the intangibles of life. Friendships, caring, appreciation, and other emotional impacts cannot be quantified but are very significant. 

I look forward to my visit to Copey. I anticipate experiencing the emotions driven by years of friendships, being among people who care, and sharing the mutual appreciation for a successful relationship. I do not expect to return home full of tangible evidence of our success. However, I am convinced I will return home full of pride, love, and appreciation that you and I have been on one amazing journey together. 

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