Just Coffee is Bigger Than a Hill of Beans

Just Coffee is Bigger Than a Hill of Beans

On March 15, 2013, 10 people from Mountain Shadows Presbyterian Church & Resurrection Lutheran Church visited the Mexican based coffee roasting plant in Aqua Prieta, and learned more about a program called Just Coffee.  Representing MSPC were Sis Jones, Janet Dawson, Bob & Irene Camp, Eleanor Geiger, Dennis and Elizabeth Houle-Nelson.

In 2003, Reverend Mark Adams, acting pastor of Frontera de Cristo, a border ministry of National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and US Presbyterian Church met a man named Daniel Cifuentes.  Daniel was trying to cross the border in Aqua Prieta, looking for work in the US.  He spoke of the difficult conditions in his home town of Salvador Urbina, a coffee growing area of Chiapas in southern Mexico.  Mark also knew Tommy Bassett who was managing one of the largest manufacturing plants on the Mexican side of the border.  Together, Mark and Tommy partnered with Daniel and they began a cooperative shipment of coffee beans to Aqua Prieta, to be roasted and sold.

Ten years later there is now a center in Aqua Prieta where our 10 people were greeted.  A reception room displays the history of Just Coffee, and shows the business model.  The visitors were there in time to see a shipment arrive, to view the roasting room, see the packaging and shipping areas, and follow the process of sending the coffee on its way.

Why is this coffee so special?  It is grown on the shady side of a volcano, at an altitude of 4,000-5,000’ high, in an area of high humidity and temperatures of 65-80 degrees – ideal conditions!  It is 100% USDA organic certified.

Just Coffee has made it possible for the people of Chiapas to remain at home with family and friends, to earn a living and watch their children attend local schools.  It has greatly reduced the need to migrate while providing a wonderful product that is shipped around the world.

Miriam Adams, Mark’s wife, is the Presbyterian Church (USA) mission worker acting as a liaison between Frontera de Cristo and CREDA (a rehabilitation center), Lily of the Valley Presbyterian Church and Douglaprieta Trabajan.  In the afternoon of the March visit Miriam showed the visitors the community gardens where soil doesn’t appear to be able to nurture anything. Vegetables and spices were sprouting! There will be a wood working and a sewing program is already in progress.

The visitors were treated to a lunch served in one of the neighborhood homes.  As one participant said, “those were the best chile rellenos in the world!”

The day ended with the presentation of a check from MSPC, representing donations from the February Gifts of Hope program. That $455 will be used for fencing, rabbit hutches and seeds for home gardens.

Enjoy a good cup of coffee?  Want to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors?  Wish to help with  migration problem?  Purchase a 1 lb. package of Just Coffee for $9.00 and know you have made a difference.

To view photos of the event, click here.

A Book Release Celebration

 

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