By Caleb Shannon
Special to The Tribune by Faith Community Christian School
CLAY – Pastor David (Scooby) Graveman of Clay, Ala., was 28 years old and attending Parkway Christian Fellowship when he felt God was calling him into children’s ministry. He started by helping in the children’s ministry at his home church. Later, he felt led to expand and developed a Western Show, which he and his wife Kasondra took all over the state, carrying God’s love to thousands of children.
Years later, in 2005, Graveman took his first international mission trip and traveled to England.
In 2016, he and his wife made their first trip to Costa Rica with a mission team from his current home church, Faith Community Fellowship in Trussville.
“I’ve loved every minute of it,” Kasondra said of their 25 years in ministry.
While in Costa Rica, they became involved with the construction at the House of Hope Orphanage for Children. There are approximately 36,000 orphaned children in Costa Rica at risk of ending up in the crime-ridden streets, plagued by violence and drug abuse.
The House of Hope can provide homes for some of these children while giving them education, vocational training, and Christian values. As they grow and leave the orphanage, they spread the hope and love of Jesus throughout Costa Rica.
Before construction on houses could begin, roads and bridges had to be built to allow heavy equipment and cement trucks in. Then the site had to be excavated. Finally, construction on dormitory style buildings could begin. It was a great undertaking and required many months to complete. It was truly a labor of love.
“When you are called to serve, it’s one of the purest feelings that you get, there is no doubt,” Graveman said. “God will equip you and give you everything you need to serve.”
For more information on House of Hope visit http://kidsofcostarica.com/