In Costa Rica, largest health expo reaches upper middle class sector

Hundreds gathered at the Terra Mall to participate in a health expo activity featuring the eight natural remedies to live a healthier life, in Cartago, Costa Rica, Apr. 18, 2015. The event was organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Central Conference region where a large upper middle class population resides. Image by Frank Artavia/IAD.

April 22, 2015 | Cartago, Costa Rica | Libna Stevens/IAD

Shoppers get a massage in one of the stations set up in the health expo. Image by Ronny Yax

Seventh-day Adventist leaders are happy with the results of one of its largest health expo events held at an upscale shopping mall in Cartago, Costa Rica, last weekend. The event, held at the Terra Mall in one of the largest metropolitan areas in Cartago, saw more than 300 people participating in a dozen set-up stations on the eight natural remedies needed to live a healthier life: water, rest, exercise, sunshine, air, nutrition, temperance, and hope in God.

Shoppers were able to get their vital signs checked, get weighed, listen to talks on the benefits of healthy habits, learn about nutrition, listen to a Christian concert, browse literature for a better life, receive a free copy of the book “Secrets That Will Change Your Life” by Mark Finley and Peter Landless, and more.

“We wanted to contact people at this particular mall to begin to study the health of the population through a specific survey that will let us know more about the people living in the metropolitan area in Cartago,” said Frank Artavia, health ministries director for the church in the South Central region in Costa Rica and organizer of the event.

Participants learn about proper nutrition at one of the stations during the health expo. Image by Ronny Yax

Artavia said that it was the largest health impact organized in the country and serves as a launching pad for the region’s commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle through health expos in the coming months, as obesity, hypertension and diabetes continues to increase in the country.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to see many people asking for prayers at the hope stand we had set up,” said Artavia. “We actually had to buy tissue boxes because so many people came with their concerns and problems and looked for comfort and prayers.”

Thanks to the leadership of Luis Diego Clare from the PATMOS Latam Adventist Health Institute over 100 trained church members volunteered in the event, which generated more unity and purpose in the mission to spread the health message and the hope of salvation, said Artavia.

“Many of the people who went through our stations asked for Bible studies and visits, so we are excited for the opportunity to further those contacts to our local pastors to follow through,” added Artavia, who is also coordinating health expo activities with other regional conferences in the country.

The church in the South Central American Union territory is committed to health and evangelism, according to Pastor Ricardo Marin, health ministries director for the union, which oversees the church in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

The Adventist Group Masterkey performs a concert during the health expo initiative. Image by Ronny Yax.

“We have been working arduously to train pastors, church leaders and members during the past year,” said Marine. “Now more and more events like these are bringing more awareness and providing follow-up contacts.”

The event at the Terra Mall was very important “because of its upper middle class population it serves and contact with the mall management left the doors open for additional health expos there,” added Marin.

Health expos have already taken place in several malls and parks throughout Costa Rica and Nicaragua as well, reports Marin. The plan is to hold greater health impact activities in the larger cities in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

The event was covered through the church’s radio station and television channel.

Plans are already in place to hit San Jose, the capital city in Costa Rica in the coming months, said Artavia.