The Cerro Costoche Church of the Nazarene impacted its community with the Word of God and biblically based lessons on hygiene, personal care, and eating habits. 

Cerro Costoche is a city located in the Sierra Mixe, a district in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is an impoverished community with limited public services. Access to purified water in Cerro Costoche was another need in the community as the rates of gastrointestinal diseases have been high. 

Through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and Healing Water International, a holistic transformation water project was implemented in 2018, which has been of great benefit to the community. 

It not only helps to avoid diseases from drinking contaminated water but also brings an economic benefit since the prices of the bottles are more accessible for the residents. In addition, the water project includes a hygiene and health program aimed at children and mothers.

Last December, Pastor José Alfredo Martínez asked the leaders of a primary school for the opportunity to share health-related issues such as oral hygiene, hand washing, personal hygiene, and healthy eating. Authorities were favorable, so the leaders of the water project taught about the importance of hygiene to the children, using biblical-based health promotion teaching materials.

"We thank God for the Nazarene churches that are impacting their community and being part of the response to the challenges facing the communities where the church ministers," said Edi Montejo of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in Mexico. "That is to share the love of God in an integral way, attending to physical, social, intellectual and spiritual needs."

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region