From One VBS To The Next

Last week, we concluded a three day series of VBS in Tejarcillos and Los Guido. Today, we set out to La Carpio for our last series of VBS. Below are some pictures of VBS in Los Guido.

One of the popular stages of a VBS is games. It is the uniqueness and creativeness of some of these games, that make it dirty, fun, and hilarious. During this game, the two groups eat marshmallows off of the peanut butter covered face of one of their fellow teammates. Definitely a fun game!

The VBS's bring in many kids and tons of new faces. Karla, on my left, is well known at La Finca and brings much energy to those around her. Junita, on my right, is a newer member to La Finca. It's my prayer that the little faces like these two precious girls are drawn to La Finca with an eagerness to learn about God, understand who He is, and share it with others.

Another stage of the VBS is crafts. After the craft, the kids learn, memorize, and repeat Scripture. For this, they are given a small prize. This small prize and the encouragement they get is often never found in the home by a parent or any other family member. It is a goal of the ministry to support those kids when they learn what others tell them they're not capable of doing.

Bible History is a high energy and fun time as the kids learn various Bible stories. It is very interactive and allows the kids to share what they think, rather to be told what they think.

Brittany is another little girl from a VBS. These kids spot out who they want to be with and cling to you like no other. They are encouraging and fun...I'm challenged daily by these kids!

"I Walk Alone"

Blind, lost, and stolen! The minds and hearts of those who live in Tejarcillos are captured not by the light of the Gospel, but rather by the false promises of the "god of this age" (Satan) which are so visible, yet so uniquely disguised. Addictions, abuse, and abandonment run rampantly through the streets. Satan waits daily to devour the lives of these youth, parents, and families, to steal the hope that is found through Jesus Christ. Tejarcillos is well known for its dangerous slums and is known as the "sex trafficing capital" of Costa Rica. The local papers are filled daily with stories about this dangerous place.

Paul sums this up best in 2 Corinthians 4:4-6..."The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbeleivers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness', made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Having a father in the house is a foreign concept, a mother in and out of the house is prevalent, and child left alone with no direction is often the case. How challenging it is to know that loneliness is a lifestyle, as they go to sleep in fear and wake another day with the understanding of "I walk alone". Above is a picture of the community center were the VBS events were held and spray painted on the side in black is "I walk alone". How often do you think people walk by this...and hang their head and in their hearts say, "That's me!"?

What is your Tejarcillos...is it your family, the house down the street, your next door neighbor, a colleague at school, or fellow coworker? Who is it in your life that needs to hear the Gospel? Who is it that "walks alone"? Paul challenges us to GO!

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard of? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!" Romans 10:13-15

VBS In Tejarcillos

At the beginning of the week, I had the opportunity to partner with the visiting team from East Hill Christian School of Pensacola, Florida as they hosted a series of VBS events over the course of three days in Tejarcillos. During this time, there were four stages set up which included: crafts, games, bible story telling, and a puppet show. All of these activities are used as tool to reach the individuals by presenting God's Word in a way that is attractive and easy to understand.

Over the course of the three days, there were roughly 150 kids and moms that attended. While the numbers give a very basic understanding of how the VBS went, the number of those who join a discipleship group to learn, understand, and apply God's Word will determine the real success. The purpose of these events is to provide individuals the opportunity to learn about the Gospel and a road map or avenue for doing exactly that.

As an intern, I not only get the opportunity to partner with the visiting teams, but also to sit back and observe. Below are a few pictures from the VBS in Tejarcillos of the gospel being shared with the youth through evangelism and discipleship, as well as sharing the love of Christ through games, being goofy, and even being a big kid myself.

Tejarcillos:Prayer Requests

Tejarcillos is an area well-known for the control and influence the local gang has on the lives of those living there. It is comparable to a mafia that controls every aspect of the city. It is because of this, that the New Life Church has been called to reach the individuals that live there. Over the last two days, I have had the opportunity to partner with the visiting team in sharing the gospel through a series of VBS (Vacation Bible School) events.

As we conclude this three day series of VBS in Tejarcillos, please be praying...

that God would be glorified for the fruit that begins from these VBS events

for the hearts of those attending...that they would be absorbent and receptive

for the Gospel to be illustrated and exemplified in a real and attractive way

for both immediate and long-term fruit to come from these events

for the safety of the youth as they return to a home filled with violence, addictions, and loneliness.

for the safety of us going to Tejarcillos

for the pastor and the church body...that they would constantly seek after the guidance and power within the Gospel

for a future piece of property that will serve as a place of discipleship and worship where people will be encouraged and challenged.

for the acceptance of Christ in this area that will lead to long-term discipleship of many kids, parents, and families.

BE SURE TO CHECK BACK FOR PICTURES AND UPDATES FROM THE VBS IN TEJARCILLOS!!!

Your_Greatness_And_Your_Strong_Hand

" O sovereign Lord, you have begun [continued] to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?"

Deuteronomy 3:23

This last week has served as a great opportunity to jump right into the weekly ministry of the New Life Church and visibly see the immediate fruit, as well as the fruit from past years. Where does this fruit come from? Is it because I have chosen to give up a summer to be a good person? Is it because it makes the youth feel good when they are praised by others? Or is it because we serve an ALL consuming God who jealously seeks ALL, wants ALL, and desires ALL credit and glory for the opportunities we are provided?

The obedience of the youth leadership team, the missionaries, and visiting teams, as well as the New Life Church to follow the call to GO, has been used as a tool in His "strong hand". What does this mean? This means that fruitful disciples are being produced, that hope and joy are being found in Christ, and that lives are radically being lived with a different purpose. What does this mean for you and me? How awesome it is and how thankful I am, to have had the opportunity to witness and experience the ways in which God moves people within these areas! And how awesome it is, that through your prayer, support, and encouragement, you have joined me in this opportunity to serve.

Gretel, Jose', and Victoria are some of the newest kids to La Finca. They were just another three kids playing with balloons, getting into trouble, and having fun...or so I thought! As they continued to look me up and down, I began praying for the courage to muster up my best Spanish speaking skills. I asked myself various questions in this process. I wondered things like, "Where did they come from?" and "What is their story?" As they sat next to me, I asked them their names and began talking to them. After a short period of time, I told them I was not staying for the Show de Jabon (Soap Show/Kids Club) because I was not feeling well. As I began walking away, I heard "Esperame, esperame!" ("wait, wait!") After stopping, I was greeted by a tug on my shoulder and these three kids...not understanding why I had to leave... asked when they would see me again. I look forward to seeing them again and anticipate how the Lord will work in their lives.

The older youth group meets weekly as well. After playing two games of Spoons, enjoying a warm plate of Arroz con Pollo (one of my favorites!), we were lead through Scripture by Melinda, who leads the youth group. We looked at not only what God is to each of us individually, but as the body of Christ. This time served as a great opportunity for the youth to better understand the characteristics of God through Scripture.

Every week a team from Los Guido (the primary ministry area) travels to La Carpio for discipleship groups. La Carpio is also known as the "trash can" of Costa Rica. This area receives over 300 tons of trash and waste every day. I had the opportunity to visit this little guy as he welcomed us with great joy and excitement. During my time with him, I was able to listen to him share his longing to understand, memorize, and teach the gospel.

All_With_Confidence!!!

[Reading what has been done…doing what has been read]

“At the Day of Judgment, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done”
~Thomas A Kempis~

I never truly understood what it meant to SERVE until I not merely read the Word of God, but saw the Word of God in action through the youth of the New Life Church of Los Guido here in Costa Rica and in turn acted on the Word of God myself. During my time here in Costa Rica, I’m confident that the Lord will expand my faith and confidence in the Gospel through the process of using me to illustrate His Kingdom and exemplify His character through moving me into these areas where he eagerly awaits.

The words of James best explain this when he says, “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did…You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” (2:22, 24).

That is after reading what has been done through Christ’s sacrifice and reading of how a jealous creator desperately wants to have a personal relationship with us…what is our reaction…what will we do with what we have read. My prayer is that my abilities and deeds go far beyond just one opportunity and overflow into a lifestyle of being a “Doer” and not merely a reader or listener.

While the enticements, pitfalls, and lures of everyday life are constantly presenting themselves minute after minute; we are called to demonstrate a patient attitude, illustrate His Kingdom through faith, and exemplify Christ’s character through action. And we are to do this ALL with confidence!

I would ask and encourage you to join me over the next few months as I share my experiences. I will be posting pictures, weekly blogs, and prayer requests. I would also encourage you to respond to the blogs by either commenting or asking questions.

“Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in [YOU, ME, US] will carry it on to completion...” Philippians 1:6.

“I know them, and they follow me…they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus or Lord. Romans 8:38

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed 2 Corinthians 4:8

First Day Back At La Finca!!!

The first day back at La Finca (The Farm) for this afternoon's Sunday service was great as I reunited with some of the families and kids. Over the last few years, the Lord has molded many relationships between myself and various families and kids here in Costa Rica. Returning to Costa Rica is always an extraordinary opportunity and faith-encouraging experience as those once prayers have become visible in tangible ways through the development of the land that once stood vacant and through the lives of those who roamed anywhere other than this transformed land which now serves as a place of security, encouragement, and guidance.


I have had the opportunity to have a unique relationship with many of the families and youth. Since my first visit to Costa Rica in February of 2008, I have spent the years developing relationships with individuals like Michelle. Her testimony as a youth challenges and encourages me. It was awesome seeing many of the kids and families today during the service.

Returning to La Finca knowing that the multi-use building has been completed was an answered prayer. Serving with past teams, we prayed over the land in December of 2008, heard of blueprints for the development of the land the following December, and watched the construction of the building take place the third December in 2010.

I'm excited for the next few months and hope that you join me. I will be posting updates, photos, and/or prayer requests frequently.