Refuge
Psalm 46
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…”
Our ministry here in Costa Rica is partnering with Christian Light Foundation in the second most dangerous slum of Los Guidos. God has provided our hosts with property in the middle of the slum with a gym for a feeding centre and a church in it. Our whole squad is here together. The teams have been assigned to different ministry projects. Three teams go to three different schools, two teams stay at the base, or Finca as they call it, and one team is the prayer team.
“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
The Finca is a safe haven in the midst of the slum. God lives and abides here. His presence is alive. Exiting the Finca there’s a fear of danger and the unknown. Walking to the schools, we are only to walk on certain roads because the other roads are known to have had theft, mugging or abuse occur there. It blows my mind that there’s such a difference from one street to the next. However, we know we don’t need to fear because God walks with us and we’re carrying His presence with us as we go out.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Like a lighthouse, the ministry here shines Jesus’ light in the middle of the darkness. Through the ministry and prayer, God is being known and exalted among the slum in Los Guidos. God is moving and working here to bring more people into His kingdom, to let the people here experience His unconditional love and find safety in His strong arms. The 200+ kids that come here everyday for a free meal get a taste of God’s goodness – a warm meal and a place to play for two hours before they go back to school or their homes. We pray that these kids come to know God and that through the children, families will be changed and then sectors and then the whole slum. It starts one child at a time and a free hot meal in God’s refuge place.
“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
