Los Guido, Costa Rica. Located in the mountains near San Jose where 80% of children are raised in abusive homes, parents are not present, child prostitution is more profitable than drug dealing, and gangs run rampant. Since living here, I’ve maybe seen three cops, and when we tell the locals we’re staying in Los Guido’s they simply respond with “Seriously? Fuck!” (sorry for the language, but sometimes reality is harsh).
This is an area where Satan has had a foothold for generations. We’re at the forefront of the spiritual battle and each person on my squad is feeling the weight of that war. Satan is attacking us… either through flooding our thoughts with fear or consuming us with sickness and exhaustion. There have been multiple nights where people on my squad, myself included, have woken up in terror from nightmares or fallen asleep in fear of the gunshots outside our bolted shut gymnasium we’re staying in. More than half of the squad has experienced extreme exhaustion regardless of sufficient meals and plenty of sleep, and far too many have had some type of illness since we’ve been here. I’m telling you, Satan wants us weak, and he’s making a whole lot of noise to make it seem like we are. He’s throwing dart after dart, trying to chase us away. And I’ll tell you right now… Satan, it’s not working.
And it’s not going to work for the entire eleven months.
At night when I fall asleep to gunshots, screeching tires, and barking dogs, fear often cripples my thoughts. Sometimes I can’t do anything but lay there and pray for God’s peace to rush over me, wave after wave. In these moments of fear, I find rest in Psalm 91.
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
After reading this, I picture God’s heavenly angels standing at each corner of our gymnasium as warriors ready to protect. Not just little fairies who are cute, cuddly and have magical dust. No, I’m talking huge warrior angels who can take on anything. It’s a pretty comforting feeling knowing you’re safe in the hands of your creator, your protector, your healer.
One of my teammates shared this story with our squad, and I find it extremely easy to relate to satan. By her house there was a lion, and when he roared it was absolutely terrifying. The noise he made was crippling, but come to find out he was just an old, retired lion with no teeth. He was nearly harmless. He just made a lot of noise. When you really think about it, a lion on the hunt looking for his next kill is not going to be roaring. He’s going to be quiet, stealthily lurking for his next prey. Isn’t this really all satan does? He’s a big retired old lion with no teeth, and all he’s doing is making noise. Satan has no right to disturb anyones sleep. He has no place in anyones life in the form of fear, anxiety, exhaustion, or illness. When you start hearing his noise, you know you’re right where you’re supposed to be. He’s scared. He’s scared of the power you have inside of you through the Holy Spirit. And he’s going to make as much noise as possible.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and staff, they comfort me” Psalm 23.
Love you all, and thank you for your continued prayers and support! We’re feeling them.
Jaz
