Meet Joseph…12 years old.
Our squad met Joseph while in Costa Rica this month. He’s one of the youth leaders at the church at the Finca, and he spends as much time as possible volunteering, leading, and discipling there in any way possible.
A couple days before we left we had the opportunity to hear Joseph’s testimony, and wow did it leave in impact.
He grew up in the slums. His father and mother where present, but they had next to nothing. They never knew where their meals would be coming from, and at one point they were almost stranded without shelter.
At age 9, Joseph’s friend Nadylin invited him to church at the Finca. He went, and it didn’t take long for him to fall in love with the Finca, with the people, and most of all… with God.
God gave him a hope he couldn’t explain.
At 10 years old he asked Mark how he could become a leader, but Mark said he had to be 11. So until he was old enough to officially become a leader, he spent his days at the Finca helping in every way possible.
As soon as he turned 11 he became one of the leaders at the church. He sings in the choir Sunday mornings, spends his week days at the Finca before and after school connecting with the kids in the neighborhood, and he’s spent the last couple years memorizing scripture. He’s also part of a discipleship program where leaders from the church go into another slum region called Jazmin and disciple women, children, and men… whoever is willing. He spends his Saturday mornings discipling families.
He may be young ya’ll, but age doesn’t mean a dang thing. He’s one of the wisest people I’ve ever met, and absolutely on fire for the Lord. His passion and desire simply exudes from his presence.
Well, during his testimony he shared with us his dreams of being a missionary to make disciples of the nations. Now, in December there’s a team from the church that will be going to Nicaragua on a missions trip, and Joseph desperately wanted to be a part of it. One thing kept him from going, and that was the expensive cost of a passport. A passport that he didn’t have, and a passport that he wouldn’t be getting.
For his birthday his father asked him, would you like a party and presents or would you like a passport? Well, his response was definitely a passport, but even then, their family did not have any money to buy him one. He was crushed that he couldn’t physically be going, but he still considered himself on the team through praying for the team and ministry while at home. He was content with being on the team in that way.
After Joseph was finished sharing his testimony, our squad had an idea. A Costa Rican passport is $72 and there’s 39 of us. With a $2-4 donation, Joseph’s passport was paid for within an evening.
Now comes the opportunity to bless this boy and give him his surprise. He comes in the gym one night with his mom and sister. As he’s looking around, slightly confused, we give him a card and make him guess what it is we got for him. After a few minutes, he looks up at us in shock and simply begins crying. His mother begins crying, and well, I kinda start tearing up as well.
Honestly, probably one of the best moments of the month. Having the opportunity to witness one of Joseph’s dreams come true. Now, Joseph, it’s time to dream bigger… big God sized dreams… because he’s got some big God sized plans for you.
At the end of his testimony he said he looked up to us as missionaries.
Well, I’m sorry Joseph, but you’ve got it wrong. I’m the one who looks up to you.
Inspired.
*our team praying for Joseph and his family before he leaves for the night
With love,
Jasmine
