My team of 8 and I have officially started our ministry here in Costa Rica! I am super excited about this specific ministry and what it entails. I’ve had a passion for both kids and refugees – especially these past few years – and I have the opportunity to work with a combination of both these next few months!!
Our ministry is called Christ for the City and it’s located in La Carpio, Costa Rica The base is located in the slums outside of San Jose. This area is the poorest of the poor and most kids can’t afford to go to school. As a result, kids wander the street aimlessly. You see it everywhere.
This ministry works to provide programs to help the youth in this community across the board – with education, sports, keeping teens out of gangs, introducing them to Jesus and working to meet both physical and emotional needs of all kinds.
Along with these different types of programs, this ministry has recently been working on creating a new program that we get to help start!!
Recently in Nicaragua, political unrest and riots have reached an all time high and the number of fatalities (specifically with teens) caused by the government continues to increase. As a result of civilians disappearing and civil unrest/ war, thousands have fled to the border in attempt to find refuge in Costa Rica. Thankfully, many of them have made it safely.
For whatever reason, refugees from Nicaragua have fled to this specific neighborhood. In our ministry, we take in these people and provide them a place to eat, rest, learn about Jesus, and above all, a place for them to create a community where they feel loved. Most of these people come with nothing but the clothes on their back and are often separated from their families.
Me and three other girls get to work specifically with the kids. We’ll be teaching them english, building relationships with them, playing, providing education, SOCCER and teaching them about Jesus!
Our group had the opportunity to go visit the refugees in their “home”. Most of them end up going around knocking on doors, trying to find a place to stay. We visited a group of 18 Nicaraguans crammed into a one room shack about the size of a living room. They all lived there. These people have absolutely nothing but still manage to have a smile on their face – especially the kids.
The first day of our official ministry and program “kick-off” is tomorrow but I am SO EXCITED. The past few days we’ve visited the base, worked on lesson planning, played soccer with the locals and have been preparing for all the kids/youth/adults coming tomorrow.
I seriously cannot wait to see the impact this team and ministry will have on the refugees and community of La Carpio, but also how these people will impact us – just playing soccer with the local kids has already given me a whole new perspective on life. lol.
Anyways, prayer for this ministry, the kids, the teens, the adults – for all of the refugees and people in this community would be so appreciated!! These people are absolutely incredible. They have nothing yet act as if they have everything; the ultimate paradox.
Prayer for Costa Rica as a whole is needed too. We’re experiencing our own political unrest (over tax reformation) and strikes/riots have broke out over all of San Jose and have recently been getting violet.
And of course, prayers for Nicaragua. I had no idea what was going on there until we reached our ministry site – the U.S. hasn’t exactly made it headlining news. They need all the prayers/attention they can get. These people are amazing.
As always, prayer for my team and me is always appreciated. Prayers for physical strength especially!
God is so good!!
