In Costa Rica, my team and I partnered with a church in the Mountains of Rio Azul. Rio Azul is considered; “the ghetto”, “very dangerous” and “pour”. The houses are stacked up along the mountain side, made of sheet metal, plywood, dry wall or any other stable scrap pieces. The people live on very little each month but make it by. My team stayed the month in the church toward the top of the hill, we slept on the floor and lived life with the community. During the month we came along side the local church and the community to help build a stair way for the long uphill hike to the houses; which elderly men and women, children and pregnant women have to climb to get to and from home each day. Also, along the path we met an elderly man named Everesto and built him a new house. Everesto is 72 years old and has been battling cancer and other illnesses off and on for the past several years, he is the most humble and gentle man I have ever met. Soon he is able to begin the process of moving into his new home, which will have a working bathroom and plenty of space for his grandchildren to visit him. Before we met Everesto, he told or ministry host that he was ready to leave earth and often prayed to die. But upon building him a new home and sharing love, Everesto is excited to keep fighting to live and to experience his new home.
I was also able to make a new friend named José who the Lord allowed me to disciple. Although my Spanish is weak, my “spanglish” was good enough to have a few basic conversations throughout the month. The Lord told me to invest time into José through out the month despite speaking different languages. I learned that discipleship can be done in many different forms and you can impact someones life with the love of Jesus just by investing time in them. I worked out with him, had google translate conversation, played Dragon Ball Z video game with him and took him to see a movie. I begin to see a character shift happen in José despite me correcting his choice of lifestyle or actions; just through simply investing time loving him with a Christ like love.
This month was undoubtedly a hard month, but full of amazing victories to be celebrated!
Prayer point to be praying for:
– The community of Rio Azul
– Everesto’s health and spiritual wellbeing, his new home to be blessed And his fight to increased.
– José’s spiritual growth, his barbar shop business to be blessed and have favor to help support his family.
– Iglesia Faro de Esperanza (lighthouse church of hope) Our church in Rio Azul.
– For our squad to remain present, for our hearts to be prepared for the next few months.
Love you all and praying for you!
