The Dream to Reach a Nation:
Puerto Viejo is a beach town on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. It is a major tourist town with a heavy spiritual atmosphere. There is a very prevalent partying culture, drugs and alcohol, and even some witchcraft. But the town is also very beautifully diverse. People from all over the world have come to settle there, from the far reaches of Latin America to Western Europe. Years ago, God spoke to Rasta and told him that Puerto Viejo is a gateway to reaching all of Costa Rica, and since then he has been praying and dreaming about building a base there. Finally, God provided the land for a miraculous price and Rasta and his wife have been working tirelessly ever since. Our team was only the third DTS team to come and work on the base.
(Humble beginnings - a sign hangs for the forthcoming base, YWAM Puerto Viejo)
The Landscape:
Though only a stones throw off of a main road, the property can easily be described as straight up jungle. There was heat and humidity in plenty, and lots and lots of interesting wildlife. The girls had the pleasure of discovering several new species of spiders (often times in their room), while we all enjoyed the spotting of a sloth, Congo monkeys, and a momma caiman with several small babies living in the pond in front of the main building. It was such a new experience and such an adventure.
(YWAM San Jose head of communications, Pablo, helps shovel mud from the river)
The Labor of Faith:
Our time here consisted of some of the toughest physical labor I've ever experienced. It was a difficult adjustment for me at first, but after a couple days, God really blessed me with the heart behind the work. I remembered how coming to do my DTS at YWAM Los Angeles was an experience that completely changed the course of my life and lifted me up out of immense depression. What makes YWAM beautiful is the radical encounters with God that it facilitates. With that memory and knowledge in mind, it became easy to work with all of my strength, because I knew what I was working towards. I can only imagine the countless number of students (and staff alike) who are going to have life-changing experiences with God while they are at YWAM Puerto Viejo.
(Our team and a crew from YWAM San Jose work on landscaping)
Worshiping While Shoveling:
The work we did during this week was very practical and very needed. Our service was just another step towards the completion of a dream. When we arrived there was no power or water for the first three days, so we began our week by forming an assembly line to carry water from the river to the base. No, we couldn't drink it, but it did come in handy to be able to flush the toilets. Myself and the two other guys on our team did a lot of work shoveling mud out of the river to create even ground where a concrete porch will be built. We also laid some foundations for the expansion of the second floor in the main building. The girls did an amazing job on landscaping and creating a path around the base. We also had the opportunity to work with a small church in town and help them put on their children's Christmas program. The congregation was small, but the depths of wisdom and faithfulness in the hearts of its members was truly a blessing for our team to behold.
(Anne works on painting rocks to accentuate the path)
Looking Forward:
We may have only contributed a weeks worth of work, but we were so blessed to lend our support towards history in the making. I hope that YWAM LA continues to send teams here to help pioneer this base, and I know that many people on our team are hoping to return and see the finished project. With God, all things are possible. When He places dreams in our hearts, He will be faithful to work for their realization.
