The God Who Speaks (San Jose, Costa Rica)

After our time working with Homes of Hope in San Jose, we had the opportunity to participate in a local church service for a church that was having a week long emphasis on missions. On the first evening we attended, our team performed their drama, and students shared teachings and testimonies. At the end of the service, we were called to the front to pray for those who would like prayer and the congregation was invited to come forth. Most of our team was quickly approached and began praying for people, but I stood at the front for a while without activity. Shortly after, one the of men from the YWAM San Jose staff encouraged me that we could go out into the congregation and ask people if they would like to receive prayer. So with Emma and our trusty translator Ruth, I set out. We saw a middle aged couple sitting towards the back that seemed highlighted, so we approached them and asked if they would like prayer for anything. As is usually the case with the very friendly and warm-culture Costa Rican's, they accepted our offer. Emma and I prayed in English, and Ruth finished us off praying in Spanish, but while we were praying I had the very distinct impression that I should pray for theirs kids, and specifically that there was some sort of separation with God taking place. So I had Ruth translate what I was feeling, and they confirmed that this was indeed going on. I was able to encourage them that I felt God was saying He saw what was going on, and He was actively pursuing their heart. They seemed very touched to know that God would use some random guy like me just to come and encourage them. At the end of the service the mother came and thanked me again and shared some more of what was going on with their family and their son. It turns out they they were pastors in this church, and that their son had not been coming for months...

The next evening we returned to the same church for another service. I wasn't active in any ministry this time, but I did notice the father from the previous evening and we greeted each other. At the end of the service, he came up to me and introduced me to a young man that I had noticed across from me throughout the night. The father did not speak much English, but he told me that this was his son that I had prayed for, and with that he departed and left the two of us together. His son did speak English, and began by saying that his father had told him that I had received a word for him in prayer. Talk about awkward. Here I stood before a man that had only existed in my mind theoretically the night before, now I had met him and had to skip straight into the business of sharing prophecy. No pressure. But alas, I told him what I had felt, and he received it well. He shared his story with me, how he had grown up in this church and was very active on the worship team, but some type of dramatic event had taken place in his family, and now he no longer felt comfortable being around the church congregation. On top of this, most of his co-workers were not Christian and were not encouraging him in his faith. He said that he had only come to church that night on a whim, at his sisters suggestion. And tonight of all nights, here I was to meet him. It was awesome to be able to listen to him share his heart, to encourage him, and to pray with him. And when he comes to mind, I continue to pray for him and his family.


                (Video includes me sharing about this story + other stories from San Jose) 


"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help..." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a 

The circumstances of those two nights blew my mind and brought me so much joy. It brought deeper affirmation to my heart that if we can be a people who prays, our God is a God who speaks. And you just never know what might happen when you share what He speaks to you.

Costa Rica Week 4: Homes of Hope

"For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God" - Hebrews 3:4

After our time in Puerto Viejo we returned to the YWAM base in San Jose and transitioned into four days of working with Homes of Hope. Homes of Hope is a YWAM ministry that began in 1990 when staff members from YWAM Los Angeles spearheaded the effort to build the first house in Tijuana [ywamhomesofhope.org/who-we-are]. HOH now operates in 9 countries and has built thousands of houses. The heart of HOH is to build quality houses for poor families in Latin America and work alongside the families in the building process. Our mission was to build 4 houses in 2 days, as a large group of volunteer builders from the States came in to work with YWAM San Jose staff and the families. It seemed a tall order...

           (Panarica team members hangin` with YWAM San Jose staff and a neighborhood boy)


It was amazing to see the life, energy and love that was injected into this poor community as we all came together with the common purpose of service and blessing others. A common theme that came up during the lecture phase of our DTS - from teacher to teacher - was that we are blessed to be a blessing. The love and graciousness of God poured out onto our lives compels us to love and serve one another. It felt amazing to be a part of the beautiful, collective effort to bless these families.

(American volunteers + YWAM San Jose staff - walls come up)

Our team had the distinct privilege of heading up the Hospitality Team, which covered everything from setting up the day before construction began, to serving the meals, and keeping all the builders fed and hydrated throughout the day. Though we didn't work on the house constyruction itself, I never once felt like what we were doing was insignificant. It felt like an honor just to be a part of the entire process and to be able to serve the families and the builders. And yes, we did it. 4 houses. 2 days.

     (The Hospitality Team taking one of our many trips throughout the day to refresh the builders)


At the end of the second day the workers from each build site held a presentation ceremony. They gathered in a circle with the family, and as they passed the keys to the house from worker to worker, they shared their hearts. I was so blessed to see the encouragement, life and love they spoke over them. This was truly the Gospel in action. They could have easily just written out a check to any number of worthy charities, but they had spent their money, left their homes, and dedicated their time and labor all to bless complete strangers. Finally, they presented the family with their keys, and they walked in to see their completed, brand new house for the first time...

                      (Builders and family standing in front of their newly constructed home)


The houses were furnished, stocked with groceries, and some toys for the kids. After they invited us in, they began to express their thanks. The father was near speechless. The mother began to cry. All I could do was crack a wild smile. This was how life should be. This is what love looks like. This is what outreach is all about. The days flew by, but we will cherish this experience long after...

Viva Casas de Esperanza!



       (Testimonies about Homes of Hope and other parts of our journey in San Jose)