Day 4: Joy and Pain and Brotherly Love through Christ

From the grass hut where I now sit, this place looks like a beautiful resort. The hotel swimming pool helps, but it's not man's architecture that gives my surroundings their paradisaical appearance...it's the palm trees, the vines with their massive leaves, the banana trees, all swaying gently as if to the music of the tropical birds. On the walk from my room I saw again today an iguana bigger than a housecat sunning herself on the "front porch" of her warren.

God has also decorated the Capulin neighborhood this way from the coconut palms to the formations of parrots swooping and chattering overhead. But the dirt streets, the garbage strewn lots, the corrugated metal fences and the coils of razor wire lend to it an entirely different aspect. The hotel setting bespeaks wealth and comfort and a carefree life...at least for its temporary residents. Capulin portrays poverty and deprivation, decay and hardship.

The building where Comunidad Internacional de Adoracion meets to worship Jesus. To a Texan, it resembles a garage or an airplane hangar. To the people of Capulin, it's a refuge of love and the grace of Jesus Christ. The other side of this barren lot is bounded by an unpainted cinderblock wall topped with coils of razor wire. 

And yet the children of capulin (and their parents) smile and play and find joy in simple games, and in the stories of Jesus they're hearing this week.

Children of Capulin line up in age groups at the start of Tuesday's vacation bible school. 

After our first day's experience, we changed our plan to use the morning for games with the children of Capulin and the afternoon for vacation bible school. In the morning, we don't have access to the well-groomed soccer field (nor the restrooms), which lie behind a locked gate. So we use another field comprised of dirt patches and weedy grass, but no one complains. The children (mostly the boys) run and play futbol (soccer) and American football, and Frisbee, and they visit stations where they can play with bubbles, or get their faces painted with the design of their choice -- lots of butterflies, flowers, hearts and Texas flags.

Our facepainting crew worked hard to satisy the demand for butterflies, flowers, tiger faces, and Texas flags. 

We dined again at the restaurant in Liberia with our Costa Rican friends. Last night, our dinner was interrupted twice by pain. Adam, one of our adult leaders, slipped and fell on a broken jar, cutting his hand and leg deeply. Praise God that our team nurse, Linda, was there to patch him up. Others helped to mop up the blood, and pray for Adam. Meanwhile, outside on the curb, our Costa Rican friend Manuel was groaning in pain as his body struggled with a kidney stone. Again, Linda leaped into action, to determine what we could do for him. Others stood nearby and prayed for Manuel.

Carlos, our indispensible translator and friend, serves dinner personally, although we are at a restaurant. He is always active in doing good. 

The youth team members returned to the hotel with single adults, while married couples attended a mini marriage retreat at Comunidad Internacional de Adoracion with some couples from the neighborhood. We played games, heard testimonies about the power of Christ to save souls and marriages, and then we watched the movie 'Fireproof', complete with popcorn and drinks. We were delighted that our busdriver, Rodolfo was able to join us along with his wife Milagro and his young daughter Maria. Rodolfo has truly become part of the team.

Here are some more pictures...

Nad, a bilingual Costa Rican teen who serves as one of our translators, shows children how to make prayer journals.

Frisco Bible team member Brenna, with a new friend, Abril, a girl whose family is part of Comunidad Internacional de Adoracion, the church in Capulin.

Riley and Amanda with Caleb, who I call 'el profesor' because he's teaching me how to speak Spanish. Caleb got a big cut on his leg early in the week, but it didn't slow him down. He's a joyful, helpful young man.  

Michelle (left) and Raquel with a Costa Rican friend they met while going door to door in Capulin to share the good news about Jesus, the savior whose death on 'la cruz' [the cross] provides the believer with 'seguridad y certeza' [security and certainty]  that she has 'la vida eterna' [eternal life]. Michelle has been a joyful presence in all circumstances. 

Pastor Jesse Jimenez learns the painful price of crossing Brian Behrman. This playful wrestling match ended with Jesse tumbling on the rain-soaked grass. The brotherly love we have experienced in Capulin with our fellow Christians is wonderful beyond description. 

Wendy poses for a picture with a young man, Billy, she met while going door to door in Capulin, sharing the good news about Jesus who saves us from our sin, and grants us eternal life if we only believe. The card in his hand describes, in Spanish, how we must be saved. Billy believed and was saved. 

Shane, with Jury, a young woman from Capulin who trusted Jesus as 'su salvador' [her savior] for 'la vida eterna' [eternal life].

Linda, our team nurse, telling children about Jesus, the Great Physician. 

Carlos wants to be Noah, adopting his glasses and his nametag. Pray that he adopts Noah's savior, Jesus, as well. 

Day 3: Things Go Just as God Planned

According to our official mission schedule, we were to lead a vacation bible school (VBS) in the morning for younger children, and in the afternoon for older children. When we arrived at the field, in a very poor Liberia neighborhood called Capulin, the gate was locked, and no children were there. While the leaders worked out the field issue with the recreation department, we fanned out in the neighborhood, going house to house, speaking with parents and inviting them to send their children to our "festival."

In a very short time, we had a growing group of children at a field outside of the gate. A goat, a ewe and a calf grazed in the weeds next to the patchy dirt and grass field outside of the gate. We shifted the plan to playing games in the morning, then inviting the children back for the afternoon. It was amazing how quickly the boys picked up the strange act of throwing and catching an American football.

Back on the bus, we went to the church for lunch, and then returned to the fields, hopeful that the Lord had worked out the logistical challenges.

The hand of our God was with us, and the children returned in larger numbers to enjoy a series of activities and Bible stories about the miracles of Jesus. The program ended with a skit about Jesus feeding thousands of people with but a few loaves of bread and fish. The children listened attentively...as did a dozen or so parents seated nearby.

It was moving to see how returning team members were greeted by children who remembered them from last year.

After VBS, we returned to the hotel to prepare for dinner at a local restaurant, where we were joined by Pastor Jesse Jimenez and a number of other members of Comunidad Internacional de Adoracion, the church in Liberia, Costa Rica. Like most other meals, it consisted of rice, beans, salad plus a choice of chicken, beef, fish or pork chop. Delicious.

The day ended by the hotel pool as we sang praises to Jesus, shared stories of the day, prayed and set plans for tomorrow. As the Scriptures say, Man makes his plans, but the Lord directs the steps.

Children of Capulin, play parachute games.

For our craft on Monday, the children made prayer journals, which started with Acts 16:31 which proclaims the gospel as simply as possible: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved...

Lining up by age groups before starting vacation bible school activities. 

A calf grazed on slim pickins near the VBS field. 

Jose prepares to catch that strange pointy ball, as Andres looks on. In the background, Caleb throws a perfect spiral. 

Wendy Reunion: They met last year, and the younger Wendy (in pink on the right) was excited to see her VBS leader and friend again. Jimena, the little one, also had a great time, although she was not impressed with the photographer. 

Dos Mamas watched from their gate, across the dirt road from the vacation bible school field. Later, they joined us and watched the dramatic presentation of Jesus' miracles. 

Our event was effectively guarded by this goat. 

When our schedule unexpectedly changed. Mission team members fanned out through the streets of Capulin, inviting parents to send their children to VBS. We didn't knock on doors, but merely stood outside saying, "Buenas" (short for "buenas dias," or good day) until someone came to the door.

Children gather at the edge of the soccer field, preparing to watch a dramatic presentation of the miracles of Jesus. 

Members of the Frisco Bible Church mission team act out the Biblical scene where Jesus feeds 5,000 with a few loaves and fish, and they have plenty left over afterward. Jesus always provides abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, but not always in the way we expect. Both children and adults learned this Monday in Capulin.

Day 2: Praising God in Two Languages with One Heart

Members of Comunidad Internacional de Adoracion prepare for worship each week by praying, and singing together for an hour, gathered like a family in a circle. In the foreground, many of the people from the Frisco Bible Church mission team joined them in prayer.

Your Frisco Bible Church mission team spent much of the day in prayer, singing praise to Jesus, and listening to his Word from the Bible with our brothers and sisters in Christ from the church in Liberia, Costa Rica. Here are some pictures to give you a sense of the day.

Our day began at the Best Western Hotel, El Sitio, where we prepared ourselves with prayer, teaching from God's Word and singing together to Jesus. We also reviewed the planned events of the day, which included lunch at the church building, and teaching sessions in the afternoon.

Ben, in striped shirt, leads the mission team in a brief study of the love of God. The piece of paper in the foreground demonstrates his preparation for this 10-minute devotional. Ben, like the other members of this team, takes his responsibility like the calling from God that it is.

Ally, one of the mission team youth, shares her moving testimony of salvation and of walking with Jesus, as Tyler translates. 

This is a fun team, and they bring joy to everything they do.

Our Costa Rican brothers and sisters insisted on seating us in places of honor, and serving lunch to us. After lunch, we mingled together and had a terrific time of fellowship. Although the language barrier is high, there are enough bilingual Costa Ricans and a few semi-bilingual Americans to make communication work. Even without translation, the love of Christ is a our common bond and breaks down the wall.

 

In the evening, we gathered at the church building again to watch the women's World Cup futbol (soccer) game, and to enjoy Papa John's pizza and salad together. As you can see, some of us had taken sides in the battle between USA and Japan. 

Of course, our Costa Rican friends cheered for los Estados Unidos as well. Evaluna loved waving her American flag. 

Our day ended back at the hotel where we reviewed the day's events, prepared for the start of vacation bible school, and prayed together.

Day One: A Day of Surprises

Baptism in the Pacific Ocean at the July 4th gathering of Frisco Bible Church and Comunidad Internacioanal de Adoracion at Playa Panama, near Liberia, Costa Rica. 

Your Frisco Bible Mission team arrived on schedule this afternoon in Liberia, Costa Rica, and met with a several surprises.

1) Pastor Jesse Jimenez, of Comunidad Internacional de Adoracion, who was slated to be out of the country during our visit, surprised and delighted us all by coming home to Liberia.
2) On the bus from the airport, our leader, Brian Behrman, told us to get our swimsuits on once we arrived at the hotel.
3) The local church threw a party for us at Playa Panama, a beach on an inlet of the Pacific Ocean.
4) At the party, a number of local believers were baptized in the Pacific.
5) Our brothers and sisters in Christ treated us to a dinner on the beach including nachos. hot dogs and potato salad. The latter two items were in honor of our Independence Day.

Teens played football and futbol (soccer) on the beach and in the water. Everyone mingled and made new friends, and we didn't leave until it was so dark that people had to use their cell phone flashlights to find their belongings.

After a bus ride back to El Sitio Hotel, we held a meeting to debrief the day, get our schedule and assignments for Sunday, and to pray.

Tomorrow the Frisco folks will lead the teaching in the worship service, Sunday School and some special sessions after lunch. Pray that we would preach with power, that the message would be clear, and that the Holy Spirit would be pleased to glorify Christ through it all.

Pastor Jesse Jimenez and other members of Comunidad Internacional de Adoracion baptize believers in the Pacific Ocean on July 4, the first day of the Frisco Bible Church mission to Liberia, Costa Rica. 

Liberia to Shut Off Water on Day Mission Team Arrives

[SEE UPDATE BELOW]
We've just received word (Thursday night) that the city of Liberia, Costa Rica, where your Frisco Bible Church mission team will serve July 4-11, plans to shut off water service on Saturday (7/4), the day we arrive in country.

The region is apparently experiencing a drought, and this is a conservation effort. They plan to restore it later Saturday, or perhaps Sunday.

Of course, as Texans, we're well familiar with water restrictions, but not of this magnitude. We appreciate your prayers that the Lord would provide water for the people of Liberia, and wisdom to city leaders, as well as patience and joy among your mission team as we serve amid unanticipated circumstances.

Jesus is in control of the elements, and of His people, and we trust Him with all of this.

UPDATE: As of Friday noon, we've learned that the water is slated to be off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and shouldn't affect the mission team much. Rather than drought, the conservation measure may be due to a leaking pipe.

Elders Commission Team for Costa Rica Mission

Frisco Bible Church elders on Sunday (6/28) commissioned Costa Rica mission team members during each of the three morning worship services, laying on hands and praying that the Lord Jesus might be glorified in the work.

Sunday afternoon, the team held its final preparation meeting, reviewing details of the trip, and of the work we'll be doing in country, and praying again for the Lord's leadership in the endeavor.

Saturday morning, we'll board a plane at DFW bound for Liberia, Costa Rica. We appreciate all of the many people who have prayed for us and contributed financially to the mission.

Each of us will carry Spanish-launguage Bibles for distribution during the week of July 4-11, as well as items needed for Vacation Bible School -- yes, we're carrying Bibles and bubbles.

One Week to Lift Off: Keep Praying

Sunday (6/28/15) the elders at Frisco Bible Church will commission the team for this mission to Costa Rica in each of the three morning worship services. We'll then hold our final training and information meeting before next Saturday's departure.

We have invested time during our training sessions in getting to know each other, sharing our stories of coming to faith in Christ, reviewing the itinerary and logistics for our mission, even preparing craft projects for the children in Vacation Bible School.

Most importantly, we have prayed and fasted -- together with Comunidad Internacional de Adoración, the Costa Rican church -- to prepare ourselves for the work to which the Lord Jesus has called us.

We rejoice that the expenses of the mission are fully funded, thanks to the generosity of many at Frisco Bible and beyond, and we look forward to this adventure of faith. Still, we crave your prayers as we set out.

Pray that...

• The Lord Jesus would be glorified in all that we say and do.
• The local church would be blessed by our presence.
• We would learn from our Costa Rican brothers and sisters, and grow in our faith.
• Children and adults would believe in Jesus for eternal life.
• Frisco Bible Church would find renewed zeal for evangelism and missions.