This is an attempt to share events from the recent visit by a team of bold, hearts-on-fire-for-Christ, young adults from Vertical – the high school ministry at Calvary of Albuquerque. I say “attempt” because it is hard to describe in words the most incredible blessing bestowed upon us by our heavenly Father in the form of this team. We know this ministry was deeply impacted by the enthusiasm and energy displayed in sharing the gospel, overcoming language barriers, and the out-pouring of sincere compassion shared by each member.
Our first week together was spent ministering to the children in Los Guizaros de Patarra
and coming alongside other Calvary missionaries south of San Jose, with evangelism and invitations to church.
We were also able to enjoy some time at the beach, and experience the beauty of Costa Rica. We found favor with the weather, and were not plagued by too much rain, even though rainy season is in full swing. We even celebrated the Lord's Supper at sunset in Quepos (even though the sun was hiding behind the clouds).
Then came the surprise of all surprises…a good friend of the ministry from Calvary Chapel Philadelphia blessed the entire team with surfing lessons and lunch on the beach! What a way to enjoy some R&R after a full schedule of ministry.
Love to see God in control. In Dominical we arrived with the full intention of hitting the streets to evangelize, but it was raining so hard that we couldn’t leave. So instead we spent some time with the Lord in praise, worship, and prayer, and then sure enough, the rain stopped and we could hit the streets fully immersed in His love and direction. Oh how He loves us so!
We continued to see God in control throughout this time. He opened doors we never could have imagined, and the gospel was preached in the city, in the rural areas, on the campuses, and in the streets and parks. The boldness of this group made it possible to speak to everyone about Jesus, His amazing love for them, and His wanting to be the Lord of their lives. The team performed some powerful dramas, in silence so language was not an issue.
Week two began with street witnessing right in the center of San Jose in Parque Central…in the rain! We were told we could not perform music or dramas that would draw a crowd, but that we could walk around and talk with people in teams. Well, the rain caused people to gather under the gazebo in the center of the park…and there we were also, playing music, preaching, and handing out tracts and info about the church. So we couldn’t cause people to congregate, but God (I just love that phrase “but God”!) could!
The neighborhoods around San Pedro were visited with boldness, and many received information about Calvary Chapel San Pedro either by hand or in their doorways.
We also visited the campuses around the church, which included UCR (University of Costa Rica). They proved to be our most challenging. But the team did not back down. They performed their dramas, and played music in front of the library, while many walked around and shared with the students congregated. Some were received gladly, and some were ignored. But seeds were planted, and we rely on our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit to produce the harvest.
We were quick to share from the very beginning that we had the two weeks all planned out, but the Lord absolutely had editing rites...and the editing He performed was truly amazing. About a week before the team arrived, we were walking around San Pedro looking for a venue to hold an event…an outreach for the team to take part in. Well we found ourselves in front of a very popular roller skating rink just across from the San Pedro Mall. The door was open, so we walked in and inquired about renting the rink for an event. BINGO…there it was…the means to reach out to the young folks in San Pedro and offer them an alternative to the madness they encounter every day…even if only for a few hours.
Once the team was here we started planning for the event, and the Lord placed it on our hearts to visit the local high school right behind the church to see if we could invite the students. Not only were we given permission to invite them, but given an open door to visit each classroom and personally invite the class. So here we go…the entire team…into the high school to perform the Chicken Skit, and invite the students to the first event hosted by Ven y Ve, our youth group being launched by this skating event!!! Wow, how good is our God?! And not only were we encouraged to enter each class, but we were given the opportunity to have an outreach in the school gym with the English classes, to allow the students to practice their English, with no limits on the topics for the conversation.
The event was a complete blast…close to 300 high school students attended. They skated to Christian music, saw the skits performed, and heard the gospel preached by Jesse and Geiner…and we saw several of them make professions of faith in Jesus Christ!!!
The following day we gathered in the school gym for worship (in English of course), conversation in small groups, and an impromptu soccer game.
We are truly in awe of our faithful God, and how He uses each one of us, as long as we make ourselves available. He used the Vertical team mightily, and we will never be the same. Each and every member of the team left a heart-print on us, and on Costa Rica. They are welcome back any time, and we miss them terribly. We thank God for His gift of the time we spent with them, and look forward to what He has planned for the aftermath. To Him be the glory. Amen!
