19 Blessings!

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!

Vertical is Coming! Vertical is Coming!

Yes, in just one week a team from Vertical, the high school ministry from Calvary of Albuquerque will arrive. During their time here we have planned a full schedule of activities, including outreaches to children, to the universities in the area (there are 5!) and the neighborhoods surrounding the church, as well as visiting some tourist areas, coming alongside other Calvarys, as we let vacationers know there is an English-speaking church family in San Jose who welcome them as they travel through this beautiful country.

Additional news…the team will be returning to Albuquerque with one less leader. That is because our prayers have been answered…Nathan is coming down with the group, and staying on to serve alongside us here at Calvary Chapel San Pedro!!!! Praise the Lord…God is good, and we are so excited. Nathan completed the School of Ministry this past May, and has been approved as Global Adventures’ newest missionary.

Please pray for safe travel, favorable weather conditions, and a fruitful time of praise and evangelism for the team. May the hearts of the people whom the Lord places in our path be transformed by the Good News of His saving grace. These youngsters have worked hard preparing and fund-raising, and we know the reward of their efforts will show in the lives they touch along the way.

Here in Costa Rica God is being glorified through the ministry, as we continue to grow. Calvary Chapel San Pedro has started a bilingual Tuesday evening prayer meeting. The Wednesday evening bible study is continuing through Genesis, and we have started the Foundations class in English. We look forward to what the Lord has in store, as we continue to follow hard after His heart.

19 Years and Blessed! A Message from Denise

I am missing my sweet husband big time today. It is our 19th anniversary, and I am here in NJ for a time, taking care of my parents...and he is in Costa Rica holding down the fort. My dad was released from the hospital last Tuesday, and he and mom needed some help with things, like doctor's appointments, etc., until my sister returns.

Being here is a blessing...and I know the Lord has orchestrated this timing because everything has fallen into place. But that doesn't mean that I don't miss Geiner, especially today. This is the first anniversary that we have been apart, and I am so grateful that there is technology like Skype to close the gap a bit.

In the meantime I have also been blessed to spend some time with our Calvary Phila family, in attending the Missions Conference last Saturday, and Sunday and Wednesday services while I am here.

Thank you for your prayers...please continue to pray for my parents and their health, and Geiner and the ministry continuing in Costa Rica in my absence.

"First Mission" - A Message from Julie

Our dear friend Julie visited in March, and we asked her to write a few words to share with you about her experience here in Costa Rica. Sorry for the delay in posting...we are so grateful to Julie for spending this time with us on her own personal mission trip. We love you Julie!

Now for her message:

My FIRST MISSION trip was to Costa Rica to walk with Denise and Geiner in their daily walk to see how the Lord was using His blessed instruments. I was truly filled with emotion when I first saw them with big warm smiles welcoming me at the airport waving thru the glass window. All of this process was totally unknown to me as this was my very first time to use my passport! I had been praying for our Lord to guide me, direct me and take control. And, He did, of course! He saw that Denise and Geiner were there for my arrival, as tired as they were. They returned from their emergency trip to be with her family due to her father’s health the same day I arrived! Again, it is, as always, His plan!


This was such an amazing experience to see the Lord’s work in action. The people are so warm and friendly. I had fellowship with the people in the San Pedro Church in English and Spanish (un poquito!). Besides attending the Spanish and English services led by Geiner on Sunday morning, I attended a Bible study in English led by Mark Bloomberg and the very first Discipulo Study preparing the Spanish speakers to be disciples to be bold to spread the word of God. Geiner leads a Bible study on Wednesday evenings which this week, turned into a celebracion de cumpleanos for our beloved missionaries, Denise and Geiner since they were in the States on their birthdays.


The people were so kind and patient with me and encouraged me to speak in Spanish. The Spanish speakers who are learning English spoke to me in English! It was so wonderful to see and experience their progress, their excitement with their studies of the language. I learned some palabras used in New Mexico have an entirely different meaning in CR!


On Saturday, Geiner and Denise had planned a special picnic for some children in Los Guizaros. This was such a blessed event to be with the children. You just wanted to hug them, love them and tell them about Jesus. Two of them accepted Christ into their life on this day! They were given a Bible in Spanish. (Yes, the Bibles arrived on Wednesday while I was there! We were so excited!) One young man walked around while reading his new Bible and then sat down to continue to read! The huge, sincere smile on his face was so fulfilling. This was so awesome to be a part of this event!


This was truly a blessed experience overall to see the Lord’s beauty all around in the people, the culture, the rain forest and especially the work that is being done thru his instruments, Geiner and Denise. More of us need to be bold and spread the word because so many are so hungry for His word, for everlasting life! God’s plan is so incredible. It is so awesome to see how His plan is being played out through his instruments, Geiner and Denise, our beloved missionaries. Dios te bendiga!

Back in Action!

Beloved of God and ours,

In the past several weeks we have not had an opportunity to update our blog…Sorry.

For those who don’t know, Denise’s father was rushed to the hospital on February 25th and we left Costa Rica immediately to be there with family. He could not breathe because his lungs were filled with fluid and his kidneys failed. He was on a ventilator and we honestly thought that we might not make it there in time. By God’s grace and prayers from many of you around the world, he is improving. He was in the hospital for almost a month, and as of this Tuesday has been moved to rehabilitation to regain his strength. Please continue to pray for him and mom, as they face some adjustments that will need to be made upon his release from the rehab center.

With dad improving we felt comfortable returning to our God-given ministry, and we arrived back in Costa Rica last Tuesday at midday. We hit the ground running, and proceeded to go home, clean up, and returned to the airport that same evening to pick up Julie, our dear friend from our care team in Albuquerque, who arrived at 7:20P.M. Julie came on her own personal mission trip and her timing could not have been better...she was such a big help. She will be sharing some thoughts in a blog post soon.


The following day, Wednesday, we went to the church and began planning for an outreach to a neighborhood called Los Guizaros de Patarra, which is about 35 minutes from the church. By 9:00 A.M.Saturday morning ten of us were at the church ready, praying, and waiting for a van that would transport us. We had originally set aside about 3 weeks to plan this event, but because of circumstances we only had 3 days…and more room for the Lord to work His wonders.

We visited the children of this neighborhood…we played with them, served them a lunch of arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) and showed them a movie about Samson.

...and they even washed their own plates!

Then, about 12:30 we asked them to return to their homes and invite the adults back at 2:00 for coffee, pastry, and a movie. In the meantime, some of us visited the neighborhood inviting others to come.

(This grandmom is raising this young man after his parents abandoned him...he asked for this bible so that he could read to her, since she cannot read...and you should hear him recite scripture!)

The afternoon turn-out was not as good as the morning, but the Lord was glorified…in fact He blessed our socks off, Pura Vida! We got to meet Luis, Jose, Elian, and many more! Faces were painted, people were blessed, we were blessed, and we shared our hope in Christ and began new relationships.





Two boys gave their lives to Christ. But sometimes I wonder, “did they?” so I asked them a question to see if they understood what they were doing…and you know, they did! They both gave me answers that you just have to say “yes, they know what they are doing!” Now do you? Please pause for a moment today and ask yourself this question. There is a reason for Ephesians 6:17a, and why Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, advises us about the helmet of salvation.

Lord bless you. Please continue praying for us and for the people of Costa Rica. Hope you enjoy the pictures!