IT'S OFFICIAL

Beloved of God and ours,

We would like to make an announcement...

Calvary Chapel Pura Vida will be holding its first service on August 29th!!!

The space we will be renting is located in a church in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, just east of San Jose, in a very central location, close to the University of Costa Rica, and a hub for bus transportation, so it is easily accessible. It is about 15 miles from our home. Needless to say, we are so excited!!!

With this comes lots of planning and prayer requests. We are looking for someone to lead worship (the music portion). So please keep that in your prayers. Also, we have been going there to meet the people in the area, hand out flyers, tracts, and the evangelistic coins our care team sent us. Please pray for our outreach as well. Here are pictures of the flyer and the coins we are using, just so you can share in the excitement!

Stay tuned for pictures of the church. We will keep you posted on how things are progressing. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support, and please keep on praying!

Some thoughts from Denise

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Col 3:2

When I think of the adjustments that we have made here in Costa Rica, I can’t help but thank God for His faithfulness. He brought us from a 4 bedroom house, to two rooms (one bedroom and one living room/kitchen/office combo) and a bath…and we are so comfortable. He brought us from two good-paying full-time jobs outside our home, to working full-time for Him…and we are so provided for. He brought us from usually being able to predict what tomorrow will look like, to depending on Him totally for what tomorrow holds…and we are so confident. So how do I make it here without my crock-pot, clothes dryer, dollar store, and other things I used to take for granted?...by keeping my eyes on Him.

Over the last couple of weeks we have seen the Lord move in a big way. Getting confirmation that we are in His will is such a satisfying place to be. Too many times we question our motives for what we are doing, and if they are in line with His plan. And then He allows us to get a glimpse of what He had on His agenda all along! How blessed we are to have that peace that so many long for.

Today is a windy, rainy day here in the mountains of San Rafael de Heredia. We have been told that the sun is farthest away from Costa Rica in these months, so the weather we experience is not what you would generally expect when one talks about “tropical” Costa Rica. Geiner is diligently preparing for a teaching this weekend, and I am here writing this. We are both fighting some sort of bug. Geiner has the start of a cold, and I am still hacking with a dry cough that has been around for about 3 weeks now. How strange to feel like winter (or as close as it gets in Costa Rica!) when everyone we talk with in the states is in sweltering heat.

Thank you for the time to ramble. Know that we are not that far away, technologically, and love to hear from you! Until next time,

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT

July?...Really?

Beloved of God and ours,

Honestly, I have no idea where May and June went. Today is July 1st. We have been here in Costa Rica for 6 months now! Yes…half a year. Wow! And yet every day we need to remind ourselves:

“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps 118:24

The past couple of weeks have brought ups and downs in ministry. We knew it would be like this, but that does not always feel good. Recently our Foundations class had discussed “Forgiveness and Reconciliation” two weeks in a row, and we saw questions, understanding, and growth. In fact one woman actually came back and shared with us that she took what she learned into her workplace. All glory to God! Now unfortunately there is some family turmoil that needs to be addressed. Please pray that the enemy’s attack will not hinder their movement forward in their walk. If anything, this is an indication that they are growing, or he would not be interested in targeting them.

The study in Perez Zeledon went through a similar circumstance this past weekend. During our last study the Spirit moved, and many were figuratively showing up in the shadows by night with Nicodemus asking, “How can we be born again?” It is every evangelist’s dream…to be asked to explain true salvation! At the end of the study several attendees prayed to receive Christ! Amen and Alleluia! God is great ALL the time! And when this past weekend’s study was cancelled because the house where we usually meet was unavailable at the last minute, we were faced once again with the reality that we need to, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”.1Pet 5:8 We have since confirmed the location of our next study, and will be sure to continue to encourage those that attend, so that they do not become prey to that roaring lion.

Since we arrived in Costa Rica we have often wondered why the Lord chose to bring us to Heredia. Well very recently we have gotten a glimpse of what the Lord has in mind for us in this part of the country. We are seeking His counsel and His will before taking any major steps, but we can acknowledge that a huge door has opened for the ministry, and we are walking by faith through the threshold. Please stay tuned for further developments ;)

On a personal note, and continuing to question where the time has gone…another 90 days have passed, and because of some misinformation from the New Mexico Dept of State, Denise needed to leave the country again to renew her visa. Only this time the Lord provided a wonderful surprise. For less than the cost of another trip to Panama, we discovered a direct flight to Newark NJ, which allowed Denise to spend close to five days with her parents. What an amazing blessing! She also returned to Costa Rica with that last necessary document in hand. So the residency process should be taking the next step this coming week.

As time passes we continue to press on, knowing that we are here in Costa Rica for the purpose of glorifying our Lord, and will continue to be obedient to His call each and every day…always remembering to be still and know that He is God! Thank you for your continued love, prayers, and support. Pura vida in Christ, our Savior!

Sweet Friendships that Renew the Soul

“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” Proverbs 27:9 (The Message)

Beloved of God and ours,

Since our last post we have had the blessing of a visit from the Pittmans. Dave, Wendy, Mariah, and Nathaniel came to Costa Rica for their family vacation, and we were privileged to spend time with them, as they experienced Costa Rica.




Wendy lived in San Jose for about 6 months…but that was 19 years ago, when her parents were missionaries here. Her Spanish skills returned quickly, and she was able to communicate very well. We were blessed to have them join us at our Foundations class on Wednesday evening…to share with them just a bit of our current ministry, and the plans for future ministry just ahead.

We are also glad they had opportunities to enjoy a Costa Rican vacation as a family, visiting Volcano Poas,





taking part in a coffee tour,


and Dave and the kids venturing out on a canopy tour that lasted 5 hours!



On Dave’s birthday we joined them for an excursion through the rain forest on our way to Quepos, which included some time on the beach.


Dave and Wendy are members of our care team, and we are so grateful for their partnership in this ministry. We wish we could have spent more time with them…to have them visit the study in Perez Zeledon...and we want to thank them for allowing us to take part in their family time, and for having hearts for the people of Costa Rica. Our prayers together with them were lifted to the Throne of Grace on behalf of the many here in Costa Rica who do not know the Truth. May our Heavenly Father continue to use us mightily, to show His love and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to this nation.




We press on in our ministry, and know that the Lord’s timing is perfect. The study in Perez Zeledon is going well, as we continue through Ephesians…and the enemy is working hard to get in the way of some attending. Our prayer is that His truth will set them free from the traditions that bind them, and they will come to know that Jesus is real, alive, and wants to “sup” with them personally.

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” Acts 3:19

BEFORE and AFTER

Yesterday we celebrated 18 years of marriage!. It seemed like it was just yesterday… but the truth is it has been about 6570 days, and we learned and are still learning.

It hasn’t been easy, but in God’s grace He has carried us through. Carried in the honeymoon stage…carried in the love stage, the work hard stage, the business stage, the stressful stage, the lying stage, the unfaithful stage, and the worst stage – when the truth comes out and we stop living the masqueraded life that buried us in our own deceitfulness, which created a false reality from which we needed to escape. “How?” we say…“Marriage is over” we say…and then we hear “I LOVE YOU!” yelled from the heavens. We hear a voice that with grace resounds the echo of the phrase “it is only a potential battle…an opportunity…don’t give up – grow up.” “How I desire your happiness, your joy. Since you got married I knew that being alone was not good. So I gave you that person to be by your side…for you to love. So now that the lie is over, start again and learn from your mistakes, and be the husband that I made you to be.” And I said “yes, Lord…I will love like You love – unconditionally, sacrificially, forgivingly, obediently.” And Jesus gave us the strength; He gave us the love, the patience, so that we could be victorious in this potential battlefield called marriage. Jesus showed us how to forgive and be victors over every lie. Jesus showed us how to be obedient, so that the failures of the heart will not prevail. Jesus showed us how to love so that we would not hate and be lost. Jesus showed us how to trust so that the ungrounded jealousies would die, and the grounded ones will be the sustainability of the stronger prayer. How happy are those who are willing to go the extra mile in their marriage…just like Jesus did when He went to the cross!

God in His loving grace has kept my marriage…my part is to be a good steward of my Father’s daughter.

Father, I thank You for Your grace in giving me her, who completes me. My heart melts at the thought that Your love for me extends up to the reality of her love for me, and that You sometimes use her arms to embrace my lacking heart. Please, Father, may my discipleship of her be pleasing to You…after all, You gave her to me for a time. May our love for You be the springing fountain of our love for each other. I love you Lord, and I love Denise.

To all of you out there: marriage is a potential battlefield that has no foundation if you forgive. It is the disarming of all enemies. After all, Jesus fought His battle that way and won! It is the maximum expression of love.

Blessings in Fellowship

For the first time since we arrived, our studies have started off with music, in worship to our King! Our friend and fellow servant Ezra was here visiting us for 12 days. He brought his guitar, and quickly (and we mean quickly) learned three songs in Spanish, so that we could open our Foundations class on Thursday evening with worship. Ezra does not speak Spanish (yet!) and was able to lead us in worship, in Spanish, in less than 48 hrs of his arrival, to the glory of God, and the appreciation of our attendees. The family that had previously expressed an interest in coming were able to join us last week for the first time. They were excited, and this week they invited others.





Geiner also broke out his guitar and had a lesson from Ezra.


Thursday we headed down the hill to central San Rafael de Heredia, to pass out some tracts and do some witnessing in the park. We encountered our usual mix of those who listen and have questions or experiences to share, those who are polite, and those who don’t want to take the time to listen or accept a tract. Ezra took the opportunity to let people know that Jesus loves them (Jesus te ama) and worked hard on memorizing John 3:16 in Spanish. It was a fruitful afternoon, with one young man interested in attending our Foundations class, and another woman who called us because we had our phone number on the tract we gave her, asking for prayer and wanting to know where we hold our bible studies.

We left for Perez Zeledon early last Saturday morning. We will give Ezra a chance here to let you in on his experience of life on the farm:

"As you all may know already the locals have a saying, “Pura Vida” which means pure life. That really is the best way to describe life on the farm. When people have so little and work so hard for it, the truly important things in life are valued. Faith, family and friends, are what these people cling to for support/survival and there is nothing more “pure life” than that. Add into the mix the absolutely beautiful and tranquil jungle and the overwhelming sense of God’s majesty in His creation, and you have Pura Vida. Things in the jungle are simple. I think that that simplicity was the best part. I told Denise that I can hear better up at the farm. She looked at me confused and I explained to her that at the farm almost every distraction or stimulant is removed and you can hear God better. Not because God is not speaking to us everywhere we are at in our busy lives but because in that simple life there are less distractions to kidnap us away from just sitting at the feet of our Lord and God. It was a lesson in perspective, seeking God and not comfort or entertainment/distractions. Some might look at these people and see how poor they are and what conditions they live in and feel sorry for them, but when I think about it I am reminded of God’s design, the least shall be first. May we all find a little more Pura Vida in our lives.
Beyond my experience at the farm, God is speaking to the people of Costa Rica through G&D. Life as a missionary is one of constantly being dependent on God. Never has that been truer in my life than while I have been here. I am in a country that I do not understand, struggling to speak a language that I do not know and somehow God can still use it for His glory. While I was playing and singing worship songs in a language that I do not know, not even understanding the meaning of the words it made me realize just how dependent on the strength of Jesus I was. I felt so underprepared and so out of place but God gave me the strength and used it to bless the people listening while glorifying Himself. Praise the Lord God almighty He is so faithful. "

Our bi-weekly study in Perez Zeledon was also blessed with the sounds of praise and worship to the Lord. We had two additions to the group, with expectations of invitations to others.

Thank you Ezra, for your willingness to serve and love the people of Costa Rica.

“To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:21-23

Answered Prayers of the Faithful!

So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
Ezra 8:23

Thank you for your prayers for the study last weekend. The Lord used the time to minister to those present, and to heal a relationship between two brothers that had been estranged for a time.

We are so encouraged to also share that one of Geiner’s uncles decided to attend the study for the first time. Initially that was not his intention. He was on his way to “have a beer and relax with some friends,” but the Holy Spirit used a phone call with his brother in the US to have him reconsider. During the phone conversation his brother was lamenting on how he was feeling very alone and without his family. That got him thinking…he had the opportunity to be there with his family instead of drinking in a bar. So he turned around and came to the study.

He later shared with Geiner how blessed he was by the teaching, and is hosting the next study at his house! Thank you Lord.

We also are encouraged by another family here in Heredia who want to attend the Foundations class on Thursday evenings (we recently changed from Friday to Thursday to help accommodate work schedules). The mom is a passionate bible reader, and is looking for a service that is centered on the study of God’s Word. Her son works here on the property, and has been strongly influenced by his mother’s devotion to the Word. He is excited to attend as well. We look forward to them starting to attend next week.

We are preparing for a busy month of May with visitors and a retreat! Geiner’s mom will be spending a couple of days with us at the end of this week, before she returns to Tucson. We are also expecting our good friend Ezra next Wednesday. He will be here with us for about 12 days and will be helping us incorporate some worship into our studies with his talent as a guitar player and former worship leader. Then later in May we will have our friend Heather staying here for 3 days before she starts her TESOL certification program. During her 6 weeks in the program she will be staying with a host family and will be fellowshipping with us. At the end of May we are excited to see the Pitman family while they are here in Costa Rica for their family vacation. And in the middle of all this we will be attending a marriage retreat for Calvary Chapel missionaries here in Costa Rica (May 11th – 13th) in La Fortuna, hosted by Calvary Chapel Tamarindo and their home church, Calvary Chapel Vista California. The speakers will be Senior Pastor of CC Vista, Rob Salvato and his wife Denise. We are excited by all the fellowship coming up during May and will keep you posted with details of these happenings as they occur.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21