Final Costa Rica Update

Last night we had our closing celebration. It was wonderful being able to see all the churches we've worked with throughout the week gather together and worship Jesus. It was an emotional night with lots of hugs and tears of joy. Particularly, as we said goodbye to our translators, they were our mouthpieces as we shared the hope of Christ with the Costan Rican people.

We celebrated and prayed over 538 gospel presentations, 368 professions of faith in Christ, 120 requested follow up visits to their homes, and 309 participated in new discipleship groups (I Am Second Groups).

God definitely met our highest expectations, and then some! The team did great, we are so proud of each and every one of them. Thanks again for your prayers and support.

Join us in Costa Rica next year!
Dates are set July 5-13, 2013

Contact Kris Cheek or Brad Brooks for more info:
cheek.kris@gmail.com
bablers2000@yahoo.com 

Brad and Kris are the sweet couple in the last pic...  :-)

Costa Rica Update #4

One of the Costa Rican pastors that we are working with this week is blind (see pic with Kris and man in red shirt). However, his physical limitation has not been a detriment to the spiritual vibrance of their church. They have a huge heart for youth and young families, and have been quite affective ministering to this demographic as well. We can see that the young people are attracted to the pastor and his wife's loving spirit and servant heart. It truly is a privilege to minister alongside and encourage this beautiful couple and church. We are reminded that we all have weaknesses that God's strength can be perfected in.

Pray for a strong finish. We will close our time with the Costa Rican believers by celebrating and worshiping with them tomorrow evening. 

P.S. The couple in the last picture is the e3 Partners Costa Rican Director and our group host for the week. They have taken such great care of us! Thank you Carlos and Xenia.

Costa Rica Update #3

Just wanted to update everyone on the evangelism and outreach opportunities after only two days in the field.  We have had over 220 individual gospel presentations, 175 professions of faith in Christ, and 90 people requesting follow up visits.  We have also been holding our I AM SECOND discipleship groups in the evenings and have had over 100 people attend to study God's word and pray for one another.  God has continued to use us to transform and renew the lives of Costa Rican's in San Ramon and has shown us his faithfulness and plan to reach His people.  It is a true blessing and privilege to serve this week in Costa Rica and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and see the transformation of lives for his kingdom.

Costa Rica Update #2

Today one of our teams worked in a community where there isn't a single church, of any kind among several hundred people. A pastor in a neighboring community, along with his congregation, had been praying for inroads into this needy area for over a year, particularly to the younger people and children. When the pastor heard about the partnership possibilities with our team (and e3 Partners) several months ago, he jumped at the chance to invite us into this unreached community. Needless to say, God works in mysterious and wonderful ways! We were able to build relational bridges with dozens of children, youth, and young families and visit numerous homes within the vicinity. Approximately, nine adults and children accepted Christ and requested follow-up contact.

This was just one of the communities where our team ministered today. Each area had it's own unique and powerful ways!

Our team also enjoys a special time of worship in the mornings before we depart for the day and a time of sharing in the evenings when we return. (see first and last pic)

Costa Rica Trip Update #1

We made it safely to San Ramon, Costa Rica! We are on day two already. Yesterday (Saturday) we spent the day acclimating to the rainy season we find ourselves in down here, as well as team orientations and introductions to the church leadership we will be serving

Our aim is encourage and train hundreds of Costa Rican Christ-followers in sharing their faith, discipling new Christ-followers, and facilitating new discipleship groups. With the goal of seeing these discipleship groups become new churches that are turning around and helping start the process all over again, establishing Gospel movements in villages and cities across Costa Rica.