The following day we visited Renuevos Center in La Carpio, a Christian community center in the ghettos that holds many Nicaraguan refugees. We had the opportunity to spend time and play with the children, worship with Spanish songs and body worship, share the Word of God, and pass out toys and gifts. If there is one thing our team learned throughout the trip, it’s that God has blessed these children with the gift of soccer. We, the team USA representatives, could not even compete against the Ticos (what Costa Ricans call themselves). According to Pastor Mike, the Costa Ricans’ number one priority is soccer, then God, then family. Perhaps this is enough reason for us to make a soccer ministry (or jokgu ministry) at LA Sarang… for missions of course…

 

Ticos teaching us how to play futbol.

Time for devotionals.

Craft time!~

Before leaving, we heard an encouraging testimony of a Nicaraguan refugee girl who had found a renewed life of love and hope in God through the pastors and leaders at the center. She recounted her past and counted her blessings as she spoke of how God gave her a second chance in life, a new life, a new creation, but above all that, He gave her a relationship with a heavenly Father. I held back my tears, which were unworthy to be shed in the presence of someone who had been through so much difficulty in her life as a refugee and yet had found a deeply rooted relationship with her Maker. All this at the tender age of 16. When I was 16, my biggest worry was whether to go to school with my jeans or shorts. Oh and of course the SATs. But despite the differences I thank God for a greater, global perspective. I pray that this perspective will not be just another fancy lens to look through, but a wide open window of opportunity to lead others to Jesus.

Pastor Alvarez and Chio sharing about their ministry.

Pastor Alvarez and Chio sharing about their ministry.

In the next two days we headed over to Tirrases to the only Bible school in the city. With the funds that we raised, we were able to provide an important support beam that would keep the roof up. We were able to “raise the roof” as the kids say these days. We also painted the outside of the building with a fresh layer of paint. In order to level the ground of the Bible school, we used sledgehammers, pick axes, our fists, and various other tools to break down the cement and carry it outside. After breaking it down, the next step was to mix the cement and pour it on the floor. It was certainly a job for Thor and his superhero friends. Despite the living conditions in the area, there were the faithful few such as Pastor Horatio, the director of the Bible school, who served alongside of us with all their hearts for the sake of sharing the love of Jesus to the kids in the community. It’s a testament of how God always sets apart a remnant for Himself no matter where, no matter what. It’s the flicker of light in the darkness, the beauty from the ashes, the lotus that rises from muddy waters.

The team breakin it down!

The hermanas painting outside.

The support beam funded by our support team.

Mixing cement on the ground. Costa Rican style.

Carefully applying the cement on the floor.

Posing at La Primera Escuela Biblica de Tirrases.

Speaking of muddy waters, we got a chance in our off time to stop by the alligator bridge to see the alligators relaxing in the muddy river. It was like a scene from the Lion King. Everything in Costa Rica was green and luscious – the mountains, the trees, the fruits, the exotic animals, even the ants – and we were able to see a new glimpse of God’s magnificent creation (Psalm 19:1-4). But I’m totally fine with not having alligators roaming around in the rivers of LA.

 

The Alligator King.

On Saturday, we woke up early to help the missionary and his wife shop at the local farmer’s market in Tibas Feria. For a suburban Californian like me who buys groceries from my homie Ralph with a Ralph’s rewards card, this was like a scene from a movie (Aladdin perhaps). According to the missionary, this was the primary way that Costa Ricans buy local produce, food, and other homegrown resources.

 

Costa Rican farmers market.

Then our Korean-American mariachi traveling band began the city-wide Spanish concert for the children of Costa Rica. Our first stop was a Christian community center in Asseri, a hilltop village. The center consisted of a small cement soccer field with nets on all sides and one small building next to it. When we arrived, the children were playing an intense game of soccer including coaches who yelled from the sidelines. The game even included kids who were flopping and pretending to get hurt, just like their idols in the World Cup.

 

As soon as the soccer game was over, we led a group of about 75 children and adults to worship together in Spanish. We could tell that their bodies wanted to move and dance, but their minds were still processing the majestic glory of Koreans speaking fluent Spanish in song and dance. “Fiesta!” After a gospel message from a local pastor, Pastor Pablo, we had the opportunity to do crafts together and hand out gifts as Pastor Mike provided snacks and drinks for everyone. Before leaving, our team realized we had gained some Costa Rican fans as many of them wanted to take pictures with us. Either that, or they were just fascinated by the first Koreans they had ever encountered.

Time for body worship!

After crafts and refreshments!

Our next location was back in Tirrases where we had done construction. It was time for their weekly Bible study led by Pastor Horatio. For the first time, we were able to use a boom box to blast the praise songs loudly, and it made a huge difference in the energy level in the room. Then I began to wonder if heaven will have an awesome sound system run by multiple 박준 간사님s or if everything will be done on an acoustic guitar or harp. But regardless, we had a great time leading about 60 kids to worship. Afterwards, the Bible study teachers taught the students as the mission team passed out crafts, gifts, and snacks. What was so encouraging was how passionate and dedicated Pastor Horatio and his volunteers were to teaching the Bible to kids and adults in such a run-down community. In Isaiah 55:11 God says wherever his word is sent, it will always produce fruit and prosper and accomplish his will. More than food or clothes, or even the fun gifts and crafts, the most important gift we can share is the word of God unto salvation.

 

Here we go again, but this time with loud music!

Pastor Horatio doing crafts with the kids.

The very next day on Sunday, we visited one of Pastor Mike’s local church plants led by one of his disciples, Pastor Pablo. The service was held in the gym of a local Catholic school and there was a group of about 30-40 members. We had the opportunity to lead worship in Spanish, geared for an older audience, while doing body worship. Once again, either they were just in awe of our moves or they just weren’t used to our Gangnam style of dancing. We gave them the benefit of the doubt because at least they tried their best.

 

Setting up for Sunday service.

While singing one of our most touching songs where the lyrics say, “Now the least that I can do is live my life for you” we witnessed the congregation truly worship with us and a few people even shed tears as we worshiped. It was truly touching and encouraging to see different cultures and ethnicities worshiping the same heavenly Father. “every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9)

Afterwards, we spent time with the church kids in a separate room while the adults were listening to the sermon. More and more I realize an obvious fact that there will always be children. Of course. But this means that in every mission field there will be some kind of interaction with children. In fact, the majority of our mission preparation and work was naturally geared toward children because they are the most effective age group to reach out to. Not only that, there are many cases where parents come out to church because of their child’s involvement at church.

 

Sunday school picture time!

According to Pastor Mike, they had one of the most amount of offering that Sunday and it was enough to cover many urgent expenses for the church. I’m not saying we directly caused people to be generous, but we did move their hearts to tears… Correction: God moved their hearts with cheer. We were just glad to be even a small part of what God was doing in Costa Rica through his church.

 

Happy after craft time and gifts.

God has placed people all over the world to accomplish His will. We saw only a small glimpse of what God was doing through ONE man who’s heart was after God’s own heart. More than the mission field or the people in Costa Rica, we were impacted by ONE missionary who dedicated his life for Costa Rica. We shadowed him as he walked us through his normal daily routine, and I was blessed and humbled to see that his 20+ years of building relationships and interceding for the land he calls Sodom and Gomorrah make a difference in the lives of children, widows, the poor, and the weak. All this because he loves Jesus and wants to make Him known.

 

Costa Rica team with Pastor Mike and SMN.