Greetings and Happy Fall!
What a busy month we have had! We started off strong with Pepper & River enjoying a father-son weekend Labor Day in Montezuma. We’re so thankful for the beautiful surroundings of this nation for us to get away and rejuvenate. River came home with more machetes, knives and tools for jungle walks. He was a happy boy!
A few days later we sent 9 students to Horizon Church’s Youth Camp in La Montana. What a blessing it is to partner with such a great church. We continue to partner with the church in sending our 11-13 year olds to Awana’s Trek program and our 14+ students to youth group. This past Sunday we drove through the neighborhoods to offer mothers’ rides to church and many were delighted to join us. Last Sunday we were in church with 14 in total from our ministry. Now that Horizon offers two services, we have space to bring in additional families and it has been a joy to partner with Daniel and Sarah Barrett, the pastor and his wife, who continue to mentor us as we pray about the ongoing ministry the Lord has called us to here in Herradura.
One week into September, and we were able to break ground on the Casita project on our property! This “Little House” (Casita translated) will be the structure we need adjacent to the future Mulituso for the purposes of feeding students on the first level and providing storage and bathrooms for NOW Costa Rica events. The second floor will offer housing for various students in need on occasion as well as allowing various supporters from the U.S. to come and see progress on the ground. We will have sleeping space for five at any given time, so while that doesn’t mean mission teams can stay here, it does mean small vision teams and various individual supporters can more easily come to help us oversee the wonderful progress the Lord is providing.
Sept 8th we hosted a return mission team from Howerton’s Baptist Church led by the delightful and diligent Mike Walter. Mike and his lovely wife Kim were my youth directors in the late 90s and helped me make the profound decision to follow Jesus. Mike brought a team in 2022 of five from Howertons and this year brought eight in total, two of which were also repeat team members. It’s wonderful seeing the connections the students here on the ground have when familiar faces return and share that they have been praying daily for students by name. Many were brought to tears by that notion alone, but a myriad of amazing experiences followed each and every day with this team. We had two wonderful meals with Kerly and Rita and their families, both of whom shared their testimonies. We brought a “Kids Fun Day” to Cristo Rey community on the country’s “Dia de Nino” or Children’s Day. The team was able to feed the children, give out candy and share in fun activities like balloon animals, coloring and bubbles. We were so thankful to partner with one of the village matriarchs named Marielos to host the event and to the Stover family here in Herradura for supporting the donation of candy. All around, it was a delight!
The team also divided up during the day for the men to work construction alongside our team of mostly Nicaraguan men on the Casita, lugging concrete blocks, mixing cement and sharing the gospel. The women volunteered at a local Christian school, a Day Care and gave out Burritos for the “Wake Up to Jesus” ministry that helps addicts find Christ through rehabilitation at Horizon Church’s Hope Farm. The team also paid to transport over 35 of our students to Horizon Church for a youth rally of games, worship, pizza, a message and a demonstration of the washing of feet. Mike talked about how servant leadership was so clearly modeled by Christ and how we too can “go and do likewise”. Ryan, Mike’s son, paid special attention to River helping him memorize his weekly scripture for his Awana program and enjoying some video game time bonding. River was quite tearful when hugging Ryan goodbye but we are thankful for the impact this team had on our students, family and property. We will be forever thankful to the Howertons family for launching the build of our first building on the property. We will be delighted to see them each visit back to Virginia as well!
If you would like to be a part of this current project, we are just $10,000 shy of completing the construction for the Casita. We could really use your help to ensure we take advantage of the time we’ve booked the construction team to finalize these details. Below you’ll find a flier of the items we have needed thus far. Several have already been sponsored or are pledged to be sponsored soon. We are setting a goal to meet that financial need of $10,000 by the end of October and we need YOUR HELP to do that. If you or anyone you know would be willing to hear more about our work and how this facility will help to empower the next generation in Costa Rica, please send us a message. Jordanna is happy to do an online presentation, tour of the property and explain to potential supporters how their donation can help our students combat the lure of the sex trade here in this nation.
May God grant you all peace in this season. May He continue to direct your missions, minds and paths forward for the Kingdom. Please let us know how we can be praying for you as you pray for us. We love you all and stand in awe of what a Mighty God we serve.
Sincerely,
Jordanna, fam & team
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