My time here in Jaco has been such a whirlwind. I am ( and so will you ) coming to face the fact that there is no way I can even begin to write all the things that are happening here. I will attempt at my best to give you the highlights, but know that this place is absolutely filled with the most beautiful people and words cannot describe that.
The days here in Jaco are long. Beginning at 5:15am, the sun is shining. By the time 8pm rolls around- this girl is tired. From the get go I met so many new people. Daniel picked me up from the Airport. After I got through customs I rolled around to leave only to find myself facing a glass wall plastered with Ticos and their signs- not to mention a taxi driver for every person and their mom. It is definitely a sight to see. Daniel brought along with him Mike (the Pastor at the Local church), Mr. Warren ( the sweetest old man ever! he was actually coming into town to get his license renewed but he didn't pass the eye exam!), Gabo ( a local Tico), and this couple who was visiting for possible future calling to Costa Rica. It was a par-tay in the black autobus that looked like a fancy taxi van from the Bourne Supremecy movies. :)
Over the past few days Sarah has been showing me around. We have gone everywhere from the grocery store to the bank to a local gym (yes! Sarah and I are going to work out often there and also run lots, she is such a blessing!) Our prayer is to just be immersed in the culture to get our faces seen. We want the locals to recognize us. It's such a huge part of relational ministry, earning the right to be heard... hmmm, where have I heard that from? (thanks Amy Berry and Matt Sloan) Everything was real strange for me at first as I was learning the 'customs' of each place. Even the bank does weird things-BUT it has air conditioning and every minute in there is absolutely amazing. At each place I try and practica mi espanol. It's so intimidating because everyone speak sooooo fast. I only catch words and phrases here and there. The great thing though is that the Ticos here are so nice and patient. Most will correct you ( in English of course ) and give you a precious smile.
Jaco is a very touristy town and great for surfing, but it is also a place of dark sin. Drugs are rampant as well as prostitution. It is so disgusting. The worst part about most of these things is that Americans are the huge supporters for both. American men will come down and 'buy' women for the weekend to parade around. Ahh- it makes me so angry. Sarah's heart really has been for these girls. They are so hopeless and tired of being used, so our prayer is for restoration and freedom brought to them by the gospel of Jesus. I am beginning to understand in a deeper level how high the cost of discipleship is for these people. It is the high price of leaving behind your old lifestyle, which for the people here is not easy. The old lifestyle was driven out of their desperation for survival. Here they have to reshape their trust in a God who is powerful enough and BIG enough to provide for them: physically, mentally, and spiritually. Most times that cost means leaving Jaco. It's too much a temptation to stay here, it will only bring them back down.
We experienced this the second day as a sweet homeless guy came to the house looking for just that kind of help. He was an alcoholic and told us that he needed to leave Jaco and be put into a rehab facility. He was desperate. We brought him in and feed him (as well as his friend that was with him) some lunch while they explained their situation. After talking out things and sharing the gospel, Daniel and Sarah told him to get his things and return here. They decided to drive him to the near town of Quepos to go stay at the Casa de Amor facility. This a christian rehab place that they knew of and that is connected to the church. Our prayer is for a holistic healing of this precious man. I will never forget the tears in his eyes as he cried out for help.
The need for Jesus is so evident here among his people. It was all I could do to hold back tears as I listened to this man's story. Our prayer is for more and more of the people's eyes to be unveiled to the hope and truth that comes from giving their lives over to Jesus. We pray that like this man, they will count it all a loss compared to knowing Him.
Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
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