The following report was posted by one of our missionaries.
Barranca is the next pit stop in a race around Costa Rica. A city booming with industry, houses, soccer fields, bars and old train stations, Barranca also features a large bridge enabling people and cars to cross the mighty rushing waters of the Rio Barranca. A detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. Teams will have to set out prayer walking and then go back and distribute Gospels of John and invite people to “The Jesus Film” that night. Though the task may not be too physically demanding, it could take all day, as Ticos are known for their hospitality and inviting people into their homes. Teams will have the chance to work with nationals from the local Baptist church and should they finish on time and with less than 5 rejections, Pastor Jose Carranza will have their next clue. Or, teams can stay home in San Francisco and go to the “feria” and study Spanish and try to talk to their Nicaraguan guard who sometimes is drunk. Though this task is easy it is often mentally draining and teams will not receive their next clue until they are at least at an “intermediate high” level in Spanish. Jose Carranza will provide the youth (some better than others) of his church to help each team along the way. Should a youth project come up, however, each team could be left to take on Barranca on their own.
Teams set out all over Barranca praying for the town that the Holy Spirit would open doors, and hearts, and homes. The local youth joined the team and though at times may have had no clue to what they were doing out there, provided great Spanish support. So some people got a true taste of prayer walking for the first time, noting its effect and importance. The team was joined by Costa Rican Gringo Church Planter of the Year, Steve DuVall. Steve said in a speech once, “I want to thank all my fans and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and of course my wife Debbie, who cooks the best meatloaf!” Steve brought along with him pastor Jose Manuel Rojas who was recovering from a recent heart attack. Jose Manuel had relatives in this area with which he was hoping to share. And what more shall I say? I don’t have time to talk about [all the missionaries] who through faith conquered grueling IMB appointment processes, survived unbelieving in-laws, and gained the Spanish Language Institute as their reward—the USA was not worthy of them.
So the teams came, they saw, and they conquered. One group led a man to Christ, and all the groups had the chance to pray with someone and practice some Spanish and even come back and see the people reading the gospel! They will hold to the promise of Isaiah 55:11, in whatever version of scripture you choose, that God’s word will go out and not come back empty but will achieve the purpose for which it was sent. Teams gave out over 600 gospels and still made it back to the church before dark to see many neighbors fill the open air church to watch the story of Jesus on the big screen. The team then shared in some songs with the locals including a clapping song that could tire anyone out. It was something about “Jerusalem and La lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala…”
So the teams finished one by one and ended the race at a Chinese Restaurant that was not aware of Child Labor Laws. They also went and enjoyed the Kiosko Costa Azul in Puntarenas, and there was host, Phil Keoghan greeting each team as they crossed the finish line. The bus driver was with him. He said “Aqui en Costa Rica, se dice Pura Vida!” And then mumbled some other Spanish no one understood. Phil said, “Cheryl and Judy…you’re the last team to arrive…maybe if you hadn’t toured that bridge you would’ve made it before the others. But I have good news. Fortunately, this is not an eliminatory round, and you are still in the race.”
So the race ended though no one really lost at all. Each gained an appreciation for Gospel Outreach and the power of prayer and the Word. Many were amazed by the receptivity of the people and were challenged by the barrier of communication and the need to learn the language some call Español. So the second wave of gospels crashed into Barranca on May 14, 2005 with a thundering effect.
Thanks for coming out, folks, and may the Force be with you.
