Surprise!!

 Flags hung from the Hotel where the group from Calvary Chapel Surprise Arizona, Youth would be staying for their first mission trip! Groups that come for summer mission teams always stay at this Hotel. But before this group came, the Lord really made me think, as I looked up at the multi-colored flags, some vibrant in colors, others with their proud emblem of their country; all so different. He reminded me that each group that passes through Costa Rica, is different and God is always going to do a new thing! And the surprises of His grace, mercy and love will flow through as we come together will our differences, to proclaim His name as the one and only savior... Jesus.


                                   

Each one of the members came with excitement to serve God, but none of us knew just what God was going to do. As we prayed daily before going out to share with others the love of Jesus, we watched in wonder His amazing salvation reach down to lost souls.

                                    

It was another ordinary day in Costa Rica. Overcast, sun shinning through the clouds, and many people walking through the Central Park, some holding hands, children laughing, some sitting alone with sadness upon their hearts, homeless, others on drugs or drunk.

                                













We divide into groups to hand out tracts and asked God to save people from their sins. Under a tree covered in urine, the aroma of liquor. Their sat a man in dirty shabby clothes. Victor and two others went up to this man and began to share the gospel. He sobbed as tears fell down his cheeks and pleaded with them for help."Please he said, I am tired of living this life help me." He then reached behind his back and pulled out from his bag bottles and bottles of liquor and began to pour them out. They sent him to the hospital for detox of the liquor.

A week later Victor received a call from the man that used to be covered in urine and stench of liquor. He asked him to meet with him for some counseling. So a few days later we met him at church and as we pulled up, stood a man clean cut standing infront of  the church. I turned to Victor and asked, "who is that man their?" Victor said," oh wow, that is the man from the park who used to be covered in urine and liquor." This man's name is Christian, he accepted Jesus that evening with Victor. And has been changed by the power of Jesus Christ. Christian is going faithfully with Victor to a men's study every wednesdays. He now is covered by the blood of  Jesus that wiped away his sin of drunknedness and is walking in the aroma of Jesus, what a sweet fragrance!

We are thankful to Surprise Arizona for their hearts to serve and step out in faith and watch God do amazing things!! and to Jesus the one who gets all the glory! Thank you to all who were praying for this mission trip.