Today’s destination was Cachi. It is a small town in the Orosí Valley. It lies near the eastern bank of the man-made Lake Cachí, created by the damming of the Reventazon River. The town lies in an area rich with green coffee plantations, with a sugar mill dated to the early twentieth century.  Cachí contains an Evangelical Church called Espiritu de Vida. This is where we went to minister to that community.

Cachi will always be very special to my heart for several reasons.

First, because many good Tico friends come from Cachi. Arturo who is heavily involved in  El Jardin Sagrado, the energetic Marco, and my dear Isaac. If I miss anyone I truly apologize. Please let me know.

Second, because of Isaac’s dad who didn’t have an easy life,  who on that Wenesday on the stairs across the church did the prayer to receive Jesus in his heart. What  blessing it has been to Isaac! The next day I went with Isaac to visit the home where he grew up, there I met his dad for the last time. Before leaving we prayed for Isaac’s father; on our way back to the church, Isaac told me that i was the first time he saw his dad crying. God was certainly working in this father’s heart.

Finally, Cachi will stay close to my heart because of what happen to another member of the translation team.  That day God had a wonderful blessing ready for Javier’s family. He introduces me to his sister,and  mom.  Later his grandma also joins us. I ask them if they would lik to know why I came to visit their country. They say they would like to know; so I show them the Wordless Book and explain it to them. When the moment came to invite them to respond to God’s offer of forgiveness through Jesus sacrifice for our sin, they all responded affirmatively. That moment was very high in emotions, God’s presence was so manifest, Javier had to be replace because of the emotions involved, Isaac took over the translation. What a blessing to be a witness of God’s mighty power at work in the lives of so many members of the same family all at once. Apostle Paul experince it often and he was in a good position to write in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ (Gospel). It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” At this point the words of the apostle Paul would be very appropriate, “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building” (1 Co 3:6–9). As the GOM leader told us at the beginning of the mission trip, this is a Team work, it certainly include all those who did work previously. These are the reasons why Cachi is so special to my heart, and will be for ever.

The first morning the Children Ministry had a serious problem. They had a beautiful large soccer field, but no children. So a small team was sent to bring in the children. It was a door to door personal invitation to have their children come for some good fun time. Thank God we did that because that way Isaac’s sister was also invited, that means that his dad had come to bring his girl. It was a great way to get a direct contact with the people of that community. What impress me concerning that community was how clean tey keep their little town.

As we were seeking lst soul, the ministry was taking place at the church. The medical team installed the pharmacy in the church kitchen, you should see the one Million $ view. It needs a picture to describe the view. I don’t have to tell you how the nurses enjoyed it! Much, much more could be said, but I will stop here. As usual we drove back to our ‘home’ El Jardin Sagrado; after Supper each team was eager to share what God did. That night I enjoyed so much hearing Javier and Isaac testimonies. They were so happy to tell what God had done in their family and their own life.

p>Time is running too fast! Only a few more days before packing back to Canada. I really don’t feel ready to go back home, because I just love it so much here. I love the place, the people, what I am doing, and o course the agreeable weather. People are respectful to my person, and the work I do. I am starting to become more used to the language, sometimes I am even surprised to understand a few words here and there. I feel more confident when I approach people; animated with one desire, to see then responding to the Gospel invitation. It is why am’ I here! I most confess that I am starting to really delight in what I am doing. What a remarkable privilege to serve here in this attractive country. I think I wouldn’t have any trouble living here for the rest of my life. A man who previously received Jesus, came and asked me to go chat with his sick brother. What do you say to a man who is bipolar! I ask Javier if he could translate for me; and ask God to help detect what to say! Nervously I prayed for him. Not sure I did a good job, God know’s. What I can say, it wasn’t easy.

At the end of the day, I wanted to see Dr. Longworth and have some private time with him. Outside the building near his car, I told him that in the mid-eighties I went to Kandi in Bénin to replace a missionary by the name Jim Longworth. To my stupefaction he answer me that Jim was his brother. What a small world!

Before closing this day, I need to add another interesting encounter that took place. There near the pharmacie was a father who was waiting with is three children. While speaking with him, I notice that he had some Biblical knowledge. At the beginning he was a little distant, but progressively a spiritual interest seemed to resurface. Gradually we were able to re-examine various points of the Gospel. Then I realized that he was a born again believer. So I redirect the conversation on how to have an insurance of his salvation. That give the impression to bring some consolation to his heart. What we must understand is, when we meet a person we never know were that person stand in respect to God. Some might be ready to receive Him as their personal Saviour, other are more agnostic toward Him, many would just have no interest at all at hat point of their life. No meeting will ever be the same, so it is vital to depend on the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Already last week! The first two days were in a local church in Cartago not to far from the Iglesia Verde. This a very well organize church; the pastor was very happy to receive a book “The Stranger” by John Cross in Spanish. This man shared his vision for the local church; a man of vision who care for its own people. I meat many charming people; Maria from Nicaragua, Coty son of a pastor (I really enjoyed my time with Coty, a sweet young man always smiling, a good example of what are many pastors kids), Yamir (who ask me to become is Father-in-law). It’s the day that I spoke to the male translators what should be the relationship between Christians girls and Christians guys. I used three Scriptures to exhort them to respect sisters in the Lord: 1Tim. 5:2; Gal.5:16; 1 John 4:4. 

Because I had access to translators, we saw more result than any other churches. About nine people made the prayer to receive the Lord as their personal Saviour.  Praise God!I also had a good time with Manuel, and the brother of Manuel. 

From that church we had a great view of Irazu volcano. It is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica. From the top it is possible to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on a clear day.

That morning I had to wake up early to make sure I would be ready to preach at the Tampati church. Yesterday was a Vacation Day, but now it is back to ministry. Cookie’s husband invited ne to walk to the church with him. It was a lovely walk to Tampti. First I thought that the church was in Orosi village, but it wasn’t. As we were walking, Orgue and I exchanged some Biblical scriptures. That way we overcome the language barrier. The Word of God was our main way of communication; what a great way to unite two hearts. Tampati is a nice little village located in a magnificent valley, really impressive. Even if the church building is modest, what really matters is the presence of God’s Spirit in the midst of Go’s family. Since we arrived early we took time to pray, asking God’s blessing over the church service. As the people gathered what surprise me the most was to see the age level of the congregation, 85% were younger than 25 years old. Of course the dynamic of the music matches the youth energy. Then my turn came to bring the message God had laid on my heart; Suzy was my translator, we did work so well together. My topic was about the: “Two Camps”. Jacob was afraid to meet his brother Esau, so God came before Jacob to encourage him. Jacob realized that he wasn’t alone, he didn’t have only his only camp (family) but God camp (armies) was with him. My goal was to help the people to realize they are not alone. There is a similar story in 2 Ki 6:16–17 where we see Elisha praying for his servant that God would open his eyes to see the two camps. We read, “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. There is a great promise in Heb 13:6, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
During the first few minutes Ruth told me that I seem nervous, but it didn’t last too long, I felt great freedom and joy as I was sharing that message. Yet, later that day someone help me realize that it would have been good to put a greater emphases on how God speak today, through His word. I am thankful for those who are concerned to help us getting better. After all James 3:1 say’s that ” we who teach will be judged more severely”. Yes a great responsibility is attached with teaching God’s Word.

That evening with the local translators we went to a Pizza party in Orosi. What a fun night it was!

Last day of the week. Already half of our time in Costa Rica has been gone. I feel the urgency to be more aggressive in sharing the Gospel. I am not here on vacation, but in a mission that God called me to. Many people sacrifice financially to make this trip possible. It was Rom. 10:14-,15 that motivated me in 1984 to leave those I love and go to Bénin, Africa. Now those same words still resonate in my heart, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if
they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? I have to tell the Gospel, because that is the only way they can be saved. We have to get back to the basic! It was encouraging to see all the young local people involved in the effort to reach out to the unsaved. Ticos (natives of Costa Rica like to be called by that name) are so friendly and warm. Still the same challenge in front of me; to do the first step to reach out to them. They will not come to me, I have to go. It is difficult to cross the border that the language barrier creates. I asked God to lead me to the right person, then I have to walk and meet them. I start the conversation with the little Spanish I have, then ery quickly tell them that was it. After that I offer them a Gospel tract explaining the Wordless Book. I am very comfortable with the Wordless Book to share the Gospel, I realized that it is only a tool, but it works well for me. Later that day I meet a man in his 30, he responded to me in a decent good English, that was helpful. He had a fairly extended knowledge of the Bible, yet presented himself as an agnostic Christian. I listen to him, then ask him a question similar to this one, “Does your lifestyle is pleasing God?” Shortly after I started to tell him the Gospel story of Christ dying for our sin, and our necessity to receive Him in our life. As I was ready to invite him to respond to God offer of salvation, he was called to present himself to the doctor’s office. I prayed and waited. When he came out of the doctor’s office, he seeks for me. I felt compelled to tell him, “Now that the doctor helps you physically, why not deal with the spiritual aspect.” Shock he said, “That is exactly what the doctor told me to do.” So we finish what was started earlier. What an amazing God we serve! At the end of the day I wanted to talk to Dr. Longworth and to tell him the rest of the story concerning the man that he encouraged to get is spiritual life in order. I finally was able to meet Dr. Longworth and tell him that this youg man prayed to received Jesus in his life. I could see a discrete but nice smile. I don’t need to tell you how happy I was going back to the Valley and at Supper time sharing what God has done.