When our big white JuCUM bus rolled into town and one of the local boys on the soccer field, covered from head to toe in mud, greeted us with a muddy moon, I knew this was going to be an interesting time of ministry. Our group made it back safely from Limon2000, a very rough area in Costa Rica. We spent the majority of our time working with a new church in the area and helping out with several church services for youth and adults, and spending time with the children of the community... all of the children... so many children. Although it was a more dangerous area, we were kept safe during our entire time there. Praise God. In talking with some of the guys in the area, I found out about the rise in violence of the area, and the high crime rate. I was told stories of how rival gangs have been killing one another recently, and the hopelessness that is felt in this place. Another 
problem in the area is the division between churches. there are about 6 within the area, all a couple blocks away from each other, but the churches are afraid to go out into the streets and it appears they are reluctant to unite in order to make a difference. This was a broken community, and a very tough area. We spent almost our entire time there with the kids, not always by our choice. they were always around, from when we woke up to when we went back to sleep. many of them had problems with discipline and authority. They were all very needy for attention and would do what they could to get it, positively or negatively, they just wanted attention. The community does not have a place where the kids can go and better themselves. There is not discipleship, or a youth program where the kids can spend their time. For this reason they search for things to do, many times those things are the things they should not be doing. The fotos are from a game of mud-ball that we played, it started out as just soccer until someone... got the idea to pick up the ball and slide headfirst through the mud and into the goal, then the game just turned crazy, mud everywhere and on everyone. it was amazing. We were able to impact the lives of these kids, if only for a short time, and keep them out of trouble and off the streets. We spent a lot of time with the kids and had several children ministry services allowing us to teach them different biblical truths through dramas and lessons. That was a very difficult area to be in, but we are now back in Heredia and continuing in ministry until we leave for Africa on the 23rd. I will keep updating this site as the ministry continues. Thank you all for your prayer and support. Blessings and Peace.
problem in the area is the division between churches. there are about 6 within the area, all a couple blocks away from each other, but the churches are afraid to go out into the streets and it appears they are reluctant to unite in order to make a difference. This was a broken community, and a very tough area. We spent almost our entire time there with the kids, not always by our choice. they were always around, from when we woke up to when we went back to sleep. many of them had problems with discipline and authority. They were all very needy for attention and would do what they could to get it, positively or negatively, they just wanted attention. The community does not have a place where the kids can go and better themselves. There is not discipleship, or a youth program where the kids can spend their time. For this reason they search for things to do, many times those things are the things they should not be doing. The fotos are from a game of mud-ball that we played, it started out as just soccer until someone... got the idea to pick up the ball and slide headfirst through the mud and into the goal, then the game just turned crazy, mud everywhere and on everyone. it was amazing. We were able to impact the lives of these kids, if only for a short time, and keep them out of trouble and off the streets. We spent a lot of time with the kids and had several children ministry services allowing us to teach them different biblical truths through dramas and lessons. That was a very difficult area to be in, but we are now back in Heredia and continuing in ministry until we leave for Africa on the 23rd. I will keep updating this site as the ministry continues. Thank you all for your prayer and support. Blessings and Peace. -=Andrew=-
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