Westside Family Church

Last year many of us met Pastor Jose Blas and his wife Pastora Cledy. As Pastor Jose passed away last week we are coming into this trip humbled that God introduced  us to an amazing man of God!  He loved his family, church and community and served the Lord with great integrity.  

This week we plan to love and serve the same people just like Pastor Jose did!

We pray that our words and actions bring healing, hope, and joy!  We pray that Jesus' name is lifted high and many are saved, set free, and drawn to the local church to be discipled.

Work in and through us Lord!

We have all safely arrived in Costa Rica and had our first meal together!  We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us this week!

This afternoon we went to an open air market that is open two days a week. We went with the intent to buy fruit for our elderly home visit, but also to spend time praying for the vendors. We had some amazing conversations with the people there, getting to know the needs of their hearts. We were able to pray with many people, and enjoy some unique tropical fruits!

Pastora Cledy came to give us a warm welcome before dinner!

Today is a busy day as our team is split into 4 different groups.  One of our teams is putting on a Leadership Conference for 60 pastors and leaders!  We are encouraging them to love first, lead second, and always do both!

This morning one of our groups went to an area called Pueblo Nuevo to love on the children there.  We will be spending a couple afternoons sharing the Gospel with these precious children!

The Sunday School classrooms are getting a fresh coat of paint!  Serving Jesus is awesome!

During the Leadership Conference we took time to listen to the men and women in small groups as we shared struggles in ministry. 

This morning part of our team worked in the kitchen for Rocio's Feeding Program. The ladies worked hard chopping and preparing some for delicious food!

While the grouo was cooking some of us went door-to-door inviting children to the feeding program.  It was hot, but we had fun!

We had a blast teaching the children and sharing God's love. We were surprised at how many children showed up to be fed!

This afternoon we had the opportunity to love on the older generation at the elderly home.  We had a great time playing and sharing the Gospel!

Tonight we joined with and participated in Youth Group.  We worshipped, played games, and Gabby and Alaina shared their testimonies of God's grace in their lives. 

Tonight at youth group, Jared preached about how there are many distractions in life that try to keep us from Jesus, especially as young people!  But, Jesus is worth it all!

This morning we gathered with Iglesia Biblica Emanuel in Liberia, Costa Rica. There is no language barrier when we come together to worship Jesus Christ!

We were able to present Pastora Cledy with the hand-made wooden gifts that Kim made, showing the partnership between our church and theirs. 

Both Kim and Damon shared their powerful testimonies today. We know that their hearts connected with many in the congregation!

Pastor John preached this morning from John 15 about remaining in Jesus. It was a very encouraging and challenging  message, well received by all, to not give up their faith when times get hard. Instead, staying connected to the vine of Jesus, we can have life!

This afternoon we went shopping to buy food for 20 families!  We will be going to 20 different houses over the next 2 days to deliver food and pray over the families!  We can't wait to see what God does!

This afternoon the men of the the team spent time with the men of the church sharing how to be strong men of God!

We are having an incredible time being with the children today. We sang songs, played games, made crafts, and shared how we are called to be salt and light to the world.  

It was incredible to return again to the elementary school this year. These cute kids met us at the gate beaming with excitement!  We played, sang, made crafts, and shared a Bible story with them!  Can we bring them all home?

We had so much fun playing games at the school!  And the principal said we can come back any time we want. 

Shari received the gift of a new hat from one of the workers we are working beside of this week!

These walls are getting a nice fresh coat of green paint today!

It's Costa Rica versus USA today!  They are wearing us out!

These girls are drawing a crowd with their gymnastics!

Look at this crazy crew!

We had a huge turnout at Rocio's Feeding Program this evening!  Over 75 children (not including parents) showed up for our program and to be fed.  What an honor it is to serve alongside of Rocio and the community that she loves!

We had a sweet moment of prayer on top of a mountain overlooking the community. The Lord has had His hand all over this trip!

This week we had the opportunity to deliver 20 bags of food to different families. We were so blessed to meet these families, hear their stories, and pray over them!

We were so happy to be able to spend more time with the people at the elderly home.  We played,  shared stories, and even danced with them!

So many kids came to our event today at the park.  We told the story of Nicodemus encountering Jesus!

We visited a community called Martino Bustos and delivered food. The people there were so inviting and thankful!

Pastora woke up at 6 am and saw a can of green paint that Pastor Jose had bought to paint the front of the house. She got sad thinking the paint would go bad and unused. Then when she arrived at church we told her we were  going to be painting her house!  How cool is that?  God knew exactly what Pastora Cledy needed to feel loved today.

Tonight the local church put on a beautiful service and thanked us for partnering with them. The children's Sunday School class gave each one of us a souvenir from Costa Rica as well. 

Tonight the church put on cultural  dances for us, showing us their culture as they celebrated the Annexation of Guanacaste today. 

Tonight we are celebrating all that the Lord did in, through, and beyond us. 

Today we saw Costa Rica from the tree tops!  We had so much fun flying through beautiful Costa Rica!

After zip-lining we spent the day at Playa Tamarindo eating, shopping, and enjoying the beach!