submitted by Beth Andersen, Latin America Coordinator, and veteran JE Tour Director

During a recent trip to Costa Rica, our group had the unique opportunity to host a weekend retreat for a church youth group in La Carpio, a very marginal community of mostly Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica. Even though we were all from different cultures, spoke different languages, and even came from extremely different economic situations, we were also alike in so many ways. Our students had a blast playing games with the La Carpio youth, making new friends and worshipping together. Throughout the weekend we talked about “God’s Purpose” for our lives and the importance of letting go of the past and living for today. On Saturday morning, 12 individuals made the decision to give their hearts to Christ for the first time, and some of those were even our own student travelers! On Sunday night we concluded the retreat with 19 student baptisms. God was at work not only in the hearts of the people we ministered to in Costa Rica but also in the hearts of our ministry team. The students departed Costa Rica ready to rock their world with a commitment to make a difference in their own school, and they left with an understanding that our purpose in life is to know God, love Him and share His love with others.
Join us next season and discover the beauty of Costa Rica as you minister to some of the poorest communities in Latin America.