Three crosses in Tamarindo (Christ to the nations)

The next two weeks, our family will be teaching a "leveling class" to several children who are at La Palabra de Vida.  It's one part ESL, one part curriculum introduction, and one part Jesus.  La Palabra de Vida proudly declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and salvation through Him is available for all who ask.  While we teach, we cannot help but intertwine our faith with the English language.  La Palabra de Vida does a great job at raising up young Christian leaders for Costa Rica.

Following the conclusion of this course, my family, in keeping with our tradition during our three trips to Costa Rica, will take a short vacation to the Pacific Coast.  This year we're going to the Guanacaste region, and expect to end up somewhere near the town of Tamarindo.  Famous for surfing, sunsets, and secluded beaches, Tamarindo is appealing to us as it's a few minutes away from the nightlife and festive atmosphere of Jaco Beach.  We're looking at a nice place at Playa Grande, only a ten minute walk from Tamarindo.

Many of us, in the U.S. and elsewhere, have been saddened in the dramatic deterioration of America culture in the United States and the movement away from Christianity.  Although a recent bestseller suggested that 77% of Americans believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we know by simple observation, that the vast majority of our neighbors and friends do not have a relationship that is meaningful enough to cause them to worship on a Saturday or a Sunday.

This is especially disheartening, considering the urgency that American Christians have traditionally felt to deliver the gospel to their homeland and many, many points far away.  I've even heard that America is the largest area that Brazilian missionaries are sent to, because it qualifies as an "unchurched country."

In the midst of the darkness, however, let me provide a glimmer of hope.

In Tamarindo, a town of only a few thousand, where people no doubt come to relax, swim, dine, party, and rest, the hope of Jesus is carried by Americans who believe that they are responsible for carrying Jesus Christ to the nations.  When we considered Tamarindo, I did a Google search for Tamarindo churches and came up with only three.  Let me introduce these churches and their leaders to you. 

Tamarindo Church - tamarindochurch.com - Pastor Lyle Watson - From Virginia.  Served and was blessed by Young Life in Virginia Beach.  Graduated from Princeton.

Salty Chuch - Lead Pastor - Robbie O'Brien from Florida

Calvary Chapel Villareal - Senior Pastor Phil McKay - Former United States Marine, from Southern California.

 Be encouraged, my friends.  And let that encouragement take you to places you have never been before in the name of Jesus Christ.  Matthew 28:18-20