Limon, Costa Rica: Vive Talamanca!

August 4, 2013: Day Two  

Talamanca, largest of eight cantons, is located in Limon, Costa Rica’s southern Atlantic region off the Caribbean Sea.  From San Jose, the drive to Talamanca takes approximately six hours through lush plantations, alongside the coast on paved, then turning towards the mountains dirt, to muddy and rocky roads leading up to the dense jungle.  Waterfalls cascade down the mountainside and interesting creatures leap between trees at a pace too fast to glimpse more than a fleeting tail! Alex, director of OM Costa Rica and designated driver, demonstrated super natural driving skills as he maneuvered the van loaded with people and supplies up steep rocky mountain paths.  Carlos, his wife Marguerite, and Martha met up with us along the way to Talamanca where we stopped to pick up meat and other items.  

The area of Talamanca we visited was high in the mountain jungle.  Here is a glimpse from the road directly above where we were located.  The mountain range in the distance is Panama.   Vive Talamanca is a ministry of OM that partners with local pastors supporting the church of local indigenous people in the remote jungle.  Pastor Anthony and his son Gabriel were there during our time.  

Looking down unto the property are five structures.  Looking left to right, a kitchen/fellowship hall, church, and house for several pastors rotating throughout the week in ministry to the local people.  A fourth structure provides segregated bathrooms with a toilet, shower and sink. 

       

  

The fifth structure, currently under construction, was a portion of practical work the men assisted with.

Cabecer, the indigenous tribe we visited, shy and peaceful, exchanged welcoming greetings

and smiles as Tricia introduced many of them prior to service that evening.  We, along with Kaitlyn on guitar, led praise and worship.  Jeff kept the beat on a water bottle for percussions.   Carlos and Martha led praise and worship in Spanish and it was so good to sing favorites from when I worshipped with my strongly influenced Hispanic experiences as a native of Southern California and missionary to Mexico! 

                Alabare (alabare), Alabare (alabare)
                                     Alabare a mi Senor!

I shared my testimony of faith, in Spanish, during the service.  I was so nervous most of the afternoon and Tricia was very supportive being an audience for me to practice difficult pronunciations.  God is good as “misericordia” (compassion) simply rolled off my tongue.  Pastor Steve gave the message for that evening. 
             

After the message, people were encouraged to come up for prayer.  As many women stepped forward I left my seat to join them.  I rejoiced as the Lord blessed me with the ability to understand what their ailments or worries where.  What a priviledge to place my arm around a shoulder or take a hand in prayer and lift up the needs shared with me.

Due to generous donations I was able to transport three dozen children’s books written in Spanish and $310 in funds.  It was decided to leave all the books to the children and youth in Talamanca and use the funds to purchase more in San Jose.  The books were so welcomed a few mothers have most likely read the chapter books prior to passing them on to their teens!  Martha started reading Theodore Taylor’s The Cay.  When it was time to depart Talamanca she had not finished the novel so the book was gifted to her.  Surprised, she exclaimed “Verdad?”  (Truly, as in “really?” or “honestly?”)  I eagerly assured her, “Si, quiero que usted lo tenga!  Es (una) gran libro.”  (Yes, I want you to have it!  It is a great book.)  I meant to say story, but couldn’t remember the translation, which is historia and I forgot the article “una”.  Oops….needless to say, her excited hug told me she understood.

Martha was so pleased to have been given one of the books.  Literature is so inaccessible.  My profound thanks to you for providing this precious gift and it was my great pleasure to deliver it on your behalf.  I cannot adequately relay the delight receiving books brought both children….and, adults!  It was awesome….

After service everyone gathered in the other building where Martha and Marguerite were busy cooking dinner.  As everyone quietly filled the tables we began serving plates of food with cups of juice.  People visited with one another and enjoyed a pleasant evening together.           

A chart was created that rotated chores that needed to be done daily and after each meal. Clearing and wiping down tables, sweeping the floors, washing dishes and cleaning the bathroom.  There were other ways to help throughout the day such as helping in the kitchen, making tea, stomping ants, filling cups, passing out plates and my personal favorite, chasing lizards outdoors!  

As the evening came to a close and people began making their way home, we cleaned and had a brief overview regarding the next day.  Sharing three tents, the girls slept in the fellowship hall, the guys slept in the church and others in the pastor’s house.  Each night provided a quiet time for individual reflection and rest.   

Just a side note:  How many of you know geckos are exceptionally loud, often sounding like knocking on rod iron?  After the first night it was just like crickets in a corner, but more reassuring.  Geckos will eat crickets!






PRAY, CONSIDER, RECEIVE, SHARE 


    Please PRAY for the indigenous people of Talamanca, Costa Rica and other regions in the world.  Globally, men, women and children are neglected by their own governments.  Life removed from the basic right to have available what your countrymen have creates barriers and lead people to feel forgotten and unworthy.   Many tribes have generations of witchcraft practices embedded within their families or villages.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life.  Only He can reconcile our hearts back to God.  Seek the Way.  Learn of Truth.  Choose Life.  Please PRAY for the work being accomplished through OM Vive Talamanca.  That God would honor and bless the efforts of the missionaries, area pastors, local church, volunteers and others who support God’s work through resources, time, skills and/or finances.  Pray hearts open to hear the Good News of God's plan to reconcile all creation back to Him through His Son Jesus Christ.  Pray for spiritual growth with the people of Talamanca.

  Please CONSIDER  giving, through donations or volunteer service, to these ministries and/or locally within your own community.  Below are links to view videos and visit websites to learn more about these God-honoring ministries fulfilling the Great Commission through service to the poor and forgotten people of Costa Rica and other regions around the world. 

   RECEIVE the Lord's eternal blessing for your partnership in whichever manner He guides you in. 

  Please SHARE this blog with anyone you know who is interested in supporting and/or partnering in missions work, locally or globally. 

To learn more about Vive Talamanca (Spanish, Chrome toolbar translates to English) -

http://www.omcostarica.org/spa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92:vive-talamanca&catid=34:noticias-y-articulos&Itemid=84

To learn more about, volunteer and/or dontate to Operation Mobilization (OM) –

Go to:  http://www.omusa.org/

To learn more about, volunteer and/or donate to OM Costa Rica (Spanish, Chrome translates) –

Go to:  http://www.omcostarica.org/spa/

To learn more about, volunteer and/or donate to OM Costa Rica (English) -

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.omcostarica.org/give&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dom%2Bcosta%2Brica%26biw%3D1249%26bih%3D615


PRAYER REQUESTS

Pastor Anthony and the other pastors rotating ministry to the people of Talamanca

             (a motorcycle to assist in travel to individual homes in needed)

Carlos and the other workers constructing the building and water filter system

Marguerite and Martha as they minister through the cooking of meals

The community of Talamanca

(needs are met:  children are able to access education, families protected, access to medical services)

The church in Talamanca

            (believers grow in knowledge of Christ and their relationship with Him, others 
             come to know Christ)

Missionaries as they support the ministry and people in Talamanca