As the pandemic continues, stay-at-home orders for several countries remain, and others begin to open back up, our work in each base is looking different every week. However, we are blessed to continue finding ways to serve God in the communities to bring light and hope. Today’s story comes from our Creative Arts Site in Costa Rica!

These are undoubtedly challenging times for all of us around the world, and the Creative Arts Site in Los Guido is no exception. This ministry site is lead by Daniel Calderon, who disciples community members in Los Guido in the context of woodworking and the arts. Men and women of all ages attend the Creative Arts Site to learn useful woodworking skills and hear the Gospel. We are in our fourth week of Orange Alert in San Jose, the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak in Costa Rica. It is becoming increasingly unsafe to meet in person as COVID-19 cases seem to break records every week. At the beginning of the month, cases rose in the 200 to 300 range. Now we are increasing our cases by 600 to 700 a day.

Nevertheless, Daniel’s affectionate smile and upbeat personality are a phenomenal display of God’s provision. While he cannot work with the same number of individuals as in the past, Daniel still invites one or two community members to work in the woodshop with him.

Lately, community member and friend, Conejo has been working with Daniel on a table. A couple of days a week, Conejo and Daniel head down to the woodshop and put the hours in on crafts that will eventually be sold and provide a substantial income. Even through this time of joblessness and chaos, Conejo was able to complete his table and sell it to a friend that recently moved into a new apartment on the other side of town.
When not in the woodshop, Daniel keeps in close contact with site members, supporting them in any way possible.

Just as we thank and praise God during times of joy, we also turn to Him in times of trouble. Please pray for the community of Los Guido and those living in the Greater Metropolitan Area of San Jose. Pray that those affected by COVID-19 would experience God’s mercy and love in new ways. Pray that SI Costa Rica would see and address the physical needs of the community and be stewards of His compassion. Lastly, pray that the rising tension and anxiety in Costa Rica would be cooled by the knowledge that God is our refuge and strength.

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
… The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!
The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.

– Psalm 42:1–3, 6–7