As the pandemic continues and stay-at-home orders for most countries remain, our work in each base is looking much different. However, we are blessed to continue finding ways to serve God in the communities to bring light and hope. Today’s story comes from Costa Rica. Here is how our Boys and Girls Club (Juan and Cailah), Women’s Health and Fitness (Jessica), and Community and Environmental Health (Amanda) site leaders are using technology to continue sharing God’s love!

 

English Class Quarantine Style

image Virtual Connections in Costa RicaWe’ve always known that our English class was more than just an English class. It’s been a safe place for people to feel welcomed, included, and to learn about God while learning some English. Even before quarantine, we had people coming from various parts of San José – cramming into cars, taking multiple buses, or hitching a ride on the back of a motorcycle to get there. We didn’t always know how they’d heard of the class or what had persuaded them to take such measures to get here.

And now that we haven’t been able to meet in person, we’ve done our best to continue the class online. And while that may not be the easiest or everyone’s favorite, God continues to expand the group, even internationally! There is at least one participant in Nicaragua. We have members of the group asking if their friends and family members can join the class, who otherwise may not have been able to do so! While it looks different, it’s incredible to see how God continues to provide and even expand with whom we’re able to share His word and encourage.

 

Online Fitness Class!

Image from iOS Virtual Connections in Costa RicaThis combo of sites (Boys and Girls Club, Women’s Health & Fitness, and Community and Environmental Health) has been so fun! Via Facebook Live, after sharing bible verses every Wednesday and Friday, we do a warmup, a full-body exercise routine, and then a cool down. Not only are the community members who usually come to classes participating, or at least viewing, but our friends and family from other circles in Costa Rica and the US are also joining us! Even our moms have participated! A mutual friend of ours named Oscar shared with us that he is always so encouraged by the bible readings and exercises that he told some of his other lady friends to join us!

It has been sad not to be able to share moments and be physically present in the communities, but God is not deterred by quarantine! God is at work. We would love to have you join us! Every Wednesday we are now incorporating themes to the exercises! Hope to see you there!