To see photos from the BWO mission trip click here.
This year’s mission team from BWO was amazing. Every year has gone very well but this team seemed… different. For one, they were the smallest team that BWO has ever brought down. In years past they have brought as many as 180 people, but this year was only 30 people. Another way that they were different was that they were more focused on a few areas of ministry rather than a wide spectrum of ministry like in the past. They were also focused on a few key areas around town rather than being spread out everywhere. While this team was smaller, I believe that these differences from years past made them more effective than they have ever been. This team reminded me of Gideon and his 300 soldiers. At first he had thousands and the Lord said it was too much. The Lord dwindled Gideon’s army down to just 300, carefully selected men that He would use for His glory. This team, more than any other BWO team, had that same feel. The people that came on this trip were purposeful, passionate, flexible, and a great example of the Body of Christ in action.
They focused on a few key ministries throughout the week. The focus of most ministries were the children, who were out of school and very excited to have something fun to do. We had 3 ministry teams: VBS, Sports, and Cosmetology. The VBS did a great job with the kids. They played with them, did music and crafts, and shared the love of Christ in all they did. Sports spent 3 days putting on an excellent soccer clinic for as many as 65 kids. They learned various skills using specially tailored drills. Then they had a friendly tournament and awards ceremony in which each child received something for participating. After that, the sports team turned to the beach and did 3 days of surf lessons for some of the older kids that came to the soccer clinic. The kids and team had a blast learning to surf and just goofing off with each other. At one point we had 3 kids on one surf board!
We also did evening outreaches. On Friday night we took some of the leaders from the team and hit the streets. The guys helped out with a weekly outreach to the homeless people. They shared the gospel with, prayed for, and loved on all those who came. Then the women set up shop and gave free hand massages to the prostitutes as they walked by. While they had their undivided attention they shared the gospel with them and asked how they could pray for them. The women seemed very touched that these ladies cared so much about them. Most of them were eager to receive prayer. Sadly, many of them had men nearby watching them so they could not stay for long.
During the day Jaco seems like such a nice town. But in reality, there is spiritual darkness everywhere. This becomes very apparent in the evenings. It is these types of places that the Lord loves to redeem. He loves to send us out “among wolves” to share the gospel with the lost. To share the gospel with those who are “walking in darkness” like we once did. They don’t know that the path they are on leads to destruction. It seems so “fun”. But Satan comes to destroy, and these paths always lead to destruction. But the best thing about darkness is that it allows the light of Christ to shine brighter. And Christ loves to shine His light into darkness. He loves to to reach down into the pit and pull people out, placing their feet on solid rock. This is the work He is doing in Jaco. One life at a time He is producing change. The tides are turning. Satan is being removed from his throne in Jaco and the King of Kings is taking His rightful place. 6 years ago the Lord spoke a verse to our heart concerning the work He was going to do in Jaco.
“The LORD will be awesome to them,
For He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth;
People shall worship Him,
Each one from his place,
Indeed all the shores of the nations. ” Zephaniah 2:11
Worship Him they will do indeed! He is King, He is risen, His light is shinning… you can feel the darkness tremble!
In His Grace,
Mike
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