As a closing to my time in Jaco, since I am now in Guatemala, I want to talk about the actual ministry work that God wanted my team to experience while we were there. The spirit over Jaco is heavy. It’s something that words can’t describe accurately, but if you have a relationship with Holy Spirit you can feel the brokenness that hovers there. Therefore, the ministry laid before our team had to speak to that spirit of brokenness. We weren’t doing what people would assume missionaries to do such as going around to the countless of brothels and prostitutes, or building homes, or making food for the homeless. We simply made ourselves available and interruptible by painting in the streets of Jaco. The outlet we used to share the gospel was painting on hand washing stations, light poles, and beach showers because it was friendly and approachable. This type of ministry work allowed us to see God work so beautifully and gently with the people of Jaco.
There was a woman who came over to us while we were painting a mural in the middle of the busiest (the only main street) in Jaco. She said, “let me make my mark.” She picked up a paint brush and a can of red paint and started to paint on the mural in Spanish. The words said something about how “you are the god over your own life”. She had no idea we were their to spread the gospel so I find it ironic this is what she chose to write. I didn’t bother to stop her because I didn’t want her to leave. She was visibly upset and I wanted to talk to her. While she was painting she told me about how she loved her father, but wasn’t on the best terms with him. I also thought this was ironic because I have walked through similar feelings about my own father. I intentionally guided the conversation to the cross and the forgiveness of sins which allows us to forgive and I asked to pray for her. She said yes so we held hands and prayed. I invited her to come to church the next day so that she could get in touch with a stable community in Jaco. She said she would be there and then left.
God was faithful in His pursuit of her because she decided to come to church. The fact that this woman came to church shows that God was already moving in her heart before I invited her to come.
This is just one of many experiences that God allowed me to have in order to share His kingdom with the people of Jaco. I did not see the fruit of most of these interactions, but God is a faithful God. God already knows who’s name is written in the book of life and He already knows how He will specifically call out the name of His children to follow Him. I am just one person that God used in these peoples lives to bring them to Him.
