The Road to Costa Rica

One thing I haven't really addressed here in the blog is "Why Orosi, Costa Rica?" Of all the thousands of locations in this world in desperate need of the Gospel and salvation through Jesus Christ, how is it that Threshold came to partner with a small village in Costa Rica's central valley? I'm new to Threshold (about two months), so I figured there must be a story here. And there is--one that I suspect even long-time Threshold members might not know.

It's a story that spans a decade and a half and three continents. And it's a story that vividly illustrates how God executes his plans through his children in the most amazing ways.

Richard Wilson is Threshold's Executive Pastor. I wasn't entirely sure what that meant, so I looked it up on the Threshold web site:

Richard's role at Threshold is to develop leaders, build teams, and determine strategies to effectively mobilize an authentic body of replicating Christ-followers to reach the surrounding area. He is passionate about impacting postmodern culture with the gospel. The thing that really jazzes him is to be part of a radical community that wants to change the world for Jesus.He leads frequent mission teams to Europe, Africa, and South America, is a lecturer at conferences and seminars, and an international church-planting consultant.

Fifteen years ago, before there was a Threshold, Richard met Rick and Judith Grossman in the Netherlands. Richard was the Northern European Director of a missions organization, and the Grossmans were planting a church in Amsterdam. Their relationship continued when Rick and Judith moved to Brussels to start another church. Over the next decade, Richard took music and leadership teams to that church about every other year. When he came to Threshold, Richard brought the relationship with him, and two Threshold teams served that church over the past few years.

Then, in 2006, God called Rick and Judith to Costa Rica. I absolutely love the story, which you can read on their blog. In summary, they were visiting relatives in Costa Rica. On the final day of vaction, some friends took them on a day trip to El Jardin Sagrado outside of Orosi. They thought it was a beautiful place, and they felt an immediate connection. But the vacation was over, so they went back home to Belgium. Shortly thereafter, the woman who owned El Jardin Sagrado sold it to Global Outreach Mission; her failing health made her unable to manage the upkeep. She told the people at GOM about Rick and Judith and got them in touch to discuss the possibilities for missionary work in the area.

It was quite a big change of scenery from where Rick and Judith had been for the past twenty years. But God called, and they followed.

Meanwhile, back at the church . . . Threshold was looking for a Central American church to partner with. God put Richard back in touch with his old friends, who just happened to now be in Costa Rica, doing what? Planting a new church! Threshold explored the work Rick and Judith were doing and decided that it seemed like a good fit.

Hollywood couldn't write this kind of stuff! Fortunately, Jesus is a pretty darn good screenwriter, producer, and director.

Our current partnership with Rick and Judith got off to a great start last December, when Van Pennington, Threshold's Director of Family Ministries, led a children’s ministry team to Orosi and conducted a three day Vacation Bible School for over 140 children. God answered many prayers that week, and over 50 children accepted Christ as their savior. The Threshold team partnered well with the Grossmans, a local pastor, and many local volunteers. Check out this slide show, and I think you can see that for yourself.

Click the arrow to start the slide show.

The Threshold team also hosted a Fiesta la Navidad for abandoned and abused children from a shelter. At least for one day, those children received gifts, experienced Christian love and caring, and learned about Jesus Christ.

Threshold's leadership hopes to continue supporting the Grossmans' ministry. As part of that, the church will try to organize two trips each year to Costa Rica. Jeff Lewis has agreed to help organize and plan these.

One of those trips will build on the success of last December's Vacation Bible School. The planning is already underway for this December's trip, which will be here in no time. Would you like to go? Would you like to make a difference in lives just by your presence, your love, and your caring? Go back and look at that slide show again. Look at those smiling faces. You can be a part of that. You can make a difference in their lives. What better time to do something like that than the Christmas season?

The other trip will be like the one we'll embark on next week. Did I just say "next week"? Wow! It could vary from a construction project to a medical mission to community outreach. It all depends on the needs that the Grossmans and the leadership at Threshold identify.

I can't wait to get on that plane on Tuesday. I can't wait to arrive in Orosi. And I can't wait to start making a difference. Every night I thank God for how blessed I am. I have a wonderful, healthy family--a loving wife and two smart, funny, beautiful kids. We have a safe and comfortable home. We have food on our table and clothes on our backs. I don't want to take any of that for granted. I want to thank God for it all! And one way I feel that I can do that is to go to Orosi and help others. We can make their lives better. I truly hope the people watching me and working with me in that 1000-square-foot building ask why I'm doing this. Because I want to tell them about a man I think they should get to know.