Transformation Testimony: Drunk Turned Disciple

By Barbara Rowe

Juan Carlos is a young man I met on the street. He was begging me for money to buy another drink. I refused the donation but stopped to talk to him, about his life and how he was wasting it away on alcohol. Over a period of months I became his friend, and he began to turn to me for help. He wanted to leave alcohol behind and live a more fulfilling life.

Now, two years later, Juan Carlos is making progress with that goal.  He has suffered several relapses, but each time is able to extend his sober time, most recently almost to a full year.

Anderson Mateo

Now Juan Carlos has a new swing in his step, and a pride in his baby son, Anderson Mateo, born only a few months days ago.  As Christ For the City International missionaries, Alex Guerrero and I provided transportation to and from the hospital, for which Juan Carlos and Ingrid (the baby's mother) were very grateful.

You never know what a day will bring.  I find that to be particularly true as a missionary.  Our job is to serve, as Jesus served, without judgement or prejudice, and with a lot of love.  I am grateful to all of you who make this ministry possible, through your prayers and donations.

Together, we can continue to make an impact for good on the youth here in El Salvador! Click the picture below to partner with Christ For the City International!

(Video) Costa Rica Office Virtual Tour

Our Costa Rica offices just got an upgrade! What you must remember, though, is that those offices are not merely a workplace; they also serve as a hospitality house (with meals and showers) for teams that come through. Please take a couple of minutes to examine the way that your gifts, partnership, prayers, and support are blessing those who work and serve and bless the community of San José, Costa Rica.


 

And to give to the work of CFCI in Costa Rica, simply click below and follow the instructions!

Missionary Moment: Change, One Tiny Heart at a Time

By Amy Speake, missionary in Costa Rica

Oliver, happy with his pencil case.

The first time I met five-year-old Oliver (his mom calls him Stuart), his dark eyes looked deeply into mine. He did not speak, but his immense, seemingly unlimited bursts of energy captivated me.

Persecution in Mexico

In rural parts of Mexico, beyond the authority of the national government, who wouldn't do not want to make the long, difficult journey up broken dirt roads into the mountains, people still cling to a unique and bizarre mixture of indigenous ideas and Catholicism.

My CFCI Story: Mark Byler

Three weeks ago, we heard the amazing testimony of a young man named Jacob Tuma and the way God blessed the desires of his heart in Guatemala. Today, we wanted to introduce another young man whose experience in Costa Rica powerfully influenced his worldview in a way he did not expect. 

Mark is a married tile setter, with three beautiful children. His passions are his family, his church, and reaching out to families with kids who have special needs. Even so, the mission trip was able to reveal to him what giving God his whole heart looked like. 

The Way to Start Understanding Missionary Work

One of the key challenges every missionary has is that their work is far away. On the one hand, this seems glamorous. The other country has many unique customs, foods, and celebrations. However, the life of a missionary is rarely glamorous. More often, it has to deal with the challenges of culture - the language and communication barriers and the differences in cultural assumptions. 

Enter the Vision Tour. It gives you the opportunity to have the veil lifted, and the eyes cleared. Without relying on the adjectives and descriptions and pictures of other people, you can see what Christ For the City International missionaries are busy doing. You can meet the people they are serving and see the needs firsthand. 

http://cfci.org/#/central-america/el-salvador-vision-tour

News: The Gangster Transformation Continues

In May, we reported about a crusade in Pavas, a sector in San José. More than 1,000 people gave their lives to the Lord in that crusade. Some of those people were some teenagers and young men who had been involved in the gang lifestyle. Many of these were dangerous men: gang leaders and assassins. In fact, the leader of the most powerful gang in the areas, a group called the Devils, gave his life to the Lord through that outreach.

We reported on a particular retreat that allowed these young men to confirm their commitment to the Lord, to trade their weapons for the Word of God, and to be baptized. Thirty-seven of them did so with relish.

We are happy to report that the seeds planted in that crusade have not been stolen by the devil, choked by weeds, or scorched by the sun.

Missionary Moment: When Love Hits Home

By Barbara Rowe, missionary in El Salvador

“Cool haircut,” I say to David as he comes into the kitchen. He quickly gives a dramatic swish of the head and strikes a side pose, and I laugh. Minutes later he has found an old bent watercolor brush which he holds next to his head. “Meet my little brother,” he says, which elicits another hearty laugh. When I come to his room to say goodnight, he quickly shushes me, pointing to his paintbrush “little brother” who is “sleeping” on the bed.

David is clearly gifted with a quirky sense of humor that makes him a natural comedian. He is the fourteen-year-old son of our newest CFCI missionary, Alex, who moved in mid-last year. Alex’s family joined us at the beginning of the school year. The move was not only a practical decision but also a strategic one. The neighborhood where the family was living is a dangerous one. Murders and gun-battles are commonplace, and the family was living in an insecure tin house.

For this reason, late last year I took funds from my retirement account to add two more bedrooms and a bathroom to my house.