Working on the ramps

my friend Jordan recently returned from Ecuador, where he surfed for Costa Rica in the World Junior surfing championships. He is a lot of fun to watch.

Downer is one of the more powerful surfers in Puerto Viejo. He loves to "get air".

Carlos asked if he could borrow my "biscuit," a fun little board I shaped last year.

Carlos trying out the biscuit.

How many people does it take to fix a broken ramp?

Last night we had a showing of The Outsiders at the skate park, with Spanish subtitles (I wish more Christian films had Spanish subtitles!!). The film features some of the top Christian surfers describing what being a Christian has meant to them, with of course a lot of great surfing action to go along with it.

As the credits rolled, I was amazed to see that the teenagers were staying quiet in their seats, which is almost unheard of in this group. It was so obvious to see in their faces that many of them were wrestling with the thought of asking Jesus into their hearts and beginning to live for Him. I asked if anyone had sensed God speaking to them through this video and wanted to invite Jesus into their lives. There was some silence, then one boy whom I've befriended honestly and bravely said "I'm not ready to do that yet." Like teenagers in the U.S. and elsewhere, there is a sense that there will always be a day in the future to "get right with God," but for now "I just want to live on my own terms." It can be hard for them to understand the blessings they are missing out on NOW, or that their life can be taken from them at any time.

I try to remember that "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14) and pray for a work of the Spirit in their lives.