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.

Calvary Chapel Jupiter

Painting Amy and Barrett's bedroom

A team of 9 from Calvary Chapel Jupiter just returned from spending a week with us. Together, we helped the Cruces move into their new house. It was a week of much construction and painting, and very satisfying to see Barrett, Amy, Maili, and Makena, be able to enjoy a night of sleep under ceiling fans after spending 9 months in “substandard” housing.

Hosting a short term team on top of the normal ministry activities can be tiring, but this group was very gracious and actually took care of itself very well. We truly appreciated their efforts and attitude to serve.

One of the highlights for me was inviting Chris Goeppner, a co-leader of the trip, to share a short message with the local youth and some tourists who had gathered at our Friday night cook out. I translated his simple message about Jesus being the Truth into Spanish. I loved the way he related to his audience by saying that after a soccer match, everyone agrees on who won. There is no disputing the scoreboard. Some things are true and not relative, and Jesus is truth.

Chris took some nice photos, which I'll share with you here. Thanks, Chris!

Approaching the Cruce's new home

walking the jungle trail

team member Dwight spending time with the Lord in the morning

at the youth night cook-out

Inside the Cruces house

Sleepy-eyed and headed to the work site

some of the group posing in front of the old "tree house", where the Cruces lived for 9 months

The group enjoying some free time

Do you feel small?

Where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal

It's never a good feeling to see police officers in your yard when you come home. Thankfully, I live by myself, so I didn't have to worry that something tragic had happened to one of my family members.

While I was in Florida for one week of wedding preparation, premarital counseling, and tax filing, thieves broke into my house. When Barrett came by to see if I was home yet, he noticed that the door was open, and notified the police. This is the second time in four months, but the first time in my new house, which has a tall fence around the yard and bars on the windows. The thieves came in by busting in the wooden front door, splintering the door jamb. The front door is the only opening that does not have metal bars over it, but now I will look into getting a second outer metal door installed. Thankfully, the only thing I know the thieves took is my propane tank. These are frequently stolen in our area because it's easy to get cash for them.

Of course, my closets and things were all ruffled through, but mercifully the thieves didn't turn everything upside down or break things intentionally. I wonder if perhaps their main goal was to "case" the house for a future break-in.

In any case, I am thankful that the damage was so minor and I know that God has all these circumstances in his hands. It's a wonderful thing to be in a position where you have to trust God this fully. Half an hour after repairing the door with Barrett, I was at the skate park for the Friday youth night activities. I know the devil will use many tactics to try to get me to give up and go home, and I will not let this second break-in affect me in that way.

Jesus said: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10 (NIV)

Surf contest photos... and some artwork!

In my spare time I've been painting a little with acrylics. I even stretched my own canvas to paint on, but have also been painting on pieces of driftwood.

I painted this for my friend Alexander (Peace) as an engagement present (he also recently got engaged). He loves to spearfish and eat fish. The Bar Jack (what he calls Green Jack) is his favorite to hunt underwater and to eat...


I sponsored young Carlos for two divisions in the Puerto Viejo Open Pro surf contest. He did very well in the "grommet" division, earning 4th place. Notice the "Hazelton Surfboards" sticker proudly displayed on his board!

With obvious excitement, Carlos runs to the beach for his heat in the surf contest.

The lifeguard stand was converted to a judges stand for the surf contest.

"Downer" is a really powerful surfer and has an aggressive style. It's been great getting to know him through our house church and youth activities.

At 16, Jordan is one of the top junior surfers in Costa Rica and loves to skate at Concrete Jungle. He is also learning what it means to be a father. His baby girl is just a few months old.

The Rain in Costa Falls Mainly on the "Coast-a"

Well, we just got out of a heavy 5-day rain storm which caused a fair amount of flooding. Although my yard stood in a few inches of water for several days, thankfully the house itself stayed dry. The Cruces didn't fare as well in their "tree house." A lot of rain blew in under the roof and got things pretty wet (it's an open-air house).

On the first big morning of flooding, I went out in the rain and helped my neighbors dig a drainage channel and create a culvert for water to flow into. It was very satisfying to watch thousands of gallons of water start to drain off the flooded street, which had gotten as deep as my waist in one part.

Later, I helped my friend Jose, age 23, mop the water out of his flooded house and had a nice visit with him. We ended up reading a Bible story together that I thought would have special meaning for him, then discussing it. Jose has been through some hard things but really wants to draw closer to God. He is asking me encourage him and keep him accountable. I am really happy about the opportunity I have to help Jose grow in his faith and maturity as a Christian.

Recently, I've found several opportunities in town to witness in non-pushy ways. One thing people are always curious about is the skate park. When people find out that it is free to use, and that we provide free equipment, they are always curious. A neighbor who is a Jehovah's Witness asked me yesterday: "How can it be free?" This gives me a great opportunity to talk about the love of other Christians who don't even live in Puerto Viejo, but want to reach out to the youth here. Then, if the person is receptive, I can take it a step further and explain that this is our way of showing the youth of Puerto Viejo that God loves them, and that God's love for me is what motivates me to serve at the skate park. Most everyone in town appreciates the skate park as positive thing for the youth, which I feel helps us be a good witness for Christ. We're not a Christian club which excludes "non-members." Everyone is welcome here!