HIC SVNT LEONES
WINTER 2025
Pavones recap: the harvest is in the field
Every time we left the house, we had a divine encounter, every single time. Whether it was going for a surf, to the store, to watch the sunset at the point, fishing, at a soccer game, at community events. This shouldn’t surprise us, the harvest obviously is in the field, wherever the lost are hanging out, which probably isn’t in your house or even in your church building. Jesus sends his disciples (that includes us) into the field out where the people are. The field is so ripe, that’s where we need to be.
We knew going into our time in Pavones wasn’t going to be easy and we had spiritual attacks from all sides. Finding a crack head eating out of our fridge in the middle of the night, drug trafficking pursuits across the street, personal loss that our kids suffered, and we combated these situations with prayer, we know many of you were praying with us. Every day we saw the goodness of God there, bringing more people to our weekly gathering with a surprising amount of commitment and spiritual curiosity.
God was working in Pavones before we arrived and He will continue to work there without us. We don’t know what is going to happen next, but we are trusting in His plan. Please join us as we continue to pray for Pavones and the people of that beautiful place, for wisdom as to next steps and most importantly for workers to go into the harvest, not just in Pavones but everywhere. Now is the time to press harder into the call of church-planting, especially in the beautiful but spiritually dark coastal communities. Out on the beaches, in fishing towns, surf towns, and remote villages — people are waiting for hope, belonging, redemption, and a community anchored in Jesus.
Pavones gathering
Back at Home….
While we were in Pavones, the church in Esterillos loved the community and our Wednesday Lunches have grown to include moms and children. When we returned to our first lunch I was brought to tears as I looked around the table and saw the equivalent of widows, orphans and lepers of our times hungry for food, community and Jesus.
We wrapped up the year this last weekend with our annual Christmas Party for all the UNO+ kids and our Live Nativity outreach. Much fun was had with the help of a wonderful missions team from Salty Church.
As we move into the dry season here we will be spending more time outside with the people, in the field where the harvest is. Church services return to the beach as we priortitize being available over being busy, people over projects and patiently listening to the Holy Spirit over strategy.
Christian Surfers Group in Esterillos Oeste
You can help plant churches
Pray. Pray for the coastal communities in Costa Rica and beyond: for hearts to be open, for churches to truly reflect the love of Christ, for leaders to rise up — local believers, surfers, youth, families. Pray for protection over workers, wisdom in the face of danger, and for those enslaved by fear, violence, and addiction to find freedom in Christ.
Give. Financial contributions are needed — dramatically. The work of Pura Vida / 360 Mission District still struggles with deficits, new church planting and ongoing ministry costs. Donations help support pastors and leaders, fund community outreach programs (like UNO+, Christian Surfers and community lunches), and cover essential operational costs.
Go. If you or your church community feel the call — consider going to serve children and youth, support community centers, or even relocate long-term to serve in these coastal areas. The Surf Church Collective and Pura Vida are actively looking for people willing to move, serve, love, and build community in places where surfer friendly church presence is rare or non-existent.
Park remodel with Salty Church