The San Jorge Church of the Nazarene, part of the Costa Rica North District, shared the message of salvation along with a special gift box with 50 children from humble circumstances from the “Of The Virgen” community. They held the activity at the San Jorge de Upala Church of the Nazarene.

A team from the church delivered a small box to each child provided by the organization Samaritan’s Purse. Each box represents a child who does not know Jesus. Children in Canada sent the boxes with help from their parents. The boxes each contain different items, and each family dedicates time in prayer to ask the Lord to make sure each box arrives to the recipient who truly needs its contents.

The box recipients are divided by age: 2-4 years, 5-9 years and 10-14 years.

After delivering the boxes, the children had a chance to share a testimony and whether the boxes contained something they needed. Two children volunteered. A 12-year-old boy said that he did not have deodorant because his had broken, but his box had a container of deodorant. Another boy said that he needed underwear and socks because all of his had holes, and his box had socks and underwear in his size. “It was incredible to hear the testimonies, because they were things they needed,” said Estefania Amador, the interim pastor. “That’s why I told each one their boxes were a gift from God for them.”

In addition to the boxes, the team shared the message of salvation in a creative way. All of the children are currently participating in a 3-month discipleship class. The children made bracelets with beads that represent the steps of salvation in order to remember that Jesus is with them in their lives. Some parents accompanied their children to the event, and they also heard the message of salvation.

The San Jorge church was re-opened only 7 months ago after being closed for about two years. “God has done marvelous things in this place. Where there was nothing, now there is a group of children and adults who praise God. We thank God for what he is doing,” Pastor Estefania said.

It is worth mentioning that Pastor Estefania is 24 years old and has been working arduously on several projects to benefit the community with help from her mother, Rosa Navas Corea, and a team from the San Jorge church. She is also the SDMI and Global Mission director for the Costa Rica North District.

Source: Estefania Amador Navas, Interim Pastor, San Jorge de Upala Church of the Nazarene