During a Cross-Cultural Orientation held 7-9 September at Poás Church of the Nazarene in Costa Rica, more than 35 participants received or reaffirmed their call to ministry.

“I can say that every workshop, every activity, every devotion, every word I heard and hug I received during these three days marked my life and created in me a Christian reality totally different than the one I had when I came,” said Danah Webb Leandro of Desamparados. “This camp gave me a new vision, a new purpose. It filled me with strength and hope. It gave me a new calling and a new direction to work with my [youth], my church, my community, and my country.”

Global Missions coordinators at the district and regional levels organized the event. Speakers included Mesoamerica Nazarene Missions International Coordinator Ana Maria Crocker, Costa Rica North District Superintendent Johnny Calvo, Costa Rica Central District Superintendent Sirlene Bustos, and local pastor Filipe Flores. 

“It was an experience where I rediscovered my call,” said Christopher Quinto, a participant from Los Ángeles. “I got excited again like the first time. I rediscovered that ‘the sky is the limit,’ Now, I believe in my abilities and virtues. [CCO] challenged me to not stay still. To me, this was the impulse that I was lacking to move forward and not give up before the obstacles.”

Several people found security in their faith.

“God clarified a thousand doubts that I had,” said Xavier Yadir Diaz Chavez of Cañas Dulces. “I never thought that I could be so sure of where I am, from where God has brought me. My life is sealed with God’s name, and that will never change. The best is starting, so let’s prepare ourselves for unimaginable things in our lives.”

Other participants felt God was calling them to full-time ministry.

“As a pastor’s kid for a long time, I took responsibilities in the church only because there was no one else to do it, but it was not something that I could see as a calling.” said Daniela Solano, a participant from Tibas. “A few months ago, I began to ask God to take control of my life and to show me what He wanted me to do. During the camp, I was able to see how God for a long time had been working in my life. I could see how I missed a lot of details, because my call to missions had been there the whole time. To see the full picture of the little confirmations that God had been planting in my life was what made me say during this camp ‘Here I am, send me.’”

At the end of the camp, even the leadership was moved by the transformation that took place.

“To see happy faces and people believing that they can do a little more and to see them wanting to answer a call with conviction is priceless,” said Neslon Vega, Central District Global Missions coordinator. “I feel very satisfied with what we gained. I know that God used me and considered me a part of His plan, and that’s the most comforting thing a person can feel. Even though He does not need me, He decided to let me be a part, and that’s an indescribable feeling.”

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica