The Blood That Speaks Forgiveness
A day with Ivan (from Grano de Oro) in Turrialba
"You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel." Hebrews 12:25 NLT
"Abel's blood was crying out for vengeance against his murderer, Jesus was murdered but His blood continues to this day to cry out, "Mercy, mercy, Father forgive them."
-Derek Prince
This verse from Hebrews and the above quote really have taken on a whole new meaning for me living in a small country where there is now so much gang violence. Recent research of the human brain has brought to light that revenge is just as addictive as the most addictive drug. Revenge has now been labeled as the most deadly addiction by researchers. How can anyone think that all humans deep down are basically good? We are not, we are awful! Thank God for Jesus Christ. Thank you Father for the same spirit that rose Jesus Christ from the dead that is now dwelling in us. Thank you Jesus for continuing to show us a better way when we are offended, mistreated, or even greatly sinned against. Scientists also discovered that the antidote to "the brain on revenge" is forgiveness. Wow! How powerful is our God. There is hope for anyone, the cycle can be stopped.
THE BLOOD OF VENGEANCE
Three men from Las Colonias, associated with the notorious Diablo gang, traveled to Cartago and assassinated a prominent member of a rival gang. This bloodshed sparked a cry for vengeance, and led to two murders in La Suiza.
The assailants were easily tracked down by police since they stole the victim's car and drove it home to Las Colonias. The authorities managed to apprehend two of the murderers, while one escaped. Around 5 p.m. a young taxi driver from La Suiza arrived to retrieve the stolen vehicle from the police. Two hours later, his lifeless bloody body appeared in a photograph on social media on a lonely road in the hills behind La Suiza.
Five days later a young homeless woman was set on fire and later died in ICU. In the town the 2 incidents seem related. Everyone has assumed that it was because she talked too much. Her nickname was "Baby." At Jean Carlos funeral in March she had livened up the crowd by talking about how handsome he was. I can still see her chugging a bottle of orange Tang mixed with rubbing alcohol. As she flirted with all the young men she turned to Jean Carlos picture and shouted, "I wish it was me in that tomb instead of you." Her death was very sad to us. She was the first homeless female alcoholic I had ever seen in La Suiza
THE CAPTURE OF "EL DIABLO"
Early Friday morning the infamous "Diablo," the head of the aformentioned gang was captured along with other cartel heads in a police raid. He has been wanted for over 10 years. We were living in Texas when his operation violently took over the drug business in Turrialba, La Suiza and Las Colonias. The whole country was thrilled yesterday over his capture but we dont know if he will actually be sentenced in Costa Rica since so many judges and law enforcement have been purchased. have to be on guard in case there are territory fights. is going to be a power grab.
Nuevos Horizontes First Youth Activity
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7 Months In Costa Rica!!
We hit the 7 month mark in July and are happy to share a few milestones. Obando Solutions construction job in San Jose finished right about the same time that most of our former leaders who had strayed away (some since 2019) have joined us and rededicated themselves. They are walking in a new season with Jesus. Our church is meeting twice a week!
The youth group has been steady for 4 months now
We have 3 people to baptize
Felicity got a job!
Please pray for provision in practical areas
There are practical needs connected to this season of Marlon committing more time to ministry. Marlon and the crew have been without paying work for almost 4 weeks. In Costa Rica regular gas is over $6/ gallon and they are about to add more taxes to groceries
Financial steadiness
Pray that the Father would provide work for Marlon and Pablo locally. And give us grace to focus on His kingdom work without fear of how we will pay the bills.
For success in the other areas of Obando Solutions
Pray that the small cargo truck we purchased would pass inspection this week and that Marlon would be able to put it to work immediately.
We still need $900 to build the shelter over the sawmill. There is a tarp covering part of it for now.
Contentment while waiting
It can be discouraging if we focus on all the work our house and vehicles need. There are rusted parts in the rear doors of our vehicles and the roof in the back of the house where water is getting in. So thankful that the front of everything is good!!
That we would not lose our confident faith in the promises God has made to us as a family and ministry
PROTECTION
We always play that God would preserve us from being in the wrong place at the wrong time and that he would keep bad intentioned people away from us.
Pray that there be no gang warfare in Costa Rica and Turrialba in relation to the recent arrests.
Pray for protection from spiritual attacks of all kind: emotional, mental, physical, etc..
Pray the rains would slow down so we can go visit our Cabecar friends.
Thank you for carrying this with us
We are deeply grateful for your prayers. They are not a small thing. They strengthen us, break chains, and open doors!
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