National Youth Workers' Convention

This is our first trip ever to any type of convention or trade show of this magnitude. It has been an incredible experience. The best part has been meeting all the incredible youth workers who continue to do ministry on the front lines. As a long time youth minister myself, it is refreshing to see and be reminded of the impact we can have on a generation. The amazing thing about students is that they still believe that they can change the world. Their dreams are still very much alive and with Christ those dreams can come true.

That's why we do what we do at Pura Vida. We want to share the incredible message of the Gospel with the children and youth of Costa Rica but we also want to equip and empower the youth who come to serve with us. We go to great efforts to send them back to the States fired up about serving the Lord in their hometown.

If this conference has taught us anything it has taught us that God continues to cheer on those who are willing to believe and then step out to share His love with the world. - arr

Our Story

In 1996, Pastor Jorge Lara (Christian & Missionary Alliance) had a vision that children and youth would come to his church located in San Juan de San Ramon, Costa Rica. He dreamed that his church would be the center of ministry to and with children and youth. In 1999 Tim Willcox and Tony Jones led a group of high school students on a short term mission trip to Jorge’s small church in San Ramon. Jorge’s vision was realized and the seed for Pura Vida Missions Inc. was planted. In the year 2000, Albert Rossodivita and Tony Jones led a group of high school students to Jorge’s church and the vision continued. In 2003, Albert and Tony led another mission team of high school students to San Ramon. Sadly, Pastor Jorge Lara died 2 months before the team arrived. Jorge’s vision survived through his wife, 4 children, son-in-law and 3 grandchildren. Today, Jorge’s vision continues to live through the lives he touched and through the ministry of Pura Vida Missions Inc. Pura Vida Missions Inc. is passionate about Jorge’s vision to reach the children, youth and adults of San Ramon for Jesus Christ.

When a Plan Comes Together

I remember when Tony and I flew into Costa Rica in February of 2004 to plan the next mission trip for my youth ministry. It had almost been a year since Jorge's death. On the plane we were wondering what was going to happen to the mission property and the family in San Ramon. Pastor Jorge was a visionary. God gave him the vision to build the facility so that children and youth would come to his tiny church. It's amazing that God's vision was even bigger than Jorge suspected. Tony and I landed and rented a car. We looked at each other and said, "Let's go and speak with the President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance church of Costa Rica. They were the owners of the property. It seemed like a whim. We found the Alliance church in San Fransisco de San Jose and asked for Mario (El Presidente). He wasn't supposed to be in the country but his plans were changed at the last minute and he happened to be there. We talked to him about the church property and the family. We told him that we would love to continue to bring mission teams and work with the Lara family. He liked the idea. He said (in Spanish), "We aren't putting another pastor there. Do you want to buy the property?" I remember wishing that I had more time to think in between translation but I heard myself saying, "Yes." We explained that we didn't have any money (still don't) but that we would love to try. Mario was pulling for us. Tony and I left and our heads were spinning. We couldn't wait to get to San Ramon to talk to the family. We wanted to know what they wanted to do. There was no question. They wanted to continue the vision and dream that God had given their father and husband...to be continued. arr