Twenty-One Days and Counting

There is lots of frenzy going on right now.  People shopping for Christmas presents, parties, parades, preparation.  Yes, it’s that time of the year again.  And time, well that seems to just disappear as we fill our days and evenings with various family commitments, work obligations and even social events. 

In my Blackaby devotional reading today, “Time pressures will attack the good in your life. Your time to pray, study Scripture, be with your family, and serve in your church will all be pressured by the many other time demands you face.  You may give generously to your church and other Christian causes, but you will be tempted to spend your money selfishly and minimize the good you are going with your finances.” 

GUILTY!  That’s me.  I met a few girlfriends at the mall last week for a ‘special event’ at Bloomingdales. It was one of those private-invitation only, where they serve you champagne and martini’s and butler’s walk around with food to munch, all the while you are supposed to be shopping for their ‘great deals’ (which is kind of a oxymoron considering it’s Bloomingdale’s!) It was seriously a challenge for me not to get caught up in the moment, and spend money that I really don’t have, to just treat myself.  Because, after all, I really do deserve it, right? 

Satan has a very unique way of infiltrating our Christmas celebrations.  We kind of put Jesus and God in the back seat while we prepare for Christmas.  It’s the Black Friday, Cyber-Monday, and well, I’m too tired . . . so instead of going to church, I sleep in on Sunday.  The Devil is very cunning that way.  We become so busy that we seriously forget what we are supposed to be celebrating.

Years ago when I was a student at Palm Beach Atlantic University, one of the highlights of December for me was their Advent Guide. I was joyfully delighted this year when I found the Advent Guide on the PBAU website available to download.  It’s been my morning reminder to focus on God’s word. It helps me prepare and focus on the most important relationship needing attention this time of the year.  My relationship with My Savior.  

So today, if you are getting caught up in the countdown to Christmas and also need a reminder, I share with you from Luke, Chapter 2  . . .

 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  AMEN.

Lisa Sorenson

2012 Theme: iWill follow

Hey everybody! We are so excited to announce our theme for next year, iWill follow. Come serve with us and through servant leadership, intentional devotion time with the Lord and through our speakers, learn what it means to follow the example of Christ and lead others to do the same. All the while, serving the locals here in San Ramon who are in need of the love of Christ.

Understanding our Father's Heart

Lately God has been challenging me with "the big question". What is God's will for my life? We spend our lives thinking and wondering what is the purpose He has for our life? Often times we pray, "Lord, your will be done in my life!" But behind those words, is there really selfishness and self-centeredness? The reality is that we really think everything is about us and the correct question should just be, "God what is your will?"Period.

Once I know His will, I can adjust my life to it. The focus must be God, not me.

John 5:19-20
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.


When we truly know our Father we begin to be like Him and do what He does, this is how His desires become fulfilled before my own. I need to understand that everything He has done and will do is ultimately for the honor and glory of His name. Out of all of creation He chose and gave us the privilege of having His image and likeness; we were given the title of His children even when we didn't deserve it.

I cannot be so proud and ignorant to think that ALL that He has done is only simply to please us. It goes beyond that, life is not about me, its about Him. The Lord recently put this on my heart and it rocked my world, but I had to ask myself, if this whole time I was really living for His will alone...why does this rock me so much?

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


2 Corinthians 5:15
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

As a missionary translator for Pura Vida Missions, I'm not sure whether the Lord will have me stay or call me out of my country, all I do know is the center of His will is what I want. Missions is not just another church ministry, it is the heart of the Father to rescue His lost children. So if this is His desire, than its mine too. I am grateful and indebted to Him, and I believe that when we can truly come to a place to wrap our heads around this we can start to understand our Father's heart.

~Mar

Ordinary + Risk = Incredible

Every once in a while God lets you be a part of something incredible. I remember the first time I stepped off the plane in Costa Rica with a mission team of slightly nervous teenagers in the summer of 2000. I had no idea back then that God would use that trip to spark a journey, for me, that is 11 years old. I still have to pinch myself from time to time because it’s hard for me to believe that I’ve had a big role in starting and leading Pura Vida Missions. 

See, I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty ordinary guy with a slightly above average quotient for risk. But what I’ve come to discover is that this is just the combination God uses to unlock the innate creativity placed in the heart of each of us. In other words, your “ordinary” talents + a bit of faith-filled risk = incredible things for the Kingdom of God.

I remember the last part of that mission trip in 2000 as well. We’d finished the week of ministry and were leaving the children we worked with all week. It’s one of the few times I’ve audibly heard the voice of God. Want to know what He said? He said, “You can do more.”

Most of us live our life thinking we’ve done enough or that we don’t have anything worth giving. Both are lies.

Call me naive but I believe exactly what Jesus said, “with God all things are possible.” You just have to dream a little and risk a little. God will take care of the rest.

Here we are in 2011. Pura Vida Missions is entering it’s 8th year soon. We’ve taken 1,000’s of short term missionaries on trips that have changed countless lives. We sponsor 100+ children to go to school. We’ve done countless construction projects and we’re in the 3rd year of having full-time missionaries on the ground in San Ramon. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg and it’s truly something incredible. I’m honored that God let’s me be a part of it.  - Albert

¡Las Frutas!

What a blessing and a privilege it is to be working here and see the fruits that the Holy Spirit has cultivated through the ministry of Pura Vida Missions. Between the short term trips over the past 7 years that I have interned for and these past 4 months of service with my wife, I have spent probably a little over a years worth of time here; and I have seen so much. We always tell our missionaries that it may "seem" insignificant what they do. I mean how is playing jump rope and painting Jesus' robe blue in a craft really going to prepare this child to pick up his cross and follow Christ? Well I can confidently tell you that in the 7 years that Pura Vida has ministered to San Ramon, these children are beginning to pick up their crosses and follow Jesus.


At Church last Sunday in Linda Vista, we had probably a total of 14 people; decent numbers for this small, poor, heavily Mormon ministered town. Half of these numbers were kids, 5 of which came without their parents! Pastor Carlos made a wonderful comment in Church as he noticed his demographics; "mira las frutas de nuestro hermanos Norte Americanos de Pura Vida Missions. Aquí están los niños que tienen a ministerd." Which means look at the fruit of our N. America brothers from PVM. Here are the kids they have minister to. "Wow", I thought. When I was these kids age, you could not have paid me to not only go to Church without my parents, but also sit through a loud, 2 hr service. 


Then, Marjorie and Natalya were discipiling a family in our sponsorship program last week, and as they were talking about how Jesus is the way the truth and the life, the mother spoke up and said that she believed that all religions worshiped the same god and that all ways lead to heaven. Before the girls could step in, her teenage son respectfully corrected his mother with truth from scripture on how Jesus IS the ONLY way to the Father! What?!? That story blew me away when the girls came back and shared that with me. Disciples with a boldness are being created in this program!


Last, Pura Vida Missions has never experienced such interest from within Costa Rica to have volunteers. After this summer, all of our 'Tico' translators have expressed a desire to continue working with (either full-time or volunteer) Pura Vida Missions and we have had inquiries from people who only know about us! The point is, the presence of this ministry has settled its roots deeply here and the people of this land want a part of whatever the Holy Spirit is doing. Pura Vida Missions is now raising up leaders in this land to take San Ramon for the Lord!


Please continue to pray for us and this ministry; that the Lord will be gracious unto us and continue to allow us to grow and show us where the need is in this city.


¡Pura Vida!


Jamie Clemens

Relying on Him

Ok, so I admit, I often ask the Lord why He has Jamie and I here. Don't get me wrong, we love and enjoy Costa Rica and all the wonderful people and definitely have affirmation to serve here BUT, we find ourselves sometimes unprepared, or not experienced enough for situations we would have never expected. One of these instances happened 15 days after we arrived in Costa Rica to serve full-time.

Jamie and I sponsor a little boy named Carlitos. For the past few years Jamie has served here, he has had the opportunity to create a friendship with this incredible little boy. So a year ago, we sponsored him, and continue to do so....this is how much we believe in the vision and mission of the PVM Sponsorship Program. Well, shortly after we arrive, we find out that Carlitos's 4 year old brother was run over by a car, in critical condition and rushed to the hospital. Our heart broke for this family that we love so much, and also to know that Carlitos's mom was 5 months pregnant. What do you say in this situation? We are "missionaries" now, we should know exactly what to do, right? We decided to bring the family some food, and we prayed, and then prayed some more.

This is Jamie (and his majestic hair) with our Carlitos!

Praise the Lord, Carlitos's brother did survive the accident and miraculously only carries a long scar in the back of his head as a reminder of the accident. However, a few months later, tragedy hit again. Carlitos's mom, Jesus Maria, lost her precious baby at 9 months. Marjorie and I visit her home, and all that the runs through my mind is... I'm 26 years old...I have no idea what she is going through, I have never lost a child....God give me words, Holy Spirit give me Your words. The only thing that comes to mind is Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is --- His good, pleasing and perfect will. I have no idea why God gave me this verse, but I felt that I needed to affirm her that although we can't understand suffering in this world we need to understand and take hold of the truth that His will, is good, that it is pleasing and that it is perfect, and that she is never alone in her suffering. Once scripture was spoken, tears began to flow and Marjorie and I held her, cried and prayed with her. In that moment, I truly felt a blanket of God's love surround us.

I wake up everyday feeling ill-equipped, because I am. Then Jamie and I Ephesians 6:10 it up, and put on the full Armor of God, one piece at a time. We get ready for battle everyday, and I really can't believe that I never prepared like this before until my employment status on facebook changed to "missionary". May I never walk through this life thinking that I've got it all under control. There is no way that Jamie and I can prepare for everything that hits us here, we don't have a plan B or C. So its no wonder we would truly discover who our God is in a place where all we can do is rely on Him.

So Pura Vida Family, can you join in praying for Carlitos's family? Pray for comfort, peace, and an abundance of joy for this family who has suffered so much. Also, if you're interested in sponsoring a child like Jamie and I do, please visit www.puravidamissions.com and check out our Child Sponsorship page, as you help change a life, yours will be changed as well.

Because He lives,

Natalya Clemens

Linda Vista/ Beautiful View

Iglesia Cristiana Virtud y Amor de Dios. This is the church that Jamie and I attended Sunday morning in Linda Vista. This area is one of the newest sites that Pura Vida Missions missionary teams started visiting this past summer to do Vacation Bible School and Construction Projects. Pastor Carlos graciously let us use his little church with dirt floors (well, dirt floors at the time till Harvest Bible Chapel from Palm Beach Gardens came in and laid down concrete floors and put in bathrooms) so we could hide out with the kids from the afternoon downpours. Linda Vista, which means "beautiful view" in Spanish, is definitely just that. The dirt road is lined with small, tin-roofed houses and crisscrossed, low hanging power lines that lead up to this beautiful view of San Ramon and surrounding mountains. There is just something about this place. The Lord continues to tug on my heart every time I step foot there.

So as we are walking into church I was greeted by some of the kids that I had made a special connection with this summer. There were some wooden pews added and about 12 adults and 7 kids who attended.  As I'm worshipping and listening to the message given by a visiting Pastor I sensed desperation around me. Not desperation for the things of this world but for the Lord. The message recharged me and the Holy Spirit moved in this little church with just a boom box for worship and pin holes in the tin roof for light to enter. I couldn't stop looking at the girls from our summer VBS who came to church even though their parents didn't attend. There was such an affirmation of our missionary teams that served at this site this past summer sitting on those old wooden pews. Linda Vista, beautiful view, this place is definitely giving me a beautiful view of who the Lord is, and who I want to be through Him.

My girls from Linda Vista

I once received a letter from a church secretary during a really tragic time in my life and she signed off with "Because He Lives", words to one of my favorite hymns that really put my life and purpose in a clear perspective. May it do the same for you.

Because He Lives,

Natalya Clemens

Ashley Fierros - Her Pura Vida Story

I was invited by the Lord to join HIM in HIS work in San Ramón, Costa Rica. It is a common statement that I hear by many missionaries that, "you think you are the one that will be used to transform lives in the ministry when infact it is you that are transformed and impacted". And I can certainly attest to this as a true statement for my life.  For the last 2 years I have been on the most spectacular and challenging adventure with the Lord. In that time and still now HE has been refining me. One of the ever appearing topics that HE continually puts before me is that it is day by day. HE will show you the next step. HE desires that you feed on HIS word and be before HIM in this day and that tomorrow is a new day. HE will guide your steps in this day and that is where you are to focus, what is right before you. Just as HE gave the Israelites manna for each day, so HE does with us. HE gives us just enough to make it through the day and then the next day is new and fresh. A new batch of hope a new batch of trust a new batch of HIS word waits for you the next day. So this is one of the very big lessons that I learned on arriving in Costa Rica and continue to learn as I now have come back to the states. I had no idea how or what would be done through me in the time that I was to serve HIM in Costa Rica. So every day I just went to HIM for guidance and instruction and HE showed me exactly what I was to do. In the bible we read about the very explicit details given by the Lord to build the tabernacle: all of the measurements, all of the fabrics to be used, who was to do what job, etc. In reading all of this, I never really internalized that this is exactly the same formula that God was going to use to direct my life to accomplish HIS WILL. It has all been very detailed and laid out step by step and HE has lead me the ENTIRE way!   I have had many moments of reflection in just these short two weeks of being back in the states. I am astounded by the work that the Lord did through a very inexperienced and unqualified vessel...me, "That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2Corinthinans 12:10) I know that it was all the LORD that used every ounce of what I had and HE filled me with the thoughts, the ideas and the opportuities as well as the help to see me through that time so that I could accomplish HIS work. All of the glory is HIS for HE guided my steps every single day. I find myself now in the very same situation. I am here back in the states and I feel like a fish out of water. I feel as if I am on foreign soil and I really have no idea what the next step is, but my sweet and SAVING Lord does and I am certain that HE will guide my path and show me my next step. I am certain of this because I can attest to HIM doing it before. This is a part of my testimony and I will WAIT for HIS guiding and leading. I know HE will show me what to do and who will walk along side with me in the process that lies ahead. This lesson doesn't come without trial though. Don't think that it is an easy lesson. I struggle daily with my flesh trying to take on what is HIS. I try to make things happen. At moments I forget to trust and I take my eyes off of Jesus and notice my surroundings instead of HIM and I begin to sink. Just as Peter did in Matthew 14. However, we serve a loving and merciful KING that always extend out HIS hand when we cry out to HIM and HE picks us up right where we are at and asks us to follow HIM again and walk towards HIM. So that is what I will do DAILY! I choose this day to die to my flesh and all that comes with that: insecurities, my way and my desires. I am going to choose HIM every day. I am going to choose HIS way every day. Every day I will seek HIS truths and HIS will. Each day is given to us to choose as Joshua 1 tells us so this is what I will do.   I also want to take this moment to thank many of you that have walked with me through this process as I know that I am not alone in this adventure. To my family at home who accepts me as I am and let God use me as HE so desires...THANK YOU for your constant support and never trying to intercede and pursuade me to come home. You have always loved on me and allowed me to rest everytime I came back to the states, with no expectations! I love you and I am grateful that HE gave each one of you to walk out life with me. I love you Mom, Dad, Cissy, Cody, Chris, Jedidiah and Judah and I praise God for using all of you mighty to bring me closer to HIM our Lord, Jesus Christ! To my sweet mentor Helen. You always had a word of encouragement that lifted me and prepared me to keep on moving forward. God used your wisdom and experience as a missionary in Brazil 35 years and as a solid believer to prepare me and impact my life and heart! He still continues to use you as I am in the transition process. I am so grateful to have your friendship and your love! Also, to many of you that have followed along through the website and facebook with all of the "happenings" in Costa Rica and have been my prayer warriors through it all! I THANK you very much for your dedication to pray over every moment I spent in Costa Rica. I felt covered by them the entire time. You prayers were heard and where answered and I thank all of the warriors out there that never ceased to pray for every moment in San Ramon. Know that God is moving mighty and HIS fame is being spread throughout San Ramon and many lives are being transformed radically! Never stop praying for what God is doing through Pura Vida Missions. Continue to pray for the missionaries there that are leading the mission (Jamie & Natalya Clemens and Marjorie Zuniga). Pray that God will use their minds, their hearts and their talents to continue on HIS work. Pray for favor between them as they are on the front lines of the battle field and their friendships and marriage will be hit hard by the enemy. Pray for the directors that lead this mission. Pray that their decisions will be put before the Lord and that they seek HIS guidance and will constantly. Also, continue to pray for the students and their families that are in our sponsorship program. Pray that they fearlessly seek the opportunities that the Lord has given them. Pray that they know it is all HIM that has provided these things. Pray that the families receive the blessing of HIS word and have a willing and ready heart as Natalya and Marjorie continue to go into their homes and disciple them.   I also want to thank all of you that have financially supported me through this process. This was my first experience as a missionary as well as Pura Vida Missions' first experience having a full time missionary and none of us knew what to expect or how to go about fundraising. God however knew exactly what to do and as you were prompted by HIM to give, HE used your offerings to continue the work being done in Costa Rica and I thank you for trusting your finances as you felt called to be a part of supporting me and this mission. You are a part of the body of Christ that makes it complete without you we would be crippled. I am so grateful for your support and trust in what HE did through me and will continue to do through the mission.   To my directors & their families that believed in what God could do through me...THANK YOU! Thank you 6 years ago for my first opportunity to come for the summer and intern! Every summer that you allowed me to return created more and more of a passion within me to do more and to seek HIS face more. I Thank you for giving me the chance to make many mistakes. I thank you for seeing HIS light through me and allowing HIM to do HIS work there through me! But most of all, I thank each one of you for the MANY sacrifices that you have made whether it be from your jobs or families all the way to financially supporting and sacrificing for the mission. God has used all of you mighty in my life and all of you have challenged me to dream BIG and know that God can use anyone to see HIS plan to fruition! I love you and I THANK God for you: Albert, Dan, Tony, Tim and each of your beautiful families.   To the staff and volunteers for Pura Vida Missions. I want to also extend a BIG THANK YOU to all of you as well. From the ladies (Angelmira, Karla, Ileana and Ingrid) to the interns that come every summer including Kendall that made many guest appearances throughout the year and especially to Lisa who always brought comfort to the mission every time you came. You all made it a JOY to work there! You were always there to lift me up if it was a hard day or to fill the void when there just weren't enough hands to get the job done! Thank you for serving the Lord dilligently and challenging me to do the same. Without your help and your MANY countless and selfless hours of time that you put in to see HIS work being done there, it wouldn't have function so beautifully! God used your hearts and your gifts mighty and I am so grateful that I got to be a part of seeing HIM lived out through each one of you! I love you all and you are always in my heart!   Last but not least to the family that GOD gave me there! Who knew that HE had a HUGE loving family of all different colors, ages and nationalities waiting for me there! To JP, Jorge, Maikel, Randal, AJ, and Jennifer. It was such a pleasure to walk out life with all of you! You were my first experience of a true community where we broke bread together and served one another. That time with you inspired me and rivived me! I will never forget any of you! To my sweet Cornerstone Church. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your body! It was a blessing to hear HIS TRUTHS laid out every Sunday in my own language! Each member was unique and so special. Thank you for your love and encouragement and bringing a piece of the states to San Ramon, Costa Rica. To the Burke Family: Tim, Rachelle, Tyler and Lindsey. I will NEVER forget the LOVE that God showered onto me through each one of your hearts. HE used each one of you to encourage me and challenge me to seek harder HIS truths! Thank you for the laughter, the exercise, the dance, the ability to play music, the acceptance and just letting me be a part of your family! I will always cheerish that time with you and will never stop thanking the Lord for our friendships! I love you all. And last but certainly not least, to my Marjorie. Who knew...only HE did! You are my best friend, my favorite latin dance partner and my sister! I love you and I can't even begin to THANK God enough for all that HE gave me through you! You stood by me everytime I felt alone. You were patient with me as I learned the language and customs. You gave me a love for your culture! Your fervor and convictions for the Lord still challenge me. I loved getting in HIS word with you. I will ALWAYS remember this time and be filled with JOY...indescribible JOY because HE used us mighty together and HE was the center of our friendship. I now understand why Jonathan and David wept and embraced the last time they saw each other in scripture. I imagine it was just like our last days together. I pray that God crosses our paths again and I can't wait to hear of all of HIS new adventures lived out through your life! I love you and I am so THANKFUL for your desire and passion to serve the Lord along side of me! It by far has been the most AMAZING adventure with HIM yet and I wouldn't have been able to pick a better person to walk along with me and HE knew it!   The biggest THANKS or as we say in Costa Rica, "Gloria a Dios" goes to God! I praise you for this new life that you have given me through Jesus Christ my Savior and my King! You pulled me out of the dirt and washed me white as snow and will forever be GRATEFUL for this free gift that I did not deserve yet you lavished upon me! I love you and my life is yours! I thank you for this adventure that I assume has prepared me for my the next steps with you and so I pray that you continue to use me as you see fit! I desire a life that is willed by you and the marks left by me only have YOUR imprint. The amazing time that I spent in Costa Rica and all of the work that you did through me is for your glory...I KNOW that my vessel was directed by you daily so ALL of the glory and victory is yours! You have radically impacted my life and my heart and I will never be the same! I love you...my sweet Lord and Savior!   Pura Vida! ~Ashley

Amazing Summer So Far

So far we have had an amazing summer at PVM. We have seen several teenagers come to Christ through the ministry of our short-term mission teams. We have completed several construction projects to help improve the quality of life for many Ticos who live in abject poverty.

Right now there are over 40 missionaries serving with us in San Ramon. Please keep us in your prayers. We are praying for you.

Slowly But Surely

Slowly but surely we are getting our new site up to speed. It has taken a while but in the end it will have better features to serve you. We are presently ironing out the kinks in the Child Sponsorship module and you will soon be able to pick from hundreds of children to sponsor.

We want to thank you for your patience and we pray that you will keep checking back here to stay up to date about all that God is doing at PVM.

Brand New Pura Vida Website Up and Running

Hey Everyone,

Our brand new website is up and running. It still has a few kinks in it but we hope to work them out ASAP. We hope you like it. Send us your feedback.

Pura Vida Missions