Launching the Spanish Translation.2

Posted on June 18, 2009
Filed Under The Truth Project |

The Republic of Costa Rica sits between Panama on the south and Nicaragua on the north. The Pacific Ocean laps at its western shore and the Caribbean on the east. It is mountainous (Chirripo topping out at 12,533 feet), including seven active volcanoes. I have stayed in a cabana at the base of Arenal, one of the ten most active volcanos in the world, and have heard it rumble at night and have seen the red glow from the lava. It is impressive.

I love the people here. Spanish, of course, is the primary language and about 75% are Catholic. Greater San Jose counts about 1.5 million people, over one-third of the entire country’s population.

What is sad, however, is that the long history of strong families in Latin America is no longer immune from the ravages of modern culture. Teenage pregnancy is high, spousal abuse is rampant and pre-teen sexual activity is widespread. Costa Rica is also dealing with “famicide”, a horrible rise in spousal murder & suicide.

Enfoque a la Familia, led by Sixto Porras, Focus on the Family’s Regional Director for the Hispanic World, has a great staff that is working hard to change all of that. It is a privilege to labor with them.

All of today was spent in a private training of Sixto’s staff, preparing them to begin the task of developing small group leaders for the Truth Project throughout Latin America and beyond. Although we had to do this through Juan’s tireless translation efforts, there was no barrier between us. I love the bond that exists among believers…no matter what cultural or language differences exist. We took the time to read John 17 together and dwelt on the extensive expressions of oneness and call for unity by Jesus.

We had that today.

And, most exciting to me…as we say within the Truth Project team…they get it. They get the importance of prayer. They get the importance of small groups. They get the importance of Christian dialogue and true fellowship.

They understand that these are things that God desires and has designed us for, and they will be working to make that happen…in their own unique way, of course…as it best can be implemented within the Hispanic culture. And they will do it well.

It will be hard to leave this place and these wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ.

Comments

4 Responses to “Launching the Spanish Translation.2”

  1. melody on June 18th, 2009 9:43 pm

    May God bless the believers in Costa Rica! I join you in pray as god moves through His people.

  2. Jim on June 25th, 2009 4:09 pm

    Love Costa Rica! Love Arenal! My family and I spent a wonderful year in language school in San Jose, preparing to serve as missionaries in Mexico.

    Am THRILLED that TTP will be available in Spanish - finally! Can’t wait to introduce it to my dear Mexican brothers and sisters in Christ. I’ve told them about it, but having it available in their heart language - to use in growing and multiplying the church in Mexico - is a huge answer to prayer.

  3. Gary on June 25th, 2009 6:40 pm

    I took the Truth Project training in Louisville, KY last year. I now live in San Jose, Costa Rica where I teach secondary science to children of missionaries. I would love to know more about the Spanish version and Enfoque en La Familia.

  4. Adrianna on May 21st, 2010 9:12 pm

    Thanks so much and God continue to BLESS BLESS BLESS your ministry!!! God truly is making us all one family!

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