Our men made it safely back from Costa Rica on Saturday, August 8th. What a wonderful trip God provided for them. Souls were saved and seeds were planted in the hearts of many. Here are a few more pictures from their work in Costa Rica.


Here is Corky welding so they could put a tin roof over the garage.

This is Jordan painting the outside wall of Maria's house.




This is the family that allowed our men to come into their home. Thank God for people who are willing to seek the Lord and want to spread his gospel.



Here are pictures of some of the church services. They held service every night.

Hey all,

Sorry I did not get the chance to email you yesterday to let you know what was going on, but we got so busy with our projects that I did not have time to swing by the internet café, so you have my apologies.

Team Pablo reached Jimenez around 6:30 pm on Tuesday.. Although the three men that were sleeping in the tent got flooded out at 3 am, things seem to be going well from what we have gathered from talking to them over the phone. They had a 3 hour walk through the jungle to reach the Indian village, and from what we hear, it is twice as hot down there as it is in Alajuela, so please continue to pray for their safety and strength.

God continues to keep working and moving here in Costa Rica. The church services have gone wonderfully. Even though we can’t understand what they’re saying (as Matt sometimes gets caught up in the Holy Spirit and forgets to translate), you can still feel the Holy Spirit just walk in and sit with us. Bro. Matt and Bro. Corky preached on Tuesday night at the church in Alajuela, and Bro. Matt and Bro. Josh preached last night at the church in El Tropico (The Tropic). El Tropico was a new experience for all of us on Team Pedro.. They worship a lot like the Pentecostal Holiness churches back in the States, but you could tell the Lord showed up. Kelly and I were mobbed handing out tracts, AND TWO WERE SAVED!!!!!!! HALLELUJIA!!!!!! GLORY TO GOD!!!!! Several came to us after service, needing personal help and prayer. God is moving in a mighty and powerful way!!!

As for the mission work, half of the clothes have gone with Team Pablo, and half have stayed in Alajuela with Team Pedro. We have decided to let the pastor of the church distribute the clothes as he knows who is most needy. The toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes have gone over well with the kids. The smile on their faces when they receive such a small commodity to us is enough of a pay off. We have distributed thousands upon thousands of tracts (which reminds me the airport found the bag we lost!!!!!) in Alajuela. Each one we’ve given gets read, so continue to pray that the Holy Spirit goes with them.

We have concentrated on Maria’s house, and have painted one coat of paint in her living room and kitchen, and have tore down the tin roof on her garage, and are going to start putting on the new tin today. She can’t thank us without tears streaming down her face, and Matt told us that he considers the paint and roof a miracle because she can’t afford to do it herself, and it was badly needed..

We thank you for all your support and prayers, and we hope you continue to lift us up. God has truly been with us on this trip, and we know we wouldn’t be here without you all. We love and miss you!

Bro. Chris Smith

Hey All,

GLORY TO GOD FOR HE IS GOOD!!!!! We have been here under 24 hours, and God has already showed up in a great and mighty way!!! When we arrived, we had a warm welcome awaiting us. Maria Artavia, Matt's mother-in-law, greeted us with hugs, kisses and Costa Rican flags with tears of joy streaming down her face. We met in her garage, and there was hardly a dry eye in the place. Also awaiting us was a home-cooked, genuine Costa Rican meal, will all the fixin's.

After eating, the men headed out and started evangelizing right away. We passed out hundreds, if not thousands, of tracts, with a count of only two being rejected. We held a small church service in the local church. There wasn't a large number, but the pastor and family were counting on a day of rest, but as Matt described to his family, if you were to imagine a freight train with the name Evangelism going full speed, that would be us. Even though there wasn't many to show up at the service, God showed up. GOD IS GOOD!!! After singing and a short message, we stayed in the church for another hour praying and crying. The minister of music came by, and we just had a good 'ole time in the Holy Spirit for HE IS WORTHY!!!!

After much singing, crying, and testiftying, we came back to the house, and split into teams Pedro (Peter) and Pablo (Paul). Pedro, the group staying in Alajuela, went to stay with Adriana's sister, and Pablo stayed with Maria. After a good night's sleep, Pedro and Pablo met up at Maria's house for prayer. Pablo headed out today, Tuesday, because even though it was a day early, the family in Jiminez was ready for them. They headed out around 10:30 am, 12:30 pm your time, and will arrive around 6 or 6:30 tonight.

Please keep praying for both teams, as we will still need it... Bro. Wayne will be preaching services in Jiminez, and we will carry on with the services here. Please pray that God keeps moving and touching hearts... We have recieved many Blessings, and hope to recieve more.

Thanks for all the support and prayers! GOD IS GOOD!!!!

Love you all,

Bro. Chris Smith

P.S. There are more pictures, but due to time and space, I have only added a few, but there will be more to come!!!

Men landed safely in Costa Rica, Praise the Lord. Here is a picture of some of them before leaving and in the airport this morning.

Men of Pilgrims Way Baptist Church on Sunday Night before leaving for Costa Rica. Pictured are: (Back row left to right) Kelly Pritchard, Darrell Padgett, Chris Smith, Keith Russell (member of New Freedom in Green Creek NC), Hunter Park, Lee Oakes. (Middle left to right) Calvin Harris, Tim Ford, Jeremy Atchley, Perry Smith, Corky Hudson, Pastor Wayne Stafford. (Front left to right) Jordan Gorman, Caleb Oakes, Joshua Oakes and David Cooper.

Costa Rica

A group of men from Pilgrims Way Baptist Church will be leaving on Monday, August 3 to go to Costa Rica for their first Mission Trip. Please pray that God will be with them and that souls will be saved. There will be pictures and details about each days happenings to come soon. God Bless!