Dear Family and Friends,
As I step back and take a look at the last year of my life, I see it as a great preparation for the ministry in Costa Rica that I will be departing for at the end of this month. And as I look deeper, I see the past few years as preparation of the ministry training. I see how the hardships and sin in my life that are being overcome are tools in my ministry towards others. This is exactly what I intend to do: show Christ’s love to others in poverty and addiction.
The call in my life to Costa Rica actually came many years ago. I was running the wrong way when the call came, but He who had begun the good work in me has proven faithful over and over again to see it through. The opportunity to go serve there presented itself only after I had told my mother about the specific calling to Costa Rica that was coming in loud and clear.
When I went down last December to Quepos, I got a great chance to see the work that the Lord had already begun down there through Kim Stillwell. Kim had worked at Wheeler Mission for ten years in the youth department. While he went down there intending on working with youth, addiction was the problem that required immediate attention. I will be able to go down there with the specialized addiction ministry training that I’ve been receiving over the past year and a half.
There are currently six men in the program, with many many more needing to get in. I will go down and help with teaching classes, leading work crews, working on the building improvements, and helping with curriculum.
What did I see on my first trip down to Costa Rica? My first big surprise was how far along the ministry was down there. It is an official association recognized by the Costa Rican government. They have a center down there that the men live in, and the rehabilitation program itself has been up and running for about eight months now. The men take care of the center and continue to help restore it. They are currently looking for another property right now to make the current one more of a feeding/"orientation" facility and move the residential program elsewhere. It is growing. The men there work during the day. Kim has many contacts/friends down there so a group of men are working at a hotel doing some renovation/construction; they are paid. About half goes into an account for the men for when they leave the program and half goes to the program itself. They are moving along and growing. The churches are involved locally. Some are in charge of providing food, some prayer, some clothes etc. Kim and his efforts down there have greatly and positively affected the city of Quepos; this has resulted in their being in great standing with the community. In fact, the city has hired some of the men to do clean-up around the city. They are lacking leadership, but do have a full-time counselor there.
One of the things that I had prayed for was that if I indeed was to be down there that there would be an obvious need that could be filled by someone like me coming down there. That was certainly provided. I have certainly felt called there for a long time now, even before I was aware of this opportunity. When I was there I had a sense that I was finally home after being away for a long time. I prayed daily by myself as well as with Kim about this opportunity, and the Lord has spoken to me confirming that this is where he wants me. I have peace and joy despite some of the obvious hardships that will come with living in a third world environment.
The men there caught in addiction in the city of Quepos are almost exclusively addicted to crack cocaine. The addicts live in the town’s cemetery, literally living among the dead and in the tombs. Cocaine is cheap and these men are stuck in a live-style that is impossible for them to get out of on their own. The efforts there are to give the men a way out, much like I was given a way out here in Indiana. I have some graphic videos and pictures that can better give a better picture of the situation down there. I would appreciate any support in any form: prayer, financial, spiritual and emotional support. Thank you very much.
If you are feeling led to support me financially, please make checks payable to Overcomers Ministries, and include a note that your donation is for Jared Cantrell. Overcomers requests that you do not write my name in the memo portion of the check; you may, however, write for Costa Rica. Also, if you desire to have automatic transactions from your bank this is also possible by filling out a simple form.
Thank you so much for being a part of my life, for our relationship; it may be the only thing that we can take to heaven with us.
If you would like to receive email updates from me, contact me at jaredpaulcantrell@gmail.com.
The address for support:
7790 N Fish Rd/Bloomington, IN/47408
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