“Costa Rica is an amazing country of unsurpassed beauty and wonder. Within just a few miles, you can experience a tropical jungle, a cool cloud forest, or a windswept ocean vista.  The country is comprised of lush rain forests which are teaming with exotic wildlife and a wealth of biodiversity. Towering mountain ranges ascend high into the clouds. Active volcanoes remind us of God’s awesome creative power. Palm studded beaches stretch hundreds of miles along both the east and west coast.  Relatively safe and accessible, friendly to Americans, blessed with a diversity of plant and animal life; it is an eco-tourist’s dream. 

Sounds like paradise, right? Well, there are two sides to this country, and for some, life is a lot different than you might imagine.

There’s another side to Costa Rica that can be found not only in the city, but in the remote villages of the river basins in which outcast Nicaraguan refugees scrape out a life on the fringes of society. In addition, indigenous people groups lack basic education and health care. Lack of education and very high unemployment in rural areas has driven people to look for opportunity in the cities, hoping to participate in the flood of tourist driven prosperity. 

The population is nominally Catholic, but for many, they are Catholic in name only and never pray, attend church or read the Bible.  These people are lost, chasing the dream of a better life by embracing the new found foreign investment in tourism.  It’s a time of change, the erosion of a gentle old culture and the emergence of a not-always-so-nice new one. For those elevated by foreign investment, traditional mores and lifestyles are giving way to the modern, consumer oriented world. For those left behind, the new realities offer few redeeming comforts.

In the midst of this turmoil, E3 Partners Ministry is working in Costa Rica to bring hope to people, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  E3 Partners works together with local pastors and church members to do door-to-door evangelism, follow-up, training and to start “I Am Second (Yo Soy Segundo)” Bible study groups. As they read and live out the Word of God, people find hope and purpose in life. As you read this, we are praying that you’ll be inspired to join us working in San Ramon.  You’ll gain a perspective that no adventure tour or four-star resort could ever provide.  And you may just find yourself changed as you experience this beautiful country and its people.”