Talamanca and Beyond

It's been a while, but what a while it's been!

First things first... Praise God, The Almighty, for everything He has done, is doing, and will do! His intentions are always the best. He loves relentlessly and shows grace and mercy on me, daily. HE is. That's right... He is!

Recently we were given the opportunity to go into an area of Costa Rica called Talamanca on a Medical Mission. Brief description: It's beautiful and unlike anything I have ever seen. More specifically, we went to an area called Bribri/Suretka on the Rio Sixiola. This river is a portion of the Costa Rican/Panamanian Border. But no, it's not what you're picturing... Unless you were picturing an area with no buildings or houses in sight. I mean, We were out there. Just about as far away from civilization as you can possibly be in Costa Rica.

Here's what our trip looked like... We took a 7 hour bus ride to the river bank. We then hopped on 2 ratchet (that means sketchy) boats that took us about 20 minutes up a crocodile infested river, Sixiola. After this great exercise of faith in God and carpentry, we boarded a chicken truck (it's exactly what you think). This truck drove us to a school house in an extremely remote village. This is where we were staying for the 3 days we were there.

As soon as we arrived, there were already families and individuals waiting for the medical clinic we were holding. Some of them had traveled by foot for a few hours to receive prayer and medical attention. Praise God! So began our extensive medical treatment of some of the craziest things you can imagine.
And that was just Day 1!
Day 2 brought a full day of medical clinics where, again, families had traveled on foot for many kilometers just for prayer! And Medical help! God is so big! There are people living in the mountains who know of Him! Who want to know more of Him!

All of this is extremely crazy. I didn't even know there were people out there!

There was a building in the community (one of the few) that housed the Church. This Church has no windows, no door, but a body of Christ that comes for worship just about every night of the week. It is so encouraging to see people who have little to no comfort come great distances to catch a GLIMPSE of God and His Power! PRAISE. HIM!

... and when I say little to no comfort... I mean we had a boa constrictor in our room... Who lives like this! They do and yet it doesn't phase them. Crazy awesome.

It was an unreal trip. I can only pray that God gives us the opportunity to go back. He moves in the craziest places. His power and knowledge stretch further than anything I can imagine. We are absolutely blessed to be a part of what He's doing!

Again..... PRAAAISSSEEE HIMMMM!!!!!

Below are some pictures of the trip. Unreal.

If you want to get in on the action and help fund these trips and what we're doing here in Alajuelita, you can go donate at 68ministries.org!

Till He returns or calls me home,

Chipper Brennan

A sketchy boat we loaded up with supplies and people...

These are some of the classrooms at the school we stayed in

Team members giving IV's to locals 

This is the Church, in all of it's glory!

Got a chance to explore the rain forest!

That's Panama in the backdrop and our chicken truck!

Going where no MAN* has gone before

First things first... All Glory, Honor, and Praise to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit. 

He deserves it every moment, every second of the day.

This week is kind of an off week for us here at 6:8 Ministries. We have been busy with teams for the past few weeks and have 5 days before the next team comes in. I'll tell you about them in a second. So our days are filled with blog writing, Ministry updating, and fundraising. It has given me some amazing opportunities to have not just a "quiet time" in the morning, but a few hours to meditate on The Lord and what He says. It's perfect. What better way to start your day than sitting with THE LORD..... OUR GOD..... and just listening to what He has to say. It's monumental! The God of the entire universe, somehow, has time to sit down with me. Me?! What have I done to deserve this! It's awesome!

So about this team that is coming in 5 days (November 2nd)... The team is a medical mission team from Jacksonville, FL. They are bringing tons and tons of God-provided medical gear. The week or so that they are here, we will be leading them on local prayer walks, medical clinics in the local neighborhoods, and an expedition into the jungle to an indigenous tribe of people.......

Yep, you read that correctly.... We takin the word into the jungle!

In an area north of here called Limon, there are tons of tribes on people who live in villages in the rain forest. A lot of these people are unreached, some of them may have never even seen a white human being before. While this is really really awesome, it's also crazy heavy to think about. I mean, who hasn't heard of missionaries going into the jungle in Central and South America and being eaten by the people they witness to? There are crazy amounts of stories, probably too many, of people doing this and never coming back! 

"Well aren't you nervous?"

HECK NO! I'm working for an Almighty God that has, can, and will break down barriers. He has placed a hedge of protection around me thus far, I trust He'll continue to do that! And if His will be that we don't come back from this trip, then so be it! God's will is God's will. 1) there's no stopping it and 2) it's always in my best interest!

I gotta say it... If you are willing to help out by donating, please please visit our website at 68ministries.org and either donate online or you can send a check. Any amount helps! If you can't help financially, then you can pray! Pray for the word of God to move rapidly and powerfully. 

So we're going... Where no man has gone before... But where God already is... 

Praise Him!

Till He returns or calls me home,

Chipper Brennan.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:14

Feeding Centers on Feeding Centers on Feeding Centers

God's pretty freaking cool.....

(how cool is He)

HE IS SO COOL that He provides for EVERYONE in the entire world. Like Me, my parents, You, My best friend, your best friend, and the People of Costa Rica! What?! How crazy is that! He is always thinking about us at every moment of the day. Even when it seems like you've come to the end, He's like "Nope, not on my watch!"

This past week has been full of God moments. And yes, every moment is a God moment. BUT this week in particular has been really awesome and full of opportunities to spread His name. Here at 6:8 Ministries, we set up feeding centers throughout the week for the locals. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the local Church opens it's doors for homeless Men and Women to come off of the street and eat a hot, homemade meal. During each of these meals, they are provided with something that far surpasses food... The Gospel. YES! Men and Women who are near the end, who have nothing to their name but the clothes on their back (and sometimes not even those), get to hear the Good News!

Put yourself in their shoes real quick... All day, you've been ignored, passed by, hated, and looked down on by the world. You smell and are really really dirty. You've heard of this Church that provides a meal that you haven't had in a few weeks and, of course, you're going to go. So when you show up, You're embraced by loving people, recognized by everyone who greets you... "Hola ________! How have you been! We've missed you!"... You're given a bowl of beans and rice, some sort of soup with potatoes and green beans, and tea! WHAT! And then, while you're eating, JESUS ENTERS THE ROOM! His presence is so evident, there's a preacher up on stage talking about His UNFAILING love! His NEVER ENDING GRACE! His Open Arms!... "He loves YOU, _______. He is waiting for YOU!"

That's every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. GOD, not me, but GOD provides EVERYTHING for these men and women. Through people donating food down here and people back in the states donating money for feeding centers, Men and Women/ People/ Human Beings/ Children of God get to eat, sit, be loved, and HEAR THE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ.

Then, each Saturday, we set up a mobile feeding center in an area called Verbena. This feeding center is unique because Kids come and get the same meal and Gospel as the People who come to the church!

THIS HAPPENS because of God's love for these people. He Provides! He Provides Love, Affection, Food, and Salvation for the Least, the Last, and the Lost. Praise Him from who all blessings flow. Praise Him for this unending Love and this relentless Grace.

If YOU feel led to donate and fund me or the feeding centers or the ministry in general, You can do that. Visit our website at 68ministries.org and donate there or find the address to mail it! Just be sure to put "My name or Feeding Centers or General" in the comments section! 

so...... GOD IS SO COOL!!! I mean He's driven me down here, out of my comfort zone, away from my friends and family, and YET HE HAS NEVER STOPPED PROVIDING! 

Give the Lord a hand clap where you are right now... No really... 

Praise Him! In Christ,

Chipper Brennan

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:14"

A video update!

"Your love never fails"

"You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But Joy comes in the morning.
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that you love me
Your Love Never Fails"

          Something is occurring to me more and more each day. God's Love is unfathomable. It's ridiculous. It's unbelievable... But you better believe it! God's love cannot be compared to anything here on earth. Mainly because earth and our world is always changing, always failing, and not perfect by a long shot. And God's love is literally the opposite of all of those things.
         
          God's love never changes. It is just as strong of a love as it was when he thought of you... before time began. Yea that's right, God loved you, me, your friends, your friends' friends, and their friends... EVERYONE... before he made the earth... WHAT?!?! Does that not just blow your mind?
         
          God's love is unfailing. Take a look at that word real quick. Do it again. And again... It is UNFAILING meaning it never fails. It never stops. It has no end. It will always be there. There is nothing that you can do to stop it. There's no sin, no words, no actions that will make God say "You know what, I don't love you anymore." I don't know about you, but every now and then, someone can really grind my gears. Grind them to a point where I probably wouldn't invite them over to dinner. I wouldn't want to be around them. But GOD'S love is never like that. He always wants to be with you and you with him. If He could, and He can in a sense, He would invite you over for dinner every single night! He loves you!
         
          As if you're not convicted already... God's love is perfect. Perfect. The dictionary on my phone says "Perfect: Free from any flaw or defect in condition or quality; Faultless" So there is absolutely nothing wrong with His love. Nothing. Wow... Just Wow.
         
          The people down here in Costa Rica are loved... unconditionally... by God. The God of the universe Loves them. And if they don't know that, they will. I'll take that job title any day: "Teller of God's unfailing love to people who don't know it." Yea it's got a nice ring to it. When do i start? Tomorrow morning? Done.

          An average day in Costa Rica for me looks something like this... I wake up around 7am local time and walk down the road to our team house for a staff meeting and a cup or seven of coffee. The morning will consist of either a feeding center, where Men and Women who live on the streets here can come into the Church and get a hot, home cooked meal, or a trip to a local school to teach english to little kids. Wild little kids, might I add. We then come back to the team house for lunch and another cup of coffee. The afternoon will be rainy because it is the rainy season down here. But, come on, rain doesn't hurt. So we keep working anyways. Each weekday afternoon from 1:30-4:30, we have Kid's Club. This is an after school program where we teach english to whoever shows up, play games with the kids, read and go through a Bible lesson, and do a few worship songs. Today, for example, we had 13 kids come to Kid's Club and hear the word of God. Praise Him... At night, we have dinner and, yes, a cup of coffee. We also have a chapel service for the mission family and the mission team that is down here. A little worship to the most high God, a sermon, and the day is done.

          All of these activities (Church, Kid's Club, Feeding Centers, etc.) require two things: Prayer and Funding. IF you feel called to donate or fund me and the ministry, please do so! God is doing awesome and powerful things here in Alajuelita, San Jose, Costa Rica. If you want to help out financially, you can visit our website at www.68ministries.org. There, you can donate online or send in a check to the address provided! Just be sure to put my name in the note area!

God is here. He is ready. And HE IS LOVING!

All Glory, Honor, and Praise be to God the Father!

God Bless y'all!

Chipper Brennan

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"- Philippians 3:14

I'm gonna brag on him anyways...

Well, It's been over 24 hours since I arrived in San Jose. And it has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. From an immigration agent in the airport to a 10 year old in Alajuelita, it's been one for . But I've found time to seek God through the craziness. To turn on my brights and break through the fog (and there's a lot of it). In a place that almost seems too dirty to have citizens, God is present. In a neighborhood that is so dangerous that the police have refused to go into it, God is present. And I can see him, now.

I flew into San Jose's airport yesterday just a little after noon, local time. I was so stoked to be here, so ready to get into Alajuelita. Well while in line in immigration, all I heard were people talking about their plans and lodging situations. "We're staying in a resort in Jaco" or "We're going deep sea fishing everyday this week... What are you going to be doing." I just wanted to bust into their conversations and notify them that there is work to be done in Costa Rica! Follow me to Alajuelita! I've got a place for you to stay! I've got fish that need to be caught! And yes, that is a biblical pun.

So they all continue through customs and clear before I get there. The immigration agent asks me where I'm heading (probably wondering which exotic resort I'll be staying in). I told him "Alajuelita, San Jose."
      "What did you say? Did you say Alajuelita?!?! Why in God's name would you go there?!!" he asked. He honestly could not have set me up better.
"That's why I'm going, for God's name."
      "They shoot people around there, you know that?"
"Yea, but I'd rather get shot there than anywhere else." And it's true. God has revealed to me that an injury on the field is way cooler that an injury on the sideline. And I just can't sit on the sideline and wait or chill. I was made to be on the field! We all were! Sure the risk of injury is much higher and it's exhausting. There's no such thing as A/C and I don't speak spanish. But! God just put me in the game and I could not feel more blessed. Could not feel more ready!

And thank God I felt ready as soon as I got here because I jumped right into the action. Hadn't been in Costa Rica for more than an hour and I was already teaching English, playing with kids, and sharing the Gospel. Every weekday between 1:30 and 4:30pm, we have "Care Points." It's an after school program for kids that want to learn English and play games. It's a prime opportunity to share the Gospel with little ones. It's also a great way to keep them off the streets in the afternoon when they could be getting into trouble or putting themselves in dangerous situations. Care Points is the coolest, most fun 3 hours of my day and hopefully theirs too!

Care Points is one of the many programs we have throughout the week that present the Gospel to the locals. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we have a feeding center held inside the church that brings homeless men and women into a Church to eat a hot meal and of course HEAR THE GOSPEL! Sunday, the Church hosts... You guessed it... Church. I haven't been here for that yet, but I'll let you know how that goes.

All of these programs, and not to mention our construction ministry and medical ministry, are funded by people who donate money. You can (and totes should) help fund me and 6:8 Ministries by donating online at 68ministries.org or by sending a check to our address.

6:8 Ministries
PO box 600795
Jacksonville, FL
32260-795

Just be sure to note that it's to fund me by putting my name "Chipper Brennan" on the note!

God has already blown my mind by bringing me here safely. I'm just waiting on Him. He does immeasurably more because He is immeasurably great! CANNOT WAIT to see what He's going to do!

God Bless, y'all!

Chipper Brennan

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward, in Christ Jesus" - Philippians 3:14 

Let's Do This Thang

Annnnd here we go...

          This blog is going to be a place for me to tell y'all what God has been up to in my life and in Costa Rica. And it's going to be insane... God has already blown me away by putting a true and undeniable weight on my heart for the country of Costa Rica and more specifically the county of Alajuelita. Alajuelita is a tiny area of San Jose, just south of the downtown area. Majority of the locals are drug addicts and prostitutes. But boy, does God love them. I'll be working through 6:8 Ministries (68ministries.org) to reach the lost and tell them the good news.
         
          In Matthew 28, Jesus says "16) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17) And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18) And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (ESV)"
          So THAT is why I'm here. I've dropped everything I have because God's name must be told to these people.

           All glory, honor, and praise to God the Father! He is too awesome!

          If you would like to help support me financially, there are two ways to do that! You can send a check to       6:8 Ministries           or online       www.68ministries.org
                                      PO box 600795
                                      Jacksonville, FL
                                      32260-0795

          God Bless!
                    Chipper Brennan

 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"

Philippians 3:14