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Couple Projects Big Things for the Future of Costa Rica Kids

Costa Rica is the type of postcard perfect place that most people dream of retiring to. But when Darrell and Yvonne Davidson first set foot on the tropical country, they envisioned a lot more than fun in the sun. They saw a chance to make a difference in the lives of the local kids.

In 1999, the Davidson's moved from Edmonton, Alberta to the warmer climes of Latin America. Darrell, who is now 77, says the couple had a strong feeling that their new home would be a great place to start showing a Spanish translation of the JESUS film. Since the country's elementary schools include religious instruction on their regular curriculum roster, the couple decided to start there, asking whether they could get the ministry of education's permission to show the film in schools.

The answer was a resounding "yes." Those in charge of education not only gave them the go-ahead to show the film locally, but they opened the door wide, saying the country's 3,000 schools were more than ready to welcome them and their projectors to class.

"People here are very open to the gospel," says Darrell, who along with Yvonne, has now developed a team of local people who travel the country coast-to-coast running the six projectors the couple has purchased. "If God burdens you for something, it's your responsibility to make sure it gets done."

The program immediately received support from the local Catholic hierarchy. One high-ranking priest even sent letters to 25 educational supervisors, telling them "not only to watch the film themselves, but to study it as well," says Darrell. The Davidsons, who attend a Baptist church, were also interviewed by the Costa Rican Archbishop, who told them his testimony and exhorted them to continue their work with the country's youth.

"We're not young anymore, but we're just happy to still be able to do what we do," says Darrell. Their work has resulted in more than 125,000 children learning about the life of Christ through the simple viewing of a film in school classrooms. The team has shown the film as many as 19 times in a single school. According to the Davidsons, approximately 75,000 kids have said a prayer to accept Christ once they've watched the movie.

After the program became established in Costa Rica, the Davidsons became interested in expanding their reach into Nicaragua, the country's northern neighbour. Remarkably, outside groups don't need any special permission to bring their programs within the doors of Nicaraguan public schools, but the couple still sought the blessing of the authorities there. This year, 76,000 kids will view the film in Nicaraugua too!

"The Lord has taken a long time to teach me the great truths of His Word," says Darrell. "We sometimes feel unworthy of the responsibility we've been given for these kids."

To learn how you can go on a two week Jesus film project,  click here.

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Click here to order your own copy of the children's JESUS video.