"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:14-15 ESV)

Since September of 2021, we have been evangelizing and discipling in Jaco, Costa Rica, primarily among Nicaraguan families in Cristo Rey. God has moved in a number of ways, including youth sports (Jaco Royals baseball), the Activate! program, youth service projects, and free English classes (swiftsunrise.org). God has provided many faithful Christian volunteers to help us with ministry in Jaco. Outreach will continue among the families of Cristo Rey.

In early 2025, we began the process of partnering with ABWE. For months, our new friends at ABWE, along with our supporting churches and others, prayed with us about whether God is calling us to a mission field with a more desperate need for missionaries to bring the good news of the gospel (Rom. 10:14-15). Through that process, God has given us a new direction and desire for serving Him. We are transitioning to The Gambia, West Africa, a small unreached country with less than 1% evangelical Christians.

The Gambia is 96% Muslim with 2.5 million people and 29 distinct people groups. While The Gambia prides itself on religious tolerance, there are growing concerns about the increasing marginalization of Christians by the Muslim majority (sources: here and here). This is not surprising. Often, people who have identified with Islam for generations can be passionately opposed to Christian evangelism, causing uncertainty, fear, and in some cases, persecution against those who accept or proclaim the gospel. Even so, our God is mighty to save. He is ever-present and powerful. He rejoices in His people and gives them comfort and encouragement. He is sovereign, and His Word does not return void.

In November 2025, the three of us will travel to The Gambia for the first time for an exploratory "vision trip." We will meet the ABWE team and the Gambian Christians there. Lord willing, our calling to The Gambia will be affirmed and our permanent transition will occur in 2026. We will work alongside the existing ABWE team to identify and encourage Gambian church leaders in their faith and knowledge of God's Word. Our desire is to see God establish a self-sustaining movement of biblically-healthy Gambian churches that disciple believers, evangelize the lost, and establish new churches throughout the country. As the Lord leads, we will also begin new youth programs including sports ministries.

We are grateful for God leading us to this new opportunity. As a family, we want to stand obediently in the center of God's will. He has equipped us for the challenges ahead (Eph. 6:14-18a, below). When we are faithful and surrendered to the Father's will, we can rest in the promise that every trial will be overshadowed by the love and communion we have with Jesus the Son (Jn. 14:21, below). --Ron, Julie & Zoe Youde