SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES IN Costa Rica
ALLIANCE MINISTRIES IN Costa Rica
- AMCA (Asociación de Ministerios Cristianos)
- Asociación de Iglesias Bíblicas Costarricenses
- Awana Clubs International (Costa Rica)
- CEDCAS Clinic (Centro de Capacitación para la Acción Social)
Missionaries in Costa Rica
- Leni Barber
- Matt and Lisa Befus
- Jim and Mimi Breneman
- Ross Carey
- Esthela Cevallos
- Julie Chamberlain
- Rodrigo and Emilia Chavarria
- Jeff and Barbi David
- Mike and Noribette Day
- Suzanne Emery
- Chris and Cynthia Gault
- Dawn Higgins
- Robert and Ann Jeffery
- Paul and Ulrike Jesperson
- David and Marilyn Longworth
- Paul and Nancy Mauger
- Jim and Pat McInnes
- Steven and Angela Myers
- Craig and Shelley Rice
- Bob and Nancy Sabean
- Will and Elaine Savell
- Carrie Smith
- Lillian Solt
- John and Doris Stam
- Jason and Jessica Strzepek
- Rodolfo and Nancy Umaña
- Mike Yoon
Costa Rica
- Population: 4.5 Million
- Religion: 14% Protestant
- Known For: Ticos, coffee, ecotourism, no military
- LAM presence since: 1921
Though headquartered today in Miami, Florida, Latin America Mission was born in Costa Rica and has built a rich legacy there over more than 90 years. LAM's work in Costa Rica ranges from rehabilitating women escaping prostitution, to caring for at-risk children, to theological education, to agricultural development, to camping ministries, among others. The LAM heritage also includes founding what is now one of Central America's premier hospitals.
Costa Rica is a mountainous nation located between Nicaragua and Panama. Though most "Ticos," as Costa Ricans are called, are of Spanish or mestizo origin, roughly 3 percent are the black decedents of 19th-century Jamaican immigrant workers. The nation is predominantly Catholic, though a growing Protestant church makes up 14 percent of the population and Costa Rica is increasingly becoming a missionary sending nation.
Still a largely agricultural country — exporting coffee, bananas, sugar and cocoa — Costa Rica has well developed electronic manufacturing and tourism industries. High literacy rates, low unemployment, and widespread land ownership have yielded a relatively high standard of living for many Costa Ricans.
One of the most stable democracies in Latin America, Costa Rica escaped much of the violent and political turmoil that has plagued other Latin American governments. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948.
