Casa de Amor - House of Love

Help the men of Casa De Amor (House of Love) - a men’s recovery facility in desperate need in Costa Rica. This house is transforming the lives of men through Jesus Christ. The facility needs so many essentials - walls, ceilings, floors, food, clothing and more. They struggle just to pay the rent and utilities. They receive no assistance or funding from the government. They are currently the only facility that offers free services of this kind in Costa Rica. The difference between Casa de Amor and other programs is that it’s faith based. They believe Jesus Christ is transforming lives and that the Holy Spirit is at work. The program director, Jimmy, said they call the house “the blue boat”. It goes through storms and keeps on it’s course. Transforming the lives of men through God’s Power and Grace.

Casa De Amor houses 20-30 men for a period of 6 months or longer. The men participate in 3 phases of the recovery program, each phase is 2 months. They learn how to live a clean and sober life through counseling, education, structure and trusting God. They serve a vulnerable population. People with traumas and disorders as a result of the abuse of substances. Casa supplies needed medication and psychotherapeutic counseling for the individuals. The house supplies basic needs - clothing, personal hygiene and food. They currently provide 2,350 plates of food each month!

The men of Casa attend Beach Church of Manuel Antonio every Sunday. They set up the tents and chairs for service and assist in the community in many ways. Against all odds they have rededicated themselves to becoming a new creation in Christ.

When I visited the facility there were no working refrigerators or stoves. As I introduced myself to some of the men I stated that it looked like they needed a lot of with help with the house. One of the men pointed to the pot on the fire and said, “God provides!” Humbling. He also said he believes that he was going to see God provide the funds to pay off the land! I immediately agreed and said “Yes! God can do that”! We have a mission at Cross to the Mountain to do just that. Nothing is to big for God and we believe He wants BIG prayers from us!

With your support Cross to the Mountain will be offering skill training to the men as we perform renovations at the house. The conditions of the house are in need of many repairs and currently funds are lacking to perform updates and renovations. By improving living conditions we will be improving the morale of the men. We will offer a skill training program to 2-3 men at a time and they will be trained in construction skills as we do repairs and updates on the facility. Once they complete program we will provide basic hand tools and a cordless tool set they can keep so they can support themselves after graduating from the program. There is currently a welding program and cooking program offered through some other generous men. These programs offer valuable skills to the men which will enable them to find work and income to support themselves after reentering society.

Will you please pray that God and Cross to the Mountain Ministries can continue to help these men? Your prayers and financial report can play a pivotal role in the transformation process!

THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION. THE OLD HAS PASSSED AWAY; BEHOLD, THE NEW HAS COME.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

Inside Kitchen Area
Inside Kitchen Area (repaired with donations from CMM)
Cooking Class
Gas Stove (before repairs)
Gas Stove (after repairs from CMM donations)
Outside Kitchen Exterior
Outdoor Cooking Classes
Spiritual Fitness Area
Physical Fitness Area
Rest Area for Phases 1 & 2
Rest Area for Phase 3
Main House

Casa de Amor - House of Love

Transforming the lives of men through Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:

The old is gone, the new is here!

House of Love - The Beginning

Meet the Men

Jimmy Vargas

FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
Age: 40 yrs old
Time at Casa: Director of Casa since 2005
Jimmy’s Testimony
I originally lived in San Jose, Costa Rica. I grew up in a very poor family with 7 siblings. I started using drugs at 13. I began with marijuana and then it escalated to crack cocaine. I was using crack by using it from a can. I hit rock bottom and was living on the streets. I got very tired of this lifestyle, and I left that life in 2002!
I joined a Christian program and God changed my life! I met a great woman and we were married that same year. I was given the opportunity to study in that program. I started a service in 2003 and by 2005 I had the opportunity to go to the teams to start my project. I called it the “Love House”. I am still currently serving at “Casa de Amor”. We serve a very vulnerable population. People with disorders and traumas associated with the abuse of psychoactive substances. We serve users from Day 1 covering their basic needs – showering, dressing, medications, psychotherapeutic orientation and dissipated health. All of this in a span of months! We currently serve 2,352 plates of food per month. We have gone through many difficult situations to sustain the mystery that only God’s Hand can sustain.
Today, I have 23 years of sobriety, 4 children and a beautiful wife. My life is different. I am happy without drugs!
Juan Esteban Fonseca Cato

CHEF
Age: 46 yrs old
Time at Casa: 7 mos.
What brought me to Casa de Amor?
In this time I have worked on my self esteem, ungovernability, my lack of tolerance towards slogans and I have learned to look for God every day.
What are the objectives when leaving the program?
After I finished my program I decided to give my time to the service of the Lord and collaborate with Casa de Amor in any way I could.
How is your life working right now?
I feel very fulfilled and grateful to God and Casa de Amor for helping me restore my life with the tools they teach me at the house.
Cesar Quiros Ramirez

Phase 2
Age: 40 yrs old
Time at Casa: 3 mos.
What brought me to Casa de Amor?
The main reason I came to this place was to be able to reconcile myself with God and through that to be able to treat my addiction to drugs.
What goals do I have for when I get out?
I intend to use my connection to help other people get off drugs, but more importantly they know about God and His love. In addition, I reintegrate into society by obtaining a stable and honest job which I can reintegrate with my family.
How is God working in my life?
God shows me day by day from Casa de Amor different ways to learn to live my new life clean, above all learning from His love and how to reflect it in my life.
Guillermo Orlando Crespiu

Phase 1
Age: 30 yrs old
Time at Casa: 2 weeks
What brought me to Casa de Amor?
It caused me to live a life of disappointments, failures and above all loneliness without being able to feel love and happiness.
What goals do I have for when I get out?
Work on activating my relationship with God and return to my home country to be reunited with my family.
How is God working in my life?
I have been able to find a new way of living with the love of God. I have understood that all is not lost and that my life has a purpose and that is to depend on God in all aspects of my life.
Aaron Arauz Rojas

Phase 2
Age: 21 years old
Time at Casa: 3 months & 21 days
What brought you to Casa?
Lost the control of my life and leaving everything that I love behind? The desire to change and leave the past behind.
What are objectives when leaving the program?
To keep myself in peace and keep peace in my family. I want to keep studying and start to work.
How is your life working now?
I feel blessed and happy being here.
How is God working in your life?
He has shown Himself to me in many different ways. He is using people to teach me more about Him.
Bruce Salazar

Phase 2
Age: 23 years old
Time at Casa: 3 months
What brought you to Casa?
Lost the control of my life and leaving everything that I love behind? I lost control of my life. I left everything that I loved: God, family and people who were important to me.
What are objectives when leaving the program?
To have a relationship with God. To stay on the path of goodness, to grow spiritually and never look back.
How is your life working now?
I feel peace in my heart and my mind. I see things that I wasn’t able to see before and I feel happy about that.
How is God working in your life?
He spoke to me through my brothers. He is putting good people in my way that shows me how to be a better person.