under the stars

every one of the students who attended the event could feel the love of God

The heavens declare the glory of God:

The skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

‘I'm just coming back from a trip to Costa Rica where I visited the student ministry, ECU,’ writes David Bahena, Regional Secretary for Latin America. ‘Christian students at the University of Costa Rica, San Jose, got the university´s permission to use the facilities of the planetarium where they organized a special event called, "Worshipping under the Stars." Each member of the group (around 20) invited a friend. They first watched a movie about the universe, then sang songs related to creation and the Creator. This became a time of celebration to the Creator for his creation! Can you imagine the dialogue ECU students had with their friends they invited?’

Karen Hidalgo Parra, a student who attended, told us how students reacted. ‘Viewing on the simulator all those billions and billions of countless stars made me very small, but I also felt God's love in a different way. He made every star, every constellation, every one of the things found in space… each one is different, each has its beauty and each one is special.

‘In the same way God took his time to create each of us different from each other, special and with different purposes… God knew what he wanted in us, from the hair, eye colour, height and skin colour, to our intellect and abilities.

‘I think every one of the students who attended the event could feel the love of God, could see the beauty of his creation, of which we are part. Some asked, ‘What have we done to deserve the love of God, that he should demonstrate it in this way?
‘A boy named George said, "God is wonderful, he created the whole universe that is so perfect and I realised that compared to the universe I am nothing, but yet he cares for me and loves me unconditionally."

‘I think after that night many of the students set out to improve their relationship with God and live in the light of his holiness, worshipping him with every action of their lives to give back a little of the great things he gives us every day.’

Thank God for the creative ways new generations are using to have evangelistic dialogues with their peers in a university context. Let’s pray with Karen that ‘the movement grows in strength throughout Costa Rica, so that we can reach many more people for Christ, but above all, that true leaders will be raised up, passionate about Christ, willing to do everything for him.’