Testimonies

How is God working?

Andrés Yamamoto

January 2025 - Camp Season

"Para mi el servir en el Campamento fue todo un reto tanto emocional como espiritualmente. Fue un choque de emociones que me sirvieron mucho para madurar en mi Fe hacia Dios. Conocer todo el trabajo que hay detrás del campamento te abre mucho los ojos a entender que no es sencillo trabajar en este ministerio pero que vale mucho la pena hacerlo. Para mi fue de mucha bendición poder trabajar con chicos que estan en diferentes situaciones complicadas porque de esa manera yo también pude entender la necesidad que hoy en dia existe en los jovenes de Costa Rica. Me quedo muy agradecido con todo el equipo que estuvo sirviendo y apoyando, con Dios principalmente porque todo lo que hacemos es para El y por El. Estoy muy contento y agradecido de haber tenido esta oportunidad de servir a Dios."

For me, serving at the Camp was both an emotional and spiritual challenge. It was an emotional rollercoaster that helped me grow in my faith towards God. Understanding all the work behind the camp really opened my eyes to realize that working in this ministry is not easy, but it is definitely worth it. It was a great blessing for me to work with young people who are in different complicated situations because it allowed me to understand the current needs of the youth in Costa Rica. I am very grateful to the entire team who was serving and supporting, and most of all to God, because everything we do is for Him and through Him. I am very happy and grateful to have had this opportunity to serve God.

Cielo Sosa

February 2025 - Camp Season

"Definitivamente, Dios me bendijo al darme la oportunidad de servir en el Campamento Brittney, junto a un equipo maravilloso y unido, donde cada esfuerzo estuvo guiado por Él, en perfecta verdad. En ese ambiente lleno de amor, pudimos construir juntos y fui testigo de cómo los niños fueron bendecidos, entregando sus vidas a Jesús en una transformación hermosa. Pude ver el propósito común de ser el cuerpo de Cristo, trabajando unidos en su luz, cada uno cumpliendo un rol único. Esta temporada dejó una huella profunda, marcando un cambio de corazón y una renovación significativa en muchas de las vidas que formaron parte del campamento. Vi cómo Dios se manifestó a través de su fidelidad en cada paso dado, y cada desafío enfrentado fue guiado por su mano. Para mí, fue un verdadero placer y bendición ser instrumento de Dios, rodeada de tanta gente maravillosa en esta temporada de campamento."

Definitely, God blessed me by giving me the opportunity to serve at Camp Brittney, alongside a wonderful and united team, where every effort was guided by Him, in perfect truth. In that environment full of love, we were able to build together, and I witnessed how the children were blessed, giving their lives to Jesus in a beautiful transformation. I was able to see the common purpose of being the body of Christ, working united in His light, each one fulfilling a unique role. This season left a deep mark, bringing about a heart change and a significant renewal in many of the lives that were part of the camp. I saw how God manifested Himself through His faithfulness in every step taken, and every challenge faced was guided by His hand. For me, it was a true pleasure and blessing to be an instrument of God, surrounded by so many wonderful people in this camp season.

Raymond Castro

March 2025 -Pastors & Leaders Conference

"Hola, mi nombre es Raymond Castro. este año tuve la oportunidad de poder compartir en el Campamento Britney la conferencia de Pastores y Líderes y tocar un tema tan importante como lo fue el ser un buen Segundo. Y como Dios desea que cada uno de nosotros, hombres, podamos poner nuestros dones, talentos y capacidades para su servicio. Poder ser edificados, entender que el liderazgo necesita de cada uno de nosotros, y poder animarnos y desafiarnos a poder poner nuestros días a su servicio. Realmente para mí fue de tremenda bendición poder aprender de cada uno de ellos, y ser edificados a través de la palabra de Dios. Que Dios los bendiga."

Hello, my name is Raymond Castro. This year I had the opportunity to share at Camp Britney Pastors and Leaders Conference and speak on important topics. I discussed how God desires for each of us, as men, to use our gifts, talents, and abilities in His service. It was an opportunity to be edified, to understand that leadership requires each one of us, and to encourage and challenge each other to dedicate our days to His service. For me, it was truly a tremendous blessing to learn from each of them and be edified through the Word of God. May God bless you all.

Asael Samayoa

April 2025 - Staff

Hello, my name is Asael Samayoa, a missionary at Camp Brittney. On March 1, 2025, I completed 3 years in Costa Rica. These 3 years have been a real challenge for me, dedicating my life to being a full-time missionary. A lot of things have been new to me, adapting to a culture that is not mine, different ways of thinking, acting, but I know that God wanted me to come to this place. The ministry was going through a complicated situation, and one of the biggest needs the ministry had was in the area of maintenance. A beautiful and well-maintained property is attractive for people to come to the camp. So, I am currently in charge of the maintenance area.

But I also always dreamed that wherever I was serving, God would allow me to make an impact on the community. So, in a town where there isn’t much to do, soccer has always been a great tool to attract all kinds of people. Here in America, especially in small towns, soccer is always an attractive activity for everyone. The dream was to start a soccer school, as it would allow us to meet children, young people, and consequently, their parents. It has been a process of a lot of sacrifice to start a soccer school with 3 kids, but consistency always pays off, and even more so when God is with you. Today, we have 3 categories in the soccer school, and in total, we have about 50 children and young people across all categories.

This has also led us to start discipleship with young people, home visits with families, last year we started our Youth Bible Club for ages 14+, a girls' group, Vacation Bible School, and we were also able to bring young people from the community to camp, which we hold every year in January. Many of the young people from the soccer school were part of the staff with us this year.

Mainly, God is working a lot in my heart in terms of my dependence on Him. God has been faithful up to this point, but as a human, there are always doubts and gray areas. To look back and see that everything we have today seemed so distant, and now seeing it come to life, is a blessing that always encourages me and reminds me why I am here and who brought me. There is still much work to be done, but God has blessed us with more people joining the ministry and with more ministry to do.

Prayer Requests:

For my spiritual life: that He helps me to continue being faithful in my daily search for Him and that He is the one directing my life.
For my finances: to be able to soon have stability or a fixed income.
Ministry: to fully start the youth club and the children's club, and that God allows us to soon begin discipleships with parents.

Madeline

May 2025- Camp Season

A Start to the Year Like No Other!

I’m French, and in my country, I think no one really likes the month of January! The Christmas holidays are over, there are no more decorations in the streets, the trees have lost all their leaves, and everyone goes back to work and school. On top of that, it’s the darkest and coldest month of the year.

But this year, I had the chance to experience a completely different start to the year! After two months of traveling through the United States and Mexico, I arrived on January 6th at Camp Brittney in Costa Rica. Here, it’s warm, the sun is shining, and between the lush green trees, the colorful sunsets, and the children happy to be on vacation—there’s so much life!

I had planned to stay for two weeks to help out here, but I ended up spending the whole month of January in this place, serving with maintenance, games, and cooking.
I’ve always kept fond memories of the Christian camps I attended when I was younger, and it was truly an honor for me to now serve and do my part to help give these children a joyful experience.

I came to give, but unsurprisingly, I left even richer. I’m taking with me cleaning tips (bleach!) and the secret to Costa Rican cuisine (Lizano sauce) haha ! But most importantly, I leave with memories that motivate me to keep serving God wherever I am (even when the atmosphere is colder and greyer), trusting in Him.

During the month of January, I was deeply touched by the warm welcome I received and by the energy poured into sharing Jesus’ love with the children and all the staff members. I was encouraged by hearing testimonies of lives transformed by Christ and by seeing the diversity of gifts and personalities working together toward a common goal.

God knows each of His children, and I truly believe this was exactly what I needed to start 2025. I pray that many more lives will continue to be touched and renewed through everything happening at Camp Brittney.

Kayla Kulhanek

June 2025 - Group

Where do I even begin to share how deeply Camp Brittney Ministries and its amazing staff have impacted my life? In some way or another, I’ve been connected to Camp Brittney since the very beginning. While in high school, before the camp even existed, I went on my very first mission trip to Costa Rica. I immediately fell in love with the country and its people! Throughout high school and college, I was blessed to return on many trips, sharing the gospel and shining the light of Jesus in some dark places of Costa Rica. Looking back, I know that I received even more than I could have ever given.

As Camp Brittney began to take shape, I prayed many prayers—both alongside those in Costa Rica and here in the States—for this vision to become reality. My dad had a hand in helping to launch this beautiful camp, built in memory of such a wonderful young lady, and I watched from the sidelines with a grateful heart. Though there were seasons when I wasn’t directly involved— as I was in college, starting a career, and raising a family—I never stopped praying for the ministry, the staff both here and abroad, and the lives being touched daily through Camp Brittney.

In January 2024, I had the privilege of experiencing my very first camp season. Words can hardly capture the power of watching God work there. From kids to teens, hearts were opened to Him, and thanks to the ongoing relationships Camp Brittney has built, these young people continue to grow and deepen their faith beyond the one camp season.

Then, in June, I had what I can only describe as the most unforgettable trip yet. I returned to Camp Brittney but this time with my three children. Even though we weren’t there during camp season, we were able to go out into the surrounding communities and minister alongside the team. That experience alone was such a blessing—but God had even more in store. During that trip, I had the privilege of leading my 9-year-old son, Gavin, to Christ right there at camp! It is every Christian parent’s prayer that their children come to know Jesus as their Savior, and I had the joy of seeing that prayer answered in the very place that means so much to my family and me. Even more special, Gavin was baptized in the camp pool—a moment I will cherish forever. Praise the Lord!

Camp Brittany has not only impacted lives in Costa Rica—it has deeply impacted us here in the States as well. My sister is now part of the ministry team in Costa Rica. While it’s hard not having her here, I couldn’t be more proud of the work she’s doing. Though she’s younger than me, I truly look up to her for the role she plays in serving Christ somewhere so far from home. She is making a difference not only there but also in the lives of my three children who watch her example of faith and service.

I am so thankful to call the Camp Brittney team my family. Over the years, we’ve come to know, love, and care for them as if they were our own. This camp and its people are such a precious part of my life—something I never want to change!

Avery Wallace

July 2025- Group

Our team had an incredible time serving along side the camp Brittney staff. We brought a group of 16 high school students and 4 adult leaders, to serve with Camp Brittney in July. Throughout our ten days with the camp, we were able to visit an orphanage, nursing homes, and many schools to share the love of Christ with the people in Costa Rica. Through working with the Camp’s staff and volunteers, our students were able to personally share the gospel with nearly 1,000 people in Bothe larggroup and small group settings! We saw lots of life-change during our time there, both life-change of salvation as people prayed to step pinto relationship with christ. and life change of transformation as we experience Gods work in our own lives.

The teamCamp Brittney’s hard work and obedience to what God has called them to was an extreme encouragement to our group. Seeing our students being able to be a part of what God has been doing in Costa Rica was a blessing. Every day we were there, we got to step into opportunities to see God’s faithfulness play out wherever we went. The Lord strengthened, encouraged, and sharpened us all through our time with Camp Brittney, and we look forward to seeing what God continues to do through their faithful obedience and this incredible ministry.