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Hi, I'm Gioela
About Me
I’m from Costa Rica and the Netherlands. I grew up in YWAM (Youth With A Mission), an international non-profit organization that has shaped my life and faith. My family and I are still actively serving the Lord through YWAM, dedicating ourselves to teaching His heart and the truth of the Bible.
As a family, we live in Costa Rica/Norway, where we serve in this mission alongside many others who share a passion for knowing God and making Him known throughout the world. It’s been an incredible journey, witnessing the excitement and joy in people’s faces as the Lord reveals Himself to them. Serving in this mission is an honor, and I’m blessed to be part of such a vibrant and passionate community of believers.
I’m deeply committed to the vision of Matthew 28:19-20—to go and make disciples, sharing the gospel and the Word of God with others. I’m passionate about helping people hunger for the Bible and grow in their relationship with the Father.
I’m called to support both the spiritual and practical side of ministry—helping people grow in their faith while organizing and creating environments where they feel cared for and supported.
Ultimately, my vision is to see people turn to the Lord, follow Him wholeheartedly, and be a part of His mission to the ends of the earth—teaching, preaching, and living faithfully to honor Him, giving all the glory to God.
Currently 2026...
Now being at YWAM Norway Grimerud, my commitment is from April 2025 to April 2028/29 (3–4 years). In this season, I serve mainly in hospitality and administration, helping manage the practical side of our base so everything runs smoothly.
I support in organizing and structuring daily operations, assisting with projects, solving problems as they arise, and helping care for guests and staff who come through. Our heart is to create a place that feels like home—a safe, welcoming environment where missionaries and students can rest, grow, and be equipped before being sent out to the mission field.
Serving people in this way is such a meaningful part of my calling. It’s about creating space for others to encounter God, grow in their faith, and step into what He has for them.
To continue serving here, I need to raise $1,670 / ₡840,000 / €1,548 each month to cover my living expenses. If you feel led to partner with me, you can find donation details through the link.
Thank you for considering being part of this journey. I’m excited to share what God is doing and how you can be involved.
What does my role actually look like in 2026?
A lot of it happens behind the scenes—but it’s all about creating a place where others can thrive.
So far this year, I’ve been serving through administration and practical support on our base—organizing projects, building structure, and helping daily operations run smoothly. It might not always be visible, but it’s what allows everything else to function.
At the same time, I’ve had the privilege of discipling a Bible school student—walking closely with them in their faith journey—and supporting another through grading and feedback.
Even in the small, practical things—like ordering daily supplies for the base—I get to help create an environment where people feel cared for, supported, and at home.
It’s a mix of the practical and the personal. Structure and discipleship. Behind-the-scenes work that helps send people out.
How did I get here?
2025–2026
I started the year preparing to move to Norway in April, spending time with my family and serving at my home YWAM base. After arriving in Norway, I joined a Bible school for three months, continuing to grow while also serving in hospitality, helping with renovations, and coordinating events (we host 4+ each year). During this time, I also began teaching short Bible overview sessions for staff and students.
From August to December, I stepped more fully into the practical side of base life—serving in hospitality, supporting projects, caring for guests, problem-solving, and helping in administration. It was a season of building structure and supporting the daily life of the base in tangible ways.
2024–2025
Serving and being shaped in Costa Rica.
I served as a missionary with YWAM Costa Rica, working in Human Resources and helping out in our campus café. I was also involved in Homes of Hope and helped translate for our Discipleship Training School.
It was a season of seeing God’s provision in real ways—while also investing deeply in family, friendships, and preparing for the next step to Norway.
2022–2024
Teaching, growing, and being deeply formed.
For two years, I staffed and taught at a Biblical school after completing my studies. I had the privilege of walking closely with students as they learned to study the Word deeply—helping them not only understand Scripture critically, but also approach it with hearts open to the Holy Spirit.
In this season, I didn’t just teach—I was being transformed myself. I learned so much about who I am, the importance of truly knowing the Bible, and how foundational God’s Word is for every part of life. What impacted me most was seeing how studying Scripture is not just intellectual, but deeply spiritual—an invitation to know God personally.
Staffing the school after being a student became a whole new level of growth. It pushed me to go deeper, to keep learning, and to live out what I was teaching. I also completed the Readings in Biblical Studies (RBS) course, which strengthened my theological foundation and broadened my understanding.
That time in Amsterdam was truly foundational for the rest of my life. It shaped how I see God, how I read His Word, and how I walk with others in their faith.
2021
Where it all began.
I completed a School of Biblical Studies in Amsterdam, diving deep into the Bible and discovering its endless depth. Afterward, I felt God calling me to stay and help teach—and I said yes.
Earlier that year, I did my Discipleship Training School, with training in Hawaii and outreach in the Dominican Republic. That experience marked the beginning of my journey into missions.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Gioela, Marjolein, Tessa, Giacomo and Luca! (names from left to right)
We are the Coghi Van Der Werf Family!
As a family, we have been in Ywam for a long time. My parents met in this mission organization and then had me and my siblings as they continued their work with Ywam. Thus I grew around long-term and short-term missionaries. I learned a lot from my parents and the leaders around me. Surrounded by a Christian community of people who loved the Lord and served Him. I saw the provision of the Lord through my family and saw how the Lord was taking care of us in every regard. I learned how to hear the voice of the Lord and how to engage with the Lord.
That is something I want to carry on to others. The Lord is the one who cares for us and loves us.