One son of Maghdousheh
Left technology to become a champion for youth
The Costa’s
Osta became Costa after half his family moved to the US. His dad’s cousins are the Costantine’s (sometimes spelled Constantine). The Osta’s are originally from Maghdousheh (مغدوشة) near Sidon, Lebanon.
Mary waited in Maghdoucheh for her son Jesus as he preached in nearby Sidon.
“I’m from Maghdousheh. My dad’s dad is from Maghdousheh. Both my maternal grandparents are from Maghdousheh.”
Ah! Have you been? Have you met its people? Have you tasted its grapes?
Tolerance and diversity in their fabric
His parents lived in Corniche ElMazraa (where Gus grew up) before moving to the Metn area. His mother grew up on Hamra street in Ras Beirut in the building that Ghassan Tueni bought at the time for the AnNahar newspaper. That section of the city was a mosaic of religiously diverse neighborhoods. Joe inherited the spirit of openness from his parents.
While growing up in a predominantly Christian area, he spent his first 17 years shuttling between Metn, where home and his Evangelical school were, and Ras Beirut, where dad was a pastor of his congregation. Spending time playing, doing activities, and reading the Bible with other neighborhood kids at church made him who he is today. Growing up, he had friends from different religious or socioeconomic backgrounds. Up to nine years old, he did not know who was Christian and who was Muslim. Ahmad and Charbel were just ‘names’ to him.
When he was 18, his parents moved back to Ras Beirut, which ended the Metn era for him. He feels very much a Ras Beiruti and a Hamra native.
Searching for meaning, aligning with God, and future wife
He attended the Lebanese American University (in Ras Beirut, of course) for his bachelor's in computer science. He worked there in the IT department for seven years and managed to obtain an MBA as well. During that time, he started dating his wife-to-be and kept on his quest to question his purpose in life.
“I thought about marriage and my readiness for it. I thought about God and what he wants from me.”
He wanted to win both.
As they were dating, they asked all the deep questions. Maybe earlier than they should have, he reflects.
I should have asked why does he think that?
They agreed on the critical issues and ensured that each other’s deeper plans were aligned. He felt he would leave the business world and focus on a mission to serve God and others. This will impact his income and make him make other sacrifices. On the other hand, her big plan was to go to the States and study healthcare management. After about a year of dating, she left. The long distance and 24 months apart were an excellent test of their growing relationship.
Mira and Joe in 2016
“God’s providence prevails,” he says. Her university in Philadelphia was 40 minutes away from his uncle’s family. Seeing her struggle with her roommate, they invited her to move into their extra bedroom. She did. The days with the Costas were good to Mira. In her turn, she catalyzed the Costa cousins to get to know each other even more.
During those two years, Mira and Joe saw each other as they traveled between the US and Lebanon. Three and half years later, in Aug 2016, after having met for the first time, they got married.
His mission
He thought hard and prayed a lot to find his calling. His heart got set on young people in their 20s. He wants to talk with them, invest in them, and encourage them.
“I want to serve young Arabs. Especially the ones in Lebanon.”
They took off to the US during their first year as husband and wife. Joe studied and raised funds for his ministry.
And Mira
She worked for a year as a business analyst in healthcare management. The employer was so satisfied with her work that they extended a work-from-home in Lebanon offer (way before COVID-19). She accepted.
Joe deeply believes that it was God's intervention whenever a door was difficult to open or close shut. He believes that God constantly points him in the direction of the mission for a more significant cause.
Reminiscing living in the US
They came back in Sept 2017. Joe misses the States as he and Mira enjoyed living there. He explains the little details that make the difference: uninterrupted power, doing business online, attending concerts and festivals, and not having to run around to do official paperwork. They found a balance between American friends and culture and Arab and Lebanese friends who enjoyed what they enjoyed. That balance made it even more difficult to leave.
He loves to barbeque ribs (who doesn’t), hang out with friends, watch the Super Bowl, and enjoy the American way, yet he still misses a good plate of hummus.
“My mission is to serve here [Lebanon]. So I think that made the US blues a little more tolerable.”
Joe and the youth
Workshop with youth on empowerment
He’s been working with youth since he was 17. At 32 now, he’s fully immersed in it with more experience. Some blame young people for being on the sidelines and not taking initiative. Others think that adults contribute to marginalizing youth. We might tell them to “keep quiet as the adults are speaking” or suggest that “their ideas don’t matter as much.”
“Young people need attention and are full of energy. They will use it for other purposes if you don’t listen and channel their energy for the right things.”
We shouldn’t blame a teenager if he spends 14 hours straight on Fortnite if we don’t help him fill that time with something worthwhile. Young people with unique ideas are future-looking yet lack maturity and experience. What they see and feel is genuine.
You’ll observe, learn, and discover if you listen to them. For example, a young person who PlayStations all day is also a poet. A person who snowboards, hikes, and does extreme sports can also enjoy a fantastic backgammon game. They have experience in areas in which adults can barely keep up with, if any. By listening, we learn.
We need to invest in them. We help them grow, understand life, and find their purpose. They can make their worlds and ours a much better place.
Joe works with about 50 youths aged 18–28 every month. He conducts mentorship sessions, weekly meetings, dialogue forums, trivia nights, bible studies, and prayer groups.
Check out his ShibiFeed Facebook, youtube, and Instagram pages that are helping Arab youth disuss life’s toughest questions and their relationship with God.
The multifaceted Joe
Aside from enjoying a good rack of baby back ribs, he enjoys basketball and analyzing stats. He’s a big fan of the Philadelphia 76ers. He also enjoys theater. Just like Tina, his dream was to act on Broadway. He can sing in tune but doesn’t claim to have an angelic voice. He likes the stage. It’s genuine, and plays live.
“I would love to act in plays. The ones that fit my values. Kinky boots won’t work. Jesus Christ Superstar might. Drama, monologues, dialogues, I would love that.”
At 32, he’s full of energy, focused, aligned with God and his wife, serves youth, and helps them build a better future for all of us.
Way to go, Joe. Way to go.
Favorite Starbucks drink: Grande black or triple shot espresso, depending on his workload for the day 😉.
Trick: Set wafer on top of the hot cup to soften it a bit (just like tea with كعك).
Joe’s Facebook
During the COVID-19 lockdown,