My dear friends here in Costa Rica have made a decision. My 10 days here in Costa Rica just are not enough. So they decided that they would pay a fee to extend my visit a couple extra days. They decided I needed to spend another weekend here in Costa Rica, but when we found out how expensive it would be to fly out Monday, but that Wednesday it would be less expensive, they were very excited about having those 2 days more too. I really do have some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for here in this country. Everyone tells me I just need to come back, some are even going so far as to say I need to find a local to marry him so that way I have to stay (hahahaha). I would love to spend more time here in Costa Rica, but I also know God has a purpose for me in Minnesota right now too, so I will continue to search for that purpose. However, that does not mean I won't be praying for the opportunity to return!
So, although I should be on an airplane right now heading to Atlanta, I remain here, in Costa Rica for another week.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
At Home
The youth (ages 12-30) in my church here in Costa Rica do youth group differently than at home. Ever Saturday the get together, but in small groups based on age and location (since most people don't have cars, they usually try to meet in their neighborhoods). Then the last Saturday of every month, they have a culto unido (united service), where one small group takes the lead and all the groups come together at the church. I thought there were 31 days in April, therefore missing the united group Bible study, but God knew how much I wanted it, and made it work out for the best where yesterday was the last Saturday of the month!
Spending time with these wonderful youth last night was a HUGE blessing. Some knew I was coming, but not when, others had no idea was going to be in town. So it was great seeing their faces light up and immediately accept me again after so much time. In many ways it was like no time had passed. There were also quite a few new faces (almost half). Which is GREAT it shows that there is growth. The all expressed a desire for me stay for longer time, but also grateful for the short time together again. So my nerves going into the night were all for nothing. (After being gone so long, although I guess in the long run, 10 months really isn't that long, one never know how people may have changed, how I may have changed.)
Please be praying for the youth. They are an AWESOME group of young people. Last night the talk was about being different, setting yourself apart from non-Christians. The speaker talked about how there are people who don't believe in God and don't smoke, don't drink, don't party, etc. So how can we as Christian separate ourselves from them. It was a really good message, especially when that is where God has been doing work in my life.
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At the Comedor, it wasn't as great of an experience. May of the kids couldn't remember me :( Some said they did, but most didn't remember me. It doesn't change my love for them. They are great kids living in hard circumstances. Please be praying for them. They are some of the "least of these" that Jesus told us to care for and love. Although there are times, like yesterday, when they are out of control and hardly pay attention, seeds are being planted in their minds. God is there to do great and wonderful things in their lives. Pray for the leadership at the Comedor. That they have wisdom in dealing with different difficult situations, the teachers as they teach and love on the kids, the cooks as the make lunch every day out of love for the kids...and for the kids that they feel the love of Christ through His servants in Guizaros!
Spending time with these wonderful youth last night was a HUGE blessing. Some knew I was coming, but not when, others had no idea was going to be in town. So it was great seeing their faces light up and immediately accept me again after so much time. In many ways it was like no time had passed. There were also quite a few new faces (almost half). Which is GREAT it shows that there is growth. The all expressed a desire for me stay for longer time, but also grateful for the short time together again. So my nerves going into the night were all for nothing. (After being gone so long, although I guess in the long run, 10 months really isn't that long, one never know how people may have changed, how I may have changed.)
Please be praying for the youth. They are an AWESOME group of young people. Last night the talk was about being different, setting yourself apart from non-Christians. The speaker talked about how there are people who don't believe in God and don't smoke, don't drink, don't party, etc. So how can we as Christian separate ourselves from them. It was a really good message, especially when that is where God has been doing work in my life.
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At the Comedor, it wasn't as great of an experience. May of the kids couldn't remember me :( Some said they did, but most didn't remember me. It doesn't change my love for them. They are great kids living in hard circumstances. Please be praying for them. They are some of the "least of these" that Jesus told us to care for and love. Although there are times, like yesterday, when they are out of control and hardly pay attention, seeds are being planted in their minds. God is there to do great and wonderful things in their lives. Pray for the leadership at the Comedor. That they have wisdom in dealing with different difficult situations, the teachers as they teach and love on the kids, the cooks as the make lunch every day out of love for the kids...and for the kids that they feel the love of Christ through His servants in Guizaros!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A Warm Welcome
Well I haven't seen all my friends yet (in fact I haven't seen any of my closest friends), but today I went to the Alliance church in San Francisco de Dos Rios and saw some friends. The had a nice warm welcome for me! They didn't know I was coming (well they knew I was in going to be CR, but not that I was stopping by the church today), and so they were surprised and excited! It was SO fun to see a few friends. I also had lunch with my pastor and his family (I am considered a daughter/sister in their family). The two boys who were home (the third was in classes so I haven't seen him) were very happy to see me again - especially when they saw I came bearing gifts of chocolate chip cookies (they always want my cookies). Then I moved back in with the family I lived with during my time here before (I am staying with them while I'm here).
It is SO good to be back and know that, although it has been 10 months since I was last here, in many ways it feel as though no time has passed. When we have Christ uniting us, time and space doesn't matter. I cannot say it enough times, I am so glad to be here, especially after such a warm welcome by family and friends. I can't wait until I actually see my other friends (and I still don't know when that will be, I haven't found out when they are free yet).
It is SO good to be back and know that, although it has been 10 months since I was last here, in many ways it feel as though no time has passed. When we have Christ uniting us, time and space doesn't matter. I cannot say it enough times, I am so glad to be here, especially after such a warm welcome by family and friends. I can't wait until I actually see my other friends (and I still don't know when that will be, I haven't found out when they are free yet).
A Little R&R
This afternoon I will be moving over to San Francisco (my CR "hometown"). My time with Chuck and Robbi has been a great time of rest and relaxation after working with a team 27 people and interacting with hundreds of others. My body, heart and mind have had a chance to rest up before being "thrown" into life with family and friends in Costa Rica. I will now be able to enjoy my friends even more! I have no idea of my schedule for the next week, but I know I will enjoy the company of some people who have become very important in my life.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Story
Sorry I didn't get to write the story I mentioned in the last blog. I started to tell it, but then we had to leave the hotel (therefore the internet as well) and so the story didn't get told.
My story is about returning home from the clinic on Saturday. We had a shortened day with the clinic since it was the teams last day and they needed to get things done around the hotel. So we left around 3pm. Well, we had a nice reprieve on Saturday when God opened the heavens and sent the rain. Friday at the same church was probably the hottest day we had in Nicaragua (and being confined to a church with poor ventilation and few fans didn't help). So the Saturday rain helped a lot. It brought cool breezes. However, the rain also turned the dirt roads into mud...
As most people know when dirt roads turn into mud roads, big heavy buses are not the most ideal vehicle to drive, but having a team of 27 people, plus translators and at least a dozen or 2 suitcases needs a bus to travel. Well, it took us at least an hour to get 1/4 - 1/2 mile down the road. We had young people and the local church pastor pushing the bus trying to help get it out of the mud. The team was kept on the bus and we had them jumping in the back trying to get the weight of the people to help give the tires traction.
The young people on the team and I were having a blast. It was probably a highlight (just for the sheer fun of the experience). The adults, however, weren't having as much fun. In part because of the dangerousness of the situation (someone could have easily been hurt by a swerving bus hitting or running them over), but the way the locals and the bus driver handled it, there were not even any close calls. By the time the bus finally got onto the paved road, we had attracted quite a crowd. Many people from the community had come to watch and a few helped push the bus.
Although due to the delay in leaving caused less time to get things done at the hotel, I am so glad it happened. It was a fun way to end the trip for the team and it gave us a chance to talk a little more with people from the community (plus it's always great to see a community come together to help out a bus load of Gringos!
I am now in Costa Rica with Chuck and Robbi. It had definitely felt like I have come home again. Tomorrow I will be going to stay with the family I lived with during my time here and see my friends!
My story is about returning home from the clinic on Saturday. We had a shortened day with the clinic since it was the teams last day and they needed to get things done around the hotel. So we left around 3pm. Well, we had a nice reprieve on Saturday when God opened the heavens and sent the rain. Friday at the same church was probably the hottest day we had in Nicaragua (and being confined to a church with poor ventilation and few fans didn't help). So the Saturday rain helped a lot. It brought cool breezes. However, the rain also turned the dirt roads into mud...
As most people know when dirt roads turn into mud roads, big heavy buses are not the most ideal vehicle to drive, but having a team of 27 people, plus translators and at least a dozen or 2 suitcases needs a bus to travel. Well, it took us at least an hour to get 1/4 - 1/2 mile down the road. We had young people and the local church pastor pushing the bus trying to help get it out of the mud. The team was kept on the bus and we had them jumping in the back trying to get the weight of the people to help give the tires traction.
The young people on the team and I were having a blast. It was probably a highlight (just for the sheer fun of the experience). The adults, however, weren't having as much fun. In part because of the dangerousness of the situation (someone could have easily been hurt by a swerving bus hitting or running them over), but the way the locals and the bus driver handled it, there were not even any close calls. By the time the bus finally got onto the paved road, we had attracted quite a crowd. Many people from the community had come to watch and a few helped push the bus.
Although due to the delay in leaving caused less time to get things done at the hotel, I am so glad it happened. It was a fun way to end the trip for the team and it gave us a chance to talk a little more with people from the community (plus it's always great to see a community come together to help out a bus load of Gringos!
I am now in Costa Rica with Chuck and Robbi. It had definitely felt like I have come home again. Tomorrow I will be going to stay with the family I lived with during my time here and see my friends!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Mission Accomplished!
Well the team left bright and early this morning.... It is a bittersweet moment: there is so much need here and only six days of medical ministry does not seem enough, but by ending here in Nicaragua I get to return to Costa Rica and some of my best friends! What brings encouragement about having to leave is Chuck reported back about one of the churches where we ministered. Several people who accepted Christ at one particular church were in attendance at their Thursday night service! Also, one of the ladies who was praying with the outreach team has all the names of the people who accepted Christ and will be going to visit them personally to follow up and encourage them! This is what partnering with churches through missions is all about; we come down to help fill needs (this trip focused on the physical needs) so that the local church can find new contacts and help them realize and grow in their spiritual needs. Please be praying for the four communities and churches we ministered in (I'm sorry I can't remember the names). Pray that all the people we saw will experience a true healing that can only come from Above. Pray for those who accepted the true Healer and Savior, that they would be encouraged and discipled to a true knowledge in God. Pray for the pastors and church leaders to lead in wisdom and disciple with wisdom. Pray for the team as they go back home. For those of you who have participated in missions trips in the past know, readjusting back to life in the USA is very challenging, so please be in prayer for the team. We did talk last night about readjusting and the mission field each person has at home (although, as I'm ready to admit, it's not always easy to see home as a mission field.
The last couple days here have been good (hot and tiring, but good). I think in total we saw 700-800 medical patients in our 6 days of clinics and over 400 in the eye clinic (obviously some went to both vision and medical). We don't have the number of people who accepted Christ, but we know God does and He will continue working in their lives. The team overall worked really well together and grew into a close family. (I hope many come to visit me in Minnesota!)
I have a story to share about yesterday. This is a story I share with a smile on my face and laughter in my "voice".
The last couple days here have been good (hot and tiring, but good). I think in total we saw 700-800 medical patients in our 6 days of clinics and over 400 in the eye clinic (obviously some went to both vision and medical). We don't have the number of people who accepted Christ, but we know God does and He will continue working in their lives. The team overall worked really well together and grew into a close family. (I hope many come to visit me in Minnesota!)
I have a story to share about yesterday. This is a story I share with a smile on my face and laughter in my "voice".
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
How It´s Done
So everyone knows what a typical day here at the clinic looks like:
We try to leave around 8:15am to arrive between 8:45 and 9am at the church we are serving. (We will be at a total of 4 church locations throughout our 6 days of clinic ministry.) We arrive, and set up. Each team has prayer (the overall team is broken into various subteams, children´s ministry (keeping the kids entertained while they are at the clinic) construction ministry (they are staying at our first location, so they are the only team not with everyone elseg the optical team medical (4 nurses who are checking the patients) and outreach (praying with every person/family as they come through). Then we get started.
A person receives a number when they arrive at the clinic. We have someone at the door to call out their number, they come forward. Our "gatekeeper" askes about what their symptons are. They get a new number (attached to their paper) and get their vitals checked. Then they wait for a nurse to see them. The nurse talks with them, gives writes up a perscription. While their perscription is being filled, the patient and family receive prayer and the opportunity to receive Christ as the Healer and Savior (I´m not sure the actually number of conversions). Then they pick up their perscription and head on out.
Things went much smoother yesterday. There are still many stories, but again, I dont have time to go into them. There were only 2 problems yesterday, and both were dealt with. There was a minor riot outside the clinic, but that was handled, and some ladies at the pharmacy had issues when they all thought they had been there the longest and therefore should be the next person in line to receive medications. But again, that was handled and everyone got their meds and were happy.
I hope and pray today goes just as smooth, or smoother today, as we are able to see more people the more smoothly things go (the first day we saw about 60-70 people, yesterday about 150 in the same time period).
We try to leave around 8:15am to arrive between 8:45 and 9am at the church we are serving. (We will be at a total of 4 church locations throughout our 6 days of clinic ministry.) We arrive, and set up. Each team has prayer (the overall team is broken into various subteams, children´s ministry (keeping the kids entertained while they are at the clinic) construction ministry (they are staying at our first location, so they are the only team not with everyone elseg the optical team
A person receives a number when they arrive at the clinic. We have someone at the door to call out their number, they come forward. Our "gatekeeper" askes about what their symptons are. They get a new number (attached to their paper) and get their vitals checked. Then they wait for a nurse to see them. The nurse talks with them, gives writes up a perscription. While their perscription is being filled, the patient and family receive prayer and the opportunity to receive Christ as the Healer and Savior (I´m not sure the actually number of conversions). Then they pick up their perscription and head on out.
Things went much smoother yesterday. There are still many stories, but again, I dont have time to go into them. There were only 2 problems yesterday, and both were dealt with. There was a minor riot outside the clinic, but that was handled, and some ladies at the pharmacy had issues when they all thought they had been there the longest and therefore should be the next person in line to receive medications. But again, that was handled and everyone got their meds and were happy.
I hope and pray today goes just as smooth, or smoother today, as we are able to see more people the more smoothly things go (the first day we saw about 60-70 people, yesterday about 150 in the same time period).
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Quick Note
I just have a few minutes before I need to get on the bus to go to the next church for the medical clinic, but I thought I´d give you a quick update and prayer request.
Yesterday went really well considering how chaotic medical missions can be. We saw many patients (over 70) and I thinki I heard there were 3 or 4 decisions for Christ! I´ll share more about that later when I have more time, but I just wanted to let you know.
Today, as we head out, your prayers will still be very appreciated. I know my brain hurts, as well as some of the others, so please help us translators to have the words (both in English and Spanish) to get everything taken care of as needed. Pray as the afternoon goes on that the heat won´t slow us down (it is extremely humid in the afternoons).
Now I must go, but thanks for your continued prayers!
Yesterday went really well considering how chaotic medical missions can be. We saw many patients (over 70) and I thinki I heard there were 3 or 4 decisions for Christ! I´ll share more about that later when I have more time, but I just wanted to let you know.
Today, as we head out, your prayers will still be very appreciated. I know my brain hurts, as well as some of the others, so please help us translators to have the words (both in English and Spanish) to get everything taken care of as needed. Pray as the afternoon goes on that the heat won´t slow us down (it is extremely humid in the afternoons).
Now I must go, but thanks for your continued prayers!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A Little More Details
Well, I have a couple minutes to share with you what has happened so far...
The trip to Nicaragua was a bit of an adventure. I flew from MSP to Chicago to Atlanta, but due to bad weather in Atlanta, we had to circle the airport for about an hour. We almost had to fly to a different airport to fill up on fuel because of all the circling, but we ended up being able to land right before we ran out, Thank you Jesus! So I was very thankful for the 2 hour layover because I didn´t miss my connecting flight to Nicaragua.
In Atlanta I met up with a Pastor and elder from a different MN church who are in Nicaragua meeting churches/pastors to see about partnering with them. So we flew together down to Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, Chuck was at the airport to pick us up. We brought the pastor and elder to the hotel and I stayed at the guesthouse. Friday morning we went to the airport to pick up the team. The team is about 27 people, 4 of whom are men. The average age is 40/50ish, but there are also plenty of youger people who are my age! The team will be doing medical missions in 3 or 4 churches, as well as a children´s ministry and construction ministry.
The rest of Friday was relaxing so the team could rest since they met at the airport at 4:15 am. The hotel we are staying at is the nicest I have ever stayed. There is a POOL! So we don´t need an afternoon shower, it cools us down enough to wait until later! Today, as I mentioned before, we did a couple prayer walks. We visited the churches we will be ministering in throughout the week and prayed over the communities. This is the first time I have ever done that on a mission trip. I think it was a really great experience, to pray over and claim the area for God before we actually set to work. To make sure the devil knows we are there and God will be doing a mighty a work! It was a huge blessing to each of us on the team. This is something I would like to do in future trips. It was great being guided by someone from the local church who told us what that particular area needs most as far a prayer, then praying in multiple languages all at the same time. Talk about the nations coming together and pushing back the darkness. We were able cover many parts of the communities since we split into 4 groups. The north, south, east and west all received prayer.
Continue praying as we start ministering on Monday. I am excited about what God will do with the team, the communities and churches. Thanks for partnering with us in prayer!!!!!!!
The trip to Nicaragua was a bit of an adventure. I flew from MSP to Chicago to Atlanta, but due to bad weather in Atlanta, we had to circle the airport for about an hour. We almost had to fly to a different airport to fill up on fuel because of all the circling, but we ended up being able to land right before we ran out, Thank you Jesus! So I was very thankful for the 2 hour layover because I didn´t miss my connecting flight to Nicaragua.
In Atlanta I met up with a Pastor and elder from a different MN church who are in Nicaragua meeting churches/pastors to see about partnering with them. So we flew together down to Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, Chuck was at the airport to pick us up. We brought the pastor and elder to the hotel and I stayed at the guesthouse. Friday morning we went to the airport to pick up the team. The team is about 27 people, 4 of whom are men. The average age is 40/50ish, but there are also plenty of youger people who are my age! The team will be doing medical missions in 3 or 4 churches, as well as a children´s ministry and construction ministry.
The rest of Friday was relaxing so the team could rest since they met at the airport at 4:15 am. The hotel we are staying at is the nicest I have ever stayed. There is a POOL! So we don´t need an afternoon shower, it cools us down enough to wait until later! Today, as I mentioned before, we did a couple prayer walks. We visited the churches we will be ministering in throughout the week and prayed over the communities. This is the first time I have ever done that on a mission trip. I think it was a really great experience, to pray over and claim the area for God before we actually set to work. To make sure the devil knows we are there and God will be doing a mighty a work! It was a huge blessing to each of us on the team. This is something I would like to do in future trips. It was great being guided by someone from the local church who told us what that particular area needs most as far a prayer, then praying in multiple languages all at the same time. Talk about the nations coming together and pushing back the darkness. We were able cover many parts of the communities since we split into 4 groups. The north, south, east and west all received prayer.
Continue praying as we start ministering on Monday. I am excited about what God will do with the team, the communities and churches. Thanks for partnering with us in prayer!!!!!!!
Quite Update
We´re getting ready to leave, so I don´t have much time, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I arrived safely, after some excitement in Atlanta (hopefully I´ll have time to explain later). Right now we are preparing to head out for a prayer walk. We will be going to three of the churches/communities where we will be ministering this week and doing prayer walks. We will be splitting into 3 groups, learning of the prayer requests for the area, and then walking around praying for the areas. Please be praying for this opportunity/experience. We know God is going to do great things throughout our time, and what better way to start a mission trip, than praying for the people we will be ministering to?
I will update more when I get the opportunity (all day yesterday there was a guy using the hotel computer, so there are no guarantees).
Thanks for your prayers!
I will update more when I get the opportunity (all day yesterday there was a guy using the hotel computer, so there are no guarantees).
Thanks for your prayers!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Off Again
In a few hours' time I shall be on a plane once again, this time headed to Nicaragua. I am excited and a little nervous. The team I am working with is a medical mission team. This will be my first. I joke that this will be an interesting trip because translating medical terms will be hard since I don't know too much of the medical terms in English, let alone in Spanish. But I trust that God will be able to use each one of us depsite the language (medical and English/Spanish).
Thank you so much for yor prayers. Please pray for safe travel for me, the team, and the other translators. (Since the group is about 30 people, there will be 3 other translators, the missionary I worked under in Costa Rica, the pastor who was like my Costa Rican father, and a missionary who was at the language institute in Costa Rica while I was there). Pray for the translating and the work to be done. God is bigger than us all, and I know He has great things in store.
Well, that's all for now as I need to eat and do the final preparations before I head out.
Thank you so much for yor prayers. Please pray for safe travel for me, the team, and the other translators. (Since the group is about 30 people, there will be 3 other translators, the missionary I worked under in Costa Rica, the pastor who was like my Costa Rican father, and a missionary who was at the language institute in Costa Rica while I was there). Pray for the translating and the work to be done. God is bigger than us all, and I know He has great things in store.
Well, that's all for now as I need to eat and do the final preparations before I head out.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
prayer please!!!
I have a prayer request for those who read my blog and are not a part of my church... Via email I have just heard about an accident that affects a member of my church and is also a good friend of mine. My friends father just died in a boating accident and my former youth pastor, who was with him, has not yet been found. Please be praying these families! I cannot even imagine what they are going through.
Thanks for your prayers!!!
Thanks for your prayers!!!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
First Group, Riverside from MN
The first group has come and gone. A group from the great state of MINNESOTA! The group was WONDERFUL, I could not have asked for a better group of people to start my summer working with teams. Now, every group will have a lot to live up to.
What stood out most in this team, was their flexibility and willingness for whatever, a great missionary attitute! Normally in every group there is at least 1 (usually 2 or 3) person who refuses to try new food because it may look/smell funny and there are usually people who start complaining if the work is done differently or gets to be too much or when the schedule changes too often. However, GRACIAS A DIOS, I did not have these issues with this group! Everyone enjoyed trying new food and looked at that as an adventure. When the work got difficult (as it frequently was due to the hard HARD dirt - more like rock) they continued to push through. And talk about flexibility with the schedule! They were willing to push back their free day to help get the job done! They were a huge blessing to me, not to mention the Peruvian church of Nor Oeste where they served!
The work was mostly construction, digging footings for the foundation of the church. The group was, as mentioned before, SUPER hard. It took many hours to get through little bits of dirt. But with the team´s energy, we were never short on laughs. We also visited small groups a few nights during their week here. This was a great time to get to know people from the church and community better.
If you would like to read more about the week, and through different eyes, check out the team´s blog at http://noroestechurchintrujilloperu.blogspot.com/
Enjoy a quick recap via pictures!
What stood out most in this team, was their flexibility and willingness for whatever, a great missionary attitute! Normally in every group there is at least 1 (usually 2 or 3) person who refuses to try new food because it may look/smell funny and there are usually people who start complaining if the work is done differently or gets to be too much or when the schedule changes too often. However, GRACIAS A DIOS, I did not have these issues with this group! Everyone enjoyed trying new food and looked at that as an adventure. When the work got difficult (as it frequently was due to the hard HARD dirt - more like rock) they continued to push through. And talk about flexibility with the schedule! They were willing to push back their free day to help get the job done! They were a huge blessing to me, not to mention the Peruvian church of Nor Oeste where they served!
The work was mostly construction, digging footings for the foundation of the church. The group was, as mentioned before, SUPER hard. It took many hours to get through little bits of dirt. But with the team´s energy, we were never short on laughs. We also visited small groups a few nights during their week here. This was a great time to get to know people from the church and community better.
If you would like to read more about the week, and through different eyes, check out the team´s blog at http://noroestechurchintrujilloperu.blogspot.com/
Enjoy a quick recap via pictures!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
In Peru Once More!
well, I am currently waiting to get on the plane, so after a couple hard days of saying goodbye, I am gone... It doesn't feel real yet... It was a good (if not extremely busy) last couple days. My emocions are all out of wack... I am sad to leave, however excited to go to Peru.
Since starting this blog, I have arrived in Peru. It is definitely good to be back. I always enjoy being with the Peruvian people and in the Peruvian churches. I was able to rest a bit, which has definitely helped! (Since I didn´t sleep the night before coming, it was over 48 hours since I had slept by the time I got to Pastor Marco´s house and was able to sleep!) Then I was able to tour the church I will be working at. We started clearing the lot last year, and in the last couple weeks, they have been able to start construction. They have the foundation dug and quite a few columns put up. They are not real sure what exactly the team will be doing as the foundation is a more exact project (we don´t want the church to clapse on top of people). But it is definitely exciting to watch a church being built and know that what I am helping build has the potential to change people´s lives and affect a change so much bigger than myself!
Today, 2 of my good friends from Trujillo also stopped by for a visit. It was so good to see them again after a year away! It also helps me to be more excited about being here...friends always have a way of making someone feel at home! (and also fill holes in the heart!)
I look forward to filling you in as the progress continues on the church at Nor Oeste, as well as the other projects I will be helping with!!!
Since starting this blog, I have arrived in Peru. It is definitely good to be back. I always enjoy being with the Peruvian people and in the Peruvian churches. I was able to rest a bit, which has definitely helped! (Since I didn´t sleep the night before coming, it was over 48 hours since I had slept by the time I got to Pastor Marco´s house and was able to sleep!) Then I was able to tour the church I will be working at. We started clearing the lot last year, and in the last couple weeks, they have been able to start construction. They have the foundation dug and quite a few columns put up. They are not real sure what exactly the team will be doing as the foundation is a more exact project (we don´t want the church to clapse on top of people). But it is definitely exciting to watch a church being built and know that what I am helping build has the potential to change people´s lives and affect a change so much bigger than myself!
Today, 2 of my good friends from Trujillo also stopped by for a visit. It was so good to see them again after a year away! It also helps me to be more excited about being here...friends always have a way of making someone feel at home! (and also fill holes in the heart!)
I look forward to filling you in as the progress continues on the church at Nor Oeste, as well as the other projects I will be helping with!!!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Roblealto
For 6 days I went to help out at a Daycare for underprivileged families. I was assigned to work in the nursery. I will admit that I did not have the best attitude about it...what good would it do for me to go for 6 days? Just when I would get comfortable with the people and the children, it would be time to leave, was it going to be worth filling 6 full days with Roblealto when I could be packing and getting things taken care of????
As it turned out, I really enjoyed it. I learned about the children within the first day. I connected really well the teacher of the nursery. One or two of the children and I bonded really well. It was good to know that I was able to relieve some of the work for the teacher for those 6 days. I do know if I am able to come back to Costa Rica for another extended time period, I will definitely look up working with Roblealto again. It was definitely a special place for me!
As it turned out, I really enjoyed it. I learned about the children within the first day. I connected really well the teacher of the nursery. One or two of the children and I bonded really well. It was good to know that I was able to relieve some of the work for the teacher for those 6 days. I do know if I am able to come back to Costa Rica for another extended time period, I will definitely look up working with Roblealto again. It was definitely a special place for me!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Last Beach Trip
I have been meaning to get this written for a week, sorry I am a little slow...
Late on Saturday night (a week ago) my friends asked if I would accompany them on a trip to the beach the following day (yes, I was a bad missionary and skipped church to go with friends to the beach, but it was good fellowship!!). We left at 6:30am and arrived at the beach around 9am. One never knows what they will get these days going to the beach because we are currently entering the rainy season. Fortunately God was smiling on us, for we had a very WARM and SUNNY day. The waves were a bit more violent than normal with double the currents...not only the normal undercurrent that takes people more toward the sea, but we there was also a cross undercurrent which took us down the beach. However, despite it all, it was probably the best beach experience I have had here!
We wanted to leave early so we could get home at an early hour, so we left around 6pm or so. It should only have taken aobut 2 hours to get home...I did not step into my house until 11pm! Two of my friends rode on a motorcycle, we the wheel lost air twice, but when the rest of us in the van were 15 minutes and 30 minutes ahead of them, so both times we had to go back to get them. After the second return, we decided to put the motocycle in the back of the van and squish everyone in the van. Well, by this time, the van needed to be refilled with gas. I guess, this type of van is normally filled with disel, however, not this particular van. Since here in Costa Rica, there are gas station attendents, they just started filling the van up, only to find out that it needed gas. So we had to get the disel drained, not an easy task late at night when the garage part is closed and the boss is not around. After getting the disel out, there was the discussion over who would pay for what (disel and gas) and who would take responsibility if there was some problem with the van due to the disel. It was a somewhat stressful situation (as the legal system is a bit different in CR than in the USA...not to say it would not have been stressful back home). The cops even showed up, more for our sake in case something happened to the van, we would have the cops say, not just our own.
But thank you Jesus, after a week of driving around the van, there have not been any problems, and thank you Jesus that we were all kept safe in our travels!
Now, I have a GREAT story for my last trip to the beach...
Late on Saturday night (a week ago) my friends asked if I would accompany them on a trip to the beach the following day (yes, I was a bad missionary and skipped church to go with friends to the beach, but it was good fellowship!!). We left at 6:30am and arrived at the beach around 9am. One never knows what they will get these days going to the beach because we are currently entering the rainy season. Fortunately God was smiling on us, for we had a very WARM and SUNNY day. The waves were a bit more violent than normal with double the currents...not only the normal undercurrent that takes people more toward the sea, but we there was also a cross undercurrent which took us down the beach. However, despite it all, it was probably the best beach experience I have had here!
We wanted to leave early so we could get home at an early hour, so we left around 6pm or so. It should only have taken aobut 2 hours to get home...I did not step into my house until 11pm! Two of my friends rode on a motorcycle, we the wheel lost air twice, but when the rest of us in the van were 15 minutes and 30 minutes ahead of them, so both times we had to go back to get them. After the second return, we decided to put the motocycle in the back of the van and squish everyone in the van. Well, by this time, the van needed to be refilled with gas. I guess, this type of van is normally filled with disel, however, not this particular van. Since here in Costa Rica, there are gas station attendents, they just started filling the van up, only to find out that it needed gas. So we had to get the disel drained, not an easy task late at night when the garage part is closed and the boss is not around. After getting the disel out, there was the discussion over who would pay for what (disel and gas) and who would take responsibility if there was some problem with the van due to the disel. It was a somewhat stressful situation (as the legal system is a bit different in CR than in the USA...not to say it would not have been stressful back home). The cops even showed up, more for our sake in case something happened to the van, we would have the cops say, not just our own.
But thank you Jesus, after a week of driving around the van, there have not been any problems, and thank you Jesus that we were all kept safe in our travels!
Now, I have a GREAT story for my last trip to the beach...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Long weeks...
Sorry I have not written in a while, we have not had internet in our house for about 20 days! Luckily I do have friends who have let me use their computers, especially since the last 2 weeks have been a bit trying. My sister had surgery to remove a tumor. It was hard not being home with her and my parents, but I know God was in control and taking care of her, and my parents, much better than I could have done. Thanks to God, the tumor did not have cancer and she is now home recovering. I am so thankful to everyone who was/is praying for her, my family, and I during this time. I am also thankful to my friends who let me practically live at their house (and being as they are guys, who put up with my emotional female-wanting to be home with my family times :D God is so good!
Not much new is happening around here. I am just on the count down to my leaving Costa Rica and going to Peru. Please be praying for me through this. Every time I have left Costa Rica I have returned, this time I am not. Every other time, I was not overly excited about coming back (not that I was not excited, I just did not have many friends to come home to), now I have friends and I really want to return, but I am not. So the count down is a little bittersweet. I am SUPER excited to go to Peru again and see all my friends, but leaving Costa Rica means leaving the life I have lived for the last year and a half and the friends and family I have made here. Your prayers will be much appreciated during this transition time!
Not much new is happening around here. I am just on the count down to my leaving Costa Rica and going to Peru. Please be praying for me through this. Every time I have left Costa Rica I have returned, this time I am not. Every other time, I was not overly excited about coming back (not that I was not excited, I just did not have many friends to come home to), now I have friends and I really want to return, but I am not. So the count down is a little bittersweet. I am SUPER excited to go to Peru again and see all my friends, but leaving Costa Rica means leaving the life I have lived for the last year and a half and the friends and family I have made here. Your prayers will be much appreciated during this transition time!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Celula en Guizaros
In the same neighborhood where I go Saturday mornings for El Comedor, Bible study and lunch for the kids, we have recently just started a celula (or Bible Study group) for the teenagers and young adults. This has been something on Cecilia's heart (Cecilia is the woman God gave the vision for the Comedor). The group has met for 3 weeks now, and I have participate in the last 2 meetings.
It has been a HUGE encouragement. There are roughly 20 people coming, and a number that has not diminished! When starting up something like this, especially in a neighborhood like Guizaros, one never knows what it will turn out like. So when 20 some people showed up the first week, it was a big deal (everyone thought there would be less people). Then one thinks, well maybe they are all just curious about what it's all about and after a week or 2, no one comes any more. But for 3 straight weeks we have had 20 some people, and the same 20 some people! The teens really seem interested and want to be a part of what is happening.
My first week there, Alejandra (the youth leader from my church) shared about the gift God gave us through Jesus's sacrifice. She presented it in a way that was new for me, but I liked it. She talked about a gift and how when someone gives another person a gift, that gift does not become useful until it is open. Once the person has their gift, it is theirs, but if they want to enjoy it, they MUST open it. In the same way, God has given each person a gift, it is theirs, but to enjoy it, they must first open it.
At the end of the night, she asked if anyone was ready to accept that gift and OPEN it, to pray with her...12 people prayed and accepted the gift of Salvation that night! What an encouragement!
The following week, Alejandra talked about trust. We need to trust that God is with us and guiding us. He gave a cloud of fire and a cloud of smoke to the Israelites when they left Egypt. The Israelites saw all kinds of miracles, yet they had a hard time trusting God. But that did not change the fact that God was there, that He was watching over them, protecting them, and guiding them. So...if God did that then, we know that He continues to do that now, with us.
Again, at the end of the night, Alejandra gave another opportunity to accept Christ for those who were not at the group the week before, or simply were not ready at that time. I did not get the number of people who accepted then, but I know Alejandra was talking with 2 girls when we finished!
So I ask that you please keep this youth in your prayers. They live in a poor neighborhood. Life is not easy there. And as a Christian, I imagine it will be even more difficult. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep these youth in your prayers. They meet every Tuesday night (13-17 years old) and Saturday afternoon (18+). Little by little I know that God will change this neighborhood. We started with the children, Cecilia meets with some women, and now, finally, the youth. One step at a time, one person at a time, change is possible!
Thank you for partnering with me, and through that, making this change possible!
It has been a HUGE encouragement. There are roughly 20 people coming, and a number that has not diminished! When starting up something like this, especially in a neighborhood like Guizaros, one never knows what it will turn out like. So when 20 some people showed up the first week, it was a big deal (everyone thought there would be less people). Then one thinks, well maybe they are all just curious about what it's all about and after a week or 2, no one comes any more. But for 3 straight weeks we have had 20 some people, and the same 20 some people! The teens really seem interested and want to be a part of what is happening.
My first week there, Alejandra (the youth leader from my church) shared about the gift God gave us through Jesus's sacrifice. She presented it in a way that was new for me, but I liked it. She talked about a gift and how when someone gives another person a gift, that gift does not become useful until it is open. Once the person has their gift, it is theirs, but if they want to enjoy it, they MUST open it. In the same way, God has given each person a gift, it is theirs, but to enjoy it, they must first open it.
At the end of the night, she asked if anyone was ready to accept that gift and OPEN it, to pray with her...12 people prayed and accepted the gift of Salvation that night! What an encouragement!
The following week, Alejandra talked about trust. We need to trust that God is with us and guiding us. He gave a cloud of fire and a cloud of smoke to the Israelites when they left Egypt. The Israelites saw all kinds of miracles, yet they had a hard time trusting God. But that did not change the fact that God was there, that He was watching over them, protecting them, and guiding them. So...if God did that then, we know that He continues to do that now, with us.
Again, at the end of the night, Alejandra gave another opportunity to accept Christ for those who were not at the group the week before, or simply were not ready at that time. I did not get the number of people who accepted then, but I know Alejandra was talking with 2 girls when we finished!
So I ask that you please keep this youth in your prayers. They live in a poor neighborhood. Life is not easy there. And as a Christian, I imagine it will be even more difficult. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep these youth in your prayers. They meet every Tuesday night (13-17 years old) and Saturday afternoon (18+). Little by little I know that God will change this neighborhood. We started with the children, Cecilia meets with some women, and now, finally, the youth. One step at a time, one person at a time, change is possible!
Thank you for partnering with me, and through that, making this change possible!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thanks for Your Prayers
I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has been praying for me during my time here. It has been a huge blessing to have you all with me in this way. I know that SO many things could have happened in the last 16 months that hasn't due to your prayers. And especially in the last month.
For those who are not aware, I was sick for about 2 weeks after my sister left. I lost weight (I have found out that since coming I have lost over 10lbs which is pretty exciting), did not have an appetite, and other, not so fun symptoms. After letting my parents know, who then passed on the word and many of you started praying, I started feeling better. It was probably the most obvious answer to prayer I have experienced...at least in a long time. I did go to the doctor to just make sure everything was ok, so when I go to Peru I do not have to worry about any more problems. It is likely that I had a parasite, but between the prayers (my real medicine) and the perscription the doctor gave me (just to make sure all the bad bacteria was dead) I am feeling much better!
So THANK YOU!!!!!
For those who are not aware, I was sick for about 2 weeks after my sister left. I lost weight (I have found out that since coming I have lost over 10lbs which is pretty exciting), did not have an appetite, and other, not so fun symptoms. After letting my parents know, who then passed on the word and many of you started praying, I started feeling better. It was probably the most obvious answer to prayer I have experienced...at least in a long time. I did go to the doctor to just make sure everything was ok, so when I go to Peru I do not have to worry about any more problems. It is likely that I had a parasite, but between the prayers (my real medicine) and the perscription the doctor gave me (just to make sure all the bad bacteria was dead) I am feeling much better!
So THANK YOU!!!!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Comedor Fundraiser
With the costs of feeding at least 30 kids Monday - Friday, and then up to 70 kids on Saturdays, the Comedor was running low on money. So when there was a small carnival in the community, Cecilia took the opportunity to do a little fundraiser. A couple of us went on Saturday to help out for through the lunch hour. I have not heard how much money we made, but the Saturday lunch seemed to go very well. So if the Saturday dinner and Sunday meals went well, it would be a successful weekend. Here are some pictures. Hope you enjoy!
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