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).
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