Just like every entry I want to start this blog off with what the Lord has been speaking to me as of late simply because it has been a blessing to me and I trust that it will be a blessing to at least one of you. For the first time in my life I am thus far successfully reading through the entire Bible in one year. If this was reading rainbow I would say "don't just take my word for it," do it yourself! It has caused me to understand God in so many different ways, to understand His character from every angle. To understand His jealousy, His righteous anger. To understand why He does the things He does (some of the time at least). It makes so much sense of taboo issues or controversial things that so many debate about. Knowing the full council of His word (although I'm only in Deuteronomy) is really the way to go.
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| On the Costa Rican side of the border, on the way into Panama |
In my last entry I mentioned that we were going to be in Panama for at least 5 days. Needless to say Panama is quite different than Costa Rica. Things are a little cheaper there but we all agreed that we liked Costa Rica better. Their food isn't as good, the land isn't as beautiful, and the people aren't as kind. That's not to say that we hated it and allowed people to see that we didn't like it as much, but simply that we're very much appreciative of Costa Rica. We stayed all 4 nights in a little hostel called "the purple house." We were excited to see Heb. 13:2 painted on the wall in the entrance of the house and felt very much at home in this "backpackers hostel." Just like any other place we pass through we make it our aim to represent Christ in every way. I was blessed to find out that the owner of the hostel spoke to her parents, who are solid believers that live in NJ, about us and how she was very surprised and blown away by our character. She has delt with many questionable people passing through her home and was glad that we weren't as she said "hiding drugs or prostitutes in our room." Another employee of the purple house also saw something different in us and asked us to pray for her and her son. We took her out to dinner one night and had the humbling opportunity of ministering to her as she had many questions and prayer requests. Please pray for Julise as she seeks a relationship with the Lord and deals with the condemnation of her ex-mother-in-law who claims to be a believer. The trip in accordance to the Lords character was not a waste in anyway. Even if it was only to minister to those 2 people we are happy to be in His will.
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| It was extremely hot and humid in cuidad David in Chiriqui Panama, you can tell by the look of excitement on our faces |
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| They have awesome package deals in Panama and Costa Rica alike. Free pens with the purchase of a bag of mayonnaise. |
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| On the Panama side on the way back into Costa. |
As soon as we arrived from Panama we all hit the ground running as we prepared for the soon arrival of the students. I am teaching the book of James as well as overseeing the Christian Community Service class. I often leave the house to study because this way it's made near impossible to fall asleep. One day as I studied at the mall, although that day I really wanted to stay home, I was racking my brain trying to figure out what I was going to have the girl students do for their CCS. I was pleasantly surprised to see Mike Chaves, the pastor in Dominical, in the mall getting dinner. As it turned out he and a large group of people were going to an all girls orphanage in town that night and he asked me to come along. Seeing it as an answer to prayer, I put aside my studies and joined them. Running the risk of being sappy or corny I will be honest in telling you that as soon as I walked in the large meeting room with all the girls in it, my heart melted. This love I can't explain filled my heart and I genuinely desired to hug every last one of those girls and tell them how much they are loved. The 3 hours that we spent there felt like 15 minutes. We sang songs, yelled for no reason, played dodgeball (adults against girls, heh heh), did arts & crafts, and ate cake. That night I prayed with fervor that the Lord would make it possible for the girl students to be involved in this orphanage. I went to this same Catholic orphanage the next day to see if it was possible. I'm not sure I made the best first impression but with my persistent requests, visits, and of course much prayer they agreed to allow us to help them 2 hours a week on Friday mornings. The orphan girls won't be there during that time but please pray that with this foot in the door we will be able to come at a time where there will be interaction between our girls and the orphan girls. With the Bible college in mind I taught James 1:1-11 for 3 hours today. My first time teaching that long in anything turned out to be a huge blessing. 3 hours of teaching, a large nalgene emptied, and a sore throat from talking for such a long time, I came away excited to teach week after week.
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| The bus ride home from San Jose to San Isidro after picking up the students |
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| Orientation day in our backyard |
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| Waiting for the bus to go to the river. Left to right: Ryan, Taylor, Chandler, Justine |
Our first week of orientation with the students was a blast as we toured the town, ate the local food, went on a river/waterfall trip, ate "Refuge" burgers, and learned to surf at Dominical beach. We're all very excited to have Chandler, Taylor, Ecna, Tara, Korina, and Justine here as our first Costa Rica BC class. We all look forward to what the Lord has in store for us all.
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| Ryan rockclimbing while a monkey jumps into the water from his perch in the tree |
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| Ciudad Portalon |
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| Prayer after a surf lesson at Dominical beach |
Finally, please continue to pray for the soccer tournament coming up in 2 weekends on March 19th. We have had a lot of interest but so far no confirmed participants. I'm confident however that the Lord will direct those peoples eyes who He wants at the tournament to the flyers Darwin put out in town and that those who He wants to hear the gospel of a true relationship with Him will call and confirm. Thank you all for praying for provision, He has provided in everything that we will need for the tournament. Speaking of provision, I want to continue to thank those of you who have supported me financially. Unfortunately I do not receive any information as to who supports me, I only receive money into my account once a month. So because I have no specifics I want to simply thank those of you who support me here on this blog. May the Lord continue to bless you all!
