Reflections & New Beginnings

As December is coming to a close I cannot help but to look back and reflect on the past 6 months of my life & ministry in Costa Rica. In doing this the faithfulness of God has been clearly displayed. I’ve not only seen Him faithful in my triumphs but also in my failures, not just at times, but always. I have a heart abounding in gratefulness to Him. In these months He has done such a work in San Isidro, Costa Rica and in my heart personally. I look forward to being a part of the work He will continue to do this coming year. 

I realize that my last blog was in September. For this I'm incredibly sorry! During this time I started to write newsletters, and I fully intended to write both blogs and newsletters. However, each of these take so much time and thought that my focus went to the letters instead. I apologize. I hope to be more diligent in informing you on the work of God in and through my life. 


With that said, and the huge gap that I created in time, let me tell you overall about the Fall '11 semester. I was personally blessed by each one of the students that came. It was obvious that the Lord had chosen each of them to join us for a specific work in them and in us through them. They were a great group of students! After the first week of the semester we became short staffed. In the beginning it was hard, we all felt stretched out thin over all the work that needed to get done. However, soon enough by the grace of God we got the hang of things. There was definitely challenges that came and went, but throughout the semester there was great joy. I can honestly say that I have never grown so much in such a short amount of time. Talk about the spiritual growth spirt! Oh, to be more like Christ! I pray that I will never slow down in becoming more like Him. The theme of the semester for me personally was... 


"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."- Galatians 2:20 
"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3


We've died, now Christ lives through us. It's a concept that we all know well. We've heard it before. Many a time. I found for me it was only head knowledge and something that I've never lived. However, at my arrival in Costa Rica I remember the Lord making these words real to me. He began to teach me what these verses meant and He showed me a depth that they hold. Throughout the semester, with all the busyness, I started to loose sight of this. It wasn't till towards the end of the semester the Lord reminded me of these verses and how they have no value if not lived in a life. My life. I truly desire for my life to be simply Christ in me. If when people look at the life I live and only see Jesus, I would be completely satisfied. I'm so thankful to be learning what these verses mean. I believe I will always be learning what they mean. To live life with a heavenly perspective is key. There is nothing that this world can offer me that has a greater reward then to live a life of Christ: A humble servant, Who's greatest desire is to do the Father's will. "You can have all this world, just give me Jesus."

Gerry & Ryan at Graduation

We ended the semester with a graduation ceremony for Gerry Carrillo. He was our student/intern, but will now be fully staff. He is also going to be married at the end of January to Silvia, who is tica (Costa Rican). However, Gerry just had surgery on his leg due to an unexpected injury and would love your prayers for his recovery.  

My family (Dave, my brother is not pictured)

After the close to the semester I was blessed with the opportunity to come back to California to spend Christmas with my family. I’m so thankful to be back with them. I know the Lord has called me to serve Him wherever He calls. There is nothing greater that I desire to do! It is because of this I see how precious this time is with my family. I don’t know when another opportunity will come so I’ll soak this one up! However, in the midst of enjoying time in the states, I’ve been busy with preparations to return to Costa Rica. Honestly, I miss the people that I’ve built friendships with and look forward to seeing them again. It will be nice to get back to the ol’ grind and have some kind of schedule.

Tomorrow is a new year and I'm looking forward to see the Lord work. I'm excited to become more like Him! May I walk worthy of the calling in which He has called me. Thank you for your prayers and your support. In this coming year, I WILL be more diligent to write monthly updates. 
May the Lord bless you richly!

In Christ Jesus,

Vanessa Sanchez

He's always been faithful to me

     This past month (August) has been absolutely crazy! It has got to be the longest month that I have ever experienced. Yes it did have 31 days, but that is not what I’m talking about. So much has happened. There were great joys and great difficulties. However, through it all God was faithful and He will continue to be faithful. Thank the Lord for His Spirit dwelling in us! He does not expect us to walk alone. 

   
     THE STUDENTS HAVE ARRIVED! It’s hard to believe. I’ve been here all summer knowing that this day would come and now we are in our fourth week of the semester. Wow! We are so blessed to have solid students who are here with open hearts to the Lord. Every single one of them are such genuine people. I look forward to getting to know them better. 

Our students-Fall '11: Katie, Hana, Joe, Gerry, & Kelsey

The girls and I hanging out with Bailey 

The students in class

   
      Unfortunately Gabriel, one of our staff members, had to return to the States because of a medical emergency. He is greatly missed. However, the Lord’s plans are so good and we trust Him through it all. “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

   
     I aged another year. I turned 21 years old. No big deal. Birthdays have never been a big thing to me. I have two brothers older then I, so by the time my birthday rolls around the age doesn’t even seem cool. “I’m all used up 21,” I say.  However, I was thinking about how fortunate I am as a child of Christ. I’m only 21 years old. I’ve lived in two foreign countries, and been to eight countries. The Lord has blessed my life with solid friendships. I literally know people all around the world. I have a wonderful family. Grandparents who’s main desire in raising us was that we would know the Lord. With simply those things you can say that I’m truly blessed. There is no doubt about it. However, here is the thing that gets me. If you asked me, “what do you want to do when you grow up?” I’d say, “I’m doing it.” Wow. I’m 21 years old and the Lord has graced me with the opportunity to do what I desire most. I’m so blessed to be here as a missionary serving the Lord in whatever way He sees fit. A life in Christ is truly an adventurous thing. There is no telling where He’ll take you. Most times you can’t see beyond the next bend, but you know that His plans are good. Whether there are joys or difficulties ahead, you know that He will be with you. I wouldn’t live any other way then as a child of God. It’s no doubt, the best way to live.

In me personally? Well, I’m going to have to pick one theme that the Lord has been showing me, because He has revealed so much to me since my last update. After all, I did just live the longest month ever. I’ve been meditating on the pleasure of God. It has been such a blessing. This verse is what started me to ponder, “For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and all the deep places.” -Psalm 135:5-6. Wow! This chapter continues on to show God’s hand in creation and in redemption. The Lord pleased to create man to whom He gave a free will. He knew man would turn away from  Him and reject the love that He so freely gives, yet He created man. He didn’t stop at creation, but continued by redeeming us. He took pleasure in our redemption. “LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?”-Psalm 144:3. Yet in Psalm 139:17 we read, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” In Ephesians 1 Paul tells of our pardon from sin (by the sacrifice of Christ) and that we are predestined to the adoption of God because it was according to His good pleasure. There are so many verses that I wish I could share, but one more I must. It says, "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” -Luke 12:32. The mercies of God don’t stop do they? They are everlasting. It pleased the Lord that He would create us, redeem us by the blood of His only Son, bring us into His family, give us an inheritance, and give us the kingdom. Wow! I’m so thankful to serve a God who pleases to do good things. Things that are always to my gain. His love for me is so great. All I want to do is bring Him pleasure with this life. He is so good!

Prayer request

• Pray for the student as they spend their semester in Costa Rica. May they set apart this time for the Lord so that they might know Him more. The Lord will reveal Himself if there hearts be willing to receive it. Pray for open hearts.
• Pray for Gabe as the Lord is doing new things in and through Him. 
• Continue to pray for Gabby and Shirley (our tica friends) as they walk with the Lord. May their roots be planted deep in Christ so that this world cannot move them.
• Pray for the Church and the Schockey family(Pastor’s family). May they be strengthened as they continue to serve the Lord as He wills. 
• Pray for the staff here at the Bible College. For Ryan, that the Lord might give him a refreshed vision of what He desires for this campus. May the Lord not only give him revelation as the director, but also personally. Pray that the Lord strengthen him physically and spiritually. May each morning be a time of revival as he spends it with the Lord. For Gerry, that the Lord would draw him closer into His presence. May the Lord continue to make his heart more and more like Christ’s. Pray that He finds a balance of being part of the student body as well as staff. As he is about to graduate, pray that the Lord would give him direction for his life. For me, that the Lord would continue to chisel, mold, break, and shape me to be more like Him. May I be the woman of God He desires me to be. Let the things that I say and do be pleasing to His sight. Also, for my physical health. Pray that the Lord strengthens me and gives me wisdom on how to take care of myself. 

Thank you so much for you're thoughts and prayers. I appreciate them!

Update on my life in Costa Rica

      Wow! I've been in Costa Rica for a little over two months! It truly is strange. It feels as if I've been here two weeks, yet it feels as if I’ve been here my whole life. I look back to the moment that the Lord mentioned Costa Rica to me from the place where I am now. In this short amount of time the Lord has done wonders in my heart! It’s such a beautiful thing. There has been a lot happening this past month, so I’m going to try my best to accurately update you.

In my last update I brought up the fact that we were hoping to move me out of the house and into some apartments that are closer to the boys house. Well, praise Jesus that came to pass! I’m living right down the street from the guys home(which is also the main campus). It takes me about four minutes to walk there. It’s a really nice little place.. The apartment building consist of four apartments. There are two families who live in the apartments downstairs and the man who pays for the apartment across from me only stays there occasionally. Everyone seems to be very nice. When the female students come down they will be living with me. It will be nice to have a little company.

      Two weeks ago we helped put on a Kid’s Festival with the church. It was so much fun! We sang songs, did puppet shows, gave snacks, did crafts, shared the gospel, etc. The kids had a blast and if you ask me, the parents did too! It was small, but the Lord totally blessed it. 

   The past two weeks have been packed with preparations for next semester. The semester begins August 22 which is quickly approaching. Each morning after staff prayer Ryan and I start another day in the office finishing things that need to be checked off the list. It’s been around 9am to 6:30pm days (which includes lunch/siesta break). Altogether it is a pretty good work day. Busy, but good. We were supposed to have another female staff member join us in August, who was going to be the dean of women at the College here in Costa Rica. However, the Lord had other plans. Things did not work out for her to come and now I have been asked to take her responsibilities. I realize that God brought me down here to serve Him in whatever manner that He desires, so I willingly excepted knowing that the Lord will equip me for role. Although I may feel unqualified I know He will use me in my weakness. This was an encouraging thought for me, “If the Lord be with us in our natural weakness we shall be girt with supernatural power.”- C.H. Spurgeon. Thank God He doesn’t expect me to do it alone! So, as of now I am administrative assistant/dean of women.    

Here are a couple of pictures from the church, Calvary Chapel San Isidro.

 The service is held in a room that was added onto Curtis Schockey’s (the pastor) house. 

The Lord has been blessing Sunday Night Chapel at the guys house. The size always varies, but we never fail to be blessed by the Word and fellowship. It really is just a sweet time of getting together with brothers and sisters in Christ, gleaning from the scriptures, worship, and having koinonia (fellowship) together. Each week Ryan, Gabe and Gerry rotate in teaching through Colossians. Here are some pictures.

          Gabe teaching from Colossians and Ryan translating into spanish.

      

      Personally I have been challenged by the Lord to a deeper level of trust. Faith on a level that I have not known. As hard as it can be in those moments, I’m pretty excited about it knowing that spiritual growth is in progress. In my devos I’ve been going through Psalms and have just started Romans. There have been countless verses that the Lord has spoken to me through. Of course, I can’t share them all, but I’ll share a few along with some things I’ve been pondering. The first verse that pops into my head when thinking about trust is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct you paths.” Yes, this is the common memory verse that I’ve know since my youth. However, what better life to live then a life directed by God?  In this verse I see that my trust in Him plays a huge role in walking in His perfect will. My problem is not that I straight out don’t trust. I do trust Him. The problem is that I take His words and weigh them on the scales. Then I turn to Him and say, “Lord, is this really what you’re asking of me? Are you sure this is what you want me to do?” Ridiculous, I know. The Lord is trying to break me of these questions. I see that when the Lord asks anything of me I need to obey it immediately without question, knowing that His ways are ALWAYS good. This is what I desire. I few weeks ago I read, “O God; I will render praises to You, For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?” Psalm 56:12-13. Looking back on the faithfulness of God in my life, I can’t help but trust in Him for my future. “Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living?” These words hit me like a ton of bricks. I have been redeemed by the Lord, and He keeps me. Truly in Him alone can I place my trust. As far as provision is concerned I think of Matthew 6:25-34. These verses tell me not to worry about tomorrow. I can look at the birds of the air, the flowers of the fields, and all other things that He has created and see How he cares for them. How much more will He care for His children?(Matt. 6:11) I’ve been pondering a life with Christ. I can’t imagine it any other way. I remember the biographies of past missionaries, and see the hand of God orchestrating. Things were not always easy for them. In fact, many times times were down right hard. Some of them even died on the mission field. But God was with them. He was their strength, protector, and provider. I would rather have Jesus then anything. How can I not trust the infinite God of Isaiah 40? (I encourage you to read the whole chapter.) This chapter shows God who is vast and mighty. Every time I read this chapter I cannot help but rest in Him. Because of this, I try to read it often. In times when trust becomes difficult I ask myself, “How great is your God?” After meditating on Him, I can do nothing less then to trust Him.

Prayer request

• That I, personally, would continue to be challenged in the Word, lead by the Spirit, and formed more into the image of God. As He chisels and fastens me may I be fully submitted to Him. Pray that the Lord would give me His heart for the local people and increase my love for them.  May I never be idle with my time, but rather be productive and use it for His glory. Pray He reveals to me how I can go about doing that. 

• For each of the ticos (Costa Rican's) who attend the church, and Sunday night Chapel. May the Lord continue to work on their hearts. May they see the necessity of an intimate relationship with Christ and spending time in the Word. 

• For preparations for next semester. May the Lord give us wisdom and discernment in how we should accomplish everything. Pray for the student who will be attending. May the Lord prepare their hearts for the things He has for them. Pray for Ryan, Gabe, Curtis, and the other teachers as they prepare for classes. May the Spirit direct their hearts and minds as they teach His Word to the students. 

Thank you all for your support in prayer. They are coveted. May the Lord bless you abundantly.

Week two in Costa Rica

The LORD is blessing me so abundantly! I’m to the point where I’m absolutely overwhelmed by Him. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. How true those words really are. The country of Costa Rica itself is breathtaking. The Lord knows how much I enjoy a place with green vegetation. I sure got that! I’ve been here two weeks today, and I’ve enjoyed every moment thus far.

This was one of the many beautiful views I saw driving to my new home.

For those of you back home who don’t know the team/staff at the Bible College here I will gladly introduce you to them. Here is a picture...          

(from left) Ryan Slabach, director of Bible College, Gerry Carrillo, and Gabriel Gonzalez

Sosimo is not pictured. He is currently staff, but leaves next week. He is going to be the director of the Bible College in Jerusalem.

My first week here was pretty chill. I did not have any problems at the airport. Praise Jesus! Ryan and Sosimo rented a car and picked me up from the airport in San Jose. We stopped to eat then started our 3 1/2 hour journey to my new home in San Isidro de General (Perez Zeledon).  After my arrival I met the students, whom I came to love, and got a feel of the town. (My form of transportation is my God-given legs, and the bus. Maybe the occasional taxi.) The rest of the week was simply me adjusting to my new life in Costa and the humidity.

Last Thursday we had the first graduation for the Bible College here in Costa Rica. It went so well! Two of the students (the only guys) graduated. So it was a sweet intimate celebration. We went down to a beach town called Dominical. A Pastor, Mike Chavez, that we work with has a church and a burger place out there. We got to use his place for the graduation ceremony. Even though I was only with the students for a week and a half, it felt as if I’d been with them for months. It always hard to say goodbye, but it tends to come far to often.

The guys who graduated leading us in worship.

Dave Shirley(The directer of the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta), Mark Schwartz (the directer of finances at the college), Hollie, Carrie, and Jessica (Girls who work at the College and Conference center) came down from the Bible College to visit and see what the Lord is doing out here. They came about a week ago and are staying for another week. It’s been pretty busy with them here. Fun, but busy. We all went to Manuel Antonio which is a very hot spot for the tourist. This place was so beautiful! There is a national park there with such beautiful beaches. Our hotel, Costa Verde, was so wonderful!  The view was tremendous! One morning all the monkeys came out and we could just sit out on the porch and watch them swing on the trees. It was so great! We were there for two nights. As much fun as we had there, it was so good to come back home in San Isidro (real Costa Rica). In Manuel Antonio european and american tourist were everywhere, and everything was catered to them. It was good to come back home and be with some real “ticos” (That’s what Costa Rican’s are called here) again.

All these pics were taken in Costa Verde.  We suffer in silence, right? :-)

I’ve met a few tica girls that I look forward to building relationships with. Gabby is one of them. She is a Christian and speaks a bit on english which is helpful in me learning spanish. The other is Shirley. She has very recently come to know the Lord as her Savior. She is the first person that the guys got to know when they came here in December. They went to a coffee shop that she worked at. They had the privilege of leading her to Christ about 6 weeks ago. Praise the LORD! I’m so excited at what the Lord is doing in her life. She is constantly in my prayers. I look forward to the day that I can clearly communicate God to her.

Durning the semester we had sunday night chapel for the students. However, there were a few locals that would come. Now that the semester is over we went ahead to continue the sunday nights for the staff and in hopes the locals would still come. Last Sunday was the first and there was a great turn out! Praise Jesus! It’s really just a time of worship (english and spanish) with a message translated into spanish. It’s a wonderful opportunity to fellowship in our home (at the guys house).

My house at the present.

Living situation. I’m currently living in a house where the girl students stayed. The girls who are visiting now are staying with me. However, the Lord has provided a better place for staff housing right down the street from the boys house. Today Ryan talked to the owner of the apartments down the street and I’ll be moving in July 9th. This is a small complex with 4 apartments. Two families live there. It’s going to be a lot safer place for me to stay by myself before the next group of students come. I can’t wait to get settled in there!

The street I live on.

Yesterday the Dave, Mark, and Ryan met up with the pastor of the local Methodist church. They asked if we could hold free classes (in spanish) for anyone who desires to come and hear the Word being taught. The pastor was completely for it and is giving us two nights a week for that! I cannot even tell you how excited we are about this! The ultimate goal is that the Lord would raise tico’s who will step up as spiritual leaders. These classes should help.

Personally. Since I’ve come here the Lord has asked of me that I rise early and spend the mornings with Him in His Word. I’ve been waking up at 4am every morning only by His grace! It’s been SO GOOD! He has been speaking to me in so many ways of so many things. However, the thing that He has been impressing on my heart and mind is this. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” -Galatians 2:20 It’s a verse that we all know and love, yet the Lord has been showing it to me in a whole new light. His Word is living, right? Sure is! When I gave my life to Jesus my life was over. Now the life that I live is Jesus living through me. At least that’s how it’s supposed to go. I should not be living my life in such a way that I’m seeking to bring myself pleasure or comfort. Those are things Jesus didn’t always have nor did He seek to have them. Suffering was in the life He lived. I’m two weeks into my indefinite (at least till Christmas) stay in Costa Rica and I’m loving it. However, God asked me, “After your commitment of 3 months, what reason other then Me would cause you to go back home?” I thought about it. My answer would be, “Well, the humidity, the bugs, and possibly the fact that I may still not have thing spanish thing down.” Wow... that’s my answer? All of my reasons were about personal comfort. I know now that I cannot leave until He tells me too no matter how hard things are or how I feel. It’s not my life. It’s Christ living in me and through me.

Prayer request.

Pray for all the things the staff needs to do as we prepare for next semester. We are going bilingual and will be needing a translator, and to set up programs for the locals.

Pray for Shirley as she has joined us in Christ. Pray that her roots be planted deep.

Pray for my spanish. May the Lord give me grace.

Pray for the student who will be coming next semester. That their hearts will be prepared for the things the Lord has for them.

Pray that the Lord would raise tico’s as leaders.

Pray that I would continue to grow in Him. May I never forget why I’m ministering and Who I minister to. It really is all about Christ.

I covet your prayers.

p.s. Here are some random pictures.

A huge iguana

Chillin in the waterfall with the students.

A great view

Dave and Sosimo

Costa Rica?

     It's been nearly a year since I've graduated from the Bible College.  These months have consisted of many hills and valleys. Spirit and flesh. Contentment and discontentment. The battle of submission is such a continual thing that I fear I will always have to deal with. However when I allow the Spirit to lead my life I know nothing greater. I'm a fool for ever resisting Him. A life lead by the Spirit is one like none other. I can't even tell you about the things He's done for me, the places He's taken me, and praise Him for the things to come! God is so faithful!

     Costa Rica? It's been quite a period of time that the Lord has been changing my heart. Believe it or not I wasn't born with a desire to go there. In fact, I remember telling God once, "Lord where do you want me to go? Send me anywhere.... except South America." Oh fooling man(girl) than I am! Who was I to give Him limitations?!!! Seriously, such an idiot! Well, God, not being limited by man and being as humorous as He is, knew that was exactly where He was going to send me. (Side note: I know that Costa Rica is central America, but when I mentioned South America to God I meant anywhere South of me.) So how did He tell you He was sending you there? Well, first you should know that I was aware that the Bible College was going to send out a small team to Costa Rica to start a Bible college and come along side a church plant there. The team was going out in December. It must have been September/October when I started to hear God speak. It felt more like He was tugging at me. Sadly, He had been tugging for a couple of weeks before I had asked him why. I asked, "What are you trying to say?" He responded by placing Costa Rica in my mind and heart. My first response was to shrug it off. But He continued. It became intense where it was constantly on my mind whether I be awake or asleep. I couldn't shake it any longer. I had to stop and seek Him on this matter. Part of me wasn't sure if He was asking me to go or just to keep the team in prayer. I did take advantage of the opportunity to pray for the team and the hearts of the people who lived there. At that point I had no straight answer. The Lord testing my trust. "Are you willing to follow Me anywhere?" As I prayed and sought the Lord I found that my heart was growing for this place and for a people I did not know. I was actually starting to care?! This feeling grew, grew and still grows. I found so much confirmation in His Word that He was leading this way. It was obvious to me that the Lord was doing something extraordinary! So by December the Lord asked me to take action. He told me (in the same manner He always speaks to me) to write an e-mail and make myself available. I was super nervous about this e-mail. The e-mail was sent to Ryan(the main guy on the team) letting him know what the Lord was doing in my heart and that I was available for any need. As soon as I sent the e-mail I felt a perfect peace! A peace like that is only found in obedience to God. I really didn't know what the response was going to be. Half of me thought he would say "Thanks, but there's not a need for you at the moment."  At this point I didn't even care. I was obedient and that was all that mattered! I knew that the Lord's answer was in the incoming e-mail. After a course of e-mails, I bet you all could have guess the answer was indeed "Yes, Costa Rica!" The Lord has not ceased to confirm this to me. Praise Him! 

     It's official. Now I will be Costa Rica bound on June 7, 2011! I'll be there for at least 3 months. We shall see how the Lord leads after that. Whatever it is I have no doubt it's to my gain. I'll be joining the CCBC team of 5. We will be working with the church plant, building relationships, and sharing the love of Christ. I'm overwhelmed with the change of my heart. Praise the hand of the Mighty Surgeon! Excitement fills my days here as I prepare to go! 

Please pray for....

-Grace, patience, and understanding as I continue to learn spanish via Rosetta Stone.

-Continual financial provision.

-A constant growth of love for the people of Costa Rica

-For the existing CCBC Team and the work the Lord is doing out there. 

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." -Isaiah 6:8


"But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." -Joshua 22:5