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
