One thing I have desired...: 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.