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.
