Great things He hath done...

The Lord has been ever faithful with His work in Costa Rica and in me. With the beginning of the “wet season” many things besides just the weather have begun to change.   However, through each change my God has never changed. He is continually dedicated to His work! I can always depend on Him! 

CCBC Costa Rica Staff, Interns & Students '12

Another semester of Bible College is taking place. This is the 4^th semester running in Costa Rica. We have been absolutely blessed by this new group of students! There are 5 students who have come from the States: Jena, Wendla, Shaviane, Morgan, and Brent. It has been a huge blessing to see each of their hearts to serve and be part of the work that the Lord is doing here. Whether they speak Spanish or not they have displayed great effort in building relationships with the locals here. This is such an answer to prayer! 

Bilingual Class 

On the spanish side of things we have one bilingual class, studying the book of Daniel. A fellow missionary, Darwin, is teaching this class. In the past, the bilingual class has always been taught in English and translated into Spanish. However, Darwin is from Peru and has a very small English vocabulary. Hence, the class is taught in Spanish. This is so great for the locals who attend the class! Since the class is being taught directly in their language they can grasp the exact words that the teacher is trying to relay. We have six Tico’s (Costa  Ricans)  in  the  class:  Silvia, Shirley, Gabriela, Steven, Marvin, and  Mario. Steven has been bringing family and friends to sit in on the class because he is enjoying it so much. It’s been really cool to see his excitement in learning how to study the Bible in depth. We really look forward to seeing the Lord complete the work He has begun here!

The Lord opened the doors for us to get involved with a local orphanage! It’s so local, it’s in our own neighborhood! We get to walk to it. This orphanage is all boys of various ages. So far we don’t have exact details of what we will be doing there, but we are looking forward to going and building genuine friendships will the boys there! Pray for the Lord to give us vision and direction as to what we do there.

Sunday Night Bible Study

Because of the wet season, the Sunday Bible study is normally smaller and more intimate. Rain often becomes the excuse for not coming to a study. An average of 10 to 15 people attend. However, the other week many people came! There were only two empty seats in the living room. This may soon become a problem, but it’s a good one to have! Hopefully we will be buying more chairs in the next couple of weeks. Recently, we finished going through a 5-week study on the Holy Spirit. In a Latin culture such as this, the Holy Spirit is often an outward or emotional experience. It’s our hope that by going through an in depth study of who He is, why He is given, and how we can walk in Him will turn their hearts to be led by Him. Now that the study on the Holy Spirit has ended we’ve started the II Samuel continuing with our study on the life of David.  We’ve just made a sign of the study for the front of the house! Often during the study as people pass by they slow down and peer in. However, without an invitation they do not feel free to walk in. The sign is simply saying that every Sunday at 5pm we have a Bible study and everyone is welcome to join us. Pray that the Lord blesses it! 

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet...

Each semester the students are assigned, with our help, to plan and pull off an outreach. It’s their main assignment for evangelism class. This semester the students decided to have a pedicure/kids club outreach. Seeing how the ratio of women to men is 7 to 3 in this region, painted nails are the trend, and there are plenty of kids per household. This was an excellent choice. The theme is “New Feet”. Our desireis to serve the ladies in the community, give them the gospel message, and invite them to use their feet to walk with the Lord. Also during this time, we will be playing games, making crafts, and giving the Gospel to the kids through a puppet show. This outreach will be on October 27th. Please pray for us as we continue to organize this event.

I was planning on sharing some verses that the Lord had put on my heart. However, the blog became way too long for an update! So I'm planning on writing a second blog, a personal blog, soon. Hopefully by next week I will have it posted. Thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayers, and financial support. Your prayers mean so much to me!  I ask that you would continue to lift up this work in prayer! The Lord is doing wonderful things and by your prayers you are part of it! I pray the Lord blesses you just as He has poured out His blessings upon me! 

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" -Ephesians 6:18

Too much time gone by....

Wow! Finally a new update! I know it's been far too long. Please forgive me!  Although I've not been very faithful in writing you, the Lord has remained faithful (Oh course!) with the work of His hands in Costa Rica! With two months gone by I will try my best to briefly fill you in.

The Woman's Retreat

Early in May we were blessed with the opportunity to have out first Woman's Retreat. Seven ladies attended. We rented a cabin in the mountains for two nights. There we spent much of our time going through a few chapters from the book, "Pleasing God" by Kay Smith. Everyone was very interactive as we read chapters, discussed each chapter, and encouraged one another. The tica's (Costa Rican's) really opened up their hearts, sharing their concerns and desires. Through the entire weekend we enjoyed great studies, fellowship, food and laughter. The Lord truly did a work there, speaking to each heart. As a result the Woman's Bible Study through Galatians has been growing!

Sunday Night Bible Study

The Lord is continuing to bless the Sunday night Bible study abundantly. This study is held in the living room of our house. Around 30 people, plus children, attend. Each Sunday before we open up with worship, we give the opportunity for anyone to share a prayer request or praise report. This has shown to be a huge blessing in our fellowship with one another as windows are opened up into each life. For months an older man, Mr. Ramiro, has requested that we pray for his wife, Marta, who has cancer. For months we prayed together for her physical condition. In the middle of June she had to travel to the capital for another doctor’s appointment. Ryan went to pray with her before the appointment. They returned from San Jose with wonderful news! The doctor, who had once seen the cancer in her body, could no longer find the tumor. In fact, he could not find one single trace of cancer! This is truly a miracle! She attended the first Bible study with us a few weeks ago (she was previously too ill to come) and gave her testimony of what the Lord had done! It is absolutely incredible not only that a miracle was before us, but also that each person at the study took part in that miracle in prayer. They not only heard the testimony, but were part of it.

In early June, the Spring 2012 semester came to an end. Now our days are filled with preparations for the coming semester in August. This will be our largest semester yet, with around 10 students joining us from the States and our local Costa Rican students. Our prayer in the past for more help on staff has been answered! The Lord has brought a Colombian lady, Paula, from NJ to join our staff. She just arrived last week. She will be our dean of women. Paula will be coming along side me in discipling the local women in our area. She will also be running the children's ministry during our Sunday studies. Not only are we blessed with Paula's arrival, but we will also have our first 3 inters to help us out on staff.

On the Spanish side of things we are currently working on developing a two year program. In this program they will be learning how to study the Bible, apologetics, theology,etc. Most Costa Ricans work 6 days out of the week and can only attend one class each week. This means that it would take 6 years for them to graduate through Calvary Chapel Bible College! This is the reason for our desire to set up a program for them. Along with this, we will offer a weekly class going through a book of the Bible in depth. Please keep us in prayer as we work to organize and develop this program.

I was blessed with the opportunity to visit the states for three weeks! I was very blessed to have met up with some of you and tell you about the work that the Lord is doing out here. It has been encouraging to hear that you are praying and excited about it! My visit to the States was so refreshing! The majority of my stay was in California with my family, but I flew to Philadelphia for a few days to visit some friends. I had a wonderful time with both my family and friends. However, I'm honestly so content to be back home in Costa Rica. I'm excited to jump back into the ministry and everyday life. Thanks for bearing with my absence from this blog! I need to write you far more often. Thank you once again for all your support! I pray the Lord blesses your lives as richly as He has blessed mine!

In Christ Jesus, 

Vanessa Sanchez

‎"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." ....."For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you."
-John 13:3-5, 15

The Servant of all.

Baptism & Outreach

In each of our weekly studies the subject of baptism had come up. Having many new believers from the last few months the Lord placed it on the hearts of leadership to share the importance of baptism in the life of the believer. In the middle of last month we canceled our Sunday study and invited everyone from our three studies and bilingual class at the Bible college to join us for a day of fellowship/baptism at the river. About 20 of us went to the river with lots of food, a guitar, and our Bibles. We spent the whole day at the river swimming & laughing. We set aside time for a study and baptism. Eight people were baptized! Three of the four who accepted the gift of salvation at the beginning of this year were baptized. I was especially blessed because I had the opportunity to be in the water with each person because I was filming the whole thing. In the water I heard each prayer of the Ticos (Costa Ricans) as they lifted their voice in gratitude for the Lord in their lives, and each prayer from the pastors and they prayed over the life of those who were baptized. It was truly a beautiful thing to see these lives which have been changed by the Lord make a statement of their life with Christ.

I wish I could share all 8 videos with you, but it takes way too much time to upload. However, I'm so pleased to share this one with you. This is Mariel. She is the daughter of Silvia, one of our Tica (Costa Rican) students, and Gerry, a fellow missionary. Mariel is only 6 years old, but her heart is so sensitive to the Spirit and she loves Jesus so much! Pray for her as she grows. May her maturity not be merely physical, but more importantly may it be spiritual. 

All those who were baptized

One of the classes offered this semester at the Bible College was Evangelism. This class was taught by a fellow missionary Darwin Torres, who is from Peru. In this class each of the students from the states were to plan and complete an entire outreach. With much prayer they chose to do a soccer outreach at the end of last month. Soccer is huge here, so it was very fitting. Within the outreach budget the students bought custom made t-shirts and jerseys, a first prize trophy, food, and rented a stadium for a whole day. Towards the beginning of the outreach the gospel message was given and seven people gave their lives to the Lord! Half of them were simply people sitting in the stands watching the games just as they would have any other day. The outreach was such a success! Praise be to God! There were souls won, plenty of food, and no injuries. Each person who came to salvation gave contact information, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the Lord does in each life.

The students with the winning team of the tournament/outreach.

Once again, I cannot thank you enough for all you support, whether it be financial or in prayer. I’m so grateful that you are joining me in the work that the Lord is accomplishing in Costa Rica! Your prayers are so valuable to me! Looking back I remember when I first came to this country. I was only going to be here for “3 months.” Obviously the Lord had different plans! It’s been 11 months since I moved here. I can honestly say that I don’t think it would have been possible without your prayers and support. Thank You! I’ve been so blessed by You.  In June, my grandparents are blessing me with the opportunity to go to the states, two weeks in California and a few days in Philadelphia. I look forward to visiting you and sharing personal testimony of the Lord’s work here! May the Lord richly bless you!

In Christ Jesus,

Vanessa

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry sould with goodness.” –Psalm 107:8-9

"Follow Me"

It seems the theme of this past month can been summed up in the question, "Are you willing to lose anything/everything to follow Christ?" That is a heavy question. Is it not? It's one thing to say it and completely another to do it. What are you willing to lose for Christ sake? Or perhaps the appropriate question is, what are not willing to lose for Christ sake? Would you lose your job, family, friends, health, fortune, reputation, and dreams if it meant following Christ? What value does Christ have in your life? These are all challenging questions I know.  When pondering these things in my heart I'm reminded of these Scriptures...


"Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go."  And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."  Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."  But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."' -Luke 9:57-62


I do not claim to be wholly surrendered unto the Lord, although that is my hearts desire. I look back and remember telling God, "Lord, here I am. Send me! I'll go anywhere EXCEPT Central/South America." In other words, "Lord I'll follow you anywhere except..." HAHA! Who was I to put a limitation on God? Obviously my God does not work with limitations because we know I now live in Costa Rica (which I love). However I wasn't willing to do something in following God. Therefore the Lord needed to rid me of the stubbornness in my heart. What are you not willing to do, where are you not willing to go, what are you not willing to give, or what are you not willing to take in following Christ? For Jesus limitations did not exist. He simply said, "Follow me." Either you follow Him with your whole life or you don't follow Him at all. Remember a servant cannot have two masters. Give Him your entire life with all the things you've been clinging in your hands. Give them all to Jesus and follow Him. That's what I want to do!


This month I’ve been blessed to spend time with the young ladies in the area. In talking to them I see the daily struggle that is here, as in the States also. There are many who know of God and who love Him; however, very few understand the necessity of a personal relationship with Him. With Catholicism being the primary religion, there are a lot of people who attend church, but very few who ever open the Bible. Those who do have a relationship with the Lord battle between a life with Christ and the world which is ever pulling on their sleeve.  My heart was overwhelmed to hear that one girl in particular has taken a stand for Christ. She has been a Christian for some time now, but was living in a backslidden state. In January she decided in her heart that she needed to get right with God. She started coming to our studies, spending time in fellowship with us rather than with her old friends, and she enrolled in our bilingual Acts class. In the past two weeks of class the Lord has been speaking about leaving all and following Him. What are you willing to lose for His sake? Everything? Along with everyone, she was challenged by these words.  She had always been embarrassed to share about Jesus. Always afraid of what people might think. This week she decided to take the stand. She told two of her friends, “I’m leaving everything, to live for Jesus. I want all my heart and all my mind for Jesus.” This was her very first time sharing her faith! It’s because of things like this that the Lord has called me here. Our vision is not that we can stay and teach ticos, but that we can teach them how to study the Bible for themselves. We want to see them grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus so that they can share it with others and eventually teach others these things. The Lord is beginning to do this through this 22 year old girl.


A huge THANK YOU! I've been so blessed by you! Your prayers and financial support are very appreciated. Although financial support is something that I need each month, I covet your prayers so much more. My eyes have seen your prayers at work! Please continue to keep the other missionaries and I in your prayers. Pray for many hearts to turn to Jesus and grow deep in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Once again I'm so thankful for your support! Feel free to write me at liv2shine4him@msn.com


In Christ Jesus,
Vanessa Sanchez

"Blessed be the LORD God.....Who only does wondrous things!"

"Who only does wondrous things!" -Psalm 72:18  Yes, it's true. All His works are wonderful! I'm so blessed to serve in Costa Rica and see first hand the wondrous things He is doing here! I'm so thankful that He wants to use me, and has invited me to be part of this work. A life in Christ is indeed the only life of true profit. It's the only life for me. Really, a life is either for Christ or nothing. I'll take Christ, and I'll let His life live through me. 

The students from the States arrived this month! We have three guys from California. Craig Bailey (38), Jess Etchemendy (20), and Andrew Garcia (20). The classes have started. We are looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do in each heart as they set apart these 4 1⁄2 months to study the Bible in depth. They all have a heart for evangelism/ missions, so we are excited to see how the Lord will use that in our community. This semester we are offering Acts as a bilingual class. We have around 13 Tico (Costa Rican) students and one Peruvian student. Ryan Slabach, the Pastor/Director of the teaching site, is teaching this class. He is particularly excited for this class because the book of Acts covers the person and work of the Holy Spirit, the gift of tongues, and many important doctrines. Each of these things can be very controversial in a Latin American culture like Costa Rica. However, Ryan is looking forward to simply teaching the scriptures. Nothing more, nothing less. He simply wants to answer the question “What does God have to say about this?” This is such an exciting event! At the first class last week one student, Gabby, said to me, “I’m so happy! My whole life I believed in a false doctrine about the Holy Spirit. I thought He was a force, like electricity. This made me feel uncomfortable. Now I know this is wrong. He is a person! Now I know. I’m so happy!”

Jess, Andrew, & Craig

Monday Night Acts Class (Bilingual) 

The Lord has blessed me tremendously these last few weeks with so many opportunities to reach out to the community. Specifically to the young ladies in my neighborhood. Two girls, Gabby and Shirley, have been coming to my apartment and spending the night. We've had some really late night talks about the Lord. The other night I shared my testimony with them (in spanish)! The Lord is really blessing my relationship with them. There is another young girl, Juli, who I've been talking to and we are going to try and get together at least once a week. The Lord has provided me a place to minister and show hospitality to those around me. I want to use it for His glory!

Three weeks ago at our Bible Study four people came into the family of Christ! Three young boys, Jason(17), Dilson(13), Carlos(17) and one lady, Melanie. That night Ryan taught through 1 Samuel 3, when God first spoke to Samuel. The Lord really put it on Ryan's heart to share the gospel message boldly because He wanted to save the youth that night. The Spirit filled the room that night. He moved in those four hearts and each one chose to live for Christ! You can only imagine our excitement! My heart was absolutely overwhelmed with joy! It's a beautiful thing to see the Lord work, but there is much more beauty in having the privilege to be a part of it. The study continues to be a blessing each week and is growing. Because these four came to know the Lord, we’ve started a new believers study at Gerry’s, a fellow missionary’s, house. In this study we are going through the basic foundations of the Christian faith. Praise the Lord for the work that He is doing!

I’m truly thankful for all your support whether it be financially or in prayer. I’m so blessed to know that my family in Christ is praying for me. Know that your prayers are coveted. They are not in vain, for through them the Lord is doing the work. It seems that in these last couple of months the Lord has been doing so much! He’s been stirring hearts, bringing people into His family, and setting more ministries into our hands. Really, we are all just along for the ride. He alone is doing the work. May the Lord bless you greatly because you are supporting His work. If you have any questions, encouragements, comments, or prayer request feel free to email me. I’d love to hear from you!

In Christ Jesus, 

Vanessa Sanchez

Please pray for....

-The new believers: Melanie, Jason, Dilson, & Carlos. 

-For the ministry the Lord has given to me with the girls. 

-Pray for all the studies and teachers. 

  Wednesday (Curtis Schockey)

  Saturday (New Believer's Study)

  Sunday Night (Ryan Slabach)

-Pray for the College, students and teachers.

  (teachers) Ryan Slabach, Curtis Schockey, Darwin Torres(Gerry Carrillo-translator),  and

  Mike Chaves.

Oh, to be like Jesus!

      This has been quite the year! Yes, I understand that we are only 10 days into February, but it's been such a busy month and a half. I was in the states for the holidays which allowed me to attend the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference in January. I was so blessed! It was a time to just sit and listen to testimonies of others who serve on the mission field. The Lord knew I needed the encouragement! 
     
      On January 9th I came home. This is home. Costa Rica, a place that I would never have chosen, a people that I never thought to love, a climate with creatures I would have never wanted to dwell with. However, this is home. The Lord has turned my heart towards these people and is daily continuing to give me His heart for them. I'm so content to be here, Costa Rica, the land where Christ has called me for this time. 
    
      Shortly after my arrival here we had visitors from the states and a wedding to plan. Gerry Carrillo, a fellow missionary, was married to Silvia, on January 28th. The wedding was beautiful! I was blessed to be apart of it! 

Gerry's new family.

      With the end of the wedding and the visits from the States came the end of any sort of vacation that we had. Since then, days have been full of preparations for the students. A lot of office work. However, manual work hasn't been lacking. There are exactly 10 more days till the students arrive. They come on the 20th of February. This will be the 3rd semester for CCBC Teaching Site in Costa Rica! I'm looking forward to seeing the Lord work in staff, students, and in the surrounding community. His hand is mighty and never is it idle!

      Personally, I've been so captivated by the life of Christ. I started reading Matthew with the beginning of this year. Of course, you can't help but take note of Christ when reading this book. However, I feel like a child who is watching every move that her parents are making because she wants to be just like them. I want to be "just like Him." My heart yearns after Him. He is full of compassion. His heart is abounding in love and forgiveness. He lived a life servitude and of self sacrifice. He is all about the Fathers will. He endured through suffering. He is full of humility. Christ is a Man of prayer. He was lead by the Spirit, and in everything glorified the Father. Most days it feels that I'll never come close enough to "just like Him", but then He reminds me of the Spirit, whom He has given me for this very reason. Christ is my example. "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." -John 13:15. I really don't want to disappoint Him in this.

Prayer Request

-Pray that hearts will be turned towards the Lord.

-Pray for those who are young in the faith, that they might grow strong in Christ.

-Pray for physical strength and health for all the missionaries out here.

-Pray for the new Bible College students who will arrive on Feb. 20th.

-Pray for Calvary Chapel San Isidro.

-Pray for the pastors and teachers as they prepare to teach the scriptures.

-Pray for the leadership. Pray that we will be filled with wisdom and decrement. 

-Pray that I would continue to improve in Spanish.