Palabra Viva Mission's Trip

Well, time has just run off and left me behind! Another month has past and the Lord has not lacked in His faithfulness. It is truly GOOD to serve the Lord! I'm so grateful that He has placed me in this little town of Perez Zeledón, Costa Rica with so many wonderful people. It's such a blessing to serve alongside this group of missionaries as well as with Calvary Chapel Palabra Viva. I'm aware that in missions you are not always placed in agreeable surroundings so I'm just don't want to take this for granted.

Missions Trip to the Guaymi (Ngobe)

The Guaymi, or the Ngobe, are a indigenous tribe in Southern Costa Rica and Northern Panama. They are a very reserved people who live quietly tucked away in the mountains. They are only a few hours from the nearest town, yet their lives are far from the way of life you find in town. In these communities alcoholism, witchcraft, false religion, abuse, insets, and hunger are common. It's normal for couples to begin their families very young. Many begin at the age of 14 years. Many Ngobe have lived this life, yet there is so much hope for them because of the blood of Christ. That is the message that we wanted to share.

In one of my last updates I wrote about Darwin, a fellow missionary, who was leading an Inductive Bible Study course with some of the Ngobe Pastors and leaders. Pastors would walk for hours to meet and study the Bible during this course. This month they all completed the course and with great joy they received their certificates of completion!

Our church in San Isidro, CC Palabra Viva, had been supporting the Inductive Bible Study course with the Ngobe through prayer, finances, and a couple actually going to see the work. We had been receiving updates with the anticipation of a church missions trip to their community. After some planning it was decided that we would start planning the trip to one of the Pastors, José, who lives deeper in the mountains.
     The vision in having a church missions trip was to lead the church in God's heart for the lost and to lead the lost to God's heart. In Palabra Viva, for many of the congregation we are the only missionaries(Christian) they know. The last thing we want is for them to think that only foreigners can/should be involved with missions. The great commission was given to all disciples of Christ no matter where they are from. It was our hope that through this trip their hearts would be stirred for the lost not only in the far places in the world but also in there home country. So with that heart the organization of the trip begin. The Lord was in it and He saw that everything came together. The church supported financially, they bought supplies, donated clothes, and covered us in prayer. As time grew nearer we had meetings in which those who went on the trip would discuss ideas and receive assignments for preparation and our time out there. It truly is a blessing to see the body of Christ work together.
     The trip itself was such a blessing! I know we as a church were blessed as well as the Ngobe people! We ventured out with 8 locals from our church, church leadership, and 1 random bus diver(pray for his salvation). We left early on a Monday morning and arrived to the indigenous community around 10am. Of course, there were a few unforeseen hangups but as soon as those were sorted out we begin the preparations of a full day of ministry. On Monday and Tuesday we held two Kid's Outreach (both different from each other) with puppets, songs, games, crafts, and the gospel. By God's grace we were able to feed all the children and the adults both nights. The first night we watched the Jesus Film for kids and the second night for adults. On Tuesday morning two groups (lead by Ngobe Pastors) went out evangelizing house to house. I was privileged to go out with one of those groups. I can personally say it was so good! We went to some homes knowing they were not saved. We entered other homes knowing they were a fellow brothers in Christ and gave them a word of encouragement. As far as we know 3 people accepted the gift of Salvation! Glory to God! On Wednesday, the last day, we took all of the donations of clothes and gave them out according to the needs. All in all the trip was so good! Through each aspect of ministry the group worked really diligently in serving the Ngobe people and love of Christ was poured out. Some received the Lord others rejected Him. It is our prayer that the Lord continues to sir in their hearts and minds thru the events of that week. Also it's our hope that they get plugged in with Pastor José and the little church of believers out there.
     
     Thank you all for your prayers! This past month has been so touching! I'm so blessed to serve the Lord here and I'm so thankful that you have partnered with me through prayer and support. Please continue to pray for me! I treasure your prayers so much! Enjoy the photos(Click on the photos to enlarge them)! May the Lord bless you abundantly!      

This is Emily who accepted the Lord!