Today was the second week of discipleship in Jazmin. We had a wonderful day today! It is so much fun to spend the entire day with our Tejarcillos team and to be able to be used by God to help another study His Wrod. I just LOVE Tuesdays! We leave about 8 am and spend the entire day there. It is wonderful. We are all tired afterwords but it is great! And the kids love being there. We are really gaining trust it seems with the families and parents. In my morning group, all came with verses memorized and lessons done! That is such a great start! Thank you for praying and please keep it up! In my Saturday group last week I had three girls. This week I had four and they all (but one) came to church Sunday! Praise God!
I'll be away for a few days...we are heading to Nicaragua to renew our tourist Visas and will not be back until Sunday. I am not sure if I'll have computer access. Please pray for our safety on this trip- it is always a little nerve-wracking riding in a bus here (if you've been here you understand why...) and we have an 8 hour trip ahead of us. Also, please pray for little details like finding the taxi driver we found the last time we went (I lost his phone number somehow...) and even down to the movies they play on the bus..last time they were horrible!
Thank you for supporting us in prayer!
PS: I ordered a camera and had it shipped and Mark will be bringing it back from us soon! YEAH!!! Still no pictures until then...
Meg leaves for the states Wednesday. She will be there for about a month so she can visit her new GRANDBABY!!! Her daughter and son-in-law just had their first baby, Noah and Meg, Mark and Melinda will be there throughout February to visit! :)Please pray for their time together to be sweet as they welcome this new addition to their family! :) Pray for their safety in travel as well.
Coco will be leaving the beginning of February to visit his family in Venezuela. He will be through March. Coco brings so much to the ministry and his absence will be felt while he is gone. But please pray for his time with his family. He has been here a year without seeing them. Please pray that he is able to enjoy and fellowship with them and for safety during travel as well.
Just a glimpse into our lives following JESUS as He leads us to serve Him in the nations. Thanks for stopping by!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
New discipleship groups
Yesterday we began the new discipleship groups in Jazmin. We started off for the day at about 8:30 and spent the entire day in Tejarcillos, two different times of discipleship and visiting in between. There were over 35 believers who began discipleship yesterday, including many young children who spent their time memorizing scripture.
I ask you to pray for this area, called Jazmin. We do not know what God has planned for us, but we (Matt and I) feel a special connection already to the many peopl who, amazingly, we met only a week ago. Somehow, it feels as if we've known them forever already. We also feel a sense of peace every time we are there. While the nature of areas like this brings a sense of danger, Jazmin seems to be much more peaceful. the kids do not seem to have that hard, rough edge that those in others parts have. The young girls in my group have quickly taken to our girls and our girls to them, which we love to see. :) Please pray God would direct Matt and I and allow us the privelege of ministering here at length with the purpose of developing long-term fruit for His Kingdom.
There were 20 new children and youth that began discipleship from The Pines on Saturday as well as Monday. Please pray for these youth. They live hard lives in a spiritually dark place. The area of the Pines is physically dark as well. You walk in and can get glipmses of sunshine, however, you can physiacally see (and feel) the darkness. The homes are dark inside as well. Please pray for the many youth and families from this area that we have in our church. Please pray for the violence that surrounds them day and night. Please pray for God to give them strength, courage and the ability to not become discouraged. Please give them boldness to share the gospel to their neighbors, to their families and to those who are separated from Christ and lost in their sins. Please pray specifically for special couple named Byron and Joanna. they have two samll children. Their sole source of income is selling DVD's (pirated copies that sell for about $2.00 each) door-to-door. Just last week, Byron was coming back home from work around 8:30 in the evening. He had travelled some distance from here to sell in a different area and had been gone three days. He was walking past what we have considered our "safe zone" near the school when three men and one women jumped him, assaulted him with a gun, and stole his backpack, which had all the DVD's he had not yet sold, plus the money he had earned the past three days, which was about $80.00. (When someone sells DVD's like this, they buy them first then resell them for a small profit on each one). this was obviously a devasting event for this family. Please pray for them to be encouraged in the Word of the Lord. They have been faithful in their discipeship with Rogelio and Neris, but had not joined us in Sunday morning worship until recently. Joanna spent the last week helping us in VBS. Every day she came with her two small kids, even though Byron had been away working. She was in charge of coffee and really took the job seriously. She helped in whatever way she could and it was such an encouragement to me to see her be so willing to help.
thank you for praying for the people that have grown to be family for us.
Please pray also for the last two days of VBS in La Carpio. Praise God for His grace and for new believers.
I ask you to pray for this area, called Jazmin. We do not know what God has planned for us, but we (Matt and I) feel a special connection already to the many peopl who, amazingly, we met only a week ago. Somehow, it feels as if we've known them forever already. We also feel a sense of peace every time we are there. While the nature of areas like this brings a sense of danger, Jazmin seems to be much more peaceful. the kids do not seem to have that hard, rough edge that those in others parts have. The young girls in my group have quickly taken to our girls and our girls to them, which we love to see. :) Please pray God would direct Matt and I and allow us the privelege of ministering here at length with the purpose of developing long-term fruit for His Kingdom.
There were 20 new children and youth that began discipleship from The Pines on Saturday as well as Monday. Please pray for these youth. They live hard lives in a spiritually dark place. The area of the Pines is physically dark as well. You walk in and can get glipmses of sunshine, however, you can physiacally see (and feel) the darkness. The homes are dark inside as well. Please pray for the many youth and families from this area that we have in our church. Please pray for the violence that surrounds them day and night. Please pray for God to give them strength, courage and the ability to not become discouraged. Please give them boldness to share the gospel to their neighbors, to their families and to those who are separated from Christ and lost in their sins. Please pray specifically for special couple named Byron and Joanna. they have two samll children. Their sole source of income is selling DVD's (pirated copies that sell for about $2.00 each) door-to-door. Just last week, Byron was coming back home from work around 8:30 in the evening. He had travelled some distance from here to sell in a different area and had been gone three days. He was walking past what we have considered our "safe zone" near the school when three men and one women jumped him, assaulted him with a gun, and stole his backpack, which had all the DVD's he had not yet sold, plus the money he had earned the past three days, which was about $80.00. (When someone sells DVD's like this, they buy them first then resell them for a small profit on each one). this was obviously a devasting event for this family. Please pray for them to be encouraged in the Word of the Lord. They have been faithful in their discipeship with Rogelio and Neris, but had not joined us in Sunday morning worship until recently. Joanna spent the last week helping us in VBS. Every day she came with her two small kids, even though Byron had been away working. She was in charge of coffee and really took the job seriously. She helped in whatever way she could and it was such an encouragement to me to see her be so willing to help.
thank you for praying for the people that have grown to be family for us.
Please pray also for the last two days of VBS in La Carpio. Praise God for His grace and for new believers.
Monday, January 19, 2009
pictures...
Oh by the way...you won't be seeing any pictures for awhile...our camera has been having "problems" for quite some time and last weekend it finally stopped working...Soooo...Christmas pictures will be delayed once again and unfortunately I have no pictures from VBS...I have been researching cameras online and will be ordering one soon. Thankfully, our friends will be heading back to the states in a couple of weeks for a visit and are able to bring one back for us :)
I would love to hear suggesstions on any great digital cameras (on a missionary budget=cheap!!). I've been looking at both Nikon CoolPix models as well as Canon PowerShot 1100 model. We'd like one that has the capability to take decent videos, as this is something we'd like to begin using for the ministry. What do you think? Respond with a comment if you have suggesstions.
I would love to hear suggesstions on any great digital cameras (on a missionary budget=cheap!!). I've been looking at both Nikon CoolPix models as well as Canon PowerShot 1100 model. We'd like one that has the capability to take decent videos, as this is something we'd like to begin using for the ministry. What do you think? Respond with a comment if you have suggesstions.
Tejarcillos VBS update
Just a few moments before we begin the day of school...
Around 300 kids attended the VBS in Tejarcillos between the two days in The Pines and the three days in Jazmin. Yesterday at church there weer so many people some had to stand and some kids were sitting on the little stools we use in the Sunday school classes! Praise God for a wonderful week!
Please keep praying for the discipleship groups that begin today in the Pines and tomorrow in Jazmin. We picked up 21 people from Jazmin alone yesterday for church!
Today, the La Carpio VBS starts. The team from EWO arrived yesterday afternoon. It is such a joy to see familiar faces and catch up! PLease pray for the team, our team and for God's prescense in La Carpio this week.
Pray for long-lasting fruit from all three VBS.
Thank you for praying!
Around 300 kids attended the VBS in Tejarcillos between the two days in The Pines and the three days in Jazmin. Yesterday at church there weer so many people some had to stand and some kids were sitting on the little stools we use in the Sunday school classes! Praise God for a wonderful week!
Please keep praying for the discipleship groups that begin today in the Pines and tomorrow in Jazmin. We picked up 21 people from Jazmin alone yesterday for church!
Today, the La Carpio VBS starts. The team from EWO arrived yesterday afternoon. It is such a joy to see familiar faces and catch up! PLease pray for the team, our team and for God's prescense in La Carpio this week.
Pray for long-lasting fruit from all three VBS.
Thank you for praying!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
VBS Update
Yesterday was a beautiful day! We spent the morning in Jazmin. God was working from the very beginning of the day to take care of all the details right down the very house that lent us the electricity. Our leadership team shared the gospel with over 100 kids and there will be new discipleship groups starting next Tuesday. We have two houses that were offered to host the groups in- PRAISE GOD! Please pray by name for these young girls who I will be starting with Tuesdsay: Katerin, Daniela, Maria, Mariela, Jazmin and Fara. Also please pray for these moms Jessi and Estella who have offered their homes to use. Pray for our young leaders Ana, Lesvia, Roger and Ariel and a girl who we see leadership qualities in named Aurelia who has been helping with VBS in Los Guido and this week in Tejarcillos. Pray for a mom named Marina who we have seen serve in wonderful new ways this week. We thank God for all those from the chruch who God is using to minister to the people of Tejarcillos this week!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
VBS
This week we are in Tejarcillos with a week long VBS. We spent Monday and Tuesday in the Pines and 150 kids heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Praise God for the new fruit and for those that desire to start discipleship groups! Please pray for these girls by name as they desire to start with me on Saturday: Maria, Daniela, Fatima, Angie, Daniela, Massiel, Maria Jesus, Genesis, and Joseline.
Pray today for the area called Jazmin. We'll be there the rest of the week.
Thank you for praying!
Pray today for the area called Jazmin. We'll be there the rest of the week.
Thank you for praying!
Friday, January 9, 2009
6.2 Earthquake rocks Costa Rica
Well, thought I'd share the story of yesterday's crazy geological event with you all. Ethan, Isabelle and I were working hard yesterday afternoon at the school table and all of a sudden we felt the entire floor move as well as the house. When it didn't stop, I grabbed the kids and put them in the doorway of the school room and ran to get Audrey who was sleeping at the time. Poor thing, she didn't know what was going on, but the movement had not stopped during the entire time I was arranging and collecting my kids so I felt I needed to get her with us. We all stood in the doorway for what appeared to be minutes, but in actuality the whole thing lasted a little less than a minute. I was, to say the least, a little freaked out. We could physically feel the house shaking and see the tv and the computer moving as well as the florr beneath our feet!
I have felt at least 5 earthquakes since we've lived here, although I am sure there have been more that I just have not felt. This was by far the strongest earthly movement I have ever felt in my life! During the actual event, I was scared, I must admit. (I should probably mention here that the kids and I were alone as Matt had been helping with the VBS in Los Guido all week.) However, afterwards, we all sat around and began discussing what happened and what it felt like and how amazing God is to create a world that does the things it does. So, we began to research earthquakes on the internet for the next two hours or so and found some really cool stuff. We'll be making lapbooks over the next few days of school about earthquakes.
One of the coolest things about homeschool is that we have the freedom to change and rearrange as we like or need to our daily schedule. So instead of doing other scien and an experiement we lived one through a live earthquake! :) I must say, it was pretty cool, the afterthought about what it was like and what it felt like.
The only thought that still comes to mind is the fact that it truly is most safe to head outside when one hits. However, my mind races with the thoughts of the locks we have to get through just to get outside. However, I know that God is good and He was with us :) I trust Him for His divine protection.
There were many fatalities, unfortunately, including two young girls, due to the strength of this quake. The source was an near an area frequented by tourists and many are still trapped due the destruction of the major road leading into the area. Please pray for the families without homes, who lost loved ones and who are stranded or are missing family members.
Click on the title of this blog to go to a news site that has a full story about the quake and pictures. Some of the pictures may be graphic, please be warned.
We saw no major damage to the area where we live. So far we have heard of none in the ministry areas, but time will tell. Thank you all so much for the emails and calls to check up on us :)Praise God we are all ok. :)
I have felt at least 5 earthquakes since we've lived here, although I am sure there have been more that I just have not felt. This was by far the strongest earthly movement I have ever felt in my life! During the actual event, I was scared, I must admit. (I should probably mention here that the kids and I were alone as Matt had been helping with the VBS in Los Guido all week.) However, afterwards, we all sat around and began discussing what happened and what it felt like and how amazing God is to create a world that does the things it does. So, we began to research earthquakes on the internet for the next two hours or so and found some really cool stuff. We'll be making lapbooks over the next few days of school about earthquakes.
One of the coolest things about homeschool is that we have the freedom to change and rearrange as we like or need to our daily schedule. So instead of doing other scien and an experiement we lived one through a live earthquake! :) I must say, it was pretty cool, the afterthought about what it was like and what it felt like.
The only thought that still comes to mind is the fact that it truly is most safe to head outside when one hits. However, my mind races with the thoughts of the locks we have to get through just to get outside. However, I know that God is good and He was with us :) I trust Him for His divine protection.
There were many fatalities, unfortunately, including two young girls, due to the strength of this quake. The source was an near an area frequented by tourists and many are still trapped due the destruction of the major road leading into the area. Please pray for the families without homes, who lost loved ones and who are stranded or are missing family members.
Click on the title of this blog to go to a news site that has a full story about the quake and pictures. Some of the pictures may be graphic, please be warned.
We saw no major damage to the area where we live. So far we have heard of none in the ministry areas, but time will tell. Thank you all so much for the emails and calls to check up on us :)Praise God we are all ok. :)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Is this for real?
So much has changed over the past year. Today I realized that even though I still have a LOOOOOOOOOONNNNNGGGG way to go to even being near fluent at Spanish, there is a HUGE difference between right now and last January. Here's my proof: As I was reading my devotional this morning, the one I am doing in Spanish (yes, I am doing a daily devotional...in Spanish- but wait- that isn't the proof), I was formulating my response to the question in my head. I was thinking it through in English (I think) and then I realized that I was thinking in English and realized that as I had been writing the answer I was probably writing in English, so I prepared to erase it and rewrite it in Spanish. But I looked at the paper and realized my answer was indeed in Spanish. Somehow my thoughts in English transpired to the paper in Spanish- grammatically correct Spanish! This has to mean that I have arrived at some type of milestone in my language learning, right? Everyone always asks the dream question "Do you dream in Spanish? You know they say when you dream in Spanish you have really arrived..." Well, I rarely remember my dreams so I cannot say if I am remnembering them or not...but this...today...must mean something right? (Fishing for some encouragement here :) )
Seriously though, as I look back to the beginning of last year I've gotta laugh and more importantly rejoice at all God has done just in language learning alone. WOW! We serve a mighty God!
Seriously though, as I look back to the beginning of last year I've gotta laugh and more importantly rejoice at all God has done just in language learning alone. WOW! We serve a mighty God!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Isabelle update
Just wanted to update everyone on Isabelle's condition...She is done with her treatment for asthma and the ever present cough she had has decreased dramatically. However, we have noticed that when she is really active or gets really upset, the cough comes back. So, I am not really sure what to think. I've got the doctor's phone number who saw her originally as well as the doctor we used while in school. We are now trying to decide whether to take her back for a check-up, even thought the doctor who saw her originally said that wasn't necessary unless she did not improve (which she did). I've also noticed that the fatigue she was expereincing has not yet completely went away.
So, we would still greatly appreciate your prayers for her and for wisdom on our part. We are entering a three-week stretch of VBS and I am concerned about wearing her out (this is an ever-present concern with all three kids for me- the worrying mom...).
Thank you for your prayers.
So, we would still greatly appreciate your prayers for her and for wisdom on our part. We are entering a three-week stretch of VBS and I am concerned about wearing her out (this is an ever-present concern with all three kids for me- the worrying mom...).
Thank you for your prayers.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
It's 12:10 am, January 1st, 2009! Happy New Year!
As I sit here typing this, I am listening to an amazing firework display that will go on for most likely several more hours. Matt and I decided to stay up and bring in the New Year, although all of the states channels have been blocked out and we didn't get to watch the ball drop this year...
The fireworks are amazing, I must admit...I just hope the kids don't get woken up...and that we can sleep. It is so crazy because people just go out to the end of their driveway and light them up as cars drive by just inches away from the sparking firework. I am thankful tonight that our home is made of cement block and plaster and not wood and for all the metal that surrounds it - less chance of fire that way :)
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OK...it is now Thursday morning. The power went off last night as I was typing this and I couldn't finish it. The fireworks went on forever, but thankfully I fell asleep. Isabelle woke up when the power went off and so her and I stayed up for awhile watching them. Ethan was up about 5 minutes when he decided sleep was way better than the fireworks. Audrey, who usually wakes up at the drop of a hat, slept all night :)
Happy New Year to all!
As I sit here typing this, I am listening to an amazing firework display that will go on for most likely several more hours. Matt and I decided to stay up and bring in the New Year, although all of the states channels have been blocked out and we didn't get to watch the ball drop this year...
The fireworks are amazing, I must admit...I just hope the kids don't get woken up...and that we can sleep. It is so crazy because people just go out to the end of their driveway and light them up as cars drive by just inches away from the sparking firework. I am thankful tonight that our home is made of cement block and plaster and not wood and for all the metal that surrounds it - less chance of fire that way :)
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OK...it is now Thursday morning. The power went off last night as I was typing this and I couldn't finish it. The fireworks went on forever, but thankfully I fell asleep. Isabelle woke up when the power went off and so her and I stayed up for awhile watching them. Ethan was up about 5 minutes when he decided sleep was way better than the fireworks. Audrey, who usually wakes up at the drop of a hat, slept all night :)
Happy New Year to all!
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