August 2010 Prayer Letter

The following is the text of our latest prayer letter. If you'd like to receive these by email, please email me or post a comment here on the blog.

PRAISE GOD!! CELEBRATING THREE YEARS OF SERVICE IN COSTA RICA!!
In his book, Revolution in World Missions, K.P. Yohannon writes, “The secret of following God’s will usually is wrapped up in rejecting the good for God’s best. The work is His, not ours. His burden is light. We make it heavy. The work is a privilege, not a chore.” God ‘s will for our lives, His best, is a clear call to make disciples. We’ve experienced much in our three years here in Costa Rica. We look back and can see His hand upon every change, every trial, and every turn we’ve experienced. When God called us from San Jose to this little village called Villarreal where we knew no one, we were greeted by oppressive heat and wandering cows. We’ve had our share of challenges in the eight months since we’ve lived here, but not once have we doubted God’s purpose in bringing us here. God lead us to two godly pastors and we cherish our friendship with them both. The leaders of both churches have responded to the call to make disciples and already some are obediently making disciples of their own. God is changing lives through discipleship! We have been careful to continually seek God’s will during our time here about even seemingly little things and in obviously big things. He has been faithful to lead us and guide us. We’re committed not to compromise for the good the world has to offer, but seek only, invest only, and serve only in God’s best. As we go, God reveals His best to us.

We are excited to share an awesome opportunity God has given us to make disciples here in Villarreal. While we had no idea this was part of God’s plan when we arrived in Villarreal, we are certain this is His best for our family. In addition to meeting with our current disciples, we have partnered with Calvary Chapel and have agreed to work on a team with Potter’s Field Ministries to develop, implement, and run an after-school program that will offer discipleship as its core component, as well as daily tutoring, a healthy meal, English classes and a sports component. We are praising God for the blessing He is pouring out on Villarreal. We have clearly seen his power and might in the lives of the youth in places like Los Guido. We know His plan is one of hope. We have seen children who once had no hope become strong pillars in their community, like oaks of righteousness. The child, who once lived on the street, who now is close to graduating high school, with plans to become a doctor. We have seen, and therefore we believe, these same great things for Villarreal. We find ourselves stepping forward in faith into a ministry that will stretch us. We, in our own strength cannot possibly fill the role, but God, by His power, can and will. Please check out www.pottersfieldglobal.org to find out more about the organization and their work around the world.

Pray for us as we seek to be self-disciplined people whose lives demonstrate consistent obedience to God. Pray for us to be disciplined in time-management, fasting and prayer, studying and learning from God’s Word, in our finances, in maintaining relationships with godly people in our lives from whom we have learned much, in our work ethic, in our attitudes, in strengthening the gifts God has given us, being good stewards of all of our resources, in guarding our hearts, tongues, minds and ears, and in keeping godly friendships. Pray for us as we move forward in God’s best. Pray for the ministry in San Jose, for which we continually give thanks to God. Pray for the lives of the children of Villareal to be changed by God.