Favorite Pictures

Above is a slideshow of some of my favorite pictures with and of the kids. Over the last 39 days God has continued to work in amazing ways. With ten more days remaining I'm excited to serve and can be sure that God has many more great opportunities in store for this trip. I will be posting a blog and prayer request tommorow and will continue to post updates and pictures throughout the remaining ten days.
Be sure to follow!!!

AT LA FINCA!!!

Ninjaaaaaa Assasin!!! Warning!!! This game is highly Ninja like and may cause extreme moments of laughter. Not suitable for anyone under 22 years of age. Beginning with a group in the middle everyone jumps out striking a ninja pose. Taking turns in a circular direction you attack others by Ninjaaaaing only their hand with a chop, slice, or jabb. Last ninja remaining is reined ultimate.

It is the vision of the New Life Church of Los Guido to transform the current bodega (storage area) which sits between the house and the church building into a fellowship area. Because of God's grace it is the only remaining "tin building" left on La Finca. The new location we worked on sits just behind the church building. After first leveling the ground to prepare it for a foundation, we laid the concrete foundation, installed the gutters, and finished the roof frame. Ultimately two brick walls, a door in one, and a tin ceiling will also be installed to complete the project.

Just before beginning the bodega, we first completed the sidewalk that lies just to the right of the house. This was an important project to complete because as the foundation for the larger building (discipleship center, feeding center, turoring center...) just to the right was being dug out, terrain next to and under the house began to shift. With this completed there no longer needs to be a metal beam between the frame of the big building and the house for support.

Construction on the builing continues! With three walls complete, another retaining wall and the fourth wall of the building are being constructed. The building process has been exciting to see during my stay here in Costa Rica. Not only has it been an affirmation of God's grace and willingness to work in the lives of those who ask and seek, but also in that He continues to work in tangible ways.

Happy Birthday!!!

Today we celebrate Sughelley's quincenera (15th B-Day). She is one of the older youth involved in youth group, choir, discipleship groups, and is always eager to serve. Because a quincenera usually consists of getting one drunk and various other things, the New Life Church of Los Guido has stepped out to provide this event in the church as an alternative to the "usual" and an opportunity for such a special day to remain significant.

Be sure to follow for upcoming prayer requests and blogs.

Fun, Fun and More Fun!!!

Every year the New Life Church of Los Guido has a Talent Show after the Sunday service, follwed by a time of fellowship and roasting marshmallows. Although it is not my talent, or perhaps it may be, I was recruited to swing dance. The iceing on the cake was presented when we smiled, showing our hill billy teeth and filling the room...with laughter of course.



ONLY ONE MARSHMALLOW LEFT!?!?




Anyone want smore!!! Making smores...Costa Rica style.

A couple of weeks ago the leadership team from the New Life Church of Los Guido had their two week break from school. As a reward for their dedication, willingness to serve, and hard work in the church, the missionaries make it a must to take them to Parque de Diversiones every year. Referred to as a "wanna be" Six Flags, this theme park was a tremendous reward and served as a great opportunity to bond with the leadership team.

Serving as the only "roller coaster", Sherling and I took on the challange together as this ride was considered the scariest, yet most liked.

Los Guido, Tejarcillos, La Carpio!!! Can Anything Good Come From There?

"Nazarath! Can anything good come from there?" John 1:46

Assumptions are often made about areas such as Los Guido, Tejarcillos, and La Carpio. While many may be true, others are devastatingly false. Because many people believe that nothing has, can, or will come from these areas, an important question that we must ask is "Can anything good come from there? Can anything good come from Los Guido, Tejarcillos, or La Carpio?" If fear, laziness, or selfishness were my response and I said, "No" I would have never met the missionaries, the families, or the kids. Nor would I have experienced the great works of God in, through, and around me. Because we "can do EVERYTHING through him who gives strength" (Philippians 4:10), God has proven to be faithfull time and time again in showing how much more than GOOD can come from these areas. The slideshow posted at the top of the page provides a small glimpse of lives being changed over the last two weeks in which three day VBS events were held in Los Guido, Tejarcillos, and La Carpio. Roughly 400 individuals, 25 of which were moms, heard the gospel and it is my prayer that they become involved in a discipleship group and grow in Christ. PLEASE be praying for much fruit to come from the seeds that God allowed to be planted during the VBS events.

VBS Comes to an End! Work at La Finca Continues!

Finished up three days of VBS in La Carpio. Roughly 150 people including kids and moms came to the first day, 250 the second, and 230 the third. It was an amazing time serving, playing with the kids, and working towards a goal that is not temporary but eternal.



Work at La Finca continues! As the foundation for the gymnasium was being dug out, it began to eat away and remove dirt from the side of the newly built house. After building a retaining wall and filling it in with dirt and rocks, to prevent this from happening in the future, we have begun to lay a sidewalk.

Remember Your Creator and Enjoy Your Youth!!!

“Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach you when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’-before the sun and the light, and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain.” Ecclesiastes 12:1-2

Often times many people, especially younger people, choose to walk in their own ways because it provides a sense of pride, ownership, and self value. Because our days here on earth are numbered, our days of eternity are much greater, therefore we could all be considered “young.” Here we are commanded to remember the creator of all things, so that with time we may not regret the many opportunities we had. Such a reminder can only be found in living out “the perfect law that gives freedom.” James 1:25

It is LIVING the days of my youth and CLINGING to the “law that gives freedom” which has allowed and will continue to allow me to experience and see God in these areas of Costa Rica, which are hungry for the word of God and in desperate need of a relationship with Christ.

Fellowship, fun, and food! The older youth night was another evening that brought great joy and new faces. It served as a great opportunity for these new people to seek change as Melinda guided the group through a discussion in determining the possession and application of information.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday served a great purpose in which a VBS was held each day in Tejarcillos. This area is controlled by one gang or mafia. Arial, an individual who once belonged and lived for that gang, has become a firm and faithful leader in the New Life Church of Tejarcillos. He believes there is an abundance of fruit, waiting to be harvested. It was amazing to see many new faces and share the hope developed through a lifestyle found only in Christ.

Saturday we continued with the second VBS in Los Guido which I worked the first half of the day. It was an answered prayer to reunite with some of my pen pals who I have seen grow up since my first trip to Costa Rica. The VBS served as a great opportunity to give God the glory and direct others to a path that will provide opportunities to get involved in a discipleship group, the church, and perhaps join the leadership team. Upon completion of the third and final VBS in Los Guido on Monday, ALL but two kids agreed to attend a discipleship group shortly to come. Dejon, one of the older youth on the leadership team, set out on a mission. The two remaining kids agreed to “try” the first few days of a discipleship group. It is the witnessing of these kids and families accepting and seeking Christ as Savior that brings great encouragement and hope to my life.

Sunday morning was another day of rejoice and excitement of God's faithfulness as we attended two services. Celebrating the 4th year anniversary with the New Life Church of Tejarcillos, there were many new faces from the previous VBS’s. As pastor Rogelio spoke about love in the church for one another, it was astonishing to see the many new faces, as well as the dedication, loyalty, and love for the church of those who have remained firm in the hope of Christ over the past years. As we arrived to Los Guido for the second service, the storm began to move in. Rain, thunder, and lightening! These were the elements in which Satan attempted, but miserably failed, to use against us to stop the dramas, the service, and cause us to put our bibles aside. In the midst of such, Mark spoke of Revelation emphasizing “he who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.” We have uncountable opportunities as an individual, a church, and body of Christ to seek and listen to the voice of God. This time brought to reality that God will hold us accountable for every opportunity we did and did not take advantage of. It served a great purpose as there were some new faces and rejoining families.

This week consists of more great opportunities to serve God, give Him the glory, and reach the “unreachable.” While some much needed work projects will be set in place this week and others completed, we set out today for three days of VBS in La Carpio.

Please be praying for the safety, guidance, and selfless servant hood of myself and visiting teams. Pray for the vulnerability and response of the individuals to God’s word. Pray for God’s intervention in the lives of these children, their families, and in their homes. Pray for a hedge of protection around La Carpio and that it would become an area that is known for its worship, love, and loyalty to Christ.

VBS Continues!!!

Happy Birthday Randy!!! Cracking eggs over ones head is a birthday must in Costa Rica. Randy turned 1, so the little guy laughed and smiled for some pictures after having one egg cracked over his head.

On Saturday we continued with the second VBS in Los Guido. It was a great opportunity to give God the glory and direct others to a path that will provide opportunities to get involved in a

discipleship group, the church, and perhaps join the leadership team.

Sunday morning was another day of rejoice and excitment of God's faithfulness as we celebrated the 4th year anniversary with the New Life Church of Tejarcillos. While there were many new faces from the previous VBS events, it was encouraging to see the dedication, loyalty, and love of those who have remained firm in the hope of Christ over the past years.

This week is packed with more VBS events and work projects. As we finish up the VBS in Los Guido, we will set out tomorrow for three days of VBS in La Carpio. In addition, there are some great work projects planned at La Finca in Los Guido.

Be sure to follow for pictures and slideshow!!!

Youth Group

Stacking nuts and bolts with CHOPSTICKS! Harder than it looks.

Relay race, Costa Rican style.

All Aboard!!!

After working the first half of the day during the VBS in Los Guido at La Finca, it was an answered prayer to reunite with some of the kids whom I have seen grow up in the church and had the opportunity to be pen pals with since my first trip to Costa Rica.

Today is the second of three VBS events in Los Guido. Excited and pumped to be with the kids, get dirty, and have some fun.

Make sure to continue checking out the blog for upcoming VBS events, weekly outreach and fellowship events, and weekly work projects.

COMING SOON!!!
Slideshow and blog of VBS's in Tejarcillos, Los Guido, and La Carpio

The Work Continues

Let the Good Times Roll!!!

It is that time of the trip! Moving into the next two weeks there will be three VBS events in Tejarcillos and three VBS events in La Carpio. The VBS events serve as the primary means of outreach. Mom's, Dad's, and children of all ages come to these events to hear the word of God and lean of a life that it is possible when lived for Christ. While these events are full of games, prizes, and fun...it is my prayer that the development of relationships through and in Christ last much longer than a sweet piece of candy or a simple game. While there are many valuable aspects to be taken from these events, whether individually or as a group, and much time and effort is given, it is the planting of seeds and bearing of fruit that lasts forever.

Please be praying for these VBS events over the next two weeks as God reveals himself to the broken and forgotten lives of many individuals in these areas.

Throughout the Week!

"I didn't eat the Cheetos!"

Both parents and kids fill the church every Sunday morning. It is a blessing to play and laugh with the kids...and even share my Cheetoes I suppose. It is the kids like Sallavah and Leidi that come to church, are discipled, and grow up in the church in hopes that one day they to might be a part of the leadership team.

"The games must go on!"

Although it was pouring rain the water games continued. As the youth played games it was my chance to make sure that they were completely wet. Every week the older youth gather at the New Life Church of Los Guido for a time of fellowship and games. In promoting various team building skills, this week focused on encouragement. This time serves a great purpose as a means of encouragement and motivation to the youth for all their hard work, both in and outside the church.

It is a constant struggle against repairing this wall. To the left of the wall is an area that stores the draining remains from toilets, showers, sinks, and everything else of three houses. This is in addition to the rain! Full to the highest brick, the leaking of these remains onto the church property is not only unhealthy and unpleasant, but only give way for further deterioration of the wall. It is my job to stop it from leaking. The first goal was to dig a trench, fill it with concrete, and finish it with a sidewalk. The next goal will be to resurface the entire wall with concrete and coat it with waterproof paint.

The construction continues!

God has been amazing throughout the entire construction process of this building! Although God would not allow this building to have reached its current stage only to be stopped, weekly meetings with the engineer seem to bring about "unexpected" turns and additions to be made to the building. This means that the financial cost of the building will increase and sacrifices will have to be made in prioritizing the construction process. Be praying for the completion of this building.