come see what_I_ have done and_WE_have accomplished

I, WE, YOU, US, THEY, HE, SHE, IT...

Often anchored to success and accomplishment, a few meaningless letters can be composed to establish those words which acquire a much more meaningful existence. Such words are often on the receiving end of any merit, fame, and honor that is to be given. Paul speaks of this in Romans when he says, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him..." (1:21). Where then does God lie in the midst of such a battle over the longing heart and self-driven mind? Where does God stand in the midst of I, WE, and YOU? My prayer is that He doesn't merely stand in the midst of I, WE, and YOU...but rather is the I, WE, and YOU. I would challenge you to wrestle with this idea daily and ask yourself, "Who becomes more famous in my life?"

Is it the I, WE, and YOU that creates our god... or is it our God that creates the I, WE, and YOU? Who then receives the glory?

As WE are challened by the day and glorified by the hour, let us take advantage of the opportunity we are given by the minute and redirect ALL praise, honor, and glorification not to oursleves temporarily, but to God eternally so that, "men praise God for our obedience that accompanies our confession of the gospel of Christ" and that our service would "overflow in many expressions of thanks to God" (2 Corinthians 12,13).

Make sure to check out the post below to read about some of the weekly ministry and events that took place last week...

The Week Comes To An End

This last week God enabled many things to take place. I hope that these pictures serve as a glimpse of what God is doing in Costa Rica and in the lives of those who live here.

The last two weeks consisted of full blown Vacation Bible School (VBS) with the East Hill Christian School. Last week concluded a three day series of VBS in La Carpio. Over these three days, there were roughly 450 kids and 100 moms that attended and were exposed to the Word of God through love, scripture, and various dramas put on by the visiting team, as well as the youth leadership team. The group above was only one of four groups that visited that day. Long term fruit is our prayer!

Sunday service was great as we continue to look at the future and lead into the present, given what we we know about the past and the future. Sunday is also a great time to visit with families and play with long-time friends. I met Anita and Sumey last December during a VBS. It's great to see them continue to go to church and be discipled at such a young age.

Last Monday, I had the opportunity to go with the two choir teams from the New Life Church of Los Guido to Parque Diversiones. This theme park serves as a "Six Flags Wannabe", yet is a ton of fun and a huge reward to these kids for their hard work and commitment to serving in the church.

Friday was a great time! On Friday, the New Life Church of Los Guido held a Men's BBQ...however we couldn't just eat...we had to play broomball as well. We ate some great food and enjoyed being kids. Team Jovenes (youth in spanish) ranged in age from 23 (myself) to 60. Team Ninos (kids in spanish) ranged from 15-22. Us "Jovenes" claimed victory with a score of 10-5!

Every Saturday is Kid's Club. With or without rain...the fun must go on! And it does! It is events like these in which the New Life Church of Los Guido sets out to teach the Gospel to kids at a very young age in a way that is fun, enjoyable, and impactful.

From One VBS To The Next

Last week, we concluded a three day series of VBS in Tejarcillos and Los Guido. Today, we set out to La Carpio for our last series of VBS. Below are some pictures of VBS in Los Guido.

One of the popular stages of a VBS is games. It is the uniqueness and creativeness of some of these games, that make it dirty, fun, and hilarious. During this game, the two groups eat marshmallows off of the peanut butter covered face of one of their fellow teammates. Definitely a fun game!

The VBS's bring in many kids and tons of new faces. Karla, on my left, is well known at La Finca and brings much energy to those around her. Junita, on my right, is a newer member to La Finca. It's my prayer that the little faces like these two precious girls are drawn to La Finca with an eagerness to learn about God, understand who He is, and share it with others.

Another stage of the VBS is crafts. After the craft, the kids learn, memorize, and repeat Scripture. For this, they are given a small prize. This small prize and the encouragement they get is often never found in the home by a parent or any other family member. It is a goal of the ministry to support those kids when they learn what others tell them they're not capable of doing.

Bible History is a high energy and fun time as the kids learn various Bible stories. It is very interactive and allows the kids to share what they think, rather to be told what they think.

Brittany is another little girl from a VBS. These kids spot out who they want to be with and cling to you like no other. They are encouraging and fun...I'm challenged daily by these kids!

"I Walk Alone"

Blind, lost, and stolen! The minds and hearts of those who live in Tejarcillos are captured not by the light of the Gospel, but rather by the false promises of the "god of this age" (Satan) which are so visible, yet so uniquely disguised. Addictions, abuse, and abandonment run rampantly through the streets. Satan waits daily to devour the lives of these youth, parents, and families, to steal the hope that is found through Jesus Christ. Tejarcillos is well known for its dangerous slums and is known as the "sex trafficing capital" of Costa Rica. The local papers are filled daily with stories about this dangerous place.

Paul sums this up best in 2 Corinthians 4:4-6..."The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbeleivers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness', made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Having a father in the house is a foreign concept, a mother in and out of the house is prevalent, and child left alone with no direction is often the case. How challenging it is to know that loneliness is a lifestyle, as they go to sleep in fear and wake another day with the understanding of "I walk alone". Above is a picture of the community center were the VBS events were held and spray painted on the side in black is "I walk alone". How often do you think people walk by this...and hang their head and in their hearts say, "That's me!"?

What is your Tejarcillos...is it your family, the house down the street, your next door neighbor, a colleague at school, or fellow coworker? Who is it in your life that needs to hear the Gospel? Who is it that "walks alone"? Paul challenges us to GO!

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard of? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!" Romans 10:13-15

VBS In Tejarcillos

At the beginning of the week, I had the opportunity to partner with the visiting team from East Hill Christian School of Pensacola, Florida as they hosted a series of VBS events over the course of three days in Tejarcillos. During this time, there were four stages set up which included: crafts, games, bible story telling, and a puppet show. All of these activities are used as tool to reach the individuals by presenting God's Word in a way that is attractive and easy to understand.

Over the course of the three days, there were roughly 150 kids and moms that attended. While the numbers give a very basic understanding of how the VBS went, the number of those who join a discipleship group to learn, understand, and apply God's Word will determine the real success. The purpose of these events is to provide individuals the opportunity to learn about the Gospel and a road map or avenue for doing exactly that.

As an intern, I not only get the opportunity to partner with the visiting teams, but also to sit back and observe. Below are a few pictures from the VBS in Tejarcillos of the gospel being shared with the youth through evangelism and discipleship, as well as sharing the love of Christ through games, being goofy, and even being a big kid myself.

Tejarcillos:Prayer Requests

Tejarcillos is an area well-known for the control and influence the local gang has on the lives of those living there. It is comparable to a mafia that controls every aspect of the city. It is because of this, that the New Life Church has been called to reach the individuals that live there. Over the last two days, I have had the opportunity to partner with the visiting team in sharing the gospel through a series of VBS (Vacation Bible School) events.

As we conclude this three day series of VBS in Tejarcillos, please be praying...

that God would be glorified for the fruit that begins from these VBS events

for the hearts of those attending...that they would be absorbent and receptive

for the Gospel to be illustrated and exemplified in a real and attractive way

for both immediate and long-term fruit to come from these events

for the safety of the youth as they return to a home filled with violence, addictions, and loneliness.

for the safety of us going to Tejarcillos

for the pastor and the church body...that they would constantly seek after the guidance and power within the Gospel

for a future piece of property that will serve as a place of discipleship and worship where people will be encouraged and challenged.

for the acceptance of Christ in this area that will lead to long-term discipleship of many kids, parents, and families.

BE SURE TO CHECK BACK FOR PICTURES AND UPDATES FROM THE VBS IN TEJARCILLOS!!!

Your_Greatness_And_Your_Strong_Hand

" O sovereign Lord, you have begun [continued] to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?"

Deuteronomy 3:23

This last week has served as a great opportunity to jump right into the weekly ministry of the New Life Church and visibly see the immediate fruit, as well as the fruit from past years. Where does this fruit come from? Is it because I have chosen to give up a summer to be a good person? Is it because it makes the youth feel good when they are praised by others? Or is it because we serve an ALL consuming God who jealously seeks ALL, wants ALL, and desires ALL credit and glory for the opportunities we are provided?

The obedience of the youth leadership team, the missionaries, and visiting teams, as well as the New Life Church to follow the call to GO, has been used as a tool in His "strong hand". What does this mean? This means that fruitful disciples are being produced, that hope and joy are being found in Christ, and that lives are radically being lived with a different purpose. What does this mean for you and me? How awesome it is and how thankful I am, to have had the opportunity to witness and experience the ways in which God moves people within these areas! And how awesome it is, that through your prayer, support, and encouragement, you have joined me in this opportunity to serve.

Gretel, Jose', and Victoria are some of the newest kids to La Finca. They were just another three kids playing with balloons, getting into trouble, and having fun...or so I thought! As they continued to look me up and down, I began praying for the courage to muster up my best Spanish speaking skills. I asked myself various questions in this process. I wondered things like, "Where did they come from?" and "What is their story?" As they sat next to me, I asked them their names and began talking to them. After a short period of time, I told them I was not staying for the Show de Jabon (Soap Show/Kids Club) because I was not feeling well. As I began walking away, I heard "Esperame, esperame!" ("wait, wait!") After stopping, I was greeted by a tug on my shoulder and these three kids...not understanding why I had to leave... asked when they would see me again. I look forward to seeing them again and anticipate how the Lord will work in their lives.

The older youth group meets weekly as well. After playing two games of Spoons, enjoying a warm plate of Arroz con Pollo (one of my favorites!), we were lead through Scripture by Melinda, who leads the youth group. We looked at not only what God is to each of us individually, but as the body of Christ. This time served as a great opportunity for the youth to better understand the characteristics of God through Scripture.

Every week a team from Los Guido (the primary ministry area) travels to La Carpio for discipleship groups. La Carpio is also known as the "trash can" of Costa Rica. This area receives over 300 tons of trash and waste every day. I had the opportunity to visit this little guy as he welcomed us with great joy and excitement. During my time with him, I was able to listen to him share his longing to understand, memorize, and teach the gospel.