Ramblings - A New Beginning

Almost a year ago we moved my family to Costa Rica seeking God's calling on our lives. We weren't exactly sure what He was calling us to do, but we knew He wanted us to do it in Costa Rica. During our time here we believe He has clearly revealed how He wants to use us here in Alajuelita. I'm excited to tell you that we have joined with a few friends to start a new ministry called 6:8 Ministries. The significance of 6:8 is a reference to our key verse, Micah 6:8, which sums up the core values of the ministry "To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God".

This new ministry will focus in a few key areas of ministry that we believe will expand and strengthen the kingdom of God. One of these areas is hosting affordable, life-changing mission experiences. God has provided us a facility capable of hosting up to twenty-four people safely and comfortably. This facility will be used as a tool that will strengthen and expand the kingdom of God.

Alajuelita is the poorest county in Costa Rica, and because of this many of the children suffer in ways that most of us can't imagine. We believe that God is calling us to minister to these impoverished children through a child sponsorship program. This will provide uniforms and books for those who could not otherwise afford to go to school.

Another area of focus is planting children's feeding centers. We believe that planting feeding centers are a great way to transform entire communities. We partner with local churches and provide the financial resources to plant and operate the feeding center, while the church provides the space and the volunteers. The effects of the feeding centers are far greater than simply feeding hungry children. The feeding centers increase the church's presence in the community, provides lay people in the church opportunities to serve and provides children with spiritual food through teaching lessons from the Bible before each feeding.

The final area we believe that God is calling us to minister through teaching ESL (English as a Second Language). This ministry has many benefits as it strengthens our presence in the community, provides opportunities to building new relationships, as well as provides individuals a great skill that will assist in finding employment. We use the Bible for teaching references and are currently working on a curriculum that will combine teaching English and the Bible at the same time.

As we start this new endeavor we need your continued prayers and support. For clarification I will not receive a salary for my work with 6:8 Ministries. We will continue to trust God to provide for our family through churches and individuals. We are missionaries working with 6:8 Ministries, but raising our own support.

In closing I hope this email has encouraged you to see how God in working in Costa Rica. He has used your prayers and support to bring much fruit. I'm confident He will continue to bless and multiply them. All I can think to say is..."Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" Eph 3:20

Ramblings - Reflections

I was trying to decide what to update you about, and that caused me to start reflecting upon all that God has done here in the past six months. When I step out of the day to day and look at the big picture I'm amazed at what He is doing. So allow me to give a quick review of the past six months...

August brought the creation of the Children's Feeding Center in Aurora. This center is feeds roughly 125 children twice a week. I oversee the project, Rita more or less directs the day to day operation, and all of the coordination is done by two sweet Tico women, one recruits all the ladies to do the cooking and cleaning, and the other recruits people to teach Bible lessons before the meal. The operation almost completely run by local people, in a local church. However, the ministry is mostly funded by contributors at Cross Creek Church and a few other supporters in United States. This ministry has provided both physical food and spiritual food to many children. It has also strengthened the local church and has increased it's presence in the community.

August also brought the start of my language training and God has surprised me how much I've learned thus far. I know it's hard to believe...but I am capable of learning!

September brought our first short-term mission team...and we've had groups every month since. Watching God work through these groups has been very encouraging for me. In the past six months three families have received a new home or a complete remodeling. Many people have been prayed for and blessed with a loaf of bread and a Bible. One group worked on a school, and another worked on the Christian school my children will be attending.

September also brought out first child sponsor. Since then God has provided 20 different children with new school uniforms and school supplies. Some of these children are returning to school for the first time in three years. Here in Costa Rica every school requires children to wear uniforms, so many times if the family can't afford the uniforms the children simply don't go to school.

October brought the beginning of the ESL ministry. I continue to teach English in the town library twice a week. I currently have about 40 students...all learning English from me! Scary thought...

November brought a local tragedy as a family in the community had their house burn down. They lost everything in the fire. Outreach Ministries provided some immediate support and one family back home sent a love gift and we were able to provide some much needed food and clothing.

December and January were full of ministry opportunities as well but this email is already too long. I would love to tell you everything, but there simply isn't time. This has been a good exercise to reflect on the past, but now my focus is the present as we charge hard into the future. My prayer is that God will allow you to continue to be part of this ministry. I encourage you to "come take a walk" and taste and see for yourself.

In closing thank you for supporting the ministries here in Alajuelita through your prayers and giving. The past six months has been amazing, and we are looking forward to what God has on the horizon! Maybe starting a worship service in Juan Pablo? Maybe another feeding center, maybe an orphanage? Not sure yet...but one thing is for sure...God is at work here in Alajuelita and has much more to do!

Ramblings - Language Training

I haven't received the key to the city, but I have received a key to the city's library. Once again God has surprised me in the way He is working through us here in Costa Rica. During one of my weekly meetings with the mayor of Alajuelita, God revealed a new opportunity for ministry. The mayor asked me to consider using the library to conduct free English lessons to the community. I've prayed about it and accepted the responsibility.

This is interesting because as you know, I have not yet mastered the English language. I love to teach and preach, but I've never taught English. I feel confident teaching the basics - like the alphabet, but beyond that I'm trusting Him to help me do the rest. Please pray for me, my 67 students, and the success of this ESL ministry. Join me in praying that these classes will open many doors in the community to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's interesting that right now I'm learning a new language myself. It is very challenging, but extremely rewarding as I'm able to put into practice what I'm learning. I'm very pleased with my progress and proud with the fact I'm carrying an "A" average in each of my classes. I'm starting to understand a good bit, but I struggle with formulating sentences and conjugating verbs fluidly. So, I walk the streets practicing my Spanish with my friends, and butcher the language daily. The locals are very patient and claim to be impressed with my progress, but I suspect they are just being nice.

God is also helping me become more fluent in another language. This is the language of love; which according to the Apostle Paul never fails, always hopes, and always protects. Love is often spoken loudest through deeds, or as St. Francis said "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words." I've come to realize that learning to love is similar to learning Spanish. It doesn't come naturally and requires a lot of work and practice. I've come to realize that by nature I'm not a very loving person, and for most of you this is not a great, new, revelation. I mean it's easy for me to love the loveable people, such as my family, friends, and neighbors; or anyone that can offer something in return. However, I struggle in loving people that smell bad, live offensive and immoral lifestyles, and have nothing to offer in return.

I've come to realize that I honor God when I love without needing love in return. It's exciting and freeing to give love with reckless abandon. I'm getting better as I learn that I don't need a person to love me in return. It's nice to be loved, but I don't need their love to love them all I can. So, I encourage you "Live to love, and love to live!" Join me in finding practical ways to practice unselfish love, and I suspect you'll find a new excitement to living as I have.

Finally, I've enclosed a passage of scripture for your personal reflection. My prayer is that God speaks to you through it as He has with me. I love and miss you all very much. Thank you for all your prayers and support, and may God richly bless you with overflowing love.

(1 Corinthians 13:1-13) "1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."