4 More Weeks

My new friend Kimia, she is a student at the language school

Before I know it, this last month will fly by and I'll be on my way home. I am happy to see family and friends and to return to the comforts of home. Yet I wish for more time in Costa Rica to learn and rise to the challenges of living in another culture. I feel like I have finally gotten into a routine, am making friends, and slowly figuring out how life works here.

I am filled with mixed emotions and am not quite sure what to do with all of them. The time I have left is short and I want to make the most of it. Yet, I also need to prepare for the return home and for the steps that follow, whatever those may be.

Thank you for praying for the ESL ministry this past Saturday, it went really well! We are working with both children and their parents. Everyone splits into three groups, young children, older children and parents. On Saturday, our goal was to figure out what level everyone was on, for the most part everyone but the older children are beginners. We will teach at least two more times before I leave; this coming Saturday being one of those.

Praises:
ESL went really well
I was able to speak in Spanish and understand my ESL group
Spent time with a new friend, Kima, she is such an encouragement

Prayer:
For me to use these last few weeks wisely
That the Lord will let me know of anything that I need to learn or know before leaving
ESL next Saturday

A Quick Review

A lovely husband and wife, Rich and Cherry Smith, came down for a survey trip to Costa Rica. They are looking to join our team and spent several days with us. Please pray for the Smiths as they look to God for guidance.

Jon and Joni started hosting a Spanish Bible study in their home on Monday nights. We are currently studying the different roles of men and women. Since the Bible study is entirely in Spanish this is excellent language practice for me.

Our last Krav Maga class

Fernando and I pretending to be the bad guys riding a moto.

Last week I started to study for an ESL (English as a Second Language) class I will teach out in the country. Pastor Edgardo would like to start ESL classes for children (and their parents) as a ministry outreach in his community. I'll teach on Saturday for about two hours; since it is a large amount of time I plan to play lots of games. This is an exciting opportunity!

We went to the beach last Monday; it was a beautiful day

In additional to ESL, I have been studying Ruth and 1 & 2 Peter for different Bible studies. In 1 & 2 Peter, Peter talks a lot about suffering, in 1 Peter 2:21 he says "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." Thus, as Christians we can expect suffering and count it an honor when we do. Then in Ruth, we learn that she left her father, mother and homeland to live with a people she did not know. Ruth left everything she knew following her mother-in-law to a culture where she would be among the poorest. During some of my loneliest and hardest moments, I find encouragement in Ruth's life and strength in the words of Apostle Peter. I am very thankful for all that God is teaching me.

We stopped at Rio Tarcoles, a bridge known for crocodiles. We saw about 20! It was scary and super cool!

Praises:

Studying Ruth, 1 & 2 Peter
The Spanish Bible study on Monday
ESL opportunity
Making new friends (on Saturday and Sunday I met two sweet young ladies around my age. Hopefully I'll be able to spend more time with them soon).

Prayer:
ESL - that I will be able to reach the children where they are while still being able to challenge them in English, that I will have enough material for two hours and that they will be receptive to hearing God's word
For grace to love and encourage others when things are hard
For me to love and grow in God's word

Mountains

Do you ever feel like you've reached the end of yourself? Like you have nothing left to give anyone or anything? Like the mountains in front of you are too big to face?

When our nightmares haunt us in the day and the mountains in front of us reach the sky, we are not alone. In fact, in our own strength we could never overcome those mountains or face our nightmares. John 15:4-5 reminds us that without remaining in the True Vine we can do nothing. Apart from Christ we are helpless. He is our strength, our source of power to face living the nightmares and climb the heights of mountains.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Christ tells us "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I don't know about you but it blows my mind how in our weaknesses His power is made perfect! Verses nine and ten go on to talk about boasting in weaknesses so that Christ power may rest on us. Not only boasting but delighting "in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

When I focus on Christ, remaining in the Vine, the nightmares do not seem so dark nor the mountains so tall. When we've reached the end of ourselves and have nothing left to give, let us remember Who is the source of our strength then give a little more and climb a little higher.

This week my Spanish teacher taught me about commands and the proper verbs and pronouns to use for them. As part of my homework she asked me to write a recipe; I wrote a recipe for making coffee. It may seem small but to me it felt like a huge accomplishment.

Praises:
Strength in Christ
All the rain
Spanish - I can see progression!
Bonding time with my small group

Prayer:
Energy to get things done
Sleep / rest - I have not been sleeping well
Continued guidance and direction
Time management