As of yesterday, we have now been in Costa Rica for five months! In some ways, it seems like much longer and in other ways it has flown by. We are now almost a month into the second trimester of language school and are having some unique ministry experiences. The Lord has humbled us greatly in our attempt to learn Spanish, but at the same time He gently reminds us that we are still usable in spite of - and possibly because of - our weaknesses. We are constantly being reminded of 2 Corinthians 12: 9 "My [Jesus'] grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
Charlotte began leading the Spanish Bible study last Wednesday. It is hard but God is using her. I am still coaching the football team and praying that God will use me with these young men. On this team of approximately 50 men, there are only three Christians. We have also begun working on a church planting project in a nearby neighborhood. We are at the very beginning stages right now and praying that God will open doors to build relationships in this middle to upper class neighborhood. Please pray for all of these areas of ministry. We are very weak - but we serve a mighty God who is more than able!
Last week, I had the opportunity to go with another missionary to a church about two hours away! He preached that night in Spanish, and the best part was two teenage girls accepted Christ! It was great to hear the sinners prayer prayed in Spanish!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Beach 2009
This is our trip to one of the many Beaches in Costa Rica. The video was take the last week of August 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Update from Costa Rica
Well, we started our 2nd Trimester of language school this past week. It already seems that we are speaking so much more than in the first trimester. This trimester has the reputation of being the most difficult of the three, but also the one where your Spanish grows the most. Time will tell if that is an accurate assessment.
We have also had several ministry opportunities to arise. Yesterday, I had one of the best days that I have had in Costa Rica. I was invited to be an assistant coach of an adult American Football team. The team ranges from ages 18-40, and they all need Jesus. I am praying that God will use me to minster to this group of men! There are only 7 American Football teams in Costa Rica, so as you can imagine they have a lot to learn about the sport.
The next thing that God is allowing me to do is mentor a new pastor here in Costa Rica. He is the new pastor of San Pedro Community Fellowship and has never pastored before. God is allowing me to meet with him and teach him from a Biblical perspective what it means to be a pastor. I was also able to preach today at San Pedro Community Fellowship. This is an English speaking congregation.
Charlotte is also becoming involved in a ministry. At our school, there is a weekly Costa Rican Women's Bible Study that meets every Wednesday afternoon. Charlotte has been attending the Bible study for over a month, and the leaders are finishing language school and will be leaving Costa Rica. Charlotte and a fellow IMB missionary will be leading the group beginning in October. This Bible study is done completely in Spanish. Pray for her that God will give her the ability to co-lead this Bible study group.
Oh, and by the way "War Eagle"!! We were able to watch the Alabama game last night on our cable. It's neat to get to watch college football all the way down here in "Futball Country" (Futball is "Soccer" in Costa Rica!)
We have also had several ministry opportunities to arise. Yesterday, I had one of the best days that I have had in Costa Rica. I was invited to be an assistant coach of an adult American Football team. The team ranges from ages 18-40, and they all need Jesus. I am praying that God will use me to minster to this group of men! There are only 7 American Football teams in Costa Rica, so as you can imagine they have a lot to learn about the sport.
The next thing that God is allowing me to do is mentor a new pastor here in Costa Rica. He is the new pastor of San Pedro Community Fellowship and has never pastored before. God is allowing me to meet with him and teach him from a Biblical perspective what it means to be a pastor. I was also able to preach today at San Pedro Community Fellowship. This is an English speaking congregation.
Charlotte is also becoming involved in a ministry. At our school, there is a weekly Costa Rican Women's Bible Study that meets every Wednesday afternoon. Charlotte has been attending the Bible study for over a month, and the leaders are finishing language school and will be leaving Costa Rica. Charlotte and a fellow IMB missionary will be leading the group beginning in October. This Bible study is done completely in Spanish. Pray for her that God will give her the ability to co-lead this Bible study group.
Oh, and by the way "War Eagle"!! We were able to watch the Alabama game last night on our cable. It's neat to get to watch college football all the way down here in "Futball Country" (Futball is "Soccer" in Costa Rica!)
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