Backpack Outreach!

Today was the Backpack Outreach and it was so much fun!  We had kids club as normal--a mission group from the World Race Team (a team traveling to 11 different countries over the next 11 months) played games and entertained the kids by acting out the story of David and Goliath.  We then made crafts which were magnets of Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." and we talked about how God gives us strength during the school year as well.  We then had snacks and all of the kids sat down and we talked about how the backpacks are a gift from the Lord and we thanked God for the blessing of these gifts.  After this, the distribution began.  It was such a joy to see the faces of these kids as they received their backpacks!  I had so much fun loving and hugging on all of these precious kids after receiving their packs.  We had someone give us a donation to cover all of the school supplies this year and we were able to supply the kids with everything they need to go to school!  God is so amazing!!!  We praise Him for blessing us to be a blessing!!!

Backpack Packing

School starts the first week in February here in Costa Rica.  With that comes the overwhelming costs of buying school supplies and uniforms---something that the local families really struggle with being able to do.  Many have more than one child in school and for those who work solely to put food on the table, there is no extra money for purchasing even necessary school supplies.  Praise God money was donated to provide EVERY child in INVU with a backpack filled with all of their necessary school supplies!  We are super excited to pass out these backpacks to each child tomorrow morning at the end of Kids Club.  Each child has their name on a bag and we will call each one up to receive their special gift.  During craft time we will be decorating magnets that have a prayer for the school year and Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength) printed for them.  The idea is to remember to rely on the Lord's strength during this school year.  Here are a few pictures of our backpack packing day.  We filled 131 backpacks with supplies and lots of love.  We then spent time praying over the bags and the families that will receive them.  Please pray for these sweet children as they return to school in 2 weeks!!

Best Birthday Ever!

 I was MORE than blessed this birthday as I was showered with love from those I love so very much!  I spent the morning with my precious INVU kids at Kids Club;  lunch time with my girlfriends (3 of which were also celebrating birthdays) painting nails, making jewelry, eating and talking;  the afternoon with my family, the Youth and a the Mission Team for testimony time/cookout on the beach;  and dinner time with Jose and Rosa (dear friends of ours), the mission team and my family.   Then, last night I arrived to lead the INVU Women's Bible Study and they had planned a surprise party for me complete with pizza, cake and gifts.  We even made prayer journals as our craft as we are studying on the importance of prayer in our lives. WOW---can you say BLESSED!!!!  My cup is overflowing with thanksgiving as I am so humbled by all of the precious friends we have here!  God showed Himself in such a sweet way this week and I am so thankful for Him and His love for me!

flowers and gifts from our youth and kids at youth group/kids club

My girls from Tuesday night Women's Bible Study

Beatrice singing a special song for me!!

CIU Mission Team

Wow--what an amazing 10 days we have had serving with the mission team from Columbia International University!  This team was special to Daniel before they even got here because they are from his alma mater and he took this same "cross-cultural missions experience" class as a requirement for his Youth Ministry major many years ago.  He remembered the wonderful experience he had on that trip and was so blessed to be on the receiving end hoping these students would have the same experience.  It was an amazing time had by all!  They spent 3 days in the San Jose area helping with construction projects, a feeding center for children, and a rehab center for addicts.  They led worship at church, led Kids Club and Youth Group, built a bunk bed, put on roofs, built a fence, painted the park, built more benches for the park, etc.  Even more, they blessed us ABUNDANTLY by treating us and our ministry team to a team dinner last night and they babysit all of our kids!  They were more than a blessing!  It was amazing for us to hear throughout the week all that God is doing in each of their lives as all feel called to some form of Youth Ministry--whether as a Youth Pastor, Youth Ministry on the mission field, Camp Ministry--they are all following the call God has placed upon their lives.  We are so thankful to have had them and our kids were MORE than blessed by the time that was poured into them each day.  Thanks CIU and Professor Sam!!!  We love you guys!!!

Celebrating Sarah and Yacser's shared birthday on Saturday