Visit From My Girls...Part 2

The entire week with the girls was full of fun!! Because the eye glasses/exams were such a hit and so needed in our first two ministry locations we ended up not having enough to do this outreach in the riverbed. We did, however, go down there and pass out toothbrushes, toothpaste, and Gospels of John door to door. We offered to pray with people as we visited each home and every person we saw asked for prayer. It was such a blessed time for us to get to pray with these people in such need. One lady's mother had died 15 days before and felt like we were sent to her from God. She wept as we prayed over her. Many others had sick relatives and they, too, were brought to tears as the Holy Spirit was present during our times of prayer. It really blessed us to spend some time with the least of these.

The girls blessed Daniel and I in a HUGE way by sending us off to a hotel for a night while they kept the boys (and spoiled them!). It was so refreshing for us and we were so humbled by their generosity!!! The following are a few more pictures from our wonderful week with them...

bathing in the pool one morning because we had no water!!

A Visit from My Girls...Part One

Last week we had a WONDERFUL treat!!! Four special girls, Mary Zanca, Annalee Jewell, Ellen Lloyd and Cindy Thompson from our home in Lexington, came to work alongside us and serve with us for the week. It was the most amazing week and the way they served us selflessly all week long was more than humbling! They loved on Daniel, the boys and me minute by minute and we feel so loved, refreshed and encouraged after their visit! Besides serving us, they were trained to do eye exams by a ministry in The States and they brought over 150 pairs of eye glasses to bless the people of Jaco. We were able to minister in 2 different barrios where we are already serving and the results were AMAZING!! To witness people who had not seen clearly for years and could not afford glasses now be able to see again--WOW--it was beautiful! To watch their faces light up as they could see clearly through lenses--many were celebrating, laughing, rejoicing...it was beautiful! We were able to pray with a few of them and we passed out The Gospel of John to each patient. We also shared over and over why we were there---to show the love of Christ--to be His hands and feet not only to meet physical needs but also to meet spiritual needs as well.

Our theme verse for the week was Acts 26:17-18 "I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." We pray that God continues to do this to those with whom we spent time. That He will open their spiritual eyes to His truth, love and grace.

Here are a few pictures from the eye exams...Part Two of this post to follow...

Short Visit to The States

Well, our short visit to The States was a lot of fun and extremely busy!! We were there for my sister's wedding and it was a magical experience to say the least! The wedding was at my Mom's house so we were busy all week helping them get ready for the big day. It was such a blessing to see all of our extended family and many friends that we have not seen in a long time. Daniel was one of the Pastors officiating the wedding so it was really special. We also met my niece, Anna (my sister Becca's baby), for the first time!! The boys were so happy to meet their baby cousin!!! We had the privilege of sharing at our home church for their Wednesday night service. This, too, was such a blessing and so encouraging as we visited with many of our closest friends. We got back to Jaco yesterday and we are looking forward to a group of 4 ladies (very good friends from Lexington) coming next Saturday to serve alongside us for a week. We are very excited!!!! The following are a few pictures from the wedding.

Our new baby cousin, Anna

First Youth Group

As most of you know, we have a real heart for teenagers and even served the teenagers in our church, Calvary Chapel Lexington, before moving here to Costa Rica. When praying about what the Lord would have for us here, we have continued to remain open to His leading/timing in whatever ministry He would have us take part in. We thought at some point it would be some sort of Youth Ministry since we worked with teenagers for many years in The States but again, wanted to wait on the Lord. Over the last few months our church has really been growing and with more and more families attending there are more and more teenagers coming. We have been praying about starting something for Youth in response to youth and parents asking for something more structured for them. Well, we had our first "official" Youth Group meeting this past Friday night at our home. It was soooo much fun! We ate pizza, played games and Daniel led a Bible Study. We had 4 teenagers there and it was such a blessing to see all of them open up and begin to gel so quickly. The Lord definitely answered our prayers for this night and we look forward to what the Lord has in store here. Please pray for us and for the teens in Jacó. This is an extremely difficult place for a teenager to grow up and very few positive influences exist at all. We desire to see them receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, take ownership of this faith, live it out authentically and as a result draw others to HIM. Here are a few pictures from Friday night...

Staff Retreat

Last week we had the opportunity to go on a staff retreat as a ministry team to Arenal (the Volcano). It was so much fun for all of us and a wonderful time for unity and rest among our team. The kids had a blast swimming, riding horses and running around outside freely without the constant worry of being hit by a car or strange people nearby. It was truly a joyful time and we returned refreshed and ready for all that the Lord has for us over the next few months. I am still waiting on the rest of our pictures but here are a few from the trip...

We are Celebrating!

As many of you know, Palmera (our friend who makes art out of palm branches) has had a rough road. In short, he had a bad knee injury which put him in the hospital for a few weeks. As a result, the Lord began to use this time to speak to him. He gave his life to the Lord and began a miraculous change (from drugs, demon possession, cutting, etc). While he was in the hospital in January, his 3 children were removed from the home from social services (with good reason.) Over these past 8 months God has really been working in him and he is truly a changed man. He has been following all the rules that PANI (social services) has set including attending counseling and Narcotics education classes, all while growing spiritually and being held accountable by men in the church. Well, on Thursday night he got a call from PANI and they told him he was going to get his kids back on Friday. So, on Friday we welcomed his three kids: Eileen, Rainer and Angel with open arms!! We had brownies and coke, Kentucky Fried Chicken and we celebrated. It was such a time of rejoicing, weeping and a true testimony to God's faithfulness. Here is a picture of the family reunited.

Fun Times...

Since mission teams and visitors have gone for a few weeks, we are catching up on many things we put off doing so we have been equally busy this last week. From Thomas splitting his head open, to roasting marshmellows over a fire with the neighbors, to school celebrations for Costa Rican Mother's Day--we have had our share of fun as well. Many of you have asked how the adoption process is coming along and we are still in a time of waiting. PANI has everything they need and we need to attend one parenting workshop at some point. We are waiting for a call about attending the class and other than that--we are just praying and waiting. We know God's timing is perfect and if this is His plan for our family then it will definitely be worth the wait. At times we are anxious because we are ready to add to our family but again we know that God's timing is perfect and we trust Him fully. Please join with us in praying for this process and for this time of waiting that at times can be difficult. God's Word says that "Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength...They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31" We are trusting in Him with all of our hearts, not leaning on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledging Him because we know that He will direct our steps. (Prov.3:5-6)

Thanks for praying--we love all of you! The following are a few recent pictures...

Thomas taking his first communion at church after inviting Jesus into his heart

Roasting marshmellows with the neighbors in the front yard

Thomas's Mother's Day goodies he made for me at school this week

Our "Mommy and Me" picture for the Mother's Day board at school

When Thomas split his head open, Jacob wanted a bandaid just like his brother...