Week 2 Update

Week 2 in Costa

So we’ve survived 2 weeks in Costa! Dan and I feel like we are starting to settle in to life here. Sometimes life here feels so natural and other times we are quickly reminded that we are indeed living in a third world country.

One of our adventures this week involved trying to determine where we can buy a replacement light & new windshield wipers for our 4 Runner. Sounds easy enough, right? You would think so but its not…trying to get directions to an auto parts store is easy enough if you could simply get an address from a local. However, since most of the streets down here don’t have names it is quite difficult. Plus, the fact that locals have a tendency to confuse their left with their right can cause an easy task to become very complicated.

This week we hosted the last team of the summer season. Dan and I really enjoyed spending time with them at the orphanage followed with dinner and chapel together. Thursday night Dan was able to speak the message at chapel to the entire group. He did an amazing job teaching about the kingdom of God.

I love to see how God is working in various individuals who live all over the world. This team from Texas was full of strong believers. There was one particular young man that really touched our hearts. His name is Edward. Edward is contemplating moving down to serve with 6:8 in some fashion in the future. He would be a great addition to our staff. Keep him in your prayers.

Dan and I felt like we actually had the opportunity to begin our true ministry this week. We were very thankful for the opportunities we had to minister to the orphans and the team. In addition, we were able to meet with some of the youth we have worked with over the years. Not only were we able to worship with them at church yesterday, but we were also able to spend time with them today in San Jose. They introduced us to some new believers. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for them.

One other possibility we discussed is to start an ESOL class for teens and adults at the church we visited last night. This is something we have done, at a different church down here, in the past. It was one of the most rewarding experiences we have had and allowed us to develop some wonderful friendships with locals. Pray that we will be able to form meaningful relationships where we can truly disciple others. We are also hoping this is a way that we can minister to a different congregation. Our vision is to have all of the various churches in Alajuelita working together to develop God’s kingdom in this dark community. The stories we have heard so far from the new friends we have met are absolutely incredible…stories of drug dealers and murders who have completely turned their lives around since they met Christ. God’s plans for this community are so much better than anything we could possibly imagine.

Your prayers are very much appreciated. This week I met the other teachers I will be working with each day. They are a breath of fresh air. It calmed a lot of my fears and made this adjustment to school here much easier. Tomorrow I have the opportunity to meet some of the kids and their parents. School starts on Tuesday. I can’t wait to meet all 17 of my students then.

Praises:

• First, we are starting to develop new friendships around the community both at work, in the ministry, and in our local community.
• Second, we were able to do real ministry this week rather than just school work. 
• Third, we met some new like-minded believers at church who are on fire for God.
• Fourth, we have a possible opportunity to start an ESOL class at one of the local churches. Pray this door will be opened completely.

Prayer Requests:

• Dan & I want to be good stewards of our time and resources down here. Pray for wisdom so we can serve the people of Costa Rica to the best of our ability.
• School starts Tuesday. Pray for a smooth transition and that the kids will be a blessing to teach. Pray that I have the wisdom to deal with all of my students.
• Safety for our vehicle. Cars in Costa Rica aren’t very reliable. Pray for supernatural protection for our vehicle. Pray that all the crazy sounds we are hearing are nothing serious and that the car is able to serve its purpose in helping us do ministry down here. Our friend’s license plates were stolen from the front and back of their vehicle this week. Crazy enough our car was parked directly beside it and they didn’t touch it. Pray that God will continue to watch over us and our vehicle. 
• We want to start our Spanish classes soon. Pray that we are able to find a time that works for us and our instructor. 

Thanks in advance for all of your prayers. We love and miss you guys!