Week 16 Update

It has been another busy week in Costa Rica. God has been forcing us to rest this past week. The orphanage is still closed and this was our last week of English classes until January. School is almost out down here and we’ve learned that most of our students are busy studying for exams. Then, they will be off on vacation. So rather than have classes with very few students we are taking a break until mid-January. 

The team getting their nails done in Verbena

The team in Verbena

We also have a team down here from the Athens area. It was a pleasant surprise to have fellow Southerners down here with us for a week. They are a great team and we have really enjoyed spending time with them over the past couple of days. I can’t wait to spend the rest of the week with them. Tonight Dan was able to speak the message at Chapel. He did a fantastic job as always…he was teaching on the importance of living our lives as disciples rather than just believers. We’ve been blessed with such great teaching at Victory and now we have the opportunity to continue to live out what we have learned and also to share it with others. 

Verbena joy

The team in the central park of Alajuelita.  They were singing and some locals decided to join in with the worship.

Please pray for our dear friend Margoth and her nephew. Margoth’s sister has a son with Autism. They also have a new baby, Santiago. Unfortunately, the baby is having some health issues. Please pray for Santiago’s health. Pray that it is nothing serious. Pray that the doctors will have wisdom as they check him out Monday morning! 

Blessed Beyond Belief…It is hard to believe that Thursday is Thanksgiving. This past Wednesday we had our staff Thanksgiving dinner since the team we are currently hosting will still be here on Thanksgiving. We enjoyed spending time with the other missionaries and reflecting on all of our many blessings. It is so easy to get caught up in our busy lives that we forget to stop and actually thank God for all of the blessings he pours out upon us each and every day. Dan & I are guilty of this even in Costa Rica. We are so blessed to live in a nice area of Costa Rica….our condo is in a relatively quiet area. We feel very safe with the guards who look out for us. There is never a day where I have to worry about whether or not I will have food to eat. All of these are blessings that the majority of our friends in Alajuelita can’t claim on a daily basis like we do. This past week there was a water main break and we lost our water for almost 12 hours. Unfortunately, it took this outtage for me to remember what a privilege it is for us to have water…warm water on a daily basis. I need to do a better job thanking God for all of my blessings rather than focusing on my wants. I challenge you this week to take time to truly thank God for all of your blessings. I also challenge you to be a blessing to others this week. Black Friday is coming up and many people get caught up in the shopping and all of the sales. Take advantage of the sales to be a blessing to someone who isn’t as privileged as you! 

We hope and pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Dan and I love and miss each and every single one of you! Take care and know that you always have a place to stay in Costa:)