Week 8 Update

Two of our favorite people in the world back in the States are Art and Mary Martinaeu. Over the years it was amazing to watch these two people sacrifice themselves to show love to others. Their legacy is unstoppable. Karen and I have tried to live our lives in a similar manner - following their example to us. It is sometimes an exhausting way to live but it is always fulfilling in the end. This past week we have been focusing on building relationships while we work and do ministry with the ticos. 

We invited people over for game night...

Game night (Mexican train) with friends

We went to a birthday party for a friend's 9 year old daughter...

The birthday girl (Jimena)

And her wonderful party with family and friends

And we had several dinners with different families and friends (no photos). This is church - sharing our lives together to glorify God.

Our staff also led a team from Mission way church in Jacksonville. It is always exciting to see how God works in people’s lives as they experience the people of Costa Rica. This team mostly spent their time at the children’s ranch. They blessed this ministry with their service. They blessed the people of Costa Rica with their love. They blessed the kingdom of God with their sacrifice and I find this beautiful! It is so easy for us to forget that we are blessed in the United States (almost beyond measure). We are blessed to be a blessing to others. Meditate on Luke 14 sometime when you get a chance.

Here is the team video for Mission Way Church:

The only real constant here at 6:8 Ministries is change. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to one of our part-time staff today. 

Kayle Shoals has been working with us the past month or so and has been a tremendous blessing to this ministry. Not only did she give several of the staff haircuts but she also gave free haircuts to some of the locals.  She especially was a blessing to Josh and Alli as she helped to care for their three boys at times. Karen and I took Kayle out to the Taco bar last night to give her one last new experience in CR before she left. We are going to miss her down here.

Fun story:

Karen and I finally had a chance to go to a different open air market that we have been wanting to try. This market is near Alajuelita but is much bigger with more variety of fruits and vegetables. Today we tried a new (to us) fruit called mangosteen (or mangostan down here). It was super delicious! This has become a new favorite for us. 

We are constantly amazed at how small this country really seems at times. We almost always run into people we know in the most unexpected places. Today was no exception - at the market today we ran into the Campos family (who we have not seen in over a year). We have been wanting to get together with this beautiful family for literally weeks but have not been able to contact them. God took care of that for us I guess.

Another fun story:

Costa Rican culture is slightly different! Sometimes you have to let some things people say to you roll off your back. This week Karen had picture day at school. When the photographer was finished taking pictures of Karen’s class, it was her turn. But the photographer stopped and said to her, “Do you just want to wait and take your picture another day?” When she said, “No, why?”, the photographer proceeded to give her a look and pulled out some makeup to put on Karen. Apparently she did not look good enough for picture day (anyone who knows Karen will know how ridiculous this thought is!).