The sun goes down, but the Son lives forever

Luke gave today's devotion before we left for our trip up Rincon.  He talked about how, as beautiful as the sunset is, the sun goes down.... it leaves us and the night takes over.   BUT, the Son of God never goes down.  He is never eclipsed.  Luke issued a challenge, and I would extend it to all of you.   Live your life knowing that we worship, not a dead God, but one who actively lives in us.   What a powerful thought...what an impowering piece of knowledge.

Our day was such a wonderful and relaxing time.   As we began the day, all I could think about was the hot springs and mud baths......  but wow..... we experienced so much more.  
                                               

We rode horses, (some of us for the first time....)

We rode the 10 cable zip line.... some of us for the first time....

We had a mud bath at the hot volcano springs..... ALL of us for the first time!

We were 20 feet from a large family of howler monkeys....

But most of all, we were able to enjoy God's creation, just as he made it.  The hot springs, the volcano, the beautiful mountain vistas and the wildlife, all God's handiwork... and we were face to face with it.   There are not enough words to describe the experience, but take it from me...... it was humbling.  God's majesty surrounds us everywhere we go... but here, it was so undamaged by humans.  

When we got back from Rincon, we all cleaned up and did a prayer walk around the grounds here at the church.  The group prayed over the 'meeting' area, the dorm rooms, the class rooms, the parking area, the sanctuary, and the new building.  Prayers were said in private and by the group, that God would continue to watch over this place and these people.  We pray that the project that we have been working on for the last two years will be funded and completed soon.  We pray for the congregation and the pastor and all that God is doing here.  We ask that you continue to pray for all these things as well. 

We spent our last meal here together at Pizza Pronto, the best pizza in Costa Rica, and we did some last minute shopping.  Now all that is left is to pack and weigh our bags to make sure those souveniers will make it home!

We leave here with mixed emotions.  We will certainly miss the loving hearts of the people here, we will miss Pastor Carlos and his family, we will miss the new baby (who by the way may arrive tonight!!!), we will miss the children, the ladies who have so lovingly cooked for us all week, we'll miss Carlos M who has been our interpreter, our tour guide and our friend.  We love the people and who they are.  We love how God works through them, for us and this community.   We've shared a lot and we've learned a lot.   Until next year, we will have to say.....  until we meet again our friends.   

But, we are very happy to be returning to our families and are hoping for an uneventful trip home (we hear the weather in NYC is pretty  nasty right now... so maybe we can skip New York and get home through a different route).

One last thing that I have just heard about...... our contractor's wife lost her mother today.  She passed away after being taken to the hospital this week.   Dronald and his wife Shirley, will be in mouring over the loss of their loved one.. and we request prayers for their family.  It is very sad time for them, but we know they are faithful people who know that God is with them. 

We thank you all for following our journey.  We appreciate all of your support and prayers.  We look forward to sharing our photos and our stories with you when we return home, and maybe, just maybe, you will hear the call to mission work one day.

We love you all!!!   Dios te Bendiga!!