God is good....all the time. All the time....God is good. Amen!!
First, I'll just start by saying that I'm having a hard time posting photos again this year, but will try to get it worked out soon. We will also be launching a Facebook page, where you will be able to view photos and comments from the team members. I'll share that as soon as possible.
First, I'll just start by saying that I'm having a hard time posting photos again this year, but will try to get it worked out soon. We will also be launching a Facebook page, where you will be able to view photos and comments from the team members. I'll share that as soon as possible.
We've been here for three full days now, and we have been blessed beyond words, in so many ways. We were able to start work here at the church almost immediately. Usually we have to wait a day for all of our supplies to arrive, but this year, we had paint and cement board available right away. We spent Friday laying the cement board to provide storage space in the attic of the new addition. We were also able to paint one of the new rooms and prep it to install the ceiling tiles and maybe some windows.
We attended church service on Friday night, and although we had no interpreter, we were able to worship through the scripture, the music, and some snippets of English here and there. (Pastor carlos does speak some English, however, when he is in the Word, he has to slow himself down to translate....😉).
On Saturday, we were up at 4:30am to board the bus. We joined about 50 other members of the church to attend the 100 year celebration of the Methodist church, in Alajuela. The town is just outside of San Jose, a three hour drive. The celebration lasted from 8:00am until 3:00pm. There were dancers from many churches, many preachers spoke and delivered messages of love and praise, the president of the country and the bishop both spoke and were honored, and the several district superintendents were also recognized. It was a very special day on the life of the Methodist church. The celebration also included special music and entertainment for the children, and no birthday party is complete without a huge birthday cake!!
Yesterday, The Assembly of God used the church facilities here to hold a huge conference celebration, so our Sunday service was postponed until 5:30pm. So, of course we took the opportunity to do a little exploring. We found a very nice beach which we had never been to. We took our lunch and spent a couple of hours resting and rejuvenating.
Our church service last night was a continuation of the message that was preached on Friday night. Pastor Carlos spoke from the books of John, Mark and Genesis (specifically John 15:1-15, Mark 5:18-20 and Genesis 1:28). God created us with a purpose. He created us with the ability to do something. He expects us to bear much fruit.... constant and permanent fruit. Our purpose is to live for Him, and to share the miracles He performs in our lives (no matter how large, small or seemingly insignificant) so that others will see the blessings He has bestowed on us. By doing so, we are sharing His love for us and spreading His word and love. We are being fruitful in our discipleship. And , we are answering His call.
Carlos used a situation from our trip two years ago. While we were preparing to build a storage building, there was a grouping of banana trees in the way. Those trees were destined for the trash pile. However, a few of the ladies could not bear to see that happen, so we took the 'doomed' trees and relocated them to the opposite side of the church and planted them along the fence/wall line. This year, those very same trees have grown from small saplings to grande trees, bearing at least 8-10 huge bunches of fruit (which are quite delicious I might add). The transplants were recognized as having great potential. They were watered and nurtured, and are now providing fruit for others to enjoy! Hallelujah!! Carlos drew an analogy between the banana trees and us as Christians. Like those doomed and unloved banana trees, We too can bear much fruit, through our experiences and the nurturing word of Christ.
Every situation provides opportunities. In last night's service, we again had no interpreter lined up. It is the practice of this church and this pastor to openly recognize visitors to the church. The congregation is introduced to the visitors and they are welcomed by way of shouts and applause (and quite often slaps on the back and lots of hugs). During those introductions, one visitor offered to assist in interpreting. It was a true blessing for those of us who have limited to no Spanish to have the pastors message spoken in English. After the service, some approached the guy who translated to thank him. We discovered that he attends a different church, but felt moved to attend here instead. As I said in the beginning....God is good!! Hallelujah! He send Gerald to us because we had a need. He filled that need through His diciple. Gerald had no idea that he would be used in that way when he woke up yesterday.....and I imagine he had no idea how big his service was to us. I don't know how many of you reading this right now have ever found yourself in a church service, and felt like you were missing the message due to a language barrier, but let me tell you.....it's hard. But, God knew what we needed, and He provided. Simple, right?
Devotions so far have also been a blessing. On Friday, Reid shared from Ephesians 2:17-22. He shared how Christ preached peace for all who are near and far. How we are all welcome to Hos kingdom by the same Spirit. We are all family.
Dennis shared from Mark 9:38-41and encouraging genuine faith and Bryan read from Phillipeans 4:4-20 as well as 2 Timothy 4:18. Bryan reminded us that not only do we receive blessings from others, but we too can be a blessing to someone. We meet each other in times of need, whether we know it or not.
Eve's devotion came from Romans 1:1-15. Consistent and confident faith. We must always put our faith in God. Often when we try to place our faith in things or people , our true faith can waiver through doubt. But rejoice, if we place our faith in God, always, we will reap our true rewards!! Remember, as pastor Carlos preached.....speaking of our experiences with God is as important as speaking scripture.
Yesterday, The Assembly of God used the church facilities here to hold a huge conference celebration, so our Sunday service was postponed until 5:30pm. So, of course we took the opportunity to do a little exploring. We found a very nice beach which we had never been to. We took our lunch and spent a couple of hours resting and rejuvenating.
Our church service last night was a continuation of the message that was preached on Friday night. Pastor Carlos spoke from the books of John, Mark and Genesis (specifically John 15:1-15, Mark 5:18-20 and Genesis 1:28). God created us with a purpose. He created us with the ability to do something. He expects us to bear much fruit.... constant and permanent fruit. Our purpose is to live for Him, and to share the miracles He performs in our lives (no matter how large, small or seemingly insignificant) so that others will see the blessings He has bestowed on us. By doing so, we are sharing His love for us and spreading His word and love. We are being fruitful in our discipleship. And , we are answering His call.
Carlos used a situation from our trip two years ago. While we were preparing to build a storage building, there was a grouping of banana trees in the way. Those trees were destined for the trash pile. However, a few of the ladies could not bear to see that happen, so we took the 'doomed' trees and relocated them to the opposite side of the church and planted them along the fence/wall line. This year, those very same trees have grown from small saplings to grande trees, bearing at least 8-10 huge bunches of fruit (which are quite delicious I might add). The transplants were recognized as having great potential. They were watered and nurtured, and are now providing fruit for others to enjoy! Hallelujah!! Carlos drew an analogy between the banana trees and us as Christians. Like those doomed and unloved banana trees, We too can bear much fruit, through our experiences and the nurturing word of Christ.
Every situation provides opportunities. In last night's service, we again had no interpreter lined up. It is the practice of this church and this pastor to openly recognize visitors to the church. The congregation is introduced to the visitors and they are welcomed by way of shouts and applause (and quite often slaps on the back and lots of hugs). During those introductions, one visitor offered to assist in interpreting. It was a true blessing for those of us who have limited to no Spanish to have the pastors message spoken in English. After the service, some approached the guy who translated to thank him. We discovered that he attends a different church, but felt moved to attend here instead. As I said in the beginning....God is good!! Hallelujah! He send Gerald to us because we had a need. He filled that need through His diciple. Gerald had no idea that he would be used in that way when he woke up yesterday.....and I imagine he had no idea how big his service was to us. I don't know how many of you reading this right now have ever found yourself in a church service, and felt like you were missing the message due to a language barrier, but let me tell you.....it's hard. But, God knew what we needed, and He provided. Simple, right?
Devotions so far have also been a blessing. On Friday, Reid shared from Ephesians 2:17-22. He shared how Christ preached peace for all who are near and far. How we are all welcome to Hos kingdom by the same Spirit. We are all family.
Dennis shared from Mark 9:38-41and encouraging genuine faith and Bryan read from Phillipeans 4:4-20 as well as 2 Timothy 4:18. Bryan reminded us that not only do we receive blessings from others, but we too can be a blessing to someone. We meet each other in times of need, whether we know it or not.
Eve's devotion came from Romans 1:1-15. Consistent and confident faith. We must always put our faith in God. Often when we try to place our faith in things or people , our true faith can waiver through doubt. But rejoice, if we place our faith in God, always, we will reap our true rewards!! Remember, as pastor Carlos preached.....speaking of our experiences with God is as important as speaking scripture.
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