Just giving The LORD thanks

     "Oh give thanks to The LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; Speak of all His wonders.  Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek LORD be glad.  Seek The LORD and His stength;  seek His face continually. Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth. O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!...O give thanks to The LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting...Blessed be The LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting.  Then all the people said "Amen" and praised The LORD"

1 Chronicles 16:8-13,34,36

All of 1 Chronicles 16 calls The LORD's people to give thanks.  To remember what The LORD had done for them and give Him thanks.  As I have transitioned to Costa Rica one of the things that transitions with me is the need to raise continued prayer and financial support.  In praying about how best to do this the one thing that kept coming to my attention was just to give The LORD thanks for what He has done.  I have not struggled overall with stressing about where the financial support will come from as I know this is something The LORD has for me.  The LORD never DOES NOT provide for His people when He asks them to do something.  We may not know how or when it will happen but in The LORD's wisdom He always provides.  So here I sit this evening ready and willing to tell you all the ways the The LORD has provided but that could take a while so I will just recount a few ways I have seen The LORD provide over the last several months.  

• A year ago while on a W&W (work and witness trip) I happened to take a business card with info on it about the program here at the seminary in San Jose.  At the time I thought I might take a few online courses to help with my Multicultural Ministries Pastor position.  (Little did I know what God intended :)
• In August I officially ended my time as a Multicultural Ministries Pastor to follow God in the direction to help fight child hunger in Racine, WI.  Knowing Spanish had something to do with all of it but not sure what that meant.
• The LORD provided an addition to my home churches that embraced and supported me through the process of praying through where The LORD might be leading
• The LORD has given me a district superintendent and district who understands my call to serve The LORD no matter what that may look like
• The LORD provided for my landlord's in WI a couple to rent the place that had been my home the same day it was listed so that they would have the income
• The LORD provided a way for my father and sister to come to WI to help move my things and see a little glimpse of what my life had looked like for the last 2.5 years
• The LORD has provided a host of people to pray with and for me throughout this whole process
• The LORD provided my first financial supporter who gives unselfishly every month 
• The LORD provided for all my financial supporters who in turn gave back to The LORD in order to support me 
• The LORD provided $4,000 in the course of 6 weeks
• The LORD provided nannying jobs while in Kansas City that helped with expenses while there
• The LORD has provided financially through 4 home churches
• The LORD provided save travels to Costa Rica with no problems
• The LORD provided a way for me to have my Spanish textbook (which didn't get to me in the United States before I left)
• The LORD has provided friends here in Costa Rica that I can say are now family
• The LORD provided a last minute trip to the beach which provided adventure of new places and the opportunity to "just sit" for long periods of time on the beach

I am waiting with expectation for The LORD to continue to provide new prayer partners, friends, financial supporters, and other things I am not even aware of at the moment.  As it stands now I am a little under $7,000 which is half of my budget for the next 9 months.  I know the The LORD will continue to provide the finances needed to reach my needed budget of $14,000.  If you, someone you know, or even your church have not given yet and would like to there are several ways to do so whether it be through monthly support or a one time gift.  Or if you have given but The LORD wants you to give more back to Him, there is a donate now link to the upper-left side of this blog where you can give online.  All the funds given this way are tax deductible.  Please consider praying about it and give as The LORD leads.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

I thank The LORD for all of you whether or not you give financially and I look forward to continuing this journey with you.  

Dois Le Bendiga (God bless you!)

Front Gate of SENDAS

My apartment on campus of SENDAS

 

Zeidy and I

Little restaurant across from campus
They liked the name Nazarene but
it's not part of SENDAS

    

Front Entrance to La Finca

La Finca Sanctuary with new addition

Somana Uno (Week One)

Yesterday marked one week of being here in Costa Rica!  Praise The LORD!  This past week was full of a lot of firsts for sure.  The travel here went very well, there were NO issues.  The people here are very friendly and willing to help out whether associated with the SENDAS, CALL, or the general public in general.  The Spanish teachers are no different.  Last Friday was my first day of Spanish classes with my current teacher Zeidy (Saddie). She is very patient and challenges me but at the same time she's very encouraging!!
As far as work goes, I am just getting my feet wet working with Shelley Webb. I am basically her assistant for the CALL (Christian Academy of Language and Learning) program and each day is a little bit different depending on what's going on with other students and the teachers.  I am mostly prepping a lot for the Point Loma language students who will arrive in May.  I am excited to be able to help Shelley out in this way and to get to know everyone on campus better in the coming weeks.
Last Sunday Shelley and David Webb suggested that we travel to La Finca which is where my W&W team served a year ago.  I was super thankful for the opportunity to visit there (it is about an hr away give or take from campus.  Basically we traveled down the mountain through San Jose and up the next mountain).  Like I said it was a great time of worship and lunch afterward.  I have missed worshiping in Spanish :) It was really nice to run into familiar faces and catch up as much as possible with a couple of the women there! (As much as we could with my limited Spanish and their limited English; good times!)
Overall, the one thing that sticks out to me over these last several weeks both in the states and here in Costa Rica is that supporting one another as brothers and sisters in Christ (and in this case the Nazarene church) truly allows the Kingdom of God to be manifested here on earth.  That "family" is more than a single local church. We are all apart of this kingdom and the sacrifices we make; things like W&W (work and witness), or even learning a language all build upon one another in a huge way.  For example La Finca would not be able to reach as many people as it does today if it weren't for the many W&W teams that have given their time, talents, and financial support to The LORD.
I count it huge honor to be here: studying, helping Shelley out, and building relationships with people.  All of this would not be possible with out you my supporters!  Thank you for the ways you give yourself (whether in prayer or financially) to The LORD not just for me but to the global church. You are changing lives!
Praise Reports:  Safe arrival, start of Spanish classes and friends have become family already

Prayer Points:  Continued understanding in learning Spanish, safe travels for a W&W team coming next  week,  and safe travels home for friends who will be going home next week.

Dios le Bendiga! (God bless you)