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)