Being the church

The Lord reminded me about this song upon my arrival to Costa 

Rica a little over 2 months ago.  It has become one of those songs in which every time I hear it I can’t help but worship and am overwhelmed with gratitude for my family, friends, prayer and financial supporters.  This song completely describes how together we are the being the church each with our God given gifts and how we offer those back to The LORD.  It is through our journey together that we declare “In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, In the name of the Spirit, Lord, we come

We're gathered together to lift up Your Name, To call on our Savior to fall on Your grace…”though we may be miles apart “We're gathered together to lift up His Name, To call on our Savior to fall on His grace”. My prayer for us as that The Lord would, “hear the joyful sound of our offerings.” No matter what form that offering takes.  Whether it’s the gift of an item given, a monthly sacrificial donation, a one-time gift, prayer and accountability, serving The LORD with me in Costa Rica, a FaceTime/Skype conversation, notes of encouragement from the you and your children, emails, home churches offering prayer, encouragement or financial gifts, or your serving The LORD in the local church somewhere in world. We “bow down, as His people and sing….” Because we are being the church “the world will see that . . .our God saves, there is hope in Your name.”  Even though at times our offerings can seem not good enough or our circumstances in life are hard to bear. In being the church, our "mourning turns to songs of praise." In being the church the world sees that "our God saves."

I thank The LORD abundantly for the ability to be the church with you!  Because of your prayers and financial offerings to The LORD, He has provided and I am 63% funded in reaching the goal of $14,000!  I thank The LORD for each and every one of you!

A loss for words

Well this week marked my 2 months of being in Costa Rica.  As I write this I find myself at a loss for words to express to you all the ways I have seen The LORD working over the last month.  Even the idea of jogging my memory and reading through my journal to help with my lack of words seems somehow not good enough.  Yet The LORD has definitely been working in the hearts and minds of His people.
This month I had to great privilege of taking extra hours of Spanish class in order to prepare for the summer ahead and the arrival of the PLNU team.  They arrived on Monday, have already started their Spanish classes, and are in the process of exploring the city.

PLNU team

As far as church goes I was able to continue to travel with the Webb's to different churches in the area for a couple of weeks.  It was really a blessing to see how The Lord has worked and is continuing to work in these churches.  The beautiful thing is that no two churches are the same no matter which continent you're in, yet they all work together to bring the kingdom of God to the world.
This month I was able to attend a Sunday School training made up of churches from the two districts here in Costa Rica.  It was great to see people I had met from the different churches I have attended since being here.

Rev. Monte Cyr serving in Guatemala came to help train local leaders

Children's ministry seminar

In addition to traveling some I was able to attend the church here on campus a couple of Sundays.  It will most likely become my home church here in Costa Rica.  This congregation is smaller in size but the leaders are very dedicated.  A few of my ESL students attend here so it is nice to see them on a Sunday morning.  The church is in pastoral transition so you could be praying for them in this season of the life of the church.

El Alto: The church located on campus

Praise Report:  1. Answers to prayers for physical healing of my ankle, it's back to normal!!  Praise The LORD.  I am super excited for this as tomorrow I am going with PLNU to a volcano and this time I  can walk without crutches and get to see the lake! 2. The weeks of 21 hours of class time went well 3. The PLNU team arrived on Monday with only minor delays 4. ESL classes are one of the times I look forward to the most and we are adding another class starting Monday. 5. God continues to provide financial and prayer supporters!!
Prayer Points:  1.  Pray that I would guard my sabbaths with The LORD as life has gotten busier and will continue to be so. 2. Pray for continued wisdom as I teach the ESL classes and how best to help the students 2. Pray for PLNU as they are adjusting and learning Spanish here for the next 9 weeks. 3. Pray for my studies and as I begin to speak more in conversion.  4. Pray for wisdom as I work with and help lead the PLNU team. 5. For the Webb's as they leave on home assignment in a few short weeks for deputation.