Costa Rica Update: Week 3

Hi Everyone!

I want to thank you all so very much for all your continued prayers and encouragement while I am here in Costa Rica. It really means so much to me. I am so blessed to have the wonderful support and love of you all back home. 

This past week here in Costa Rica was a good one. There were some challenges, but I'm learning how thankful I am even for the challenges in life because it causes me to depend more on Jesus.

I'm continuing to love our time with the children during the week. It is such a joy to spend time with them. I still would appreciate prayers that I would learn more Spanish, because I really wish that I could communicate with these children more. I'm so thankful though that I am able to still love them and have fun with them. On Thursday at Kid's Club I played soccer (they call it football here) with a couple of the boys, and I had so much fun with them! 

There is one boy who comes to PFK, Gustavo, who has completely stolen my heart. I think he is 8 years old - he is so cute! He is such a troublemaker! It's almost as if he lives to antagonize the other children. This last week he went to use the utility sink outside, and I realized that there was a machete right next to him. I went and grabbed it and put it inside the office because Gustavo + machete = bad news. :) He is such a little rascal, but for some reason or another he always brightens my day and makes me so thankful to be here. Please be praying for him. Please pray that he would have an obedient heart and that he would know how much Jesus loves him. 

Tuesday evening we had an earthquake here - I heard it was a 6.6 - it was freaky! Sydnie and I were doing dishes at the church when it happened. I actually heard the rumbling and thought it was just a big truck driving by or something. Then, all of a sudden, there was a lot of shaking and Tandrian said, "That's an earthquake!" The look on her face scared me, and I didn't know what to do. I went running outside, not knowing what the heck I'm even supposed to do or where I'm supposed to go during an earthquake. Thankfully it was very short lived. It is such a weird feeling to have the ground beneath you moving! It scares me, but I know that I will most likely experience more while I am here. I find myself thinking about earthquakes a lot during the day, and even at night, being super paranoid about one happening. When I was talking to Tandrian about earthquakes, I said something about me not minding earthquakes as long I knew the result of it beforehand. She reminded me that that wouldn't be living by faith, to which I replied "Sometimes I don't like faith." I was partly joking, but that is honestly how I feel at times. I know that isn't exactly the right attitude to have, but honestly sometimes faith is hard. I'm not talking just about in earthquakes, but even about in life in general. Sometimes it is really hard to trust Jesus in the midst of the trials and struggles of life, and sometimes I am just like the man who cried out to Jesus in Mark 9:24 - "I believe; help my unbelief!" I'm so thankful that Jesus is patient with me. Oh for grace to trust Him more!

On Wednesday Cory, Tandrian, Betty, Sydnie and I went to the beach really early to do devotions there. This will be something we do once a month. It was raining a lot, and so we ended up going into a restaurant and did devotions there. It was a really good time together... we read Psalm 145 and then each shared on a few verses. 

Thursday morning Matt, Brooke, Ethan, Isabelle, and Audrey left to go back to the states. It was sad to see them leave, but I'm so thankful for the time we had with them here. Betty also left us on Thursday morning, and is now back in Montana for a bit before she goes back to Uganda. I'm learning more and more that life is full of goodbyes, especially when following Jesus. Goodbyes are hard, but there will one day be a day when all believers are together forever in Heaven and there will never again be anymore goodbyes. Also on Thursday morning I was able to talk to my Mom. I told her some of the struggles I have been having and she encouraged me. Later she texted me saying "Iron sharpens iron...say and do all things with love and a humble heart."  I wrote this down and put it on our refrigerator door. I'm so thankful for her encouragement!

On Friday I once again did a lot of laundry. I had determined not to wash so many clothes at once, but much to my dismay, I found that almost all my clothes that I had washed the previous week smelled because they did not dry fast enough. Needless to say, I was very frustrated by this, but this is just one of the little challenges we face here. I'm looking forward to dry season because clothes will dry so much faster then. I know it will get incredibly hot, but I think I honestly would rather have heat over humidity. Cory, Tandrian, Sydnie, and I talked about possibly seeing if we can get a washing machine at a used appliance place. We could all chip in for it and hook it up on our porch. It would save much time, and also would wring out our clothes really well, which would help speed up the drying process. We will see though, on whether or not we will be able to find a cheap and reliable one. 

This week I've been struggling with feeling as though I can't really do anything besides cleaning. During our time at the church, Sydnie and Tandrian will practice singing and playing guitar, or sometimes translate sponsors' letters to the children, but since I'm not gifted musically and can't speak Spanish, I just clean and organize at the church. I know that that is serving the Lord as well, but sometimes it is hard and I struggle feeling as though I'm not really gifted. I talked to my Mom about this and she encouraged me that maybe I should start taking part in worship practice because even though I don't feel that that is my gift, it would help me learn songs in Spanish. Pastor Phil also said that he would like me to type up new music sheets on Thursday evenings during worship practice, and so it will be good to serve in that area as well. Don't get me wrong, I love cleaning, but sometimes I feel like that's all I'm capable of doing which discourages me, but I know that this is just a lie from the enemy. Jesus created me how I am and I can live knowing that He created me just as I am to be used for His glory.

I would also appreciate your prayers as I have been struggling lately feeling that my time in the Word is dry and I really want to feel the presence of the Lord in my life. I know that I need to keep seeking His face regardless of how I feel, and that I need to still trust in His promises even when it's hard. 

This past week has been a crazy one for my family back at home. Please be praying for them. A week ago this last Friday my Grandpa was hospitalized because he had a really bad lung infection. I think it was Thursday that he was able to come home, and is getting better, praise the Lord. I was able to talk to my parents yesterday (I can call them for free using an app on my phone) and found out that my Mom went to the hospital on Friday. She kept fainting, and my Dad said she was unresponsive and he called an ambulance. They think she was just really dehydrated since once they started giving her fluids she started getting better. Dehydration and stress probably made her sick - because like I said my Grandpa was in the hospital and so that had added a lot of stress to her. Please be praying for complete healing for my Mom as well as for my Grandpa.

Thank you all again so much for all your prayers and encouragement. I love you all and you are all such a blessing to me.

Week 2: Costa Rica

It was another good week here in Costa Rica!

I'm loving our time at Potter's Field Kids Monday-Wednesday, as well as Kids club which is on Thursdays. Though I still can hardly speak Spanish, I love my time with those kids. Last Monday Tandrian and I taught the English class - we played Simon Says which was a blast. I would give the command in English, and then would demonstrate what I just said (example: clap your hands). Eventually, I would just give them the command without doing the motion and they would remember what it meant. I am so blessed to be able to be here and spend this time with the children.

On Monday afternoons those of us who do PFK meet together to talk and pray before we begin the new week. Last week Don Victor, who is on staff for Potter's Field here in Costa Rica, asked us why we came to Costa Rica. I said (with Tandrian translating since I don't speak Spanish and he doesn't speak English) that I came because I have a heart for missions and kids, and I want to love on the kids.  He encouraged me that I can show love for them even if I can't speak their language - I can show them through my actions. He used as an example a little girl that had come to Kids Club the previous Thursday. I couldn't have a conversation with her, but I held her on my lap during club. He said that that is an example of me being able to love through my actions. He said that she is a little girl who comes from a poor family and she needs a lot of love. God is so, so good for allowing me to be here. I'm so thankful for His grace which allows me to serve Him by serving others. I want to be His hands and His feet. I want to love these kids with the love with which He has loved me.

We've had the power go out a few times this last week. It doesn't stay out for very long, and so it really isn't a big deal. I think it was a week ago last night that it went out for the first time since we'd been here. I was actually already asleep, but I awoke to Sydnie shaking me, and saying "The power went out!" I was so confused for a minute, having just awakened, and it took me a minute to realize what was happening. Our bedroom light was off, which, honestly, we have yet to sleep with it off, because we are both paranoid. Sydnie had been out in the living area when it went out and so she came running into the bedroom (running into the counter in the process). If I were her, I would have done the exact same thing and would have woken her up, but right then I think I would much rather have been asleep instead of waking up to complete darkness. Sydnie was panicking, saying, "I'm not ready to sleep with the light off!" and wondering how she was going to check her bed in the dark (we check our bed for scorpions each night). She was freaking out and was scared of what might be lurking in the darkness. I think I would have been freaking out just as much if I wasn't already safely in my bed. Sydnie got in bed and I think it was only a couple minutes before the power returned. Praise the Lord! We could sleep in the safety of the light again. :)

On Thursday night Sydnie and I stayed up late and cleaned our apartment. We were up really late but I was so glad to get things cleaned. We also talked a lot while cleaning, and so that's part of the reason we were up so late, but it was good. Chatting, cleaning, coffee, and listening to music are some of the best things in life. :)

On Friday Sydnie and I decided to do our laundry. We both thought that we could do a week's worth in one shot, and that way just get it all done at the same time. We decided that we will never do that again! It took us hours - and we still didn't finish it all! Betty saw our tub of clothes soaking and said that whoever clothes those are is really ambitious! I now understand what she meant!

Saturday Tandrian, Betty, Sydnie, and I went to the beach with Matt, Brooke, and their kids. We had a great time! I had a lot of fun with their girls, Isabelle and Audrey. They are so sweet!

Yesterday morning I found myself getting stressed. We have a lot of plumbing problems in our apartment, and our shower was getting all backed up with smelly water. The result: our bathroom stunk really badly and we were unable to shower. It was sad, but just a part of life. Sydnie said, "I know I'm going to read something about this in my devotions!" And she did. She wrote out what she learned in her devotions and shared it with me, and in it she included the first part of the song, "It Is Well":

 "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, It is well with my soul.'"

We both needed to be reminded of the fact that we are called to be content no matter the circumstance in which we may find ourselves. The little frustrations that we daily face are just that - little frustrations. We need not let them discourage us and weigh us down.

I'm so thankful for all that Jesus is doing in my life. I am thankful that He is watching over me every minute of every day. I'm thankful that I can take everything to Him in prayer, even little issues such as stinky apartments and leaky sinks. I'm thankful that Jesus doesn't leave me the way that I am, but instead He refines me through the testings and trials of this life.

God is good, and God is faithful!

Arriving in Costa Rica

Tomorrow marks a week since I left for Costa Rica. Praise the Lord, it has been a good week!

It wasn’t as hard as I would have thought it would be to pack for six months, though my Mom did most if it and so I am sure that’s why. J If I didn’t have her help I am sure I would have ended up super overwhelmed, because it was still challenging trying to fit everything in the allotted space while not going over the weight limit. Thank you, Mom! I ended up having to check two bags –there was no way I could have gotten away with one. My carry on was packed full of medicine and I worried that I wouldn't be able to fit it in the overhead bin. My Mom reminded me to be anxious for nothing and that the Lord had brought me this far and so surely He would continue to pave my way to Costa Rica.

When I got there Sydnie was already there at the front counter to check her bag and everything. I then went to the counter and checked mine, and was done long before Sydnie, which was weird since she was there first. I soon heard that she was having a problem because of the length of her stay, and that they needed to see her bus ticket to Nicaragua where we will be going when we need to leave the country to get a new visa. Our bus tickets don’t have dates on them and apparently that was a problem. Finally they got everything squared away, but then they called me up to the desk. Thankfully, it didn't take too long with mine since they had just gone through it with Syd. I’m so glad it all worked out quickly – at that point I wanted to hurry up and get through security so that I wouldn't be cutting it close.

Robby and Colton Fowler came to the airport to pray for us before we left; that was blessing. One of my best friends, Joey, surprised me by coming and I was so glad that she did. My Mom knew she was going to come, but wanted to surprise me. She had said that Joey decided not to come because it would be too hard to say goodbye.

I got past security and met up with Syd who was already at our gate. Our flight was completely full, and so they were trying to get people to check their carry ons for free. It sounded like a really good deal, and I really wanted to do it so as not to have to deal with mine, but since it was all medicine I needed to keep it with me so that it wouldn't get lost. I still worried about fitting it up in the bin, even though when I went to Belize I had the exact same carry on and it fit fine.   

When it was time, I boarded the plane, and went to put my carry on in the bin, and could not get it to fit! Oh no, my nightmare was really happening! I got so nervous, and the plane was super crowded, but I had to go back to the front and talk to the flight attendant. I did, but it was hard since I was going against traffic and I am sure people were annoyed at me. I felt so panicky and told the flight attendant my problem and also that the carry on usually does fit, since I had traveled with it in the past. She quickly found the problem – one of the pockets was simply packed too full and so once I removed a few bottles of medicine it would fit. She was super sweet and understanding and I am so thankful for that, because she easily could have been grouchy at me for packing it too full.

I got back to my seat, and then Syd came on the plane, and was wondering why I was sitting where I was… I then realized I was in the wrong seat! I seem to always do that – I have no idea why since you think finding your seat would be one of the easier things about flying – apparently not in my case.

I ended up staying where I was, because the guy whose seat I unknowingly stole told me he didn't mind trading. Thankfully, again I encountered a gracious person who chose not to be grouchy with me. God is so good to me!

The lady next to me on the airplane was all drugged up because she gets super nervous when flying. She was so scared and at one point kept whispering to herself “it’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine”. I get paranoid while flying as well, and seeing her freak out and get all nervous made me nervous too! I tried not to show it though, because I didn't want to make her more scared. I prayed with her and even though sitting next to her made me more nervous of flying, I am thankful that I did because it was cool being able to pray with her. Even in my weakness Jesus is strong!

I was so thankful once we were in Atlanta – I felt so glad to be out of the air. Sydnie and I discovered that the Atlanta airport is huge and walked from one end to the other because that’s where our gate was. Once over there, we decided that it was worth the walk to go find a Starbucks – after all, it would be our last one for six months!

The flight to Atlanta was uneventful. It wasn't a full flight and so Sydnie and I were able to change seats so that we could sit together.

We then arrived in Costa Rica! We went through customs alright. The lady kept asking me how long I was going to be in the country, and I kept trying to tell her I was leaving the country in 90 days, but she didn't speak English so could not understand me. She kept thinking I was saying 9 days and I kept trying to explain it. Finally, I think she just got tired of asking and let me go.

Matt and Cory (fellow missionaries) drove Sydnie, Tandrian (who arrived soon after us), and me to our apartments. We arrived there and began unpacking and getting all settled. 

Wednesday, the day after we arrived, we had orientation where we met with Cory to talk about what it is we will be doing each day.

Monday-Wednesday we have Potter’s Field Kids from 4:30-6:30pm. At PFK we will be teaching the children English, Bible stories, playing games, and helping with homework. Thursdays we have Bible club, which is also from 4:30-6:30pm and all children are welcome to attend for songs, a Bible story, and games.

A couple mornings a week we will be helping out at the church – cleaning, organizing, running errands, etc. Tuesday mornings one of us will help Rebecca, Pastor Phil’s wife, with whatever she may need help with that day. A couple of the mornings each week we will spend evangelizing or going around and visiting the PFK families.

Tuesday evenings there is Ladies Bible Study, Wednesday evening there is church, Thursday evenings there is worship practice for those who are interested in being on the team, and then there is also babysitting for Pastor Phil and Rebecca that evening. Friday evening is youth group. Saturday and Sundays are our day off for the most part.

I loved my time with the children this last week. I went to PFK on Wednesday, and then to kid’s club on Thursday and the kids are so much fun. It is definitely a huge challenge not being able to speak Spanish. I want to be building relationships with these children, but not being able to really talk to them is such a struggle. I would appreciate prayer that I would be able to quickly pick up some Spanish, and that even if I can’t speak to them in their language, that maybe I could find other ways to communicate my love, and most importantly, Jesus' love to them.

This last Friday was basically a free day, and Syd and I spent time cleaning our apartment. We both decided that it needed to be thoroughly cleaned, and that we wanted to get rid of whatever was smelling up the place! There was probably a lot that was contributing to the odor, but I think a lot of it had to do with the potatoes on the counter that I discovered were rotting. I was so thankful to get them out, although the apartment seems to always smell which is very unfortunate, though it could be way worse! 

Thursday evening Betty and I went to Matt and Brooke’s to babysit their kids. I had so much fun with them! Matt and Brooke are actually moving back to the states at the end of the month because that is where God is leading them for now. I am really sad that they are leaving, but thankful that they are still here for our first couple of weeks, and that I will see them at the ranch in Montana when we go back for reentry in April.

Saturday was another free day, and we decided to spend it at the beach. It was wonderful. I was able to spend time with the Lord while there, and, as I looked out at the ocean, was once again reminded how big our God really is. Compared to Him I am just a tiny grain of sand – actually even smaller, and what a comfort that was to me to remember that truth. All the problems that I have, all of my struggles and weaknesses, are so tiny compared to my God. Why do I spend so much of my time focusing on my problems, instead of looking up and focusing on my God? It was such a comfort to remember that God is so big, and so surely nothing could ever take me from His hand. I am His forever, and all my days are in His faithful hands. Yes, I will have struggles and trials, and yet He remains faithful and above it all. He is always on the throne, the question is do we recognize that fact and find peace in knowing He is on the throne, or do we fail to recognize His sovereignty because we are too focused on our problems?

I am so blessed to be here in Costa Rica. I am so thankful that the Lord has faithfully led me here. I have had so many fears and almost let my fears stop me from coming to Potter’s Field, and yet the Lord never gave up on me. He was so patient with me and gave me the grace to do His will. I am thankful that I serve a big God. I am thankful that no matter how big my problems may seem, He is bigger still. I am thankful that He gives me the grace I need each day. I am thankful that I can trust Him. I am thankful that He holds me in the palm of His hand and won’t ever let me go.