Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Costa Rica Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Once again, thank you so much for your prayer support as I am here in Costa Rica! Time is moving fairly quickly, and it is hard to believe I have less than 2 months left here!

In the afternoons, Sydnie and I often go out to various neighborhoods to invite kids to different children's events that we have. It has definitely been really good to be getting out in the community, not just to tell people about events, but also just because it is wonderful being able to meet more people. Though there is still a language barrier for me, it is a blessing being able to get out and look for other ways to shine Jesus' love.

The Potter's Field Kids' program will be starting back up again on February 25th - I am very excited for this! I have missed this time with the kids, and actually have missed the routine of the program. I know that ministry should not just be a routine, but I do miss having that set time each day with the kids. Quite a few kids have signed up so far for the program and so we are very excited.

This last Monday, Tandrian, Sydnie, and I went to San Jose with a lady from the church here. We came back Tuesday, so it was a short trip, but it was good. We were able to walk around and see the different shops there, and we also went to a mall. It was a nice taste of home! In a way, it made me miss home because even though it reminded me of home and I was able to get things that I get back in the states (Cinnabon for example :)), it wasn't home and my family wasn't there. It was still really good though, and it was nice to have a little bit of a break. We also went to Price Smart while we were there, which reminded me so much of Costco, and of working there. I didn't see any sample people though! :)

In the mornings, before we start work at the church, I have been listening to sermons online by Jon Courson. I have been blessed by his teachings. My Mom actually really encouraged me to listen to a sermon every day if I can, because it is so important to be feeding on the Word. I was becoming really discouraged with things, and she thought some of it might be because of the language barrier and not really being able to have fellowship with people at church, and also not understanding the sermons. I do have a translator most of the time at church, and that is really good, but it's not quite the same as being able to understand the pastor for yourself. I am thankful for the online resources that we have available to us!

Overall, I am doing well and am blessed to be here. The sermon I listened to this morning was a reminder to me to be still and know that He is God. Pastor Jon was talking about how we think "what do we need to do?"... but really we need to think "what do we need to be?" The answer is, be still. Be still and know that He is God. This is always such a good reminder to me! Sure, we can walk around all anxious trying to figure everything out, but Jesus wants us to simply come to Him, to simply be still in His presence, to recognize it's not about what we do, but about who He is, and to trust Him with all our hearts. Lately, I have been feeling like there is so much to do, and I become discouraged by the expectations I place upon myself, and feeling like I constantly have things to get done. It is so encouraging to remind myself to be still, to know that He is God, and, thankfully, I'm not. I can be still, trusting in Him with a thankful heart, and He will be faithful to enable me to do the things which He wants me to do.

I hope that you are all doing well and being blessed. Thank you again so much for praying for me. If there is anything that you would like me to pray for you about, please don't hesitate to email! What a blessing it is to be able to pray for one another.

Love and God bless!

Emily

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10