We came home from our mission trip last night and I already miss the beautiful Costa Rica weather, Jason and Kerby and my Grace mission family! We worked hard and really bonded as a team. But just because the trip is over, it doesn't mean the mission is! The thing about going on mission is that you tend to receive more of a blessing than the ones you go to serve....funny how that happens. The more the you sacrifice and give and serve, the more God blesses! The main thing I want for myself as well as for the rest of my team mates is for our mission to keep going!! I'm praying that we can use our experience in Costa Rica to help people here. Whether it be to share our testimony with a coworker or to be more active in our church or community, we need to keep serving the Lord right where we are. We need to continue to step out of our comfort zone and stretch our faith so we can keep growing! It would be a shame to leave our mission in Costa Rica when, in fact we should be on mission everywhere we go. I was reminded this week of how precious my relationship with Christ is, and how I need to take more time getting to know Him deeper so I can be a better reflection of Him to the world.
That's my mission.....what's yours?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Costa Rica--day 7
All of our work is done and this was our last full day before we leave this beautiful place. FREE DAY! The plan was to go see the volcano at Poaz, go zip lining, lunch and shopping at the market.
We did all of those things but it didn't turn out quite like we planned.....
First of all, the weather was cold and rainy on the mountain, therefore it was super foggy and we couldn't see the volcano....just white fog. I must admit it was kind of neat looking, like looking into a cauldron of witch's brew!....is that weird? I didn't hang around long since despite my jacket and umbrella, I was getting soaked!
After a cup of coffee we were on our way to zip line! We were concerned that since it was raining that the zip line would be closed but we got the thumbs up! Woo hoo! We were on our way to the tree tops for a new experience in the cold rain but we didn't care because we were determined to do it! I was pretty nervous that I was the one in control of how fast I went on this thing and that I had to watch for signals to brake but after the first one I was hooked!! (no pun intended!;) while we were waiting to go on one of the lines, however, we see some workers walk by with a first aid body board.....uh oh, not good. I said a silent prayer for the person who was going to be on that board not realizing I was praying for one of my team members.
Dr. Boles broke his leg landing on one of the platforms. He is such a trooper though, they said he was cracking jokes as they were carrying him to meet the ambulance.
We cut our zip adventure short and ate lunch while anxiously waiting to hear from the hospital. We were all absolutely SOAKED and cold to the bone!! It was all good though....for next we went SHOPPING!
By the time we got to the market , we were just extremely damp and warmer! We did some power shopping and were back at Franco's for dinner and devotion.
We finally found out that Dave's leg is pretty much shattered and he and his wife will take a medical plane back to the States.
Michael and Regina Hampton led devotion and did a great job of challenging the team to take our relationship with God to the next level by living more by faith and sacrifice. I've loved getting to serve with them this week, they are such awesome people!
As I look back on today and how nothing went as planned, I can still see God's hand in it all. If anyone on the team could handle the trauma of being in a foreign hospital, it is Dr. Boles...you know, since he's a doctor! He had his wife and Chad (who is an X-ray tech) with him at the hospital. A broken leg is bad but it could definitely be worse!! And he had a team of mission friends lifting him up In prayer.
It makes stressing about the bad weather seem so trivial.
Perspective=God is in control even when things feel out of control! We just have to look at things from His perspective and see all of His providence in the midst of the chaos.
We did all of those things but it didn't turn out quite like we planned.....
First of all, the weather was cold and rainy on the mountain, therefore it was super foggy and we couldn't see the volcano....just white fog. I must admit it was kind of neat looking, like looking into a cauldron of witch's brew!....is that weird? I didn't hang around long since despite my jacket and umbrella, I was getting soaked!
After a cup of coffee we were on our way to zip line! We were concerned that since it was raining that the zip line would be closed but we got the thumbs up! Woo hoo! We were on our way to the tree tops for a new experience in the cold rain but we didn't care because we were determined to do it! I was pretty nervous that I was the one in control of how fast I went on this thing and that I had to watch for signals to brake but after the first one I was hooked!! (no pun intended!;) while we were waiting to go on one of the lines, however, we see some workers walk by with a first aid body board.....uh oh, not good. I said a silent prayer for the person who was going to be on that board not realizing I was praying for one of my team members.
Dr. Boles broke his leg landing on one of the platforms. He is such a trooper though, they said he was cracking jokes as they were carrying him to meet the ambulance.
We cut our zip adventure short and ate lunch while anxiously waiting to hear from the hospital. We were all absolutely SOAKED and cold to the bone!! It was all good though....for next we went SHOPPING!
By the time we got to the market , we were just extremely damp and warmer! We did some power shopping and were back at Franco's for dinner and devotion.
We finally found out that Dave's leg is pretty much shattered and he and his wife will take a medical plane back to the States.
Michael and Regina Hampton led devotion and did a great job of challenging the team to take our relationship with God to the next level by living more by faith and sacrifice. I've loved getting to serve with them this week, they are such awesome people!
As I look back on today and how nothing went as planned, I can still see God's hand in it all. If anyone on the team could handle the trauma of being in a foreign hospital, it is Dr. Boles...you know, since he's a doctor! He had his wife and Chad (who is an X-ray tech) with him at the hospital. A broken leg is bad but it could definitely be worse!! And he had a team of mission friends lifting him up In prayer.
It makes stressing about the bad weather seem so trivial.
Perspective=God is in control even when things feel out of control! We just have to look at things from His perspective and see all of His providence in the midst of the chaos.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Costa Rica-day 6
The catch phrase on this (or any) mission trip is "flex and bend". Since you're out of your comfort zone and familiar surroundings and operating on someone else's schedule, there is a lot of flexing and bending going on! Well today was our last
work day at the Abraham Project and probably the most frustrating but the most rewarding as well! We went back to digging our postholes that we started yesterday, we remeasured and made sure the stakes were in the right places--exactly as we were told.............yesterday...
Alot can change in a day.....
After we had almost finished digging 3 holes, 50 cm deep, (by hand) the foreman, Oraku decided to space the posts out a little more. Translation: your hole's off!!!
Seriously?
Breathe.....flex and bend....
We were tired and not to happy to fill those holes in and start over, but we did! I reminded the ladies this was 'character building'. I think either Oraku felt bad for us or was just afraid to leave us alone, but he stuck around and helped us dig the new holes. We sat and took a break and got to talk with him and got to know what an awesome man of faith he is!! It was such a blessing to hear him talk about his relationship with God! Suddenly it was easier to flex and bend because the work wasn't as important than getting to know a Costa Rican brother in Christ. After he left us to set the posts in the new holes, he came back by and gave us a 2 liter Coke! How sweet that was! We finished setting those concrete posts and gave a huge cheer! You'd of thought we'd climbed Mt Everest! Lol
After dinner, I led devotion, and as usual I didn't say most of what I'd planned, but I
guess I shared what God led me to say and what someone needed to hear! I encouraged a time of sharing and several people spoke of the awesome things they experienced during the week. Pat closed our devo giving praise to God by reading Psalm 103. It was a very emotional time just listening to the scripture, letting the meaning sink in, worshiping our Great God as a team.
work day at the Abraham Project and probably the most frustrating but the most rewarding as well! We went back to digging our postholes that we started yesterday, we remeasured and made sure the stakes were in the right places--exactly as we were told.............yesterday...
Alot can change in a day.....
After we had almost finished digging 3 holes, 50 cm deep, (by hand) the foreman, Oraku decided to space the posts out a little more. Translation: your hole's off!!!
Seriously?
Breathe.....flex and bend....
We were tired and not to happy to fill those holes in and start over, but we did! I reminded the ladies this was 'character building'. I think either Oraku felt bad for us or was just afraid to leave us alone, but he stuck around and helped us dig the new holes. We sat and took a break and got to talk with him and got to know what an awesome man of faith he is!! It was such a blessing to hear him talk about his relationship with God! Suddenly it was easier to flex and bend because the work wasn't as important than getting to know a Costa Rican brother in Christ. After he left us to set the posts in the new holes, he came back by and gave us a 2 liter Coke! How sweet that was! We finished setting those concrete posts and gave a huge cheer! You'd of thought we'd climbed Mt Everest! Lol
After dinner, I led devotion, and as usual I didn't say most of what I'd planned, but I
guess I shared what God led me to say and what someone needed to hear! I encouraged a time of sharing and several people spoke of the awesome things they experienced during the week. Pat closed our devo giving praise to God by reading Psalm 103. It was a very emotional time just listening to the scripture, letting the meaning sink in, worshiping our Great God as a team.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Costa Rica--day 5
I found out today that digging post holes in Costa Rica is freaking hard! Lots of rocks and roots! Our "girl power team" set the 2 end posts today after lunch and ran a line between them and marked where the rest of the posts will go tomorrow when we resume the fence building!
BUT before we could do all that, we had to get rid of a huge tree that had been cut down right in our way! They told us to cut it up with machetes and an ax! Are you kidding? Did i mention it was HUGE?? (they don't have power tools) So the "girl power team" went at it!! I got out every ounce of stress with that darn ax..(since I'm machetically challenged, ya know;) I think this was the part when the heat went to my brain ... We took turns chopping and when one of the huge limbs looked like it was getting close, I climbed on top and jumped up and down while Judy chopped.....we were DETERMINED! Nikki was like, "Jen, when that gives way, your gonna fall!" "I know but it's the ONLY way to get it down", I reply as I'm 5 ft off the ground still jumping on the limb....I hear a crack....
This sounds a little crazy now as I'm writing it...
And down we go!!!!!! I fell on the limb, the tree, some rocks, but not the ax! SUCCESS. Nikki, trying not to laugh yet, "JEN, you ok?"
To that I said, "TIMBER!!" So everyone was free to laugh;) I checked for blood and didn't find any, so I guess I'm fine! I bet I'll have a few more bruises to add to my collection tomorrow!
Tonight Jason and Kerby came to Franco's for a visit:) Brenda and Chad did a devotion about a servants heart and the sacrifices missionaries make. The team had taken up a collection and bought them each a 15 speed bike so they don't have to walk everywhere and we surprised them with it tonight! They were overwhelmed to say the least. I was overwhelmed too, at the generosity of the team members and we all got such a blessing out of seeing their faces when we brought them out! We had a good time playing games and acting silly....this team is just plain hilarious;)
Tomorrow is our last work day....hopefully I can move :-/
BUT before we could do all that, we had to get rid of a huge tree that had been cut down right in our way! They told us to cut it up with machetes and an ax! Are you kidding? Did i mention it was HUGE?? (they don't have power tools) So the "girl power team" went at it!! I got out every ounce of stress with that darn ax..(since I'm machetically challenged, ya know;) I think this was the part when the heat went to my brain ... We took turns chopping and when one of the huge limbs looked like it was getting close, I climbed on top and jumped up and down while Judy chopped.....we were DETERMINED! Nikki was like, "Jen, when that gives way, your gonna fall!" "I know but it's the ONLY way to get it down", I reply as I'm 5 ft off the ground still jumping on the limb....I hear a crack....
This sounds a little crazy now as I'm writing it...
And down we go!!!!!! I fell on the limb, the tree, some rocks, but not the ax! SUCCESS. Nikki, trying not to laugh yet, "JEN, you ok?"
To that I said, "TIMBER!!" So everyone was free to laugh;) I checked for blood and didn't find any, so I guess I'm fine! I bet I'll have a few more bruises to add to my collection tomorrow!
Tonight Jason and Kerby came to Franco's for a visit:) Brenda and Chad did a devotion about a servants heart and the sacrifices missionaries make. The team had taken up a collection and bought them each a 15 speed bike so they don't have to walk everywhere and we surprised them with it tonight! They were overwhelmed to say the least. I was overwhelmed too, at the generosity of the team members and we all got such a blessing out of seeing their faces when we brought them out! We had a good time playing games and acting silly....this team is just plain hilarious;)
Tomorrow is our last work day....hopefully I can move :-/
Costa Rica--day 4
Holy crap, am I SORE!!
We didn't stop working at all yesterday and boy did I feel it today! I thought today might be a little less strenuous because I started out pulling nails, but I ended up taking 18 concrete posts to Adolphos house one by one in a wheelbarrow!! OK, I didn't take all of them myself...there were several of us but we had a pretty good system going and eventually got them up there! I'm not lying when I tell you they were at least 10 ft long and like 150 lbs! They will be used for fence posts to separate phase 2 from Adolpho's house...and yes, us girls plan on setting these posts tomorrow and starting on that fence! Can you say INDEPENDENT women?? We're pretty competitive and trying to show the men Up! Lol! I'm having a ball working with Brenda, Nikki, and Kerby!! We all like to work the same, hard and fast, but we still cut up and laugh:) So fun and rewarding because this work is a step toward the Abraham Project expanding and I love knowing I had a hand in it!
Tonight after our fabulous dinner, (all the food is awesome, btw) Dr Boles had devotion and it was really good but it was very similar to the one I have prepared! :-/ Looks like I might have to rework mine a little before Thursday! :)
The group leaders and Ron (our pastor) went to visit with Jason and Kerby in their home after devotion and we had a good talk over coffee and cupcakes! ;) We found out more about "missionary life"....the blessings, the struggles, the needs, the miracles! I'm so glad I've gotten to know them better, they are such awesome people! I'm in awe of how they followed their call to be missionaries and sacrificed their comfortable lifestyle and in a leap of faith, traded the familiar for the unknown.......now THATS faith!
We didn't stop working at all yesterday and boy did I feel it today! I thought today might be a little less strenuous because I started out pulling nails, but I ended up taking 18 concrete posts to Adolphos house one by one in a wheelbarrow!! OK, I didn't take all of them myself...there were several of us but we had a pretty good system going and eventually got them up there! I'm not lying when I tell you they were at least 10 ft long and like 150 lbs! They will be used for fence posts to separate phase 2 from Adolpho's house...and yes, us girls plan on setting these posts tomorrow and starting on that fence! Can you say INDEPENDENT women?? We're pretty competitive and trying to show the men Up! Lol! I'm having a ball working with Brenda, Nikki, and Kerby!! We all like to work the same, hard and fast, but we still cut up and laugh:) So fun and rewarding because this work is a step toward the Abraham Project expanding and I love knowing I had a hand in it!
Tonight after our fabulous dinner, (all the food is awesome, btw) Dr Boles had devotion and it was really good but it was very similar to the one I have prepared! :-/ Looks like I might have to rework mine a little before Thursday! :)
The group leaders and Ron (our pastor) went to visit with Jason and Kerby in their home after devotion and we had a good talk over coffee and cupcakes! ;) We found out more about "missionary life"....the blessings, the struggles, the needs, the miracles! I'm so glad I've gotten to know them better, they are such awesome people! I'm in awe of how they followed their call to be missionaries and sacrificed their comfortable lifestyle and in a leap of faith, traded the familiar for the unknown.......now THATS faith!
Costa Rica--day 3
Today was our first day at the work site and guess what I got to do?! Use a machete and an ax!! Woo hoo, stress relief! Lol! A few of us, (all women, btw) went up the road to the man's house who guards the Abraham Project. His name is Adolpho and He lives in a house on the land where the project is going to expand. It's called "phase 2" and eventually the area will have 4 more children's homes so they can grow and care for more orphans. Our job was to move huge piles of wood and rocks, cut down weeds and pick up trash.....you name it. It was a MESS!! judging by the piles that we had to move with wheelbarrows and dump down past the creek we were SURE this job would take us most of the week but we did it in one day!! Yep, that's right, we ROCK! Of course I found out that I'm machetically challenged and could pull the weeds with my hands faster than I could cut them with the machete....oh well, so much for weed whacking :)
After and hard but rewarding day, we went back to Franco's for dinner and devotion. Brittnye and Matt Pennington led it and they did an awesome job! They both shared what the Lord laid on their heart that day and it sure blessed mine!
After and hard but rewarding day, we went back to Franco's for dinner and devotion. Brittnye and Matt Pennington led it and they did an awesome job! They both shared what the Lord laid on their heart that day and it sure blessed mine!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Costa Rica Mission--day 2
At first I was bummed since today is Sunday and I wasn't going to be able to go to Grace.....but then I arrived at the church HERE! it was like a Costa Rican Grace! They had a band, words on the screen, contemporary music....we even had Ron Edmonson preach! I was also surrounded by my Grace peeps so I was right at home:) i loved the worship because there is something so powerful about people from different cultures who speak different languages all worshiping the ONE true God. I actually knew a couple of the songs and sang them in espanol!
After church we got to meet the 11 orphans that stay in group homes at the Abraham Project. They range in age from 1-12. They were so adorable! We got to give them the shoes and stuff we brought them and they were so excited! We played with them the rest of the afternoon. I played jumprope with the girls mostly. It was amazing to see how well they all got along and how well adjusted they seemed after I heard the stories of the horrific conditions they used to live in and some of the things they have seen that no child should.
Tonight after dinner, we went on a prayer walk around the project and the surrounding community. What an awesome spiritual experience! I've always known there is power in prayer, but tonight I felt it as we prayed in our own language for the lost to come to know Jesus. We prayed for the future of the Abraham Project too....and although we may never see the results, God is faithful and will do mighty things.
When we returned home, Nikki led our devotion and did a great job! I just love that "crazy asian"!! Lol
Tomorrow we start our work at the project! Can't wait..... I'll let ya know how it goes! ;)
After church we got to meet the 11 orphans that stay in group homes at the Abraham Project. They range in age from 1-12. They were so adorable! We got to give them the shoes and stuff we brought them and they were so excited! We played with them the rest of the afternoon. I played jumprope with the girls mostly. It was amazing to see how well they all got along and how well adjusted they seemed after I heard the stories of the horrific conditions they used to live in and some of the things they have seen that no child should.
Tonight after dinner, we went on a prayer walk around the project and the surrounding community. What an awesome spiritual experience! I've always known there is power in prayer, but tonight I felt it as we prayed in our own language for the lost to come to know Jesus. We prayed for the future of the Abraham Project too....and although we may never see the results, God is faithful and will do mighty things.
When we returned home, Nikki led our devotion and did a great job! I just love that "crazy asian"!! Lol
Tomorrow we start our work at the project! Can't wait..... I'll let ya know how it goes! ;)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Here am I, send ME!
Since my first mission trip to Nicaragua in '07, I've had a heart for foreign missions and I CAN'T WAIT for that time of year to roll around again so I can go!! So when I found out that Grace Community Church was planning a mission trip to Costa Rica, I was so excited! Not only could I go on another mission trip, but this time with my church that I love so much! So after a few months of planning, here we are.....all 27 of us, embarking on a new adventure since none of us have ever been here!
This trip is also special to me because our host missionaries are Jason and Kerby Harpst, a couple from Grace who were called to serve here full time in June. It's also special because my hubby is here with me and it's the first time we've been on mission together .......AND we get to colead with our good friends, Chad and Brenda!!!!!!! Can you feel the specialness???
Today was a long day of travel but the good part was that I had a lot of time for prayer and a chance to study my bible and get my devotions in order! I know God has called each of us here for a reason and I'm praying that we can grow in our faith and know God more personally as a result of our experiences here! I'm excited to see what He has in store for us! I'm looking forward to knowing my team members better and us sharing our testimonies with each other. I can't wait to see how the ones who have never been on a mission trip at all will have their lives changed.
Only my God and do that .......and He will.
This trip is also special to me because our host missionaries are Jason and Kerby Harpst, a couple from Grace who were called to serve here full time in June. It's also special because my hubby is here with me and it's the first time we've been on mission together .......AND we get to colead with our good friends, Chad and Brenda!!!!!!! Can you feel the specialness???
Today was a long day of travel but the good part was that I had a lot of time for prayer and a chance to study my bible and get my devotions in order! I know God has called each of us here for a reason and I'm praying that we can grow in our faith and know God more personally as a result of our experiences here! I'm excited to see what He has in store for us! I'm looking forward to knowing my team members better and us sharing our testimonies with each other. I can't wait to see how the ones who have never been on a mission trip at all will have their lives changed.
Only my God and do that .......and He will.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)