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Team 1 (June 30-July 7) Team 2 (July 7-14)
July 29, 2009
Upper Cipreses
Today was our last day of Kid's Club in Upper and Lower Cipreses. Our morning started out at breakfast with our daily yoga instruction. Over the past few days, it's become a tradition to watch the yoga man on our local news channel demonstrate the only yoga position that he knows. We then headed to our morning bible study that we had on the balcony which overlooks Cartago. Then we left Las Brumas to go to the Kid's Clubs. In Upper Cipreses, we meet at Flora's house. Today we had planned to share the gospel to the kids through our salvation sand art. But also, since we had Larry on our team (who is an amazing artist, by the way, if you didn't know), he was able to draw us some pictures that also represented the plan of salvation. The pictures were great and they demonstrated perfectly what he was trying to say. The kids really seemed to respond well to the pictures, and they were intently listening as he spoke to them about Jesus. We then had craft time where we did the sand art craft and made popsicle stick crosses which the kids decorated. We also had bible story time where our story was about Zacchaeus and how we should follow God. Before the kids left for the day, (because many of them had to leave before 12 so that they could get ready for school,) we asked them how many of them thought that their parents would be able to attend our Kid's Club Celebration that we were having at 6:30. Three of them raised their hands. In our morning session we had around 14 kids and in the afternoon session we had around 14 as well, but many of them had been in the earlier session too.
Near the end of the second kid's club, Marissa, Lauren, Suling and I went back to Maria and Eddie's (the family we gave the bible to yesterday) house to give Moises (their youngest son) a present. Yesterday when we were at their house, he had asked us to help him with some of his English homework. We did, but observed that he was struggling a little with learning the language. I happened to have brought a Spanish-English dictionary with me, so I decided to give it to him to help him with his studies. He was so appreciative of it. Eddie was not home when we went- he was at work. Maria told us that Eddie would like us to tell the people that bought the Bible for him, thanks!
We then left Cipreses to go to Boqueron to see Oscar and his family before the Kid's Club Celebration. We spent time with them for about an hour and a half. Then it was time for the Celebration. When we showed up at Flora's house, there were already kids there waiting for us gringos to show up, as they always are. In total tonight we had at least 25 kids and 8 parents show up. At the celebration, we had refreshments, the kids repeated the Bible verses that we had learned, told about the Bible stories, and sang the songs they had learned. Then Larry was able to share again the plan of salvation with his great pictures. Again, it seemed like the kids as well as the parents were very attentive and wanted to hear what we had to say. After Larry had finished, we were able to mingle with everyone for a while. The Tico kids love having their pictures taken, so we made sure to do a lot of that. We all took pictures with our special friends that we had made. Moises, Maria and Eddie's son, asked Larry to pray with him. Larry asked him what to pray for. He said he would like him to pray that he does well in school and that one day he will grow up to be a Catholic Priest so that he can serve God. Larry prayed with him and his mom, but did not pray for the Priest part. We were a little confused by this, because we thought that Eddie and Maria had accepted Christ sometime last year and then Mario, their oldest son, had accepted Christ just a few weeks ago.
One special kid that really touched our hearts is Walter. He told us his story the other day. He is only 14 years old, and he is not going to high school, so he works every day from 6-11 at a pool hall. But he told us tonight that he took off work so that he could come to our celebration. He has been a vital part of our Kid's Club this week, and last year too. He is a good bit older than the rest of the kids and he is like the father figure of the whole group. He is very knowledgeable about the Bible stories as well. He has been given the nickname by our group, ''the future preacher of Cipreses.''
Please be in prayer for Eddie, Maria, Mario, and Moises, because we are a little unsure of where they stand in their walk with Christ. Also be in prayer for Flora and her family as she continues to be a witness for Christ in her village. Also, please be in prayer for Walter and all of the other kids in the entire village. We hope that you have enjoyed the blogs. This will be our last one, because we will not have internet access at our next hotel. Thank you for all your prayers! We love you and appreciate you. See you Saturday!
By: Jennifer Elrod
July 28, 2009
Praise be to God for what He's doing here! I hope all of you are having a good morning (Kathy). We had a very late night, so this blog update is written today about what happened yesterday. The entire day yesterday was a powerful reminder of the presence of God and how he uses His people. We had a boost in attendance yesterday at all four kids clubs, although my group in Upper Cipreses had most of ours leave a little after 11 to make it to school on-time. We shared the story of Jonah and the Whale with them, and taught them the importance of obedience. We had a few games for them planned, and for crafts, we showed them how to make a whale out of a paper bag. Both groups seemed to really love the craft, and they of course loved the story told by the puppets! I heard dat!!!
It's striking how much the kids love simple activities. The group in Pueblo Nuevo reported the same thing that their kids loved the version of 'duck duck goose' that we play with them. In Cipreses, our kids squealed in the afternoon when we said we were going to play it. For at least a few minutes, they forgot all about soccer, which is almost unbelievable! We've also been lucky to work on building relationships with the kids. As he did before, Larry continues to dazzle the kids with his drawings. No matter what they request, he's able to oblige, well, except for Carla's request for a picture of Patrick Dempsey! Some of our team in Upper Cipreses were able to deliver a set of audio Bibles to Maria and Eddie, some friends the previous teams had made. They were so excited to receive them, they started crying. It reminded me of the verses I had read earlier this week in Psalms that contrast God's people as withering grass and Him as the unchanging mountains. Although our time with these people is always too short, the impact of showing them how much we care for them, and more importantly, how much God loves them. That's the unchanging message, the mountains to our grass.
Pray for us today as both teams try something completely new. Tonight is our first ever event for these kids' parents to attend. The kids have learned memory verses, they'll show their crafts, and they've learned a few songs. Hopefully it will be a great way to get the parents involved in what we've been doing this week.
Finally, I can't let the opportunity go by without thanking all of you for your prayers over the past few days. I shared in my testimony Sunday morning the importance of trust, and our Bible story yesterday was about trust, but it's definitely easier said than lived! Chris shared Nahum 1:3 with me yesterday morning before I left for the embassy. Sometimes we question the clouds that come into our lives, but the clouds are the very image God always uses to show His presence. '…the billowing clouds are the dust beneath His feet.' Because of your prayers and the amazing staff of the US Embassy in San Jose, I was granted an emergency passport and can leave the country on-schedule. I guess this means I won't have to get a job at the Hiper Mas! I'm fortunate to have so many people praying diligently for the red tape to be cut, and it was. My experience at the Embassy was better than the best case scenario I imagined. I also owe a huge debt of thanks to the Robles family - both Alejandro and Egidio's brother, for driving me to San Jose, escorting me around town, and driving me back. I could never estimate the value this family is to our teams, even before yesterday, but they are so eager to help us in whatever way is needed, I am proud to have them as friends. I hope God continues to bless them as much as He's blessed us for knowing them.
Sorry for such a long post today, but I've had a lot to share. Thanks for your prayers and continued support. This team could accomplish nothing without the backing of you guys. God Bless!
By: Chad Mustin
July 27, 2009
Today we began our Bible clubs in Upper and Lower Cipreses. The group was very anxious about getting started with the clubs in each village. The message for today was on 'trust'. The group in Upper Cipreses started the day by walking through the village streets inviting the locals to join the activities. Most of the people greeted us with smiles and promises of sending the little ones to Flora's house. There were others who would not come to the door or would wave to us to pass them by. The first group started with only six to seven kids, but grew to eleven by lunch break. Our second session was even larger when the kids told others about the club. The group is excited about the possibilities of how the club can grow. Odds are that the kids will be waiting for us tomorrow before time to begin.
In Lower Cipreses, the group was able to conduct the kids' bible club in a local playground area. As with the Upper Cipreses group, the lower group had a hand in getting the word out top the locals. Hannia opened up her home for us to work out of. She participated and was as enthusiastic as the children. One of our interpreters, Wences, had the children so involved with the story and helped playing recreation games with them. We are truly blessed to have the wonderful interpreters that we have here. They are doing a tremendous job in allowing us to spread the Lord's message.
The joy and love that the kids have shown us is completely humbling. The two areas for the kid's Bible clubs are eager for the word. It is our hope and prayer that the word of God will pierce the hearts of those at Upper and Lower Cipreses. The Lord is Awesome! Jesús te ama.
By Larry Clark
July 26, 2009
Our first full day here in Costa Rica has been wonderful!! We all attended church in Boqueron at Pastor Oscar and Zeidy's church. The service was great! There were many people there. Pastor Oscar taught us how we are all 'living stones', and how God uses us just as we have been made and shaped, to build up his church, and bring him glory. This reference came from 1 Peter 2: 4-10. Chad gave a wonderful testimony to the church, and so did I! We were both nervous at first because I know we both wanted to make an impact. I also know that I personally have a hard time speaking in front of crowds or groups. Chris had a nice prayer with us beforehand. We asked that God would calm the nerves, and speak through us to the church and to say what needed to be said to glorify God. The testimonies went great. Kayla and Allison also shared with the church this morning with their gift of music. Allison played beautifully, Amazing Grace, on the piano, as Kayla sang with her gorgeous voice!! That was beautiful! God has really blessed them with a wonderful gift of music! We then went and had lunch. We had some good ol' Costa Rican cuisine! Rice, chicken, beans, etc. After lunch, the team split up in Cipreses. One team went to lower Cipreses, and the other to upper Cipreses. In my team, we walked around lower Cipreses inviting the local children to Kid's Club for the next three days!! We handed out candy to the children and informed them that there would be crafts, games, and a bible study. We told the parents that Wednesday will be 'Parent's Night,' and they we will be able to come and join with their children and hear all the songs they will learn and see all that have been doing! We seemed to have a positive response. Then….the rain just falls out of the sky, soaking all of us!! We had no shelter, and we sort of thought it was a negative thing. But, God is an amazing, almighty, and powerful God. He works in the coolest ways! My group ran into a local store. We found shelter from the rain, invited more children to Kid's Club, and also met a great guy named Manuel. He owns that store. He is 25 years old, and supporting his father who is struggling from heart problems. He said he has met our former teams, and knew who Keith was!! He also told us that he knew Jesus Christ personally, and was saved. He told us that he appreciated our visit because it helped to encourage him. Chris explained to him that he has a wonderful spot, right there in his store, to show Jesus Christ to customers and kids who come in to buy snacks. We handed him some of our Spanish tracks, so that he may hand them out in his store. I can definitely tell God has great things lined up for us this week. Many things seem to be starting out or getting in place for some WONDERFUL God packed action!!! We made plans tonight for the Kid's Club tomorrow. Let me be the first to tell y'all, God is sooo going to bring the glory to his name! I'm sooo excited! Praise God!! Please pray for our strength, patience, words, attitudes, bodies, and minds as we approach the tasks God has handed us! We love you all!! May God bless!!
by Emily Clardy |
