Day 7/8 August 3rd, 2009
We have been in Costa Rica for a week and this is an update on our ministry work and what God has been showing us after the first week.
Construction and Field project:
- The work on erecting the fence around the orphanage playground has gone smoothly. The fence construction is completed and we have begun painting. Some of us worked daily on clearing the field of weeds. As we did that – we were reminded of the “weeds” within our heart and the need to go to God’s word often to keep our minds cleared of worldly cares. We also planted five fruit trees at the orphanage with the help of the children. As the fruit trees give fruit, we pray that God’s word will grow and bear fruit in these children’s lives.
Ministry with the Orphanage Children
- We do activities with the children at the orphanage each afternoon. Praise God – we went from not knowing what activities would work and how to connect with the orphanage staff on Day 1 to quickly experiencing God’s revelation that He can work with very little (our skills/knowledge/experience) to allow us to quickly build familiarity with the children and relationships with the staff. God allowed us to share a tender moment at the orphanage when we observed the departure of one of the oldest orphans after living there for 11 years. The staff was crying and the other kids were visibly sad. We realized then the reality of being in an orphanage involves living with the possibility that any child could be pulled out at any time; and the rest of the “family” will need to work through the trauma. One of our team members gave a staff member a big hug during that tender moment. We believe that paved the way for building a better relationship with the staff. In the subsequent days (from Day 3) we were accepted and welcomed at every visit. By the end of week 1, we could not even imagine not going to the orphanage every afternoon. We also learned that ministry to the staff may be just as important as to the children.
- During these days, we did many craft projects and stories in an effort to bring out some aspect of the gospel or of the promises in the Bible. We know our time here is short
– and we ask you to pray that all of our activities and interactions will leave something of God behind. Please pray specifically for the older girls at the orphanage – they have been less interested in all the activities we have led and maybe they do not feel as included; they are older and language is a real barrier to getting to know them more. But we feel that their need for God at this tender age is even greater. Please pray that God will open the doors to some form of interaction with these girls that will leave His footprint.
Team building and Worship
- Since we cannot go to the orphanage during the weekend, we were able to take advantage of an opportunity to take an excursion (at our own expense) to go white-water rafting last Saturday. We also brought along two of the Portantorchas students who have been driving and helping us at the orphanage. The rafting was not only great for fun and teambuilding, but it also allowed the team to witness the natural beauty of Costa Rica – as created and intended by God.
- On this past Sunday, God prepared a surprise for us. We visited a local Spanish church. We were expecting the sermon to be in Spanish only. But instead, Dr. Ramesh Richards (Professor from Dallas Seminary) was the guest speaker. He expounded on Psalm 133 with powerful conviction. “BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” It was not only a message on church unity for this large Costa Rican church, but also a message for us – as a short term mission team. We felt blessed that God has prepared this rich teaching for us – even whilst we are thousands of miles away from our home church. So through week 1, we have seen His provision for our spirits and our needs.
Prayer requests:
- Pray for wisdom in engaging and ministering to the older girls at the orphanage.
- Pray for team-building facilitation exercises that we will be doing with the incoming class at Portantorchas Bible School
- Pray for wisdom in profitable sharing as we head to a men’s & women’s shelter tomorrow (Tuesday)
- Pray for us individually – as some of us are experiencing needs that are arising back home – while we are participating in God’s work here. (Please pray that Joanna’s housing issue back home will be resolved quickly.)
- Pray for continued unity and moving forward in one spirit. Thanks for your prayers on this as we are seeing God’s work indeed.
-
We have been in Costa Rica for a week and this is an update on our ministry work and what God has been showing us after the first week.
Construction and Field project:
- The work on erecting the fence around the orphanage playground has gone smoothly. The fence construction is completed and we have begun painting. Some of us worked daily on clearing the field of weeds. As we did that – we were reminded of the “weeds” within our heart and the need to go to God’s word often to keep our minds cleared of worldly cares. We also planted five fruit trees at the orphanage with the help of the children. As the fruit trees give fruit, we pray that God’s word will grow and bear fruit in these children’s lives.
Ministry with the Orphanage Children
- We do activities with the children at the orphanage each afternoon. Praise God – we went from not knowing what activities would work and how to connect with the orphanage staff on Day 1 to quickly experiencing God’s revelation that He can work with very little (our skills/knowledge/experience) to allow us to quickly build familiarity with the children and relationships with the staff. God allowed us to share a tender moment at the orphanage when we observed the departure of one of the oldest orphans after living there for 11 years. The staff was crying and the other kids were visibly sad. We realized then the reality of being in an orphanage involves living with the possibility that any child could be pulled out at any time; and the rest of the “family” will need to work through the trauma. One of our team members gave a staff member a big hug during that tender moment. We believe that paved the way for building a better relationship with the staff. In the subsequent days (from Day 3) we were accepted and welcomed at every visit. By the end of week 1, we could not even imagine not going to the orphanage every afternoon. We also learned that ministry to the staff may be just as important as to the children.
- During these days, we did many craft projects and stories in an effort to bring out some aspect of the gospel or of the promises in the Bible. We know our time here is short
– and we ask you to pray that all of our activities and interactions will leave something of God behind. Please pray specifically for the older girls at the orphanage – they have been less interested in all the activities we have led and maybe they do not feel as included; they are older and language is a real barrier to getting to know them more. But we feel that their need for God at this tender age is even greater. Please pray that God will open the doors to some form of interaction with these girls that will leave His footprint.Team building and Worship
- Since we cannot go to the orphanage during the weekend, we were able to take advantage of an opportunity to take an excursion (at our own expense) to go white-water rafting last Saturday. We also brought along two of the Portantorchas students who have been driving and helping us at the orphanage. The rafting was not only great for fun and teambuilding, but it also allowed the team to witness the natural beauty of Costa Rica – as created and intended by God.
- On this past Sunday, God prepared a surprise for us. We visited a local Spanish church. We were expecting the sermon to be in Spanish only. But instead, Dr. Ramesh Richards (Professor from Dallas Seminary) was the guest speaker. He expounded on Psalm 133 with powerful conviction. “BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” It was not only a message on church unity for this large Costa Rican church, but also a message for us – as a short term mission team. We felt blessed that God has prepared this rich teaching for us – even whilst we are thousands of miles away from our home church. So through week 1, we have seen His provision for our spirits and our needs.
Prayer requests:
- Pray for wisdom in engaging and ministering to the older girls at the orphanage.
- Pray for team-building facilitation exercises that we will be doing with the incoming class at Portantorchas Bible School
- Pray for wisdom in profitable sharing as we head to a men’s & women’s shelter tomorrow (Tuesday)
- Pray for us individually – as some of us are experiencing needs that are arising back home – while we are participating in God’s work here. (Please pray that Joanna’s housing issue back home will be resolved quickly.)
- Pray for continued unity and moving forward in one spirit. Thanks for your prayers on this as we are seeing God’s work indeed.
-
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