God's Moving!

Can I just tell you all that God is doing big stuff in the youth group that is here right now. Please thank God with me for all that's going on here...we have 46 youth and leaders from New York here right now...and last night after we did the Passion Play for them, a bunch of the kids rededicated their lives to God. The youth pastor told us today that he feels like three years of youth ministry just came together last night...that is why I am here, and it feels awesome to know that God is using our efforts here for His glory and not ours.

Again, trying to post pics for you all, but the computer keeps shutting down on me...erg.

Trying.

Hi guys,
So i really wanted to post some pics from this last group that came...along with pics of funny life stuff here...but computers are SO slow, and now Candice has returned home with her computer that I would put my pics on...so here's me saying, I'm trying to help you guys visualize, but it might not happen too soon!

In the meantime, we went to the amusement park yesterday as staff and I had a ton of fun...roller coasters, eating lunch and then flying upside down in some contraption called the "Sky Master" that you hope to God Costa Ricans are maintenancing (if that's even a word), and of course we had to end the day with the teacups...and then headed to the mall to watch Pirates of the Caribbean 2 - sometimes we just have to have a day of fun in order to make it through to the end :)

Our next group comes in 2 days...and we have lost 2 staff members and will lose one more before they arrive (I feel a little like I'm on Survivor right now...who will be kicked off the island next?)

Well, blessings to all!

You know those kind of days....

Today was one of those days. Actually, the last two days have been a little that way. We woke up yesterday to no power... after trying to find my stuff in the dark, and taking a cold shower, we headed to the church to meet our team. Most of them were having a rough day after having spent the night at their new host families' houses...and were feeling a little out of place. So after hanging out with them for the day, and trying to make sure that they were having a good time, we returned home....to find out that our power was still off. One of those days. Thankfully after a couple of hours, it came back on.
So then this morning, after accidentally waking up at 5...erg...I woke up with a really sore throat, and upon arriving at the church, just felt really sick. When we got to the church, the team was already there, waiting for us, but the pastor, who hadn't yet ordered the work supplies we needed to get started, wasn't. One of those days. Thankfully after lunch, I felt very energized...I believe that God gave me what I needed, and we had a really fun afternoon doing vacation bible school with some of the local kids.
This evening, it poured...and poured...and poured...and so our open air event, had to be switched for tomorrow, and we went to the mall and handed out free cokes. It was a good time.
However, once we arrived home (about 30 minutes ago), we realized quickly that the rain hadn't just fallen where we were today. We came home to a flooded house. So the boys are using the shop vac right now, and I am getting ready for bed. Just one of those days.

Well well.

So God did it again. He stretched me a lot.

I am sitting in my living room, typing this while a team works on a drama behind me. There are 75 youth here...they arrived on Wednesday, and man is this place full! Our little house is now home to 16 staff and two board members. I'm not really sure how we're fitting....or how we've been managing with one bathroom - but it's kind of like the 5 loaves and 2 fish. It just works.

So last weekend, Gloria's mom went to be with Jesus. It is always sad to lose a loved one, and I really feel for her and her family right now. Please be praying for them.

With this, Delynn headed home on Sunday, and left me in charge. We went and picked up the additional 6 staff members....and then started preparing for the 75 to arrive. Wednesday we made two runs to the airport, and somehow, everything worked out...everyone arrived, everyone was fed, our speakers and people to lead music showed up, and we only had a few minor crises with electricity and water...which is less than many, so in my books, that's pretty decent. :) God is amazing in the way that He provides for us. The staff really came together and have made these last couple of days run so smoothly - I am very thankful for each one of them.

Delynn, Gloria and Carmelinda returned yesterday (yay!) - and so I'm no longer carrying around all the money that we own, nor answering all of the questions...and people aren't trying to ask me questions through the bathroom door anymore.

But I've been stretched, and God has worked...and everytime He does it, I want to say "No!, I don't want to do this!"...and He seems to always respond, "Yes, but I know you, and I want you to do this, and you're not doing it alone." I feel like Moses this summer...right when God first called him to lead, he answered, "but I stutter." He just kept saying it...and God kept replying, "ok, but I'll be with you, and you can even take Aaron, your brother with you, to speak for you." And even after God promised to be with him, and to send Aaron, Moses still said, "but I stutter." May I stop the excuses, and simply be abandoned to God, letting Him use me as He wants. May I come home changed by this experience.

Feliz Cumpleanos...

Yesterday was Jose Andres' birthday party...so I went and visited my host family...along with the rest of the family - there was about 30 people there in total. I had a blast with them - it felt like 'coming home' in some ways. I took two buses from here, and then was walking down the street that I walked every day to and from language school. When I arrived at the house there was lots of hugs and kisses, and Jose Andres (whom I didn't recognize at first cause his hair is longer) came running for a kiss, it was great.

And so Jose is now 5...here he is with his cake:

And his pinata (the Hulk of course):

And here's a good ol' family photo:

So Costa Ricans love birthday parties, and love to eat. We ate a plate of cakes with a bit of dinner. Then out came jello-like dessert with ice cream. And then we had the actual birthday cake. And then there was the candy from the pinata of course...and party bags. I felt like throwing up afterwards :) Great fun...

Just call me "chauffeur" (or "chaufferess?")

Well, today is the first day in a few that I haven't driven anywhere. Now that Delynn realizes that I can drive a 15-passenger standard van, it has become a second (third, fourth, fifth?) profession of mine :) The last couple of days have been driving in downtown San Jose too, which has been interesting...it actually reminds me a lot of downtown Vancouver, which I'm used to...I'm just not used to having a Tico sitting beside me shouting directions in Spanish... :)

Anyways, not too much else new right now...we went to Castro's lastnight in San Jose, and salsa'd and meringue'd our hearts out with a group that is here...it was lots of fun, and I got to practice what I'd learned during language school.

Today we painted, and painted and painted, and tomorrow will be more of the same. It feels good to do some work on our own property...all in order to get ready for the big groups in a few more days!

Happy Birthday Canada!

Well, those of you in Canada, go enjoy some fireworks for me, ok?

My Canada Day excitement? - I slept in, watched a movie, and now am working on some Pura Vida Missions stuff that needs to get done before the next groups come...Candice and I were wondering if we should phone the Canadian embassy and see what they have planned, but don't know if we'll get to it.

Anyways, happy Canada Day!