Two Weeks of Ministry

In the heart of Costa Rica, amidst the challenges and joys of missionary life, our family is on a journey that has tested our resilience and faith. In the last two weeks, a lot has happened. It began with illness, as Carrie fell ill, causing her to miss precious moments with our daughter Lexi before she flew home. Meanwhile, Carsyn battled an ear infection, a reminder of the health challenges one faces in unfamiliar territories.

During these trials, we were surprised to find that local pharmacists could not only dispense medications but also give exams and treat you! With their help, both Carsyn and Carrie began to recover, allowing us all to engage in the mission trip that Life Change was having with a team that was here from the United States.

Our days were filled with purpose and impact. We conducted pastors' training, organized children's events that drew overflowing crowds, and we delivered vital supplies to a remote island that lacked basic necessities. The journey to the island itself was an adventure, navigating the ocean in jon boats, far different from our expectations but a testament to the resourcefulness of the local communities.

On the island, we were greeted with warmth and gratitude. Despite their material poverty, the people there exuded a richness of spirit. Together, we worshipped, shared meals, heard testimonies, and the Gospel. The name of the their small church (photo below) is, "God's Church, Mana from Heaven". They pray that those who enter will never be hungry again. The stories of what brought them to the island and how they survived would break anyone's heart.  A sweet couple that made this trip in November, brought back 12 suitcases full of necessities to pass out on the island. The people were overjoyed and so thankful.

The island day we experienced a lot of rain but that didn't stop anything! Carsyn made a friend on this day, thanks to the soccer balls First Fate donated. We are so thankful that play is a universal language and our girl has jumped right in. Another blog another day about our friends that we met. 

Many of us left the island without the shoes we were wearing as the needs were great. 

During one particular event, amidst rain and a crowded porch, over 50 children and a few parents gathered to hear about the love of Christ. All of the children who came on the trip gave their testimony, the story of Zacchaeus was shared and the Gospel was laid out.  Given the story, it was only fitting that a child eagerly climbed walls and neighbors gathered on porches to hear the message of Jesus. Witnessing at least 15 children and several adults accepting Jesus into their hearts was a profound experience, affirming the impact of our collective efforts. 

Another highlight was distributing shoebox gifts to children, an endeavor close to Carrie's heart. It is no surprise that bringing Christmas and the Good News made her happy. Watching our own children serve selflessly and unprompted, filled us with immeasurable pride and joy. They helped by passing out boxes, helping children open gifts, picking up trash, sweeping the floor, and embodying Jesus's teachings. All of those standing in the photo below, facing away, asked Jesus into their heart this day. It was hard to count as many of us were standing outside to let the neighborhood inside. 

Amidst the highs, challenges persisted. Roy fell ill towards the end of the trip, but thankfully, he missed little due to the rotation of teaching responsibilities. Covid swept through the team that was here. We are not sure if that is what we had. Please pray as the team is now home and trying to recover.

Many have asked how they can support us. Regrettably, traditional mail poses challenges in Costa Rica, often resulting in lengthy delays and customs fees. Instead, we invite you to consider purchasing something from our Amazon list. We have put together a list of ministry items and some personal items that we are missing from home. Many of the things that look personal are for our children's and ladies' ministry. We look forward to sharing the Gospel with the colored legos and fingernail polish. 

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3U6OB9YA0X0HZ

Your prayers sustain us, and we're grateful for the ongoing support and encouragement from our community. The Lord's presence is palpable here, guiding our steps and touching lives in ways both expected and unforeseen.

Together, we look forward to nurturing the seeds of faith planted during this week. We will be continuing the work that the team has begun. We will disciple new believers and support local pastors with the growth that should follow.  The journey has been challenging, but it's also been abundantly rewarding. Thank you for journeying with us in spirit and prayer