It's Time to Wake Up, US!

I am SO EXCITED for all that is in store for the next year, and all the ways that he is going to reveal himself to us as a nation :)

Guarari

A community rejoices

And mourns

In the same breath

Grateful for the blessing

of precious moments shared.

Grieved to lose

Their tangible glimmer of hope

In the dreary world in which they live.

Though peoples faces come

and go

Encouragments and raising up

There is one with them remains

Tried and true

Hope anew

Mercy and grace

Together dispel the shame

That society has black-marked them with

From behind the walls

Their light will shine

And bring forth this glory divine.

And walls will fall

Brick by brick

Until the life outside

And life within

Will grow to greater heights

Seeds have been planted.

Beneath concrete they lay

Whose roots will grow strong

And push back these layers

From generations past

The rains will pour down

And heat of the sun will wear

Until the sprouts break free

Shattering the concrete

And all will see

The glory of our Lord in

Guarari

Unity in Love Transforms Communities

These past few weeks have been INCREDIBLE. I have been translating for a team from Spruce Groves, Canada, and it’s been such a pleasure. They have truly accepted me as a part of their team, and there is such unity between the translators and the team. We are working as one to raise up a community. I love their approach to missions. It is one of love in relationships. They have the mind of Christ in their worldview, and it is so refreshing to see. They have been coming to Costa Rica for the past five years and have established a really good relationship with the community of Guarari. Guarari is a community that has been overlooked and outcast in this country. The city even built a wall in front of the community so that its tin houses can’t be seen from the mall.

We would be swarmed with kids from the moment we arrived. We were divided into three teams, one for the construction site where we are building a new community center, and one for the Vacation Bible School, and a woman’s group. I love how no one is overlooked. The children have their Vacation Bible School, teach the women different crafts, and the men (including drunkards of the community)helped build. Among the team were four girls from a local church in Heredia, who helped this team do ministry- it was a time of empowerment for these girls of Heredia to minister to their own people.

One thing that was so exciting to see was these kids really become kids. These children are normally left to fend for themselves at home while their parents are involved in drugs or simply don’t pay them any mind. We took 80 of the children to a farm sort of situation with big open green grass fields to play soccer, a swimming pool, and a little park. It was such a beautiful experience.

There is something BIG going on within this community. The children who normally go on Saturdays for a weekly children’s ministry prayed every week for houses to replace their dirt floor tin walls and roof that surround them. The government started this housing program, chose Guarari, and from the WHOLE community those who have received the new houses are the CHILDREN WHO PRAYED FOR THEM! PRAISE JESUS!

We would have a little time for devotions in the morning so a small group of woman and I would get together to discuss the different prompts. From the beginning of the week I had been praying for God to tear down walls. Two of the woman had expressed that they wanted to open up and be able to share themselves with people, but that they were afraid of rejection. I was asking God to make their hearts cry out for that deep companionship that only comes from being completely vulnerable... and at the end of the week one of the prompts that we were asked was "what one thing do you want to exchange in your life for what God has for you" BAM Everyone poured out their hearts to each other, we were able to support, pray for, and have a deep sense of fellowship. It was incredible. I guess I've taken for granted my ability to make deep friendships. It seems that every country I go, every group i am with I have someone who I bear my heart to, and they with me. We stand in prayer with each other as sisters in Christ. Until this last week, I didn't realize what a precious and rare gift fellowship of the heart is.

Little Miss Susy Homemaker

...
With a handful of our staff gone for the week, translating in Sardinal, the rest of us had to pick up a little bit of slack. This is an example of a normal day...

4:30am - wake up spend time with Jesus :)
5:00am - run
5:30am - shower
6:00am - breakfast prep
7:00am - serve breakfast
10:30am- lunch prep
12:30am - serve lunch
1:00pm - lunch cleanup
(4:00pm - dinner prep
5:00pm - serve dinner... some days)
6:00pm- dinner cleanup
11:00pm - sleep :)

WHEW!

Last night the team came back, so I am looking forward to having a little bit of a break - and am so STOKED to start translating.