Okay, I know, I'm taking way too much time in between my blog updates and you guys are getting
tired of waiting for me to write something. With that in mind I have set aside one day each week to work on my communications including the bolg. I find it hard to put down my other responsibilities and keep up with all the forms of communication, but I realize it is necessary and I really do want all of you to know what God is doing here in Costa Rica and at El Jardin.
Last time I wrote I was on my way to Managua, Nicaragua for my three days out of country. I had a blessed time there with the staff from "Christ for the City". I stayed with Alcides and Sileny Fuentes, Directors. I had time for some much needed rest, had a tour of the City, had some great fellowship with fellow missionaries and even had time to do some repairs around their office.
Alcides overlooking the City of Managua.
Not far from the overlook we encountered this young boy who was looking for his "Papa" (father). We didn't have any idea where his father was nor how long he had been gone, but he had left his son at some ruined houses and told him to wait for his return. The boy did not ask us for money or food, just water. "I'm thirsty" he said. We bought him some juice and sweet bread and as we handed it to him he took the cool bottle of juice, held it to his face and closed his eyes. Then he ran across the road, sat down and began to eat his bread.
We attended and international service in Sunday morning. What a blessing to be able to go most anywhere in the world and fellowship with the true body of Christ!
Not long after my return to El Jardin, the truck we'd been waiting for was ready. Man, what a truck. I can say it is a blessing to have a powerful vehicle to help with the work load.
For any of you on the January Canadian team who may be reading this, here is a photo of a full size commercial bus pulling out of El Jardin. Thanks for the great job and helping us enlarge the main entrance!
Then arrived the eMi Team (Engineering Ministries International) - a team of architects and engineers who's ministry is to help develop physical plans for ministries around the world. They did a great job of capturing God's vision for El Jardin and putting it on paper in small, realistic, construction team size chunks. We have enough projects to last us a few years but we are so excited to have a progressive plan to follow. I will be sharing more info about this soon.
Phase one of the master plan is to finish the "Celebration Center" or multi purpose building. After the floor was completed, we put up another temporary roof in order to have a place for team and Church groups to meet. We are currently trying to raise funding for the permanent roof system.
The eMi team spent two weeks surveying, measuring, meeting, drawing, digging, more measuring and surveying and meeting. But the awesome thing is they took some time off from all this to reach out to several communities. One day they went to several schools and cleaned.....toilets! Talk about a "foot washing"!!!!! Then we went to a Precario to do some "bridge building", literally and spiritually.
So, it's been a very productive month. I am looking forward to working with many construction teams, (we have about one each month this year) as we continue building God's Kingdom physically and spiritually here in Costa Rica.
P.S. Late breaking news: As many of you know Victor and I get together for a bible study once a week. Well, last night Victor invited one of his former "thief" buddies. After a great study, lots of tears and prayer and witnessing on Victor's part, we now have a new bro in the Lord!!!!!!!! Please pray for Gravin as he begins his new walk with Jesus.
