Blessings in Fellowship

For the first time since we arrived, our studies have started off with music, in worship to our King! Our friend and fellow servant Ezra was here visiting us for 12 days. He brought his guitar, and quickly (and we mean quickly) learned three songs in Spanish, so that we could open our Foundations class on Thursday evening with worship. Ezra does not speak Spanish (yet!) and was able to lead us in worship, in Spanish, in less than 48 hrs of his arrival, to the glory of God, and the appreciation of our attendees. The family that had previously expressed an interest in coming were able to join us last week for the first time. They were excited, and this week they invited others.





Geiner also broke out his guitar and had a lesson from Ezra.


Thursday we headed down the hill to central San Rafael de Heredia, to pass out some tracts and do some witnessing in the park. We encountered our usual mix of those who listen and have questions or experiences to share, those who are polite, and those who don’t want to take the time to listen or accept a tract. Ezra took the opportunity to let people know that Jesus loves them (Jesus te ama) and worked hard on memorizing John 3:16 in Spanish. It was a fruitful afternoon, with one young man interested in attending our Foundations class, and another woman who called us because we had our phone number on the tract we gave her, asking for prayer and wanting to know where we hold our bible studies.

We left for Perez Zeledon early last Saturday morning. We will give Ezra a chance here to let you in on his experience of life on the farm:

"As you all may know already the locals have a saying, “Pura Vida” which means pure life. That really is the best way to describe life on the farm. When people have so little and work so hard for it, the truly important things in life are valued. Faith, family and friends, are what these people cling to for support/survival and there is nothing more “pure life” than that. Add into the mix the absolutely beautiful and tranquil jungle and the overwhelming sense of God’s majesty in His creation, and you have Pura Vida. Things in the jungle are simple. I think that that simplicity was the best part. I told Denise that I can hear better up at the farm. She looked at me confused and I explained to her that at the farm almost every distraction or stimulant is removed and you can hear God better. Not because God is not speaking to us everywhere we are at in our busy lives but because in that simple life there are less distractions to kidnap us away from just sitting at the feet of our Lord and God. It was a lesson in perspective, seeking God and not comfort or entertainment/distractions. Some might look at these people and see how poor they are and what conditions they live in and feel sorry for them, but when I think about it I am reminded of God’s design, the least shall be first. May we all find a little more Pura Vida in our lives.
Beyond my experience at the farm, God is speaking to the people of Costa Rica through G&D. Life as a missionary is one of constantly being dependent on God. Never has that been truer in my life than while I have been here. I am in a country that I do not understand, struggling to speak a language that I do not know and somehow God can still use it for His glory. While I was playing and singing worship songs in a language that I do not know, not even understanding the meaning of the words it made me realize just how dependent on the strength of Jesus I was. I felt so underprepared and so out of place but God gave me the strength and used it to bless the people listening while glorifying Himself. Praise the Lord God almighty He is so faithful. "

Our bi-weekly study in Perez Zeledon was also blessed with the sounds of praise and worship to the Lord. We had two additions to the group, with expectations of invitations to others.

Thank you Ezra, for your willingness to serve and love the people of Costa Rica.

“To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:21-23