blogging takes time

Dearest of the dear,

We pray the Lord's abundant blessings over you in all ways, shapes and forms. Obviously, I have not proven myself a dedicated blogger, four months of silence can appear pure abandonment or boredom on my behalf. Things have been hectic, seeing as to I am actually writing from a part of the world I would have never envisioned being at this stage in pregnancy, so here's a whirl at it. I was inspired by the pending voice in the back of my noggin telling me to start writing again and the sheer inspiration of my little sister telling me she actually bookmarked our page. Thanks Melinda, God used you.

Happy reading.

February Debrief

by Luis Diego


KIDS CLUB
The activities in Los Guido are getting better because the vision it is being clearer and the kids are enjoying every Saturday morning.

They ask for example during the week if we going to be there. They are anxious for Saturday to arrive. On the other hand, of course, we need more people who can help and also more ideas to interact together in dynamic and creative ways, Spanish materials with bible emphasis….. but we keep praying for these needs, and we also have started with what we have, sometimes these kids are different ages and it gets a little challenging to be able to work with them at the same time, but they are adjusting to the situation and learning to be flexible, as well us.


VALENTINE’S:
There was an activity based in cultivating new friendships and God´s love that was directed by my church. It started at 2 pm in the afternoon, and finished at 5:30 pm, it was a great opportunity to be a witnesses with families and neighbors and share the love of God. Also we united together to present a message revealing the good news to the crowd.
My job was carrying the equipment and setting up from the beginning to the end of the activity,
The church contacted a clown ministry and they were working with the kids, teaching the message about the love of God, and there were families around the park, skate boarders practicing their tricks, and others playing basketball, etc. They were people in different places around the park listening to songs about God, and sharing His love, at the end, two men arrived that sang reggae, and it was good for the youth and presented their testimonies. It was an opportunity to reach out to the youth.

BAPTISM
In this trip we had two people that wanted to be baptized and both of them are from Colombia… Both of them came to Costa Rica is search of a job and discovered their need for Christ. One of them is interested in completing a Discipleship school through YWAM (Youth with a mission) in Chile in the future. It was the first time for me to see people baptized in the pacific ocean…. It was comical to me to see everybody moving all around because of the waves rolling in and out, in and out. It wasn´t like being in a swimming pool or a bathtub.
Then we had some time to congratulate, in this new step that they completed, and encourage them….


COMPUTER CLASSES
My classes have been hard to be honest, but challenging at the same time. I have been busy and meeting students younger them me, and also learning from them perspectives of the life. Still have to learn more of excel, word and power point, and maybe will take more class later…. I was studying very hard trying to complete the practices even though sometimes I would go to bed at one in the morning. Classes flew by and I prepared the best I could for the tests in the basic programs of Word. Praise God that we finished class and I was able to apply for a certificate because I passed with an 83% overall.

SHORT TERM MISSIONS
There was a couple from Candad who came for a week to serve in the community in the property. They decided to bless us with an investment in some garden flowers and plants in the property. they are from a small church which is growing in Canada and they have a vision to extend the vision of the members to mission work abroad in the near future. I translated and facilitated for them during their stay. IT was a blessing to share with them our heart for serving the Lord and the same Spirit that we share together to love the Lord through loving our neighbor.

In the Blink of an Eye

Beloved,

How does January always come and go so quickly? We are breaking into a new year with exciting changes on the horizon, both for FHICR´s staff and the Lord´s plans for the community´s development. As junior has become a part of our daily reality and near future, I am learning so much about God´s timing for things.

Before, you would see me running in and out of the community, stressing over dinner getting cooked while studying semenary books, and balancing a time table full enough for three people. Throught the gift of life stirring in my womb, I am recieving from the Lord a fresh perspective on ministry: taking His plans one step at a time.

It is invigorating to say no, I am not going to continue or yes, this is God´s confirmation to our prayers. I am still busy with classes and homework and feeling pregnant, but what a joy in the midst of serving to see His hand guiding us along.

So January came and went, I am coming alongside a precious missionary friend, Isabela Soto, to serve with Virtuous Women, a Christ centered sowing workshop and spiritual counsil group for about 12 women. I am so blessed to serve alongside Isabela, full of the Holy Spirit and a love to boast in Christ of His salvation, and discover God´s path for 2010. My focus will be to support Isabela as an assistent in adminsitration, documenting God´s work and emotional support to her, the women and their families.

During this month, we are readusting to the transitions from last year, meditating on the fruits of our labor and focusing on this year. I will not be continuing the program with child spondership, through at the present I have accepted empowering two new community leaders with the local church to support them in working the Kids´ Club with the Reformed Church in Los Guido. I stand in prayer for God´s leading in specific details to my transition with maternity and family needs.

Kids´ Fire hasn´t taken shape yet, but the couple who are called to leadership in the community have become active in leading as well as serving alongside a local church. Their growth has been a huge encouragement and joy to witness.

Luis Diego, has been serving actively with our home church and pastor, in the projects for this year in the property. They piloted their first activity for this year today, and will continue weekly with Bible Studies and children´s activities while the construction takes shape.

Luis Diego is also studying computer programs and balancing his time to support FHICR´s office in a more constant fashion. This is a blessing for me to see how God is moving him in ministry as well as in his relationships and ministry contacts.

And of course, January has served to learn how to learn to just rest and eat healthy. Every stage is worth it when God says it´s His time.

May February be filled with His joy, peace, hope and love in your daily walk and families. Let´s keep our eyes peeled for when our King returns.

God´s gift of life

As I sit down to write, I meditate on His Word that calls us to be still and know that He is God. He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, He is the owner of all Majesty and the Kingdom of light.

With motive of great joy, we share with you His blessing of our first pregnancy, His life for this child has already began! We discovered the news a few weeks ago, I am now 9 weeks along and we are growing together as a family and celebrating every change and stage. God has been powerfully ministering to us as we grow into the role as parents He is calling us to. What love to know only He could surround us with loved ones and wise counsil to guide us along the way.

So we share with you our delight in these circumstances and all that awaits us ahead. We invite you to be in prayer with us for all the details to be ironed out smoohtly by His hand. I pray you be encouraged and ministered to through His faithfulness and lovingkindness in our lives.

My husband sends his love and appreciation for all your support and your special part in our growth and service in the Lord. May Jesus be your way, truth and life abundant.

Reeping the first fruits of His faithfulness

My dear friends, "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." II Cor. 9:10

I believe as I finish by transcribing this final testimony of 2009, I have discovered that God has stretched us far in our trust in Him throughout the months, and Kids' Club was no exception.

I have been serving in this outreach for the three years now with FHICR, it has been part of the backbone of working with the families and building relationships to allow Christ Love to shine into the family unit. Teaching is a passion that makes my heart beat, and it has been facinating to witness the variety of reactions to God´s touching of the heart through the different activities and ministry strategies.

This year, we coupled with a church annointed by the Lord to have a heart for their neighboring families, we fell in love with their vision and their responsibility to be an active example of Christ to the lost and broken hearted.

So we began Kids' Club on Fridays in June during winter vacations.

Later I will try to grab some shots of the joy and fruits of Jesus in the children, but I want to speak about some of the revelation of our Lord in the people called to serve this year. I have been left speechless by His awesomeness in working in our three-people team. We struggled with our personalities, our cultures, our personal issues, and yet God glorified Himself in our prayers together and our hours of forgiveness and comprehension, we tackled the last month of activities and were delighted in seeing children with different attitudes, changed behavior, more self-control and reflecting Christ´s love. Many families who are new to the congregation have began to see what the children are raiving about and have started to support the minsitry. God has blessed the growth of many seeds in the hearts and lives of the families.

Thank you Jesus that it is not about us, but all about You.

CDP wraps up in December

CDP is a child development program that casts the vision of empowering community leaders, churches and families to make responsible decisions concerning the opportunities to promote the developmental needs of their children. By working towards bettering children's holistic development, community members assist in the social development of their community and future generations.

God took my glittery eyes that dreamed of CDP and plopped me into 8 months of personal formation as I invested my life into 20 families and their children who participated in this program with FHICR.

Through the wear and tear of working with these families through good times and bad times, I came to reflect on the initial strategy that had been applied in this particular program. The original gear was to direct the families in analizing the real needs of their children and focusing on a holistic program. As it turns out, the program I adquired was directed towards scholastic financial aid in the form of scholarships and other activities planned around this focal point.

As time went on, the more I could see God closing the door on this program, and that His work was going to continue in those who are leaning on Him for the answer. So I loved these people with all my heart and challnged myself daily to be a living testimony of Christ to them.

I dropped out of monthly contact due to all the end-of-the-year activities. Throughout the year we were involved in: house visits, tutoring center, Kids´Club, prayer meetings, profile updating, medical check ups, school supply donations, Sports activities, parent meetings, card workshops, etc. Towards the end, God´s strength was sufficient to combat the battles of the enemy to throw in the towel. We ran the race with all our might and were able to complete the program with answered prayer. In our final meeting where we shared our plans to finish the scholarship with these particular families, God blessed with a comprehensive heart in the mothers who participated in the breakfast lucheon in our office. They opened up and gave testimonies of how God helped them to get up on their own two feet and fight for the well-being and education of their children.

We remain steadfast in prayer for the revelation of God´s plans for the future of this program in 2010. Until He speaks, we will wait for His direction, with thanksgiving in our hearts for the growth witnessed in our lives as well as the families who He chose to be involved.

This outlet showed me how He has called us to get dirty for His kingdom: giving our most basic and most complex needs to our Lord and Savior: every dirt road, every smelly corner, every flee infested dog, every heat stroke, every tear shed, every grade improved, every test passed, is all to glorify His name.

Kids' Fire

Have you ever staretd something out of obedience later to find out the real reason God called you to it in the first place? What a sovern God we serve! He knows exactly what to share with us and what to linger in revealing so that our faith may grow and evolve.

As we saw an urgent need for the families to be invited to learn together, we began a series of weekly activities centered around Christian education through games outdoors. With one PE teacher and a few soccer balls, we started Saturday mornings to invite the kids to learn through recreation and having fun together. This was an opportunity for them to grow in their love for physical activity and learning important Christian values like self-discipline, team work, obedience, etc.

As we plunged into the months ahead, getting up early on a Saturday morning ground on our motivation, including the small turn out as we prepared the activities week after week.

God, if you told us this was a need, and that this activity was Your plan, where is Your confirmation that You are satified with us?

God had already anticipated our weaknesses, and He revealed Himself as our strength in this moment of encounter. He brought out of the woodwork a couple passionate to grow in their walk with Christ, hungry to reach out to their community and eager to be pushed to look a little harder for God´s guidance in their leadership.

A diamond in the rough.

This is where in the last few months of 2009, we saw God´s back up cultivate a valuable friendship with Luis Diego and Cindy, a precious couple who seek to help in counselling and Christian testimony other couples in need in their community and their families.

So the Sports´activity became Kids' Fire, based on the true testing of our faith as gold through fire, we also desire for the families and their children to become more pure and stronger through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.