A Piece of God´s Creation

Aren´t weekends meant for rest and relaxation? This past weekend was FAR from restful and relaxing. It was an adventure of a lifetime. Fully of ziplining through the forest, to zurfing at the beach, church, and visiting the largest active volcanoe in Costa Rica, I´d say God´s creation is beyond words.

 But being here only three weeks with a new culture, new ´tico´family, a week of cultural orientation, and finishing up the second week of language tutoring, everything finally is beginnig to feel normal. Each day, interacting with the locals, trying a new restaurant, a new dish, and learning to becaome a part of the Costa Rican has been a humbling and growing experience.  As daily living with a ´tico´ family and as my spanish improves, I am able to communicate on a deeper level with the people of Costa Rica. As the culture shock is wearing off and God begins to show glimpses of His diverse glory and creation I continue to stand amazed.

As I begin to learn and adapt to the Latino culture, God continues to break down and humble habits, predjudices, expections, and lifestyles that were once familiar to me. Though this new culture, language, and set of rules if far and vast fom my comprehension this is not far from what God does in people´s lives throughout history. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 19-23:

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

May we become assimilated into the place that God has us and will lead us into. This idea of understanding, learning, and living the way the people do in order to make the gospel known. This isn´t far from the idea of ´Love your neighbor (or enemy) as youself.¨ As we see things done differently, as worldviews and cultural norms begin to clash, how do I respond? Am I responding in love and understanding, or in bitterness and malice?  And am I understanding the grace that God talks about in Ephesians 2: 8-10.  And might i understand God´s unlimited capacity, trusting His plan, that I am ¨God´s workmanship, created to do good works, in which GOD prepared in advance for (me).¨

...Speechless...

I can´t even describe to you all of the things that I have experienced this past week and a half since arriving in Costa Rica.

First off, I apologize for my lack of an update. Since arriving here in Costa Rica on Sunday January 23 around 10 pm it has been a constant go, go, go, go, go. Last week we had a week of culture training, covering important do´s and dont´s about the Costa Rican culture.  We also did a few things around the eMi office to set up computers and such.  The week also consisted of opening the day up digging through God´s work. We worked our way through the book of Romans, looking at everything that Paul had to say in his loooong letter.

Last Monday I met my Costa Rican (Tico) family that I will be living with for the next 6 months. What an amazing blessing this family is. My Tico parents Edgar and Ana and my three younger tico siblings Esteban (11), Andres (10), and Anamaria ( just turned 6 yesterday, Feb 1)`- I will try to post a picture soon!  God has blessed me so much with this family! their love for the Lord is evident. Their hearts are overflowing with love, hospitality, and many sacrifices. I will admit, it is a little weird to wake up every morning to a hot plate of eggs and gallo pinto (a typcial Costa Rican dish of rice and beans), having my clothes washed almost everyother day, and three amazing meals a day!

This past Saturday I went with Ana and Edgar to the neighboring town of Alajuera where the 3 kids had been since Wednesday at Vaction Bible School. There we helped out serve the kids snacks and sang some songs with them. It wa a great time to serve and see some amazing smiles on the over 150 kids that were at VBS.

This past Monday myself, and the other interns started Language school at a local school here in Atenas. There split up into classes by level we have been working on grammar, pronunciation, and conversation skills.  It has been rigorous and exhasuting. Going to class from 8-12 each day and having a bunch of homework to do.  I have another week and a half of language classes then on my way to Mexico for a week where I will be working on my first project.- Check for updates under the ´Proyecto numero1´tab for more details.

Keep checking back for more updates! As my schedule becomes more consistent it will be easier to update and post.

With many blessings and in Christ´s Love.

Castle Canyon- eMi Orientation

Wesley and I at Castlewood Canyon on a hike during orientation in Colorado Springs!

God's Beautiful Creation.

My view every morning. Pike's Peak. (check out more photos under the photo tab)

Colorado. Orientation. Relationships.

    I don't even know where to begin. The last few days have been completely incredible. Through many sessions of learning about how to respond to culture, to learning about the heart of our Lord and savior, to conversations and relationships built, it is evident that God is going to be doing big things.
   The last few days have been exhausting. With a packed schedule from 7am to 10:30pm God has been preparing all of us interns (26 in total) for an adventure, a journey, a ministry, that has been already set before us.  I have gotten to know many of the interns below the surface. What makes them tick, how do they respond in certain situations, what is their background like?  Through many laughs around the dinner tables, to ridiculous card games that teach us about adaptivity, to relaxing in the hot tub God is orchestrating solid relationships and friendships.
    Personally, I will be heading down to Costa Rica with 4 other interns.  Spread out from Georgia [Andrew; whom I will be traveling to Mexico with on out project trip], to Kansas [Jeff], to South Carolina [Tripp], Colorado [Wes], and myself, Minnesota.  These past few days have brought us close together. To spend time getting to know each other. To learn about each other. To begin to trust each other.  Today [Monday January 17,2011] we went over to New Life church in Colorado Springs. There we did a few activities that tested our team skills.  We were completely dependent on those around us to direct us through an obstacle course, while we were blind folded, for example.  This afternoon God began to strengthen our beginning and new relationships. We learned to work together. Work through conflict. Learn our strengths and weakness within the group and how each person had something different to add to the group that would benefit all.
     God is present. It is obvious He has his heart in these people here.  Standing shoulder to shoulder singing praises to our God as we learn, grow, and begin to become away of some of the adversaries that we might encounter while overseas.

     I wil leave on the note that: God is good. He is sovereign. He is our ruler and our guider. I am here for HIS workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) to complete the task that He has set before me.

When the page begins to turn.

    The snowboard gear is cleaned up and put away, and the snowboard now accompanies the few others I own up in my room for the year.  It sits up against the window looking at the falling snow currently coating everything in its path.  The anticipation for something new awaits.  The bags are packed until the zipper is about to bust. And yet it still feels like there is so much to do!!  The final page of this chapter in my life is being turned, and slowly I am beginning to see the start of a new chapter.  What this chapter beholds....your guess is as good as mine!

     It just astounds me to imagine that NO two snowflakes are exactly the same. After over 3 feet of snow already this winter, not one of those snowflakes have been alike.  It got me thinking about the unique path and journey each one took to its resting place. How far did it travel? How many other snowflakes did it come in contact with? How was affected by the wind?

     In a sense I feel like my life in that similar state.  Where am I traveling to? What am I doing along the way?  How many people will I be able to talk to and make a difference in their life?  How will the 'wind' or those that are put around me help me to glorify the kingdom?  As I muse on these facts the hours, minutes, seconds begin to tick down to my departure from MSP airport to Colorado and on to Costa Rica.

   I had an amazing night last night.  A bunch of my friends set up a time to all get together and send me off and bless me on this trip.  Meeting at Applebees (an awesome restaurant!) we had some great conversations, some great laughs, good food, and most of all fellowship with each other.  I couldn't ask for such a better group of friends who encourage me, have faith in me, pour their time into me.  It's times like last night that make me realize the importance of relationships and the influence they have.  It was difficult saying goodbye last night but I cannot wait upon my return to share the stories! I'm going to miss you all.

     I'll end with this.  As the page of this chapter begins to turn and a new chapter is started I could not ask for a more supportive group of people in my life. Through all of your support financially and spiritually, I cannot be any more blessed.  Big things are going to happen and I am SO excited to keep you all updated!! Check back soon! Until then, Peace out MinneSNOWta!

6 Days and Counting.

     I cannot believe that in 6 days I will be boarding a plane to fly to Colorado Springs for a week of orientation.  This will be the last time I will see my friends, family, and loved ones around me for over 6 months.  God is STILL preparing my heart and giving me guidance and understanding to this reality.  I have been out of the country many times; Honduras, Dominican Republic and Peru. But the amount of time in these places is simply a glimpse to the reality of what 6 months truly is. This reality has begun to dawn on me over the past few weeks.  My mother even said to me the other day "You don't seem as excited to go lie you were when you first knew you would be going."  My response is that I could not be more excited to serve God's people in such an amazing place like Costa Rica.

     This melancholy, somber state of mine may be the reality that I am going to a country that I know very little about. I will be living with a host, Costa Rican family for the next 6 months of my life that I know nothing about. I will be walking to office I will be working in every day through streets that I am unfamiliar with.  Now these feelings of uncertainty aren't one bit of a discouragement however some of the dawning realities that I will be facing in the next few weeks.  My state of excitement may be suppressed by the stress of getting ready, trying to raise the fundraising that is necessary.

     BUT, I can only imagine the possibilities and the opportunities that God is giving me.  What better of place that I am unfamiliar with to spread His love and mercy. What better place than the streets and people that I do not know to be a light that shines God's faithfulness, His goodness, His kindness to those around me.  God has given me a task. A challenge. A goal. To spread His name throughout the nations.  Based in Atenas, Costa Rica for the next 6 months this is God's playground given to me.
          
                                                                                               To learn.
              
 To grow.
                                                                           To imagine.
                                                                                                                           To design.
                                              To inspire.
                   To build.
                                                            To provide hope to those in need.

     As this journey and chapter in my life quickly becomes a reality, I am beginning to become more sensitive to the reality that God is moving, that God is doing something bigger. He is orchestrating without my control, through means that I cannot control.

     For example; yesterday I was out at REI looking for a travel backpack I could use for carrying my ridiculous amounts of luggage and also as we take weeks trips.  Upon returning home there was an envelope addressed to me from an address that I did not know.  I opened up the envelope and to my surprise there was a check with an amount a little over the cost of the travel backpack I had just purchased.  Also enclosed was a letter signed by a person whom I have no idea who they are.  It is amazing how God continues to show up.  When we least expect it God gives us unforeseen kisses to reassure us of His faithfulness.

Over the next 6 months, come along for this journey with me.  Check back for updates, pictures, and prayer requests! God is moving!

     Also, if you haven't given or are wanting to help support me on this amazing journey, as God gives me the opportunities to uses the gifts and talents He placed within me to serve Him it is SOO incredibly easy.  Go to the "How to Give" tab and follow the 1-2-3 steps. "With open hands we receive what God generously gives to us, and with open hands we give it away knowing that we cannot out-give God."