Pura Vida!

Well!

I have so much to write about... it feels like drinking from a fire hydrant. Yesterday marked the beginning of my fourth week here. Frankly, I have been spoiled. Our days are so full of seeing God at work- of fasting and praying, spending time with other believers, and reaching out to the lost and hurting.

On Sunday we went to downtown San Jose with our host mom and sister- Dona Nuria and Rebecca. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was incredibly crowded because people were back-to-school shopping and enjoying their last weeks of summer vacation. Oh yes, for all you in the still chilly regions of the world, it is summer here. It is very hot.

Something I love about this place is the way the project operates. It is named the Abraham Project because they operate completely on faith. When Pastor Jorge felt the Lord calling him to start this project, he had 20 dollars. That was it. But he obeyed and began to search. He met with an architect to discuss plans and drawings for the various buildings on the project- and at the end of their conversation she asked him about financing the project. How would they cover the costs of construction? How much would she be paid? All he has was the 20 dollars in his pocket. He offered it to her- and she thought he was kidding. Upset and offended by his "irrationality," she said, "Fine! You don't have to pay me anything! I'll work for free." She has done all the designs for the building without costs. Incidentally, her husband is an engineer, and he has also donated his work for the project for free.



There are many, many stories about how God has shown up and provided for this place.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Heb 11.6

God is pleased when we work hard and yet completely depend on him! Sounds like a paradox? I've come to accept that life is full of them :) The reason why faith honors God is because the results- the glory- all are his. No one can look at these buildings and contribute their existence to a certain philanthropist or even the efforts of a group of people. God's hand- his artwork and intentionality, are everywhere. Will we choose to see it today?

I've been thinking a lot recently about faith. Why does it seem easier to live by faith here? How will things be different for me when I go back home? So many questions :) I might try and discuss them at some point.

In the meantime... I have a couple of prayer requests to share with you. The first is for Haiti. I'm so thankful that a team from Little Rock has gone down there! You all are in my prayers. Haiti has been on our hearts here because one of the missionaries, Candance, has an aunt and uncle who are serving there now. Her uncle said they're seeing 3,000 people a day and treating them medically. There is so much to be said about that country, but here is a reminder from Costa Rica that, for whatever reason this disaster happened, one day all will be set to rights and there will be no more suffering for those who are in Christ. So let's spend our fews days here in sharing the gospel and helping the needy!

Another request is over a battle taking place between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We have a set of siblings- two girls and two boys- at the project. Their parents are from Nicaragua, but they've been back and forth between the country most of their lives. The parents have been accused of murder, and the government removed the children from under their care. Now there is an international struggle between the countries over where the children will go. If they leave, their options look grim. Nicaragua isn't as nice of a place for these children to be. They might live in a childrens home for a while, but could easily end up on the streets in a gang or involved in child prostitution. Plus, the kids are happy here. They are loved and protected here. The problem is that Costa Rica is a passive country in general, and the government officials that Steve and Georgianna work with don't fight for these kids. We know that God defends the cause of the fatherless- so pray that he would intervene in a mighty way on behalf of these kids. The last we heard, they were going to have to leave for Nicaragua before school starts (early Feb).

The last request is for Spanish. Both Abby and I have our personal struggles, but I can speak for us both in saying that we need to work hard to learn! This week we're staring lessons with a tutor- I'm really looking forward to that. It's been a little more tough than I thought- or maybe I'm just going in cycles :)

Ok peeps. Love you all. Comment, email, or facebook me and let me know how you are!