Our Costa Rica trip was a fantastic mission trip. One of the first instructions out of LaMar’s mouth was you’ll be asked to step out of your comfort zone. Honestly, I didn’t think too much about being out of my comfort zone. I am a person who accepts change & challenges pretty well. Now...don’t get me wrong...I know where my comfort zone is...but I step out of it on a regular basis. I was more concerned about some of the students and the challenges they would face during the week.
We all faced challenges but I can say that I was challenged most during our bible studies. It seemed as if there needed to be a big red arrow pointing at my head saying...this is for you. You need to take note. Be challenged. Step out of your comfort zone!
This life we are given is not to be wasted....we are to live for Christ every moment.. Matthew 25: 14-30 was our main focus. It’s a story we all know. The parable of the talents. In verse verse 21 and 23 the Master says. Well done, my good and faithful servant. He doesn’t say...it’s done....he say “Well done”.
I’ve never really thought about the difference between done and well done until this bible study...but when I stand before God to give an account of my life. I don’t want to hear done. It sounds horrible. The bible says that the servant that was just done...was called a wicked and slothful servant.
I want to hear Well done, my good and faithful servant. So thank you all for your many prayers. The time we spent in Costa Rica was wonderful. We had many opportunities to make a difference in the Kingdom of God. I was so very humbled by the willingness of our students. They are so awesome. I know that everyone was stretched and challenged spiritually.
We have left the mission field in Costa Rica and returned home to the mission field of Hartsville, pray that commitments and work started there continues and grows here.
In Christ
Pam
ps. Yes I did the Jungle Swing! No I never have to do that again!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Power went out, cold showers, boys locked in the bathroom, sicklings, bugs, no privacy, weird conversations, cold pool but, when it all comes down to it, these are the best of times.
Along the way, new facebook friends, paint fight, happy kids and last but not least, teaching the gospel to young and old people. This is what has made our whole trip worth while. Today we toured Cartago, which consist of the Basilica of Los Angelos church. Then we tried "Costa Rica Italian ice." Later we went to the bottom of the mountains and toured the oldest church in Costa Rica.
At the end of the day we passed out approx. 20,000 tracks to many Catholics that were walking to the Catholic church to pray to the Virgin Mary. It was a great experience and we all enjoyed it. Tomorrow we are going zipcording, it is going to be very interesting because some people like us, are scared of heights. Then we are going souvenir shopping and hope to find many souvenirs to bring back. We hope to blog tomorrow, talk to you then. We love you and miss you guys, Lindsay and Haley.
Along the way, new facebook friends, paint fight, happy kids and last but not least, teaching the gospel to young and old people. This is what has made our whole trip worth while. Today we toured Cartago, which consist of the Basilica of Los Angelos church. Then we tried "Costa Rica Italian ice." Later we went to the bottom of the mountains and toured the oldest church in Costa Rica.
At the end of the day we passed out approx. 20,000 tracks to many Catholics that were walking to the Catholic church to pray to the Virgin Mary. It was a great experience and we all enjoyed it. Tomorrow we are going zipcording, it is going to be very interesting because some people like us, are scared of heights. Then we are going souvenir shopping and hope to find many souvenirs to bring back. We hope to blog tomorrow, talk to you then. We love you and miss you guys, Lindsay and Haley.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The Jesus Actor's Blog Part 1: Jake
A popular Brandon Heath song says, "Give me Your eyes so I can see." When I came to Costa Rica, I had no clue what my eyes would behold, where I would be placed, and how the Lord would use me. We pulled into San Jose, and I thought to myself that Costa Rica wasn't in bad shape. I thought it looked like any other first world country. The hotel we stayed in had a kitchen, a living room, comfortable beds and showers with hot water. It was so comfortable staying there.
The very next day we woke up at 3:00 am to head to Chira, an island just off the coast. We were loaded into the back of a dusty farmer's pickup truck and driven up a hill to the island's school. The classroom that I walked into first had no air conditioning, no computers, an abundance of wasps and beaten up desks. I was scared that I wasn't going to be able to relate to these children since I was raised in a nice middle class family with a pretty house and comfortable living conditions.
After conversing with the kids for a while, I realize that we had so much in common. We liked to play sports, play with our pets and talk with our friends. I came to know that social situations did not hinder our relationship. When I read Isaiah 58, which tells us to care for the poor and invite them to your place, I thought this would be way overwhelming for me. I believed that in order to do so that I would have to step way out of my comfort zone. But once again I was left in awe of the power of God to bring me to obstacles I would never have imagined myself coming to and not only that - He helped me rise above those fears that I had.
I left that day thinking, "Wow, that must be the worst part of Costa Rica." Boy, was I wrong! We headed to another village the next day called Carpio. On our ride there, our missionary, Lamar, was explaining how nice the people were there and how they were just like us. "One more thing," he said, "they live beside the main landfill in Costa Rica." A landfill? You mean those things that they try to cover up in America but here they leave out beside a town? Yes, that kind of landfill.
We rode through shack after shack, past broken car after broken car. When we arrived at the church, we couldn't even recognize it. It turns out that the church was secured by a sheet of metal chain locked to the wall. The first thing we saw when we walked in were drops of water coming out from multiple leakage spots in the ceiling. A group of children at the church walked by me, and I noticed that a number of them had on Toms. They didn't buy these shoes, rather they were some of those poster child children of the Toms One for One campaign. These children either didn't have the resources to buy shoes or didn't have any shoes in their size, so they relied on different sizes than their own to cover their feet.
I was so scared that these children wouldn't want to hang around me. I thought they would see me and my professional grade camera and leather Sperrys and think that I was nothing like them. The first child I met, Johan, came up to me, looked up at the lens on the camera hanging from my neck, and smiled. At first glance, he would have been just one of those poster children. But now, he was my friend.
That's my buddy Johan. We play fought, played tag, danced - all the things I could have done with a child back in America, yet we were from completely different backgrounds.
The trip is really showing me how to love others. My comfort zone before this mission was confined to the people I knew and the people who were similar to me. If I had to talk to a homeless man or a person in the ghetto, I would have shied away from the oppurtunity. I think God has put me in places like Chiro and Carpio to open my eyes to His unfailing love. He is showing me how, if I accept Jesus into my heart, He can work through me to care for those who on my own I was afraid to care for.
I understood what "how He love us" meant, but I don't think I knew what "how He loves us all" until I came to Costa Rica. I pray that God continues to open our eyes to His beautiful beings, regardless of our differences. We have a unity through love and, therefore, through Christ.
The very next day we woke up at 3:00 am to head to Chira, an island just off the coast. We were loaded into the back of a dusty farmer's pickup truck and driven up a hill to the island's school. The classroom that I walked into first had no air conditioning, no computers, an abundance of wasps and beaten up desks. I was scared that I wasn't going to be able to relate to these children since I was raised in a nice middle class family with a pretty house and comfortable living conditions.
After conversing with the kids for a while, I realize that we had so much in common. We liked to play sports, play with our pets and talk with our friends. I came to know that social situations did not hinder our relationship. When I read Isaiah 58, which tells us to care for the poor and invite them to your place, I thought this would be way overwhelming for me. I believed that in order to do so that I would have to step way out of my comfort zone. But once again I was left in awe of the power of God to bring me to obstacles I would never have imagined myself coming to and not only that - He helped me rise above those fears that I had.
I left that day thinking, "Wow, that must be the worst part of Costa Rica." Boy, was I wrong! We headed to another village the next day called Carpio. On our ride there, our missionary, Lamar, was explaining how nice the people were there and how they were just like us. "One more thing," he said, "they live beside the main landfill in Costa Rica." A landfill? You mean those things that they try to cover up in America but here they leave out beside a town? Yes, that kind of landfill.
We rode through shack after shack, past broken car after broken car. When we arrived at the church, we couldn't even recognize it. It turns out that the church was secured by a sheet of metal chain locked to the wall. The first thing we saw when we walked in were drops of water coming out from multiple leakage spots in the ceiling. A group of children at the church walked by me, and I noticed that a number of them had on Toms. They didn't buy these shoes, rather they were some of those poster child children of the Toms One for One campaign. These children either didn't have the resources to buy shoes or didn't have any shoes in their size, so they relied on different sizes than their own to cover their feet.
I was so scared that these children wouldn't want to hang around me. I thought they would see me and my professional grade camera and leather Sperrys and think that I was nothing like them. The first child I met, Johan, came up to me, looked up at the lens on the camera hanging from my neck, and smiled. At first glance, he would have been just one of those poster children. But now, he was my friend.
The trip is really showing me how to love others. My comfort zone before this mission was confined to the people I knew and the people who were similar to me. If I had to talk to a homeless man or a person in the ghetto, I would have shied away from the oppurtunity. I think God has put me in places like Chiro and Carpio to open my eyes to His unfailing love. He is showing me how, if I accept Jesus into my heart, He can work through me to care for those who on my own I was afraid to care for.
I understood what "how He love us" meant, but I don't think I knew what "how He loves us all" until I came to Costa Rica. I pray that God continues to open our eyes to His beautiful beings, regardless of our differences. We have a unity through love and, therefore, through Christ.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday * Sunday * Monday
Thanks for being patient, we've been very busy and also access to the internet is a little hard to come. We have had a FABULOUS time. It's been a time of growth, flexibility, and lots of going going going. So far we've worked with 2 Awana groups, 2 youth groups, gone to a church service, painted a kids area in a church, and spent another day in the schools. Whew I'm tired just writing that!
So a little about all that's been going on. After our trip to the Island we had the privilege to teach a lesson with a local awana group. The kids that we met are SO loving and loved the games and crafts.
On Saturday we took a trip to Carpio which is a town right outside the trash dump. These kids are the poorest children we'll meet on our trip. It's hard to believe that these sweet, sweet children live in such horrible conditions. They were super excited to see us and some just wanted to be held. Our kids are awesome they jumped right in and played with the children. Connor rode a little boy around on his back forever. Emily was able to connect with a little that wouldn't let anyone else hold her.
Haley, Lindsey, and Mallory played endlessly with the kids on the swingset. Will, Jake, and Tyler let children chase them all over. They pushed kids on the swings, while John held a little boy that obviously never got held. It was very hard to leave these children.
These kids really have nothing and some are not loved enough..but they all were loving toward us and had big smiles. Please pray for the kids of Carpio and the people that minister to them on a regular basis.
We attended youth group later that night. Will and Connor shared their testimony. Jake led the lesson that night. All three did an awesome job. One thing you may not think about ...is that anytime you speak there is a translator...so these guys did all that talking a couple of sentences at the time. Not so easy..
The gringos, as we are lovingly called, played games with the youth group and had a great time.
Sunday we went to church and listened to a wonderful sermon, truely enjoyed the worship music. We all found out that it doesn't matter what language is being used we can worship our Lord. Songs like Days of Elijah and Shout to the Lord translate no matter what language.
We spent Sunday afternoon painting the outside and some of the rooms at the church at Carpio. Today, we were able to go into a school. Costa Rica children go to school from February to November....their summer is late November until February. This was great experience for our kids. They took full control ..the adults stayed out of the classrooms, so our kids lead the entire program. The program included...playing games to teach english, sharing about themselves and their families, performing a mime and of course sharing the gospel with each kids. So today alone our group shared the plan of salvation with 100 to 120 kids today.
So....some other that have funny or challenging...or both. Several people have had stomach issues and not feeling great...please pray that these are behind us..no pun intended.
Some funny stuff Will and Tyler got locked in the bathroom...not together ..but two different times. We now know that Frank, Ken, and Brian know how to remove a door and put it back together. Our hot water for our showers comes from a lovely device called the widow maker....cause if you touch the top of the shower, you'll die.
You CAN take a hot shower if you know how to work the water. We hope Connor figures this out before we leave. Everyone has taken at least cold shower. Pam is the resident toilet plunger expert for all the rooms. The hotel offers massages, body wraps, slimming treatments etc. Brian thought they offered sliming treatments...and wants to know what that accomplishes. John is our resident stand up comedian and has already prayed and thank God that Frankie is still with us!
As you can see....we are having fun no matter what. Lamar is stretching us spiritually and we are learning and growing. Continue to pray that the trip goes well and we accomplish what God would have us do.
Pam, Frankie, And Ken
Friday, July 27, 2012
Costa Rica = Pura Vida = Kinda Hard = Lots of Bugs
Hey, this is John and I am writing to you for the youth group! So I am going to be real and just say that Costa Rica has been kind of hard. Do not get me wrong; it is an amazing experience telling people about Jesus, but you are totally out of your comfort zone!
So the whole memo of this trip is flexibility and boy is that hard when the electricity goes out the first night and there is no hot water. It’s just hard to adjust. This morning we woke up at 3:00 and went on a two hour ride and then a thirty-five minute boat ride to an island. The island was beautiful! We met with teenagers and taught them English and shared the gospel. We also performed a mime that helped out a lot since there was a huge language barrier.
Today I was the game leader and it was pretty hectic, but really fun. The kids are nice and cooperate with what we ask from them. The only food I have disliked so far are these plantains that just had a really disgusting taste!! I know this week is going to be amazing and I am so blessed that I am on this trip. I ask you to continue to pray for us and make sure you keep your eye out for more blogs!!
So the whole memo of this trip is flexibility and boy is that hard when the electricity goes out the first night and there is no hot water. It’s just hard to adjust. This morning we woke up at 3:00 and went on a two hour ride and then a thirty-five minute boat ride to an island. The island was beautiful! We met with teenagers and taught them English and shared the gospel. We also performed a mime that helped out a lot since there was a huge language barrier.
Today I was the game leader and it was pretty hectic, but really fun. The kids are nice and cooperate with what we ask from them. The only food I have disliked so far are these plantains that just had a really disgusting taste!! I know this week is going to be amazing and I am so blessed that I am on this trip. I ask you to continue to pray for us and make sure you keep your eye out for more blogs!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
8 Words That Saved a City
I love the story of Jonah, mostly because I can relate to him. I certainly get the idea that I have a plan and God has a plan for me and they aren’t always the same. Jonah certainly felt this way...when given a vision to go to Nineveh, I kinda imagine the thoughts went something like....you want me to do what?!?
Despite all Jonah went through...when he finally made it to Nineveh....he preached one of the shortest sermons I know of. It was basically 8 words. “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
The Ninevites responded immediately and the entire city of Nineveh was saved from destruction. Check out Jonah 3:3-5
3Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
This is a great example that reminds us..that God does all the work. The hearts of the Ninevites were ready. Jonah’s job was just to proclaim a message. Pray with me for the people we’ll meet in Costa Rica. Pray that we’ll say and do what God would have us do.
In Christ
Pam
Despite all Jonah went through...when he finally made it to Nineveh....he preached one of the shortest sermons I know of. It was basically 8 words. “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
The Ninevites responded immediately and the entire city of Nineveh was saved from destruction. Check out Jonah 3:3-5
3Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
This is a great example that reminds us..that God does all the work. The hearts of the Ninevites were ready. Jonah’s job was just to proclaim a message. Pray with me for the people we’ll meet in Costa Rica. Pray that we’ll say and do what God would have us do.
In Christ
Pam
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Way of Love
1 Corinthians 13 is one of my very favorite passages, I think it gained this status when I realized it a love letter to/about God. The love expressed here is verb. There is NOTHING passive about this kind of love...It’s all encompassing, agape love.
Pray that as we go to Costa Rica and really just as we live life..that we’ll love this passionately, this abundantly. That others around us will know there is difference because of the way we love others.
This is from the Message translation and I think it’s just beautiful.
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.
In Christ,
Pam
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