February 9, 2012
Summer 2012 Trips - Reserve Your Spot Now!!
February 8, 2012
10 days...Looking Back Over the Week
As I type this morning, the team is busy re-packing, and getting into the mindset of traveling home. After 10 days here in Los Anonos, there are many things that God has done, both thru our team's ministry as well as thru the ongoing and vital ministry of the team that is here 24/7. There are also those things that God has done in us as individuals: a divine appointment that will impact us forever, a project that caused us to see God's hands and heart in a new way or even a private moment where God used the environment here to let us hear from Him in a clear way. And so, as has become a tradition, this blog is reserved for the comments of team members (both from C'bus and Anonos as they reflect on the past 10 days:
Josh...Although the differences between Anonos and Columbus are obvious as soon as you get off the bus, the more times I come here, the more similarities I see between the people here and back home. Some of the young guys love playing one of our favorite card games, and are much better than we are! I have especially grown fond of Alejandro and Veronia's children, who love to jump off of things, sing, dance, and pretend to be animals, just like my boys. This time I also had the privilege of taking part in the marriage conference and it was amazing to see that many of the marriage issues we deal with at home are the same as what they deal with here. My favorite part of the trip was getting to serve dinner to the couples and then playing charades with them. There is definitely no language barrier in laughter!!
Alan... As my first time here, I did not know what to expect... Was God going to show me something new about my heart? Was he going to use me to make an impact on one person? Would I be part of changing the way someone sees God or the world? Would it just be nice weather... I really should not be supprised that God did all of these things and more. I saw my heart soften in a much needed way. I saw two people physically healed by our prayers. I saw a family get a more secure home that would be safer for them from the elements. I saw the hearts of the people, both in their joy and in their sorrow. I saw things that I know God will be working in my heart for many months to come. I made new friends but more important I met more family members that will be near to my heart. Dios te Bendiga!
Krista...Yesterday we had church at a pool where we worshipped together and had a baptism with our Los Anonos church family. Those moments yesterday of worship, prayer, baptism, and then the fellowhsip by the pool swimming and playing together are moments that sum up this trip for me. We are all one big family and these past ten days have been a chance to live together in community. It has been a privilege for me to get to know these families and their children. I have come to love them and will miss them so much! God has been teaching me about things I need to work on...pride, patience, and priorities. I know He will continue to use my experiences here to work on my heart and I know He is at work in this community. I am thankful for this opportunity and very motivated to learn spanish before my next trip to Anonos!
Cindy L...Actually, I was called "Grandma Cindy" this week, since there were 3 Cindys on the team!... I want to thank New Life for sharing your awesome family with us. We are always so very blessed by the people who come to Los Anonos from your church, because they are mature and willing to do whatever is needed. Not only do they do so much for the people here, but they bring refreshing to us as the team that is here full time. We always look forward to hosting New Life! And the people of Los Anonos look forward to this team just as much as we do, because wonderful relationships have been made.
Rodney...When we prayed to the Father to bring His Kingdom here on Earth as it is in Heaven, it is interesting how wonderful He uses people. New Life Church is such a blessing to this community of Los Anonos, Costa Rica. Our church here always looks forward to your visit and mostly because of the love that is revealed through the hearts of each one that comes.Seeds have been sown over the past years and we who live here are able to see the fruit that is coming forth. We look forward to the future with confidence, first in the Lord and also in your support, which has helped us grow. Transformation is truly happening! Thank You, Lord!
MamaCindy...reread Kristas comment and I agree with everything she said. PSthis is a spanish keyboard and I seem to be the only one who is finding it impossible to type on... Anonos is a special place, God is at work here. Seriously, it is very much a piece of Franklinton here in San Jose. Poor families, generational sin, broken families, lack of education, drug and alcohol abuse- and the CHURCH, the hope of the world, is steeped in legalism or tradition, but not the life giving power of the GOSPEL. I need to go pack and my sunburn is flaming so I will stop preaching but we are thankful that we have had the privelege of spending 10 days in this amazing community.
Patrick...This was my first missions trip. What an experience! I arrived with no expectations, in hope that I would be able to help impact the lives of the people here. Although I am sure that in some way I did impact their lives, I feel like I have been challenged by my team and God in some areas that make me uncomfortable. Pride and humility being at the center of that focus. I thank God for this and I am excited to go home and continue the daily process of breaking my pride and becoming more humble. As Pastor Brian said in one of our meetings here, "It is not what you say but how you say it that earns you respect." That is something I will be diligently working on once I am home. Ohio here we come! Uugghhh cold weather, haha.
David... thank u guys for be a very good bless for our comiunity,u are a good example for us... God bless everyone in the team, love u guys, and i hope u will doing good in ur life...
PB...Each time I come to Los Anonos, the highlight of my trip is personal interaction wiht individuals, both those on the team and those in the community here. I also love seeing relationships develope between the Ticos and our team members...these are ongoing and impactful long term. My time with friends here, encouraging them, praying together, being reminded just how amazing the Body of Christ is stays with me.
See everyone soon. We are anxious to be back with our families both physical and spiritual. Praise God for His marvelous work in Costa Rica over these past 10 days.
Josh...Although the differences between Anonos and Columbus are obvious as soon as you get off the bus, the more times I come here, the more similarities I see between the people here and back home. Some of the young guys love playing one of our favorite card games, and are much better than we are! I have especially grown fond of Alejandro and Veronia's children, who love to jump off of things, sing, dance, and pretend to be animals, just like my boys. This time I also had the privilege of taking part in the marriage conference and it was amazing to see that many of the marriage issues we deal with at home are the same as what they deal with here. My favorite part of the trip was getting to serve dinner to the couples and then playing charades with them. There is definitely no language barrier in laughter!!
Alan... As my first time here, I did not know what to expect... Was God going to show me something new about my heart? Was he going to use me to make an impact on one person? Would I be part of changing the way someone sees God or the world? Would it just be nice weather... I really should not be supprised that God did all of these things and more. I saw my heart soften in a much needed way. I saw two people physically healed by our prayers. I saw a family get a more secure home that would be safer for them from the elements. I saw the hearts of the people, both in their joy and in their sorrow. I saw things that I know God will be working in my heart for many months to come. I made new friends but more important I met more family members that will be near to my heart. Dios te Bendiga!
Krista...Yesterday we had church at a pool where we worshipped together and had a baptism with our Los Anonos church family. Those moments yesterday of worship, prayer, baptism, and then the fellowhsip by the pool swimming and playing together are moments that sum up this trip for me. We are all one big family and these past ten days have been a chance to live together in community. It has been a privilege for me to get to know these families and their children. I have come to love them and will miss them so much! God has been teaching me about things I need to work on...pride, patience, and priorities. I know He will continue to use my experiences here to work on my heart and I know He is at work in this community. I am thankful for this opportunity and very motivated to learn spanish before my next trip to Anonos!
Cindy L...Actually, I was called "Grandma Cindy" this week, since there were 3 Cindys on the team!... I want to thank New Life for sharing your awesome family with us. We are always so very blessed by the people who come to Los Anonos from your church, because they are mature and willing to do whatever is needed. Not only do they do so much for the people here, but they bring refreshing to us as the team that is here full time. We always look forward to hosting New Life! And the people of Los Anonos look forward to this team just as much as we do, because wonderful relationships have been made.
Rodney...When we prayed to the Father to bring His Kingdom here on Earth as it is in Heaven, it is interesting how wonderful He uses people. New Life Church is such a blessing to this community of Los Anonos, Costa Rica. Our church here always looks forward to your visit and mostly because of the love that is revealed through the hearts of each one that comes.Seeds have been sown over the past years and we who live here are able to see the fruit that is coming forth. We look forward to the future with confidence, first in the Lord and also in your support, which has helped us grow. Transformation is truly happening! Thank You, Lord!
MamaCindy...reread Kristas comment and I agree with everything she said. PSthis is a spanish keyboard and I seem to be the only one who is finding it impossible to type on... Anonos is a special place, God is at work here. Seriously, it is very much a piece of Franklinton here in San Jose. Poor families, generational sin, broken families, lack of education, drug and alcohol abuse- and the CHURCH, the hope of the world, is steeped in legalism or tradition, but not the life giving power of the GOSPEL. I need to go pack and my sunburn is flaming so I will stop preaching but we are thankful that we have had the privelege of spending 10 days in this amazing community.
Patrick...This was my first missions trip. What an experience! I arrived with no expectations, in hope that I would be able to help impact the lives of the people here. Although I am sure that in some way I did impact their lives, I feel like I have been challenged by my team and God in some areas that make me uncomfortable. Pride and humility being at the center of that focus. I thank God for this and I am excited to go home and continue the daily process of breaking my pride and becoming more humble. As Pastor Brian said in one of our meetings here, "It is not what you say but how you say it that earns you respect." That is something I will be diligently working on once I am home. Ohio here we come! Uugghhh cold weather, haha.
David... thank u guys for be a very good bless for our comiunity,u are a good example for us... God bless everyone in the team, love u guys, and i hope u will doing good in ur life...
PB...Each time I come to Los Anonos, the highlight of my trip is personal interaction wiht individuals, both those on the team and those in the community here. I also love seeing relationships develope between the Ticos and our team members...these are ongoing and impactful long term. My time with friends here, encouraging them, praying together, being reminded just how amazing the Body of Christ is stays with me.
See everyone soon. We are anxious to be back with our families both physical and spiritual. Praise God for His marvelous work in Costa Rica over these past 10 days.
January 22, 2012
Day 9 -- Baptism & Fiesta!!
We always love the final Sunday we are here in Los Anonos. Worshipping together, Gringos and Ticos side-by-side is always great. Today, instead of worshipping at the church, we took the entire congregation to a local club house and pool. We filled 1 bus and 2 cars!! 
So right there in middle of families gathering for a pleasant day at the pool we had a worship service. Musical worship, a message from I Thessalonians on "How to Live in Community" and then the highlight of the day...
BAPTISM!! 9 adults, teens and children (from a grandmother to an 8 year old)followed Christ's example of proclaiming their faith publically as they were baptized in the pool. It was still early in the day and the water was VERY cold!! Amazingly cold for this part of the world!! So this was a challenge. Each was asked 2 Questions:
1. Have you received Christ as your Lord & Savior?
2. Why do you want to be baptized?
Following their verbal answers, they were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As they came up out of the water, the congregation applauded their step of faith. This is ultimately what our partnership with Los Anonos is all about -- people coming to know Christ and taking steps to obey Him in all things.
Then came the FIESTA!!! For the next 3 1/2 hours, everyone swam, played soccer, ate lots of food! This was a great time of fun and relationship building -- very much an important goal of our trips here.
The rest of the day is spent on one last shopping run for CR coffee, relaxing and thinking about how to pack for the trip home in the most efficient way...
BAPTISM!! 9 adults, teens and children (from a grandmother to an 8 year old)followed Christ's example of proclaiming their faith publically as they were baptized in the pool. It was still early in the day and the water was VERY cold!! Amazingly cold for this part of the world!! So this was a challenge. Each was asked 2 Questions:
1. Have you received Christ as your Lord & Savior?
2. Why do you want to be baptized?
Then came the FIESTA!!! For the next 3 1/2 hours, everyone swam, played soccer, ate lots of food! This was a great time of fun and relationship building -- very much an important goal of our trips here.
January 21, 2012
Day 8 -- No Slowing Down
On day 8 things typically wind down, but this trip is an exception! It has been a busy, busy day. This morning, the men were up early attending a men's breakfast at the church building. Pastor B spoke on I Timothy 4:12 admonishing young men to live lives that are examples to other believers in 5 areas:
1. Watch what you say and how you say it.
2. Watch what you do and how you do it.
3. Love others like Jesus loves them.
4. Live a life of faith even in hard times.
5. Keep yourself sexually pure.
At 10, the team travelled into downtown San Jose to go to the Artisans Market. Local atrisans sell their Costa Rican creations there. This is always a fun time since the goal is to find THE best deal by bartering with the vendors.
After a quick lunch, we divided into teams for the 2nd half of the Marriage Conference. Josh and Cindy did the teaching. Tim, Krista, Cindy S., Patrick and Alan did child care (lots of tired people...but just wait for what happened tonight). Steve worked with Rodney to repair the stand for the church projector. Pastor Brian was able to find some music stands that the worship team needed and used some of the money saved from our day off to bless the church. The guitar player currently places his music on the ground while playing!
A special treat today was two pediatric nurses (Carman and Julia)from Germany we met on our day off came by to visit. They spent the afternoon playing with the children, touring the community and listening to us as we shared why we "do this thing we do". It was a God-ordained thing for us to come in contact with them and we are anxious to continue communicating with them.
A short rest break this afternoon and then into action mode for the evening:
A special candlelight dinner for the couples at the Conference at the house -- very, very nice and a real treat for the couples who never get to spend an evening together. Some of the team works with the children -- now they are even more tired than earlier. Another crew works the kitchen preparing the meal. Josh and Cindy act as servers in matching uniforms. The ladies especially giggle as Josh serves them -- this is not a typical thing here in CR.
It is 8:30 and the last of the couples is just leaving the house. The team members working with the children will collapse when they return in a few minutes!
Tomorrow is a big fiesta at the pool where we'll worship together, have a baptism and then a day of fun for the whole church! Pray for Pastor Brian as he preaches tomorrow morning.
1. Watch what you say and how you say it.
2. Watch what you do and how you do it.
3. Love others like Jesus loves them.
4. Live a life of faith even in hard times.
5. Keep yourself sexually pure.
At 10, the team travelled into downtown San Jose to go to the Artisans Market. Local atrisans sell their Costa Rican creations there. This is always a fun time since the goal is to find THE best deal by bartering with the vendors.
After a quick lunch, we divided into teams for the 2nd half of the Marriage Conference. Josh and Cindy did the teaching. Tim, Krista, Cindy S., Patrick and Alan did child care (lots of tired people...but just wait for what happened tonight). Steve worked with Rodney to repair the stand for the church projector. Pastor Brian was able to find some music stands that the worship team needed and used some of the money saved from our day off to bless the church. The guitar player currently places his music on the ground while playing!
A special treat today was two pediatric nurses (Carman and Julia)from Germany we met on our day off came by to visit. They spent the afternoon playing with the children, touring the community and listening to us as we shared why we "do this thing we do". It was a God-ordained thing for us to come in contact with them and we are anxious to continue communicating with them.
A short rest break this afternoon and then into action mode for the evening:
A special candlelight dinner for the couples at the Conference at the house -- very, very nice and a real treat for the couples who never get to spend an evening together. Some of the team works with the children -- now they are even more tired than earlier. Another crew works the kitchen preparing the meal. Josh and Cindy act as servers in matching uniforms. The ladies especially giggle as Josh serves them -- this is not a typical thing here in CR.
Tomorrow is a big fiesta at the pool where we'll worship together, have a baptism and then a day of fun for the whole church! Pray for Pastor Brian as he preaches tomorrow morning.
Day 7 - Lots of Little Jobs
As the team met at the start of day 7, we discussed that this day on a trip often seems like the longest -- that sense that we have been away from home for a long time paired with the tiredness that comes after intense work. Once day 7 is past, the next 3 days fly by. So, as in all good day 7s, today was filled with lots of little projects:
1. We painted the wall and front of the home next door to the church. The family that lives there cannot afford to paint it and the team had a great time ministering in this simple way.
2. Some of us began a door to door effort that the ministry has planned for this year -- to visit every home in the community and ask what we can pray for. In addition we give each family tooth paste, bryshes and floss for each person living in the home. In at least 2 of these homes we prayed for specific physical needs and saw the Spirit bring complete healing!! Two of the ladies asked alot about the Vina Anonos, so we hope that they will come to Christ and become part of the community here.
3. Tim and Steve worked on the front patio of the church building by cementing in bricks so that the walk way is stablized and weeds do not grow through as much.
4. Clean-up work was done in the children's area so curriculum, toys, and teaching aids were all organized.
5. Patrick completed the mural and it looks great. The verse painted on the wall is Colossians 3:23.
6. Several of us that have been here in the past went up to see our dear friend Rosa and her family, enjoying fresca (fruit drink) together. 
It is always a blessing to reconnect. Our hope is that these periodic visits encourage deeper involvment in the church here.
7. The Marriage Conference, led by Josh and Cindy Boggs began with 4 couples and 2 ladies whose husbands could not attend. We are excited to see what God accomplishes in lives through this much needed ministry. We have discovered that if we can give people the tools they need in practical areas like marriage, they are changed forever -- just like int he US.
8. While the Conference is going on, some of the team take care of all the children!!! Pray for nerves of steel!! The team found out the hard way that the Tico work for Banya (toilet) is hard to understand from children and may even be a different word -- they found this out 4 times!!!
9. Other visiting to families we know took place in the evening too. These connections keep our partnership strong and vibrant since it is not just ministry to minsitry but people to people.
Busy day!! AND another busy day tomorrow as the Conference continues.
1. We painted the wall and front of the home next door to the church. The family that lives there cannot afford to paint it and the team had a great time ministering in this simple way.
3. Tim and Steve worked on the front patio of the church building by cementing in bricks so that the walk way is stablized and weeds do not grow through as much.
4. Clean-up work was done in the children's area so curriculum, toys, and teaching aids were all organized.
5. Patrick completed the mural and it looks great. The verse painted on the wall is Colossians 3:23.
7. The Marriage Conference, led by Josh and Cindy Boggs began with 4 couples and 2 ladies whose husbands could not attend. We are excited to see what God accomplishes in lives through this much needed ministry. We have discovered that if we can give people the tools they need in practical areas like marriage, they are changed forever -- just like int he US.
8. While the Conference is going on, some of the team take care of all the children!!! Pray for nerves of steel!! The team found out the hard way that the Tico work for Banya (toilet) is hard to understand from children and may even be a different word -- they found this out 4 times!!!
9. Other visiting to families we know took place in the evening too. These connections keep our partnership strong and vibrant since it is not just ministry to minsitry but people to people.
Busy day!! AND another busy day tomorrow as the Conference continues.
January 19, 2012
Day 6 -- Trip to the Rain Forest
Everyone had a great time! Lunch was soy burgers, potatoes and CR slaw -- all amazingly good. This is a place we will most likely return on a future trip. We met two very sweet nurses from Germany on the van ride and they are coming over to see the community and the work the church does here this Saturday...cool!!!
We hear it's cold and snowy back home, so a few more days in the sun is more than welcome. We are very excited about the upcoming ministry in the days ahead -- the Marriage Conference begins tomorrow night, so please pray for that. Projects start to wind down, youth group meets tomorrow night and several personal visits with friends in the community will take place too! We are also going to do throughout the community passing out tooth brushes and showing children how to brush their teeth well. These will be intense days, so seek the Lord for His grace and mercies for us!!
January 18, 2012
Day 5 - Half Way There
This is the mid-point in our trip and it is hard to believe that we have already been here five days.
Work continues on Carmen's house, the roof of the church building and the mural and the children's program:
The Children's program concluded today. Each child received a book bag filled with school supplies and other goodies. We realized this was very popular because kids kept coming by today asking for book bags! Krista chared the Gospel clearly with the children and we are praying for good fruit from this.
Our ladies participated in the "Princess Club". This is a multi-week class for young girls that helps them understand who they are in Christ. The
culture here gives many girls the impression that they are not important and unworthy of being treated well. This causes them to often make decisions to allow men to use them for their own purposes. Knowing that they are valuable women in God's eyes helps to overcome these pressures. The first Princess Club was for younger girls (elementary age up to 11). The group going on now is more (age 12-19 or so). Some of these girls already have children or are expecting...but the idea is to stop this ongoing and often generational cycle.
Tonight several of the men went to a small group and Allan led the study time -- we are pretty sure he is inventing his own special version of Spanish to communicate...but it actually kind of works! HAHA!
Throughout the day, there have been "divine appointments" with people and we are thrilled with what we see God doing. At the same time we are reminded constantly of the battle that is going on for souls and the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have an enemy who will do whatever it takes to keep the truth from being revealed...and so the battle continues.
Tomorrow is our day off to see some of this beautiful contry. We are traveling to a rain forest area a couple of hours away but still get back in time for an evening of teaching on spiritual gifts tomorrow night.
Work continues on Carmen's house, the roof of the church building and the mural and the children's program:
The Children's program concluded today. Each child received a book bag filled with school supplies and other goodies. We realized this was very popular because kids kept coming by today asking for book bags! Krista chared the Gospel clearly with the children and we are praying for good fruit from this.Carmen's house now has a new supporting wall and some new shleves in the kitchen area. Continue to pray for her foot and her diabetes -- we are very concerned since the doctor has not given her any medication for the infection. Cleaning is done each day, but this does not seem like enough to make a permanent difference.
The mural is almost complete and it seems to be the talk of the community. We have seen more and more visitors just coming by to see it. We also
bagan work on a new garbage drop area beside the mural. This is one of several cement block enclosures where trach can be taken for pickup. The ministry has built these throughout the community to try and keep trash and garbage out of the streets where it can cause health and sanitation problems.
bagan work on a new garbage drop area beside the mural. This is one of several cement block enclosures where trach can be taken for pickup. The ministry has built these throughout the community to try and keep trash and garbage out of the streets where it can cause health and sanitation problems.
The roof the church is complete and both guys came down safely -- covered in grey paint and very sun burned, but safe. I think we'll be using lots of aloe vera in the next few days.
Tonight several of the men went to a small group and Allan led the study time -- we are pretty sure he is inventing his own special version of Spanish to communicate...but it actually kind of works! HAHA!
Throughout the day, there have been "divine appointments" with people and we are thrilled with what we see God doing. At the same time we are reminded constantly of the battle that is going on for souls and the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have an enemy who will do whatever it takes to keep the truth from being revealed...and so the battle continues.
Tomorrow is our day off to see some of this beautiful contry. We are traveling to a rain forest area a couple of hours away but still get back in time for an evening of teaching on spiritual gifts tomorrow night.
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