God is ALWAYS with us!

In the 2 ½ months that I have been here in Costa Rica I have seen God do so many amazing things! In the midst of the countless INCREDIBLE things that God is doing here, there have also been some tough moments. As difficult as it might have been, these are the times that I have pressed into His Word even more, knowing that it is in these moments that God is preparing me for something big. I feel like the past few weeks have been the hardest for me and it seems like the enemy is trying to poke his head in wherever he thinks he can; and each day I am reminded that God is in control and the enemy has NO place here! Just the other day we were visiting a home, taking some groceries to a mother and her 6 kids. Wendy, the mom, has been going through a real difficult time recently and situations are very tough for her in Nuevo Millennium where she lives and she says there is constant violence and tension between her neighbors. She didn’t have any food for her family; she was out of diapers for two of her kids and didn’t have any powdered milk for her 5 month old baby (a lot of moms use that instead of formula because it's cheaper) at the same time she is not able to work because she doesn't have anyone to watch her 6 children. So it is nearly impossible for her to maintain any source of income. When we went to visit her this week were able to bless her family with groceries and just love on here and her kids. Before we left we asked if we could pray with her, while praying she ended up telling Pastor Minor that she was ready to accept Christ in her heart!!! AMEN!!! I immediately was covered with chills and it was such a beautiful sight. Dios es BUENO!!!

Wendy and Maria Milagro

There are times we may not feel like God is listening to us or that He is even with us at a particular moment. In our most desperate times, when we feel the most in “darkness” or alone is when He is so clear to us on what His plan is. It is in these moments when we need to press into what God is doing, digging into His word, and opening our hearts and ears to his still small voice even more so that before. This is when we are right on track with what God is doing in our lives and the enemy is going to TRY and come in to destroy what God has planned…God is for us, so there is NO ONE that shall be against us. Negative thoughts, degrading comments, insecurities, they are all things that the enemy tries to use to distract us from the POWERFUL testimony that God is building in us daily.

As I opened my Bible the other day I was lead right to Proverbs 3:3-6, this was the third time that this particular scripture has come up in the past 2 ½ months…

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. TRUST in the Lord with your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3:3-6

As easy as it is to get distracted by the things of this world, and things of our flesh, it is just as easy to stay focused on the promise that God has for each and every one of our lives. We just need to start each day Kingdom minded, lifting our heads up and not dropping them in sadness or discouragement. God has INCREDIBLE things for each and every person, and it is up to us to keep our eyes focused on the prize, it is ALL for HIS GLORY!!!

In the difficult times, in the good times, hard days and the amazing days…There is never a moment that we should take our hearts, eyes and ears away from what God is doing in and though us. I have seen lives transformed, people healed physically and spiritually, youth come to God and much more! Never did I think that I would be teaching English as a second language, teaching Sunday school in Spanish and helping build houses. It is also not my “plans” that matter; it’s what God has planned for me that I need to continue focusing on. It has been such a blessing to be a small part of what God is doing here in Costa Rica, to be His hands and feet, sharing His love, and shining His light into the lives of those in need. Staying Kingdom minded and focused on God’s promises is not always easy, but it is ALWAYS rewarding!!! 

Wow, so I can’t believe I’ve been here in Costa Rica for a month now…boy has time just flown by and it has been and amazing first month. God totally has His hand in everything, and me moving here has opened my eyes to so much…Back tracking a little; the week leading up to me leaving felt like it was just handed to me by God. I felt like it was so smooth, spending time with close friends, family and getting on the plane with such a peace that I knew God needed me in Costa Rica at this specific time! But don’t get me wrong, it was super hard to leave my family and friends. Once I got here the smiles on everyone’s faces gave me a sense of peace and comfort, reaffirming that this is where God needs me right now.

We are nearing the end of “peak season” with 6:8 Ministries and have been super busy. There have been many homes built, children loved on, and lives touched in and through the teams and staff here. My eyes have truly been opened to the importance that everyone here has a different “role” and we all have to work together so we can function properly as a whole, as the body of Christ. We are all part of the body of Christ; we all have been given different gifts, talents, and personalities, with each one together we are an important part of His kingdom. We are a WHOLE, and when one part suffers, the entire body is affected. Together as one body we need to support, encourage and love one another in all that we say and do not just focusing on one.

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired…And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:18, 26-27

There was a team here from Discovery Bible Fellowship in Oklahoma that put this into a clear prospective for me. This was a team of about 25, mostly high school students and adults. One of their main goals for the week they were here was to build a house. On day one, they were taken to the site where they met Pablo and saw where they were going to build, it was a challenge. There were many obstacles that tried to get in the way and the enemy was trying hard to slow their progress. There were 3 huge bolders that had to be moved, concrete was mixed and inside the house, the slab was laid while putting up panels at the same time, and in poured down rain for a good 2 days…but I as I watched this team push through with God’s strength and awesome team work they didn’t let anything get in the way. Their laughter, teamwork and smiles just radiated God’s light in and through them and at the end of their week here Pablo’s house was built.  

                                                              

As ONE body of Christ we are here to work together, follow in His footsteps, submit to His will for our lives and it is through this that His will shall be done. We all have God given gifts that He wants us to use for the Kingdom, but it is our choice to take the initiative and do so. I am super excited to see what God continues to do in and through us here in Costa Rica.  

“He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

Destined and Determined!

WOW, it has really been 6 months since I started this blog. I knew it was going to be a challenge for me because I get easily distracted and forget about things just as easily, but didn't think I was going to be that bad, lol. Anyway, so the past 6 months have definitely been a roller coaster ride. I know with out a doubt that God has called me to Costa Rica to minister to the lost, share His love with the children and help with our church plant in Alajuelita. Once I knew this is what God was calling me to do, the enemy has tried to poke his sneaky little head in every crack he could find and I have definitely had my moments. But the most amazing part about the whole journey is that God always shows up at the PERFECT time and knows exactly what I need to give me a little boost! He has never let me down and I know He NEVER will!!! I recently returned from an amazing trip to Costa, where I was able to work with 6:8 Ministries and spend a little time at Celebration. I can't wait until the day that I am back there serving, being the hands and feet of Jesus and walking in the calling He has placed on my heart!!


"Destiny is living according to God's plan for your life"-this is exactly what I am doing, living each day knowing God's plan for my life and I am going ALL THE WAY!!! 

"The Lord had said to Abraham, leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land where I will show you" ~Genesis 12:1
                                                                      Promise Land

This is so new for me!

Okay, so there's always a first for everything...and this is my very first blog, it's kinda crazy if ya ask me. I'm going to learn this one way or another, maybe I'll find someone to help me out?!? I'm going to have to figure it out one day, since I will be returning to Costa Rica at some point. I figure this is going to be the best/easiest way to keep everyone updated on all of my adventures in getting back to my Promise Land...Alajuelita, Costa Rica. 


Last month (October 2010) God gave me the opportunity to go on my very first mission trip. I was very ecstatic, and as each day brought us closer to our departure I think I became even more excited!! Needless to say, going on a trip with 14 other young adults that are all on fire for God was nothing less than extraordinary!!! God showed up BIG and allowed us to minister into so many peoples lives, at the same time the local Ticos ministered to us as well. I am so thankful that God gave me this opportunity and I can't wait to continue my journey in His mission to Costa Rica!!! 

Micah 6:8 (The Message)

 "⁸But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
   what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
   be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
   take God seriously."