The first picture is of a baptism at our sister church, The Grand Commission Church. We have been attending this church plant since we came back in September. We meet in a house but are currently looking for a place to rent as we are out growing the house! Our sister church is in the area of Limon, which is one of the hottest regions of Costa Rica.They day we joined them they were having a picnic and two baptisms in the small outlet.
We recently had the opportunity to host Marsha, the tallest one in the picture,who came to Costa Rica to investigate possible future plans in missions. She was in Costa Rica once before at age 1 1/2 while her parents were attending the same language school as we did and where Bob now works! Marsha and her family were missionaries in Argentina for abut 10 years before returning to the states. Her father is a writer and while she was here she meet a pastor who had read several of his books! What a small world! The picture was taken at our church meeting.
Speaking of small worlds,I would like to introduce you to MariJose and some of her family! MariJose and I meet at the bus stop in San Jose center about three months ago. We got to chatting and discovered that she lived within 5 minutes walk from my house. We kept in contact and are now attending a work out class together three times a week. It has been fun to get to know her and just this last week we celebrated her birthday at our home and then on Saturday she attended church with us. MariJose is from Nicaragua. It has been hard for her to meet friends here in Costa Rica although she has lived here several years. We have fun laughing at each others lack of agility in exercise class. I am thankful to God for putting her in my life.I also meet another woman in this exercise class who just had surgery on her hand and I told her that I would pray for her so she asked me to also pray for her son who had been out of work for some time. It has been two weeks since we started praying and he now has two part time jobs! We are praising God for His faithfulness in her life and that of her son.
The last two pictures are of a dear friend and who just turned 85 last week. We celebrated her birthday with her by bring food over to cook at her house while Bob started the construction of a chicken coop for her. It is hard to believe that we live in the city! Everyone takes advantage of their back yards to either grow fruit and flowers or in this case for laying eggs! Her name is Doña Vicky and she has a sweet heart for God. Her family has taken in many missionaries over the years. One of the things I love about Doña Vicky is her love for the Lord and her radiant smile! She likes to call me 'Barbie'! Her husband has suffered from diabetes for many years now and in these last years lost his leg to it. But amidst all the suffering they always have a heart warming story to share of how God has provided for them! They are a wonderful example to us of God's faithfulness.
Lastly, the news from the jail has been encouraging. I have started up the pen pal program again and all 7 of the girls have a pen pal. This is a wonderful encouragement to them. We are going to start a new study called, Lesson's I learned in the Dark,by Jennifer Rothschild. It is a Bible Study about how at age 15 Jennifer turned blind and how God has lead her and taught her about faith. She has a beautiful testimony, if you like to read she also has written a book sharing her story.
Over the last two months our group in the prison has lost two of our women who have gone back to their home countries. This past week God opened the door for two new women to join us. One was a little shy but when I invited her to join us she reluctantly agreed. We just happened to be studying the 4 types of love expressed by the Greeks. She became very interested in the subject and was so thankful to be part of our group that day. God moved in our midst and everyone was so encouraged!Please pray that these women will remain faithful to read and study the Bible during the week.
Thank you again for your loving support and partnership here in Costa Rica. We are so excited to be perhaps days away from becoming grandparents and treasure your prayers for Peter and Bethany as they prepare their hearts for their first born!
