Friday, July 11 - by Janene
Today was the last day of VBS in Los Guido. We had a big celebration planned that included a review of the week's lessons, praise and worship, games, the crowning of King Felipe (puppet) and ice cream! We finished with a presentation of the gospel and invitation, and some 20 or so raised their hands that they had prayed to receive Christ. That makes about 150-160 for the two weeks...the Lord knows for sure...and we are so thrilled to know that Mark and Meg and their team will follow up on those new ones. It was quite emotional, realizing that our two weeks was over and what a beautiful two weeks they had been! God held off the rain for the morning (all the activity was outside) and we prayed He would hold it off for the bonfire and s'mores during the evening. Meg and Rosa worked all day making "arroz con pollo" for the evening meal with the leaders and the ladies....while we cleaned the mission house and packed our bags....it rained, but just a little...we were able to have the bonfire and to roast the marshmallows and make s'mores. They were a hit! Then we went inside for a time of thank-you's and testimonies. Lots of pictures and tearful good-bye's....actually, "Hasta luego's", as we will see them again in just 50 weeks, the Lord willing!
"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord" (Zech. 4:6). That was our team verse for this year, and God proved Himself again! Thanks to all of you for your prayers!
Thursday, July 10 - by Ashley
Today we arrived at La Finca (the farm) early. Around 230 kids came today. The two younger groups were very enthusiastic as Mrs. Dyster and I led them in music. I had a pretty unfortunate accident during the song "Grande Es", the Spanish equivalent of "Deep and Wide". The motions involve stretching your arms as deep and wide as they will reach. My fingers actually reached the circulating fan above me, and one of them was badly bruised. I still have a finger, though, and Christian shared his ice-pack with me.
Mrs. Dyster decided to stray a bit from the Bible study today. She incorporated the plan of salvation in today's theme, "Hijos del Rey" (children of the King) and changed the memory verse to John 1:12. At the beginning of the Bible study, she shared the Evangecube with both groups, and many children prayed to receive Christ. It was a marvelous privilege to see them praying. In addition to this, a few leaders and amigos shared the cube. We praise God because around 60 kids were saved today at La Finca. Lunch was delicious!
The leadership team was challenged to get the whole team (30) standing on a box about 3 feet square. They finally got it! The study afterward pertained to assurance of salvation, sin and suffering, and repentance. Everyone is excited about the enormous bonfire we are planning for tomorrow night. It has been a wonderful two weeks, and we can't believe that tomorrow is our last day! It will be so hard to leave these families who have become our families.
Wednesday, July 9 - by David
Wassup ya'll? Keller here (David that is) doing the blog for the day. Today was the 12th day we've been down here, and the third day of VBS, and it was amazing! It was thankfully an easy morning on my part in the games department after leaving the house at 8:00 yesterday and not getting back till 7:30. (It was also slightly depressing because Christian had to sit the sidelines. He chipped a bone in his finger playing soccer the day before and along with that, he was told no guitar or sports for 20 days!) Other than that, it was amazing. Then the afternoon came, and the slip and slide was rolled out. That had to be the most fun part of the day. The faces of 230 kids faces smiling for being able to go on a slip 'n slide for the first time was just amazing. (And for the first time EVER the moms hopped on too.) They started with races, then they had tug of war (the gringos got creamed). Then the tradition of throwing eggs to the people on the slip 'n slide and they try to catch them was hilarious.
After about 35 minutes on the slip 'n slide we got washed off and we had our leadership class with the church leaders. Then we came back and had dinner and devotions with Marcos. All 'n all, the days are amazing, but it's getting sad because it's almost time to leave - just 2 more VBS's then a plane ride home. Keep us in your prayers and don't forget to check the photobucket and we'll see you soon.
Tuesday, July 8 - by CeCe
Today was the longest, yet most enjoyable day yet at La Finca. It started with VBS and ended with the regular Tuesday night prayer service. The activities at Bible school went very smoothly, according to Mark and Janene. Los Pollitos, the youngest group of children, surprised us all by winning the review game after the Bible story. The kids really enjoyed playing soccer, except for Christian G., who possibly broke his finger playing soccer. I enjoyed watching the kids make pictures of their families, and decorating their picture frames.
After Bible school, the leadership meeting was kicked off with a fun game involving lots of running and throwing people around. The leadership meeting went very well and we all enjoyed participating with the leaders. Overall the day was very eventful and fun!
Monday, July 7 - by Amy
Today was more than incredible. It was our first day for VBS in Los Guido, so we were all nervous about the day. The Ticos were amazing! The day before they were told to bring a friend or don't come. It was meant as a joke but one of the leaders took it so seriously that he showed up late with a friend because he couldn't find one earlier. The kids were separated into groups by age. Cows, monkeys, crocodiles, and parrots represented the different age groups. They danced and sang with their group seeing who could be the loudest. Inside, two of the groups watched the puppet shows and a Joseph skit. The best part of the day, though, was the pineapple eating contest. The pineapple hung by a string and two Ticos from each group had a pineapple they had to eat before the other team. Since they couldn't use their hands, it got really messy.
It amazes me everyday how much the kids here love God. You don't have to ask twice who wants to pray or read scripture. Everyone is jumping and yelling "Yo, Yo!" This is what I realize that I want to bring back to America with me. I want everyone to be as excited about God as the Ticos are here. Pray for us over the next couple days, as we will be getting new kids to come to VBS. Although there are only fourteen of us, it feels like more. Handling 70 kids today seemed at first impossible for our little group, but God made it possible.
Sunday, July 6 - by Paitra
Today was an amazing day! Starting our day early in Los Guido, we walked around the area, handing out invitations to VBS with Mark and his leadership team. Mark said in our walk we were able to see a huge part of Los Guido. At one point we were on top of a huge hill and had an amazing view of Los Guido and just the mountains in general.
We finished the walk where we began, La Finca. There, we ate lunch with the leadership team and some of the moms. The praise and worship group and the drama group both had time to practice before the service began. The service was excellent. Multiple songs sang and played by the worship team and Noemy. Then the drama team performed another awesome skit for the congregation. I think many people were moved by the performance. Rogelio also gave a great sermon.
After the service Rogelio, his family, and some other friends from Tejarcillos joined us at the missions house for dinner and devotions lead by Rogelio. After everyone left Mrs. Dyster started practicing with everyone to prepare for VBS. Overall it was a beautiful, amazing day!!
Thursday, July 3 - by Kristen
Today was our last day in La Carpio. We were privileged to be able to do our King of Hearts drama twice again, in different locations from yesterday. Lots of kids prayed to receive Christ. We went to the houses by the river again; they had had a big rain yesterday, and there was a landslide which caused our path to be quite treacherous! We actually did the drama on the river bank in the muddy slush! There was no response here, but there were people watching intently from their houses.
It was hard to say goodbye to our new friends after four days of playing and witnessing to them, but we leave knowing that Mark and his team already have the first discipleship group set to begin in the next two weeks! We can't wait to hear the reports as "Iglesia Nueva Vida La Carpio" (new church) is born! How exciting to be allowed to be the team God used to get it started!
Wednesday, July 2 - by Janene
Today heaven came down upon us literally as we shared our "king of Hearts" drama in two locations in La Carpio, one in front of the day care center and one in another open area. The Lord held back the rain, but sent showers of blessing instead. Moms and children prayed to receive Christ at the conclusion of each presentation. As we counseled with those who prayed and gave the power band bracelets, children began coming out of the woodwork. Determined not to hand out power bands unless a person received Christ, we were sharing the Evangecube with every child, praying with them, and then giving them a power band bracelet and making them promise to share with their Moms and their friends. We lost count, but we must have had about 40 Moms and children receive Christ. Tomorrow will be our last day in La Carpio. God is at work there, drawing people to Himself. There are at least three Moms who want to meet for discipleship.
Tuesday, July 1 - by Jeremy
Hola Gringos. Today we woke up bright and early to head out to La Carpio again. I was quite excited to see the folks I had met yesterday and to have another opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people there, even though I am not very good with an Evangecube. It was fantastic! Many hearts were won over for God. I can feel and see God at work all around me, and even in me. The children of La Carpio are very clingy, but they have started to trust us. We are excited to know that Mark and his team will continue the ministry there. Now that many have Jesus in their hearts, they have a new hope for a full life with Him, and they can witness to others as well. The ripple effect of God's love will be amazing. A great amount of thanks to Mauricio, Coco and the Tica ladies; we love being with them and watching them share their faith with others. We know La Carpio is a rough place, but we feel so safe in God's protection that it tends to slip our mind.
Please continue to pray for us and for the hearts of the folks that God has already chosen and is already working on. He is preparing the way for us. He already knows what we need to accomplish and He is pouring out His power to enable us to do these things. Team photos are randomly and bi-daily posted here.
Monday, June 30 - By Pam
Today was amazing! In the morning, we were able to go to La Carpio, a new area for Mark and his team. We were a bit apprehensive at first, but God provided us with great peace and protection. To see eyes filled with joy at balloons, face painting, and/or bubbles was truly a blessing. More importantly we saw God bring new lives into His kingdom. And, we get to back tomorrow!!!
The afternoon and evening were filled with fun, fellowship, devotions with Mark (always a challenge), and preparation for tomorrow. We pray that our eyes and hearts will be open to see what God is doing and that we are obedient to join Him there.
Sunday, June 29 - by Janene
Today was a beautiful day in two of God's houses. First, we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of the Tejarcillos church. It was such a blessing to see so many of the original members who have been faithful to the Lord and the church and are growing so strong spiritually. One, Ariel, an 18-year-old boy who was just saved last year, played the guitar and sang a song he had written in praise to the Lord. He is completely set apart for the Lord. We shared a song and did our "King of Hearts" drama.
On to Los Guido for the afternoon service. Here we met with the youth to plan our VBS for next week, sang two songs with their youth choir, and repeated the same drama. This church has just gone through the trauma of losing their beloved pastor, Marvin, but they are rebounding with grace and are so excited that we have returned again this year. Everyone misses the team members from previous years who couldn't make it. To all of you they send "muchos besos y abrazos y bendiciones en el nombre del Senor."
Tonight Meg has prepared "gallo pinto" and fried plantains for dinner. Yum! Tomorrow we go into La Carpio, so we will need lots of prayer cover! We are so thankful that God has chosen our team to be here for the 2nd anniversary of the Tejarcillos church, to encourage the Los Guido congregation, and to pioneer this new ministry in La Carpio!
Saturday, June 28 - by Christian
So this is our first full day down here..the morning started by eating breakfast...good thing we ate a lot cause we spent the rest of the day playing soccer with kids from the church. Initially I was kinda worried cause I don't always do so well with kids. However (all thanks to God), everything went extraordinarily well and I and the rest of the team had no problems!!! God is taking care of all our needs and it's so awesome to know that we are in His hands!!!! After the first day, I know that God is getting ready to move in a powerful way and I'm so excited to be allowed to a part of His plan for us here!!!!
