Last night was really great, we got to go to bed at 9 30 with lights out at 9 45. We all had a long restful sleep as we also got to sleep in an extra hour. Cereal was a huge hit with all of us today, a little taste of home is always nice. We went back to the same church that we worshiped with the youth at last night. This morning there was a translator so we were able to hear the whole message in english as well as spanish. Amazingly enough, God is telling us to give fruit, kind of a repeated message we have heard all week. Something quite different at the churches in Costa Rica is that you worship for a while at the beginning, as in Red Deer, but then you get a small coffee break for mingling and eating. They had coffee, juice and some bread things. The juice, we believe, was vanilla flavoured.. Not sure about that one. The rest was really great though. The coffee was super high test.
Today we get to hangout and have relaxing day. The girls are going to make up a nice dance to show off our moves to the boys at a dance off later this week. Chances are we will end up doing it for the kids in Guarara'.
Tomorrow the plans are, after VBS, we will be doing a prayer walk. Please feel free to pray for this as there are certain parts of Guarara' that we can feel satans presence, streets we are not allowed to go down, and other streets in which we are not allowed to look because of all of the evil there. If you could pray for protection and God's presence, that would be greatly appreciated. As well, would you pray that God's will be done in Guarara'. God has definitely been there already as the language barrier is not a problem. We have all loved the kids so much and they have loved us back, it is an amazing experience.
Both last night in the word that was brought to us and today during the service we learened that the love and happiness that we feel when we are surrounded by the children is not the only reason that God has sent us here to Heredia. We are sent here to plant seeds in the childrens lives and in the lives of the people around us in order to produce fruit for God. God chose us as his people to do this, he expects us to bare fruit for Him, in His name.
Caio
Megan and Vin
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
July 7th update (07/07/07...dun dun dun!!)
We woke up to no power which also means no water. Thankfully, the water was back just as breakfast was ready. Then off to Guarara'. We got to spend the morning with the kids. The kids we connected with yesturday were in our arms before we were through the doors. Another family led some songs. They connected with us at the base later to share a message God laid on their hearts for us(more later). We did dramas, songs, and games, as well as a craft. The young moms enjoyed the crafts more than the kids, although the kids definitely enjoyed sticking the stickers on our groups' faces. We were totally blessed to serve a meal of chicken, rice, and veggetables to the kids. They didn't waste a grain of rice, and totally appreciated the meal. We absolutely love these kids, and plan on taking a few back home with us. Can you guys get the paper work ready for us?
Fernando showed us the plans of the orphanage, training center, farm that God has put in his heart to build. We didn't go on the prayer walk today, as the VBS went a bit late.
Spent an hour and a half at the mall that borders the ghetto of Guarara'.There is a lookout tower and guards all around the parkinglot. We have heard that you used to be able to see the ghetto on the edge of the parkinglot, but a huge wall across the mall parkinglot now hides the ghetto. It is decorated with beautiful flowers and trees. You dont even know that the ghetto is there. Out of sight, out of mind. I am embarassed of this accepted behavior that we as humans do. Pretty obvious why Christ had to die for our sins. Saying goodbye on the last day will be positively heartwrenching.
After the mall, we went to a youth church service, had dancing, a drama about Jesus' temptations, and ended with the message "we need to spread the word - we just have to tell one friend."
Back to the message that was delivered to us by the family that was serving in Guarara'. They came back to the base, and the father of the family, who is a medical doctor, told us God asked him to deliver a message to us. It was a powerful message, in spanish with a translator. He gave us the following verses and explained them. Samuel 3:7, Psalm 139:13-19, Romans 8:29. His message was deep, but can be summarized by "salvation is instant, but getting to know God takes a lifetime." He told us God would give us one word that was personal to each of us before morning breaks tomorrow.
Ciao
Notice the awesome spelling and grammar thanks my typer
Vin & Charis
PS. no pictures, no time tonight.
Fernando showed us the plans of the orphanage, training center, farm that God has put in his heart to build. We didn't go on the prayer walk today, as the VBS went a bit late.
Spent an hour and a half at the mall that borders the ghetto of Guarara'.There is a lookout tower and guards all around the parkinglot. We have heard that you used to be able to see the ghetto on the edge of the parkinglot, but a huge wall across the mall parkinglot now hides the ghetto. It is decorated with beautiful flowers and trees. You dont even know that the ghetto is there. Out of sight, out of mind. I am embarassed of this accepted behavior that we as humans do. Pretty obvious why Christ had to die for our sins. Saying goodbye on the last day will be positively heartwrenching.
After the mall, we went to a youth church service, had dancing, a drama about Jesus' temptations, and ended with the message "we need to spread the word - we just have to tell one friend."
Back to the message that was delivered to us by the family that was serving in Guarara'. They came back to the base, and the father of the family, who is a medical doctor, told us God asked him to deliver a message to us. It was a powerful message, in spanish with a translator. He gave us the following verses and explained them. Samuel 3:7, Psalm 139:13-19, Romans 8:29. His message was deep, but can be summarized by "salvation is instant, but getting to know God takes a lifetime." He told us God would give us one word that was personal to each of us before morning breaks tomorrow.
Ciao
Notice the awesome spelling and grammar thanks my typer
Vin & Charis
PS. no pictures, no time tonight.
July 7th Morning Blog
Hola.
Yesterday was amazing,
The people are so poor, yet full of love. We had about 95 kids, and expect more today. It was overwelming, beautiful, and totally the reason we are here. We are so blessed, and thes people need us so much.
Today we go back this morning, then go to a local youth group event.
Last night God was by our side as we debriefed from the day, and talked about individual experiences. After that the enemy tried to scare us, and question faith, but we pulled together with God by our side, and I believe we are all closer to God now.
Today we have the prayer walk after DVBS. Please pray for Gods Presence and will be done.
Got to go.
Vin
Friday, July 6, 2007
July 6th Update Mission Day 1
What a great way to break into your Career as a clown.
Another blog coming soon with more pics, and more of our experiences.
Also thanks for blog comments.
Pura Vida
Vin Glenn Graham
Thursday, July 5, 2007
July 5th Update 2
Today we had the privaledge of meeting Fernando & Norma. This is the couple that has been working with the kids in the ghetto (Guarari). We got to give them the computer we brought from home. They had dinner with us and shared their vision with the leaders of our team. Alvaro was our interpreter -leader at YWAM. They are excited about our team's involvement. We start the VBS in Guarari tomorrow. Our presence here has already been a great encouragement to Fernando and Norma. They are confident, after meeting all of our team, that God's love will shine through to the kids in Gaurari.
The balloons in the pictures are practice samples of the clown's balloon making for tomorrow. We spent most of the afternoon practicing and preparing for our ministry tomorrow.
We're still fumbling with our spanish speaking skills, but we get quite a few opportunities to practice with the local YWAM staff.
The picture bottom right is from Central Park downtown Heredia two days ago on our cutural immersion.
Pura Vida (pure life)
Tuanis (cool)
Vince, Ron, Glennieboy
July 5th Update
Last night our session was about displaced people. Internationally there are 24.5 million people displaced and 11.8 are in Africa, 1.5 are in Uganda see invisible children. com. Then we did a commitment service that focused on us taking action for the Lord. What we can do as individuals .
Morning session was on hunger. 816 million suffer from it and 1.2 billion live on less than 1 dollar a day. Isiah 58v6-7 and Mathew 25 and Romans 12 v 20 and 21.
Then we talked about what we can do . Sponsor a child, soup kitchen, pray for fair distribution of food, help with awareness. Use good search for internet search as advertisement money is used for your favorite charity.
We touched on the fact that we are all not confident at spreading the word of GOD , but with Faith GOD's grace is enough to carry us through.
" Everything that humbles me helps me to rely on GOD."
Water was our next topic. More than 1/2 of Africa does not have accesss to clean water ( 370 million people). We have heard of an organization that is drilling wells in Africa. One of their promotions is selling t-shirts, and they are supplied at cost. website is www.halfwaythere.org. We are thinking about helping in this way once we get back home. It only costs 1000 dollars to drill a well big enough for up to 50 people. They've already raised 12 thousand dollars.
We talked about our gifts, and how we need to work together as a body to effectively further the king dome.
Tomorrow is our first day of real mission work. The team is fired up, and ready for the challenge. Don't worry we have talked about safety. Girls will always be with a guy, and the group will stick together.
Morning session was on hunger. 816 million suffer from it and 1.2 billion live on less than 1 dollar a day. Isiah 58v6-7 and Mathew 25 and Romans 12 v 20 and 21.
Then we talked about what we can do . Sponsor a child, soup kitchen, pray for fair distribution of food, help with awareness. Use good search for internet search as advertisement money is used for your favorite charity.
We touched on the fact that we are all not confident at spreading the word of GOD , but with Faith GOD's grace is enough to carry us through.
" Everything that humbles me helps me to rely on GOD."
Water was our next topic. More than 1/2 of Africa does not have accesss to clean water ( 370 million people). We have heard of an organization that is drilling wells in Africa. One of their promotions is selling t-shirts, and they are supplied at cost. website is www.halfwaythere.org. We are thinking about helping in this way once we get back home. It only costs 1000 dollars to drill a well big enough for up to 50 people. They've already raised 12 thousand dollars.
We talked about our gifts, and how we need to work together as a body to effectively further the king dome.
Tomorrow is our first day of real mission work. The team is fired up, and ready for the challenge. Don't worry we have talked about safety. Girls will always be with a guy, and the group will stick together.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Another try with Pictures
This afternoon we did team building stuff.
Setting up for a session on purpose/actions we can do as christians.
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