There's no place that I'd rather be....

            Before I knew it, my time here was half over. But, the work God is doing is full force. There is so much left that God has for us…I’m daily being reminded that I need to be present in the moment. Praying that my eyes and ears would hear and see the lessons God is teaching me. By doing that, I’ve seen him fulfill promises, I’ve seen him heal hearts, and open doors I never thought would be opened. And, there is still 3 months left….

            One year ago, when I went to Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to lead worship in Spanish. God promised me then, that I would get to do it again. I wasn’t sure how he was going to fulfill this promise, but here I am, in Costa Rica…not only singing in Spanish, but also teaching classes, and having conversations with the children. I’ve had opportunities to sing at Calvary Chapel, where I am serving, but also at another local church. I’ve gotten to sing the National Anthem at a school graduation, and in a couple weeks, I will be singing in Spanish at a concert outreach. More and more doors are being opened, and I’m so thankful God is enabling me to walk through these doors. God has used Potter’s Field not only to shape me into a usable vessel for God, but also to open more doors for me to serve God in the future.
            One of my biggest prayers is that God would enable me to write songs. In the last month, He’s given me not only one song, but three. He’s surrounded me with musically talented people, and I know He’s got something bigger in store.

In 3 weeks, I will be going home for a week for my brothers wedding. I’m really excited, but also a little bit nervous. It’s going to be a shock to be back in my normal culture. Life is so different here, and I’ve become accustomed to it. But,  I am so looking forward to a mom hug, some NY pizza, and some God talk with my Dad. I’m also looking forward to catching up with friends, and singing in English at my brothers wedding. It’s gonna be a great time of refreshing and relaxation. Please keep my trip in your prayers.

            If I wrote everything that God was doing here, there wouldn’t be enough room, but just know that God has transformed my life, and the lives of my teammates around me. I can’t wait to come back home and share all the big and small things God has taught me and shown me while I’ve been here.

God bless you all :) 

Update!

I’m about 2 and a half months into my time here in Costa Rica. That went fast. I can’t believe that I only have 3 and a half months left here. It’s bitter sweet, because I miss my family and my friends, and normalcy but I love life here. A lot of me never wants to leave, or at least come back really soon.
            My team and I have settled into life here. We are enjoying the Pura Vida way of life, and we’re enjoying the people that God has put here that we get the privilege to serve under and with. 

Matt and Brooke, they’re kinda like our house parents that don’t live with us, they’re the best. We all praise God for keeping them here until we finish our time. God has called them to go back to the states in October. They are going to stay at the ranch in Montana, and help train future interns. I couldn’t think of any two people better for the job. They understand the mission field. I’m excited for what God is going to do through them at the ranch.  They have 3 wonderful kids that teach us  so many great lessons about encouragement, and faith. Really glad I have 3 and half more months to reap some of the fruit they’ve planted here.

One of my favorite parts of the week is Monday afternoon, when Don Victor teaches a short little bible study for all of us workers before the week begins. The Holy Spirit spills out of his mouth when He speaks, and God speaks right to my heart every time he shares. He is an awesome man of God, and I wish I understood more of what he was saying. One the three days of PFK, he faithfully comes and makes and serves a meal to all the kids and us. It’s such a blessing.

Being in a Spanish speaking culture has been way different, and it has presented many challenges with communicating. Luckily, God has placed Helyi in our lives here. Before she started working for Potter’s Field, she was a Spanish teacher. So, she takes a couple hours out of her week to teach us Spanish. I can’t begin to explain the blessing this has been for us. With the little bit she has taught us, it has opened the door to speak to people about Christ, to talk to people we know on the street from the church, and to communicate with people in stores and in Tamarindo. She is such an asset to the ministry here.

On Friday nights, we get the chance to hang out with the youth from the church at La Roca, which is youth group. Corey, our neighbor, is  the youth pastor. God has called him here from California, and he has been serving here for a year.  Megan and I joke about how perfect he is to be the youth pastor. He’s more than willing to get his hands dirty, and have a good time with the kids, but when it comes to the teaching the word and giving these kids the truth, he’s serious and tells them how it is. He’s been an awesome big brother to us here. We can go to him with questions, and he gives us Godly advice, and he is very protective of us and makes sure we stay out of trouble.

There are so many other people here, working for the Lord, and I cannot emphasize enough that  we are SO privileged to be down here, serving alongside these people for Christ.

Thank you all for all the prayers and support. I wouldn’t be here without you all answering the call God has placed on your life to be senders!

This morning, I was reading in the one year bible that Debbie Bryson gave us at the Women's retreat, and I read in 1 Samuel about David and Goliath. When I saw the title of the scripture, I figured God was going to speak to me about the giants I have in my life, and conquering them through His strength. That's usually what I get from that story, but today he spoke to me something different. While I was reading the verses about Saul and David's interaction about David being able enough to kill Goliath, David spoke about killing the bears and lions. Usually, I look right past that, but God showed me that He is my David. I'm his sheep. When I'm under attack, He comes and rescues me. He doesn't want me to be struck down and killed. He was wants to save me from the things I can't save myself from. It offered a lot of healing for me today, and I had the chance to share it with Megan and pray about it with her.

Moral of the story: Trials come, but when we call out to God, he saves us from the "bears" and "lions" in our life that are seeking to destroy us.

As we were leaving for work this morning, Megan and I found out we'd be working together at Helyi's house, but we weren't sure what we'd be doing. We got there, and thought we might be babysitting, but instead, we sat down and ate a meal with her and a couple other ladies from the church (Sylvia and Alejandra) and then made book marks that have the promises of God written on them. It was such a refreshing morning, and I'm so glad that I've had the opportunity to get to know these women, as much as I can with the language barrier. I'm so excited to be able to learn from these women, and spend more time with them.

God is so good.
Please continue to pray for me and my team, along with the children we are ministering to.

-Caitie

Pura Vida

Wow, what a blessing it has been to be in Costa Rica. God is teaching me so many lessons! It's blowing my mind. 

I don't even know where to begin. God is showing me how to put Him first, training me to be a good wife by taking care of a home, cooking and spending all my time with one person and submitting to firstly, God, but also to the authority He has placed over me.  

Home life has been really interesting. I couldn't ask for a better person to house with though. Megan and I have been getting along really well. Of course, there are bumps in the road, but I would think there was something wrong with us if there wasn't. I can't wait to see what God does with the time we get to spend with each other. I know that I've learned more life lessons from her than any other person I've ever met. (besides my parents) We both recognize God has a purpose for putting us here, and we're waiting with open ears to learn it. 

The weather. Wow, it's hot, but it's getting better, and rainy season has begun...so evenings are a lot cooler. It hasn't been easy to work in it, and most of the time I just want to sit down and not do anything, but God is showing me to do His work with a grateful heart, and a willing heart. Definitely SUCH an important lesson to learn.

While I've been here, God has put it on my heart to get healthy. Megan and I went on our first run today. It was interesting how much Satan didn't want us to. Firstly, we woke up late, then our stomachs hurt. When we went to leave, the gate wouldn't open. We started running and ran into a few crazy obstacles and then a dog started to attack me. I got really sick afterwards. God prompted my heart to read Romans 8 when I got home, and it was exactly what I needed to read. If God is for us, who can be against us!

On Friday, I will be leaving for San Jose for a Women's Conference. It's going to be with the women from the church. I'm excited to get to know them better, and to have a weekend of refreshment and spiritual rejuvenation. I'm really excited to go. Please pray for safe travels, and for the hearts of the ladies going.

A few other things you can pray for:

Gustavo--a child that is in the program. Struggling at home. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Me- As I continue to walk in the Lords plan for my life, and giving Him back the temple He gave me.

Anayeli-- Another child in the program. God has laid her as a burden on my heart. Not sure why, but please keep her lifted up.

Juan-- My landlord. He's a blessing. He has a few health issues though, so please pray for healing.

Thanks for reading. I will try to continue to keep all of you who are keeping up with my posted. Sorry these blogs have been few and far between. I will do my best to update you as often as I think I can.

God bless you!

-Caitie

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” -1  Corinthians 1:3

There is one word in this verse that is subtle, but I believe it speaks volumes. The word “OUR” is really important. God isn’t just my God, or just your God. He’s our GOD AND FATHER.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ, yet sometimes we don’t act like it. We keep the gifts, and talents or words of encouragement to ourselves, because we’re prideful. Instead of keeping things to ourselves, we need to share it with the brothers and sisters we’re working along side.. we’re one body, and to work as one, you need to share the blood that flows through ALL our veins. 

Today, I will pray for an opportunity to share a gift of mine with someone, or to share an encouraging word to a brother or sister in Christ. 

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.” -1 Corinthians 1:2

This is why I’m in Costa Rica. Yeah, there is a language barrier, but we’re all saints because Christ Jesus sanctified us. The same people that I’m working aside, serve the same God, pray to the same God and worship the same God. It’s amazing to look at people like Helyi and Don Victor, and see their hearts and know that is the same Holy Spirit dwelling in them as in me. Even though personally, we might not have a relationship because we can’t communicate proficiently, but there is a tighter bond. A bond that can’t separate. A bond that allows us to work together for a common goal and glorify the Lord through it.  Only with God would that work!

            I am going to write a letter to Helyi and Don Victor, thanking them for their hard work, and letting them know how much I appreciate working side by side with them.

Here in Costa Rica, we started doing the book of 1 Corinthians in the devotional IBS format we learned at the ranch. I’m so excited to begin doing it because it is such a fruitful study. Not only does God speak to you personally, but you get to hear how God is speaking and moving in the lives of the others you’re working with. Matt, Meg, Josh and I will be getting together twice a week to share what we’ve heard God speak to us. I’m going to post them on here as much as I can, and I pray that God speaks to you through it.

“Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes” -1 Corinthians 1:1

            If you’ve read in Acts at all, you would realize how true the first line of this verse is. Paul was DEFINITELY called by God to be an apostle of Jesus. The story of Paul is breathtaking, and amazing. His whole life led up to that moment, and it is beautiful to see how he so quickly realized his calling. In my own life, I feel like I’m always trying to figure out what my calling is, even though God has done breathtaking and amazing things to lead up to this point in my life. I was called to be here in Costa Rica for this season. Whether I believe it or not. If I could just accept this is EXACTLY what God wanted for me, and stopped looking ahead for the next step, I would have such stronger footing in the place that I am. I could be ready for anything that came my way, and I would be a more usable tool for God.

           

            It’s a problem that starts in the heart. I am going to pray that God gives me peace and a joy to be here. To take a step in the direction, I am going to do everything unto the Lord…even the small things.