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.

Ok, I need to slow down. My mind is focused on the future, but I’m missing all the beautiful moments God is putting in front of my face. I need to learn to stop, and bask in the glory and beauty of my Lord. The beautiful thing about the Costa Rican culture is that they are very relaxed. They have a common phrase here, and it’s “Pura Vida”. The literal translation means “Pure Life”, but the real meaning is along the lines of “Live in the moment, enjoy life”. If only I could not only know this phrase, but also live it. I want to not only cease every moment and opportunity God puts in front of me, but also have my mind in the moment. Not worried about the next step, or the next thing I could be doing, but be there, soaking up all that God is doing.

So, Costa Rica. I’m about 2 weeks into my time here. I’ve experienced a lot more than I could have ever imagined. Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself living in an apartment, on a dirt road, working at a Calvary Chapel in Costa Rica. Nor did I imagine I would have to kill cockroaches, scorpions and soon…tarantulas. God’s plans are always different than our own, but I’m sure glad He had this in mind for me. Yeah, it’s hot, I’m covered in sunburn and bugs are constantly annoying me, but…GOD…He’s moving in this place, and people are hearing the gospel, and I rejoice greatly in that. Whenever I feel downcast, or overwhelmed…I look down at my “PRESS ON” bracelet that Pastor Steve got us, and I feel the Lord reinforcing my motive for being here. Yeah, spiritual warfare is real, but God’s armor is so strong for us, and He is our shield. He is our arms in the morning.

Meg just left today for her visa trip to Nicaragua, so it’s just me in this apartment. It’s fine right now, but tonight I’ll definitely miss her…I don’t like facing the bugs in the apartment alone. We both take comfort knowing this is exactly where God wanted her to be, though and he wanted me and Josh to be left behind. Not sure what lesson he’s going to teach us through this time, but it’s definitely exciting. I’m hoping to get a lot of reading and cleaning done in the next couple of days.

I’m really starting to fall in love with this place. Not just the beach, and constant sunshine, but the people. I’m loving every single person I’m meeting, and I’m so excited to start Spanish classes, so that I can communicate this love to them.

Please continue to pray for me, and my teammates. Pray that we have endurance, and a joy to do the work God has laid before us to do.

Hola!

            I can’t believe it’s already my 3^rd day in Costa Rica. The time at the Ranch went by so fast. Costa Rica isn’t ANYTHING like Montana. It’s hot, and humid, but it’s beautiful. I’m so thankful to God because he brought me here with Meg and Josh, and I couldn’t imagine being here with anyone else.

            Wednesday was our travel day. The first leg of the journey was hard because I had just said goodbye to my parents, and it was my first airport experience without anyone with me. But, I made it to Houston, where I met up with Megan and Josh, and it was a sweet reunion. We got into Liberia a little after 8, and had a problem at customs (poor Megan…everything is going to work out though) and met up with Brooke and Matt outside the airport. They are the sweetest couple, and made us feel very welcome. We stopped at McDonalds to get some food before we drove an hour and 15 minutes to our apartment. When we got there, it was dark, and we found a couple cockroaches, which stirred up some fear. Needless to say, we didn’t sleep through the whole night on Wednesday.          

            Thursday we woke up really early because of jetlag, but enjoyed some time fellowshipping, and getting to know our surroundings. Around lunchtime, Matt came and picked us up so we could have lunch at their house, followed by orientation. After orientation, we had some time to rest, and then we went to Bible Club. It was awesome meeting Rebecca (Pastor Phil’s wife) and her children, and all the other workers and children that attend the club. It was a little scary because we don’t know the language, and the kids would be speaking to us, and I had no idea what they were saying. Please pray that God gives me an understanding of Spanish, so that I can use it to glorify His name.

            Friday morning we had a free day until 630. Our plan was to sleep in, but again, jetlag got the best of us. Doug, a guy that lives with Matt and Brooke, came over and brought us a jug of water, and then Megan and I walked to the fruit and vegetable stand. We bought tons of vegetables and fruits, for only 14$... 7,000 Colones. We came back, and we all took a nap. Megan and I slept from 10-2. It was exactly what the both of us needed. When we work up, Josh made us some sandwiches, and I made some homemade salsa, and we enjoyed our first meal together. Afterwards we played some cards, and then we went to La Roca, which is youth group. We met a guy named Eddy, and Daniel. We played game that was like Never Have I Ever mixed with Do You Like Your Neighbor, and we played a cool rendition of Hot Potato. Don Victor, taught the bible study, and it was on the story of Easter. Luckily, we had Ethan, Brooke and Matt’s son to translate for us. We ended the night playing worship in Spanish with Eddy and Daniel.

            Today, we woke up and I made eggs, and potatoes with toast, and Josh, Megan and I shared breakfast together. Doug brought us to the beach, and then bought us lunch at Subway and then shakes at this quaint little shack next door. We came back around 2, and I was able to talk with my parents and my brother. Now, we have the rest of the day off, so we’ll probably just hang out, and enjoy the time off. Tomorrow morning is our first church service here, so I’m really excited about that. On Monday our 40 hour work week starts, so from then on we’ll be really tired. It’s going to be amazing though.

Please keep the 3 of us in prayer, as we begin this journey in Costa Rica. That we would learn Spanish easily, that God would be glorified and that we would be safe and healthy through the whole experience.

God bless you all,

Caitie

This is the front of our apartment, disregard the sheet hanging ;)

The Grim Reaper

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” – Galatians 6:7

 Yesterday, we volunteered at Habit for Humanity. Along with Potter’s Field, there was another group of volunteers. This other group worked their butts off, and they attacked the job head on. As I was thinking about yesterday, and reading todays verse, they seemed almost parallel. These people were working so hard, even harder than some of us, but what were they sowing? Good works? And what do they harvest? Pride, self-worth, and a sense of decency. The hard work is all in vain. If only they knew that the soil was fertile, and if they chose the right seed to plant, the harvest would be plenty. It would exceed the small, bitter fruit they have been harvesting and would produce quenching, sweet fruit. So, then the responsibility is on me. I have the right seed. I need to share it with people, so they can taste the everlasting fruit.

Meg and I had the chance to talk to this girl named Bonnie. She is still on my heart, and I’m going to try and find her on Facebook. If I do, I want to keep in touch with her, and tell her about the gospel.

“But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” Galatians 6:4

We always compare ourselves to others, don’t we?  Whether the way someone looks, or how good they are at something, or their possessions. It never ends well either. Pride creeps in, or we get discouraged with who we are. This is not the kind of attitude God wants us to have. What’s the remedy? Test your own work. Don’t worry about what other people are doing, saying, or receiving. God has given each person different gifts, callings, and physical appearances. What kind of progress as a body would we make if we were all hands or all eyes? Use the gifting’s, the calling and the physical appearances for the Glory of God and for the purposes He set out before you. If you do this, your boasting won’t be in yourself, or in your neighbor, because without God, you wouldn’t have the gifts or even life for that matter, but the boasting will be in the Lord God. 1 Corinthians 1:31 says ” so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

I find myself guilty of comparing myself with people on a daily basis. It has become a deep-rooted habit, which is not beneficial to me, the body of believers around me, or my relationship with the Lord. I don’t want to live my life comparing myself with others, I want to be thankful for what I have, and use it for the Lord. I know this will be a process, and I’m willing to make a commitment to be content with what I have, and not desire more or different gifting’s. I am going to make a list of gifts God has given me, and praise God for each one, and ask him to strengthen me in areas that I’m lacking.