14 Members updated 06/11/07
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14 Members updated 06/05/07
05 JUNE 07 - TUESDAY
Dear Friends,
Here is the latest on our mission trip to Costa Rica.
Last Thursday (May 31), we traveled to Zarapaqui. (I think that's the correct spelling.) In this town, we were able to paint the church. We almost were not able to help paint the church because of the rain. However, the Lord is good. We were going to wait until 1:00 p.m. to see if it was still raining. At that time, the rain had stopped and we were able to paint. Several people from the church came to feed us and to assist in painting the church. We had a great time of fellowship with the people of that church. That evening, we had a service there. The people were very appreciative that we came and of what we had done for them. The team was able to do their presentation. Two gave their testimonies, and a couple played an instrumental special. Miriam Liles sang a special. Rachel McCollum gave the Bible lesson to the children, while I interpreted for her. Nelson Santos preached that evening. After the service, the pastor had our team come up to the front so all the church folk could shake our hands. After this, we ate "perros caliente" or "hot dogs" in English. Before eating, the pastor stated how honored he was to have us visit and help out. He gave us a love offering. This really touched our hearts because this church is not a wealthy church. We came to be a blessing to them, but in return, we received a bigger blessing to see their love and desire for God. That evening, we headed back to Coronado.
Friday (June 1), we had a "dia de libre" or "free day." Brother Alex took us to San Jose to buy souvenirs. While we were there, the students were able to hand out some tracts. Kevin bought some coffee at a pretty expensive price, but was able to hand the lady a tract. She started reading the tract immediately. After visiting San Jose, we went to Cartago. Cartago is a very, very Catholic town. Brother Alex said there is a Catholic church on every block. The main church is very famous. One day each year, people from all over Costa Rica walk to this church. Many people die from the long walk or crawling. I was here for that day lasat summer, and experienced the sadness this creates in those who know the true and living God. There is also a place at the church where people can take water that comes out of a pipe and cleanse themselves. It is considered "holy water." The students were able to see the blindness of many people who believe in these rituals instead of the true God. This trip changed many of the team members' perspectives.
Saturday (June 2), we left Brother Alex's house for Brother Rojas' house. That afternoon, we had two youth activities in San Isidro. We had a program of puppets for the little kids around 2:00, and a youth activity for the older kids around 4:30. The students were able to do their music specials, give testimonies, play games, give 2 puppet presentations, and perform a skit. For the first meeting, Kevin Kelso gave the Bible lesson. For the second meeting, David Cotner preached. We had a great time of getting to know the young people of the church.
Sunday (June 3), we had four church services. Two were with Brother Rojas, and two were with Brother Alex. It was a very busy time, but the Lord blessed. Brother Alex wanted us to come to his church, and asked if we would come this Sunday since we were not able to be there last Sunday due to all of our airport problems. He has two services in the afternoon. The first service was in La Ceiba. Samantha Phillips taught the Bible lesson to the children and David Cotner preached.
In each service this day, the students were able to do their presentation and give music specials (vocal and instrumental). Immediately after this service, we headed for the two services in Coronado. Two students gave their presentation in the main service, along with a group instrumental special and two testimonies. While that was happening in the main service, David and Kevin led the Children's Church. This was more like a youth group meeting. We started with songs, had two games, a Bible lesson, our presentation, a group musical special, and a skit. The children had a great time. They even sang a song especiallyl for us. It was so great to see children excited to serve the Lord. During this service, Peter Conrad preached in the main service.
After the service, the church has a little break for coffee. We started the second service around 3:00. The team gave their presentation. Two team members gave testimonies, and they gave one group instrumental special. In addition to that, the ones who can play instruments played for each congregational song. Nelson Santos preached during this service.
Immediately after this service, we quickly headed out for the service in San Isidro. We had about 40 minutes to get there. We arrived with about ten minutes to spare. We did the same things in this service that we have been doing throughout the other services (presentation, testimonies, music specials). Ryan Bucy taught a Bible lesson to the children ages 8 - 11, while Rachel McCollum taught the younger students. Peter Conrad preached. A married couple got saved! They were considering getting a divorce, but decided to go to church. And, praise the Lord, they realized their need for a Savior.
Today, we were able to "sleep in." Praise the Lord! Many of us are tired, but we are doing our best with a smile for God's glory. We sanded the gates to the church in Heredia, to prepare them for painting on Wednesday. With new paint, it is possible that the Lord will use this to draw people into the church and they will be saved. Do all to the honor and glory of Christ!
Thank you for your prayers. Hope all is going well for you. I will write more soon.
In Christ,
Jennie
01 JUNE 07 - FRIDAY
12:00 noon - Miss Mathews, one of our team leaders called and everyone is doing fine. The team has had many opportunities to present the Gospel through song and preaching. Today they will be in San Jose handing out tracts. Continue to pray for the teams protecting and for opportunities to share Christ with others.
31 MAY 07 - THURSDAY
07:00am - Kony has now boarded the plane for her final attempt to get Costa Rica.
Please pray that her flight will arrive on time and that her time in Costa Rica will be a wonderful blessing in the lives of those she touches.
01:00pm - Kony has arrived safely in Costa Rica prasing the Lord
30 MAY 07 - WEDNESDAY
11:45am –Kony has her visa and is scheduled to fly to Costa Rica this afternoon.
06:35pm - Flight 2141 is running late and Kony will be arriving in San Jose at 9:33pm
08:25pm - Please pray for Kony, her flight has been delayed again because of a problem with the plane and may not be getting in until 11pm.
11:00pm - We are not sure why but the Lord has allowed the flight to be canceled for tonight. Kony will be staying in the airport at the gate where she feels the safest. Her flight is scheduled to arrive in Costa Rica tomorrow morning at 7:44am. Please pray for Kony that God will give her the strength to follow through on this very difficult path. Also pray for her protection and that she will have opportunity to share her testimony with other.
29 MAY 07 - TUSEDAY
07:30am –Kony is on her way to get her visa. Please pray that everything going well and that she will be able to fly to Costa Rica today.
10:30am -Miss Pinchi will not be able to get her visa until Tuesday and hopes to be able board her flight at 6pm
28 MAY 07 - MONDAY
07:20am –The team has arrived at the airport and has gotten their tickets except for Kony Pinchi who needs a visa because of her Peruivan passport. She will be with a family we know in Miami who will help her get a visa and return her to the airport on Tuesday.
12:20pm - The team has arrived
27 MAY 07 - SUNDAY
05:30am – After two attempts to land in San Jose and getting within 200 feet of the runway the plane was diverted to Miami FL arriving at 3:00am. The team in now on the ground trying to get another flight back to San Jose. A praise is that one of the team members was able to lead a soul to Christ.
Truely "all things work together for good to them that love God"
Please pray that the team will be able to rebook their flight this morning
08:30am - Our team has been rebooked for Monday. They will be staying overnite in Miami.
02:30pm - The team has checked in to a hotel to get some rest and will be at the airport on Monday at 07:30
26 MAY 07 - SATURDAY
10:15pm –The team is schedule to fly out at 5:40pm after spending the night in Dallas
05:30pm - The team is now on the plane ready to depart
AMERICAN AIR LINES FLIGHT : AA2167
25 MAY 07 - FRIDAY
12:30pm – After meeting in the GFBM offices for the morning to pack and weigh suitcases, and practice their presentation one last time, the group went to lunch on campus. All team members left for the airport on time.
3:05pm – Instead of boarding and taking off for Dallas, our team is waiting in the Pensacola airport for a delayed flight. It looks like they will miss their connecting flight to San Jose, Costa Rica, tonight.
4:15pm - The team will be staying overnite in Dallas. The hotel will be paid for by the airline. They will then take the 5:40pm flight from Dallas to San Jose
08 JUN 07 - FRIDAY
AMERICAN AIR LINES FLIGHT: AA2166
AMERICAN AIR LINES FLIGHT: AA3435