Right before leaving Costa Rica. . . I had an amazing time of prayer and fellowship with some special friends, and I praise God who has known all that I needed. It was very important and special to me.
I long for more time in his presence and have been finding myself diving into His Word hungry for more of His understanding and him in my life.
Being home for the holidays is great because I have stayed up late and slept until 10 every day since I've gotten here. It could potentially be a very stressful holiday with an aunt in the hospital, and a very complicated start to Christmas. We have floated from Christmas eve to the 26th to who knows? for when we will celebrate with the extended family. Thanks to God, I have learned how to be flexible and am also familiar with how things work.
We have figured out as of today, the 23rd, that we will have the extended family Christmas TOMORROW and at MY HOUSE. so . . .
as you can imagine, I have been busy cleaning and getting things ready. My parents are gone to finish their last minute purchases, which is kinda nice 'cause it gives me a chance to just pray and clean and not be distracted.
It was great to see church people on Sunday and catch up a bit with a couple of good friends, and I also got to make "arroz con pollo" for my family. They loved it! They liked it so much that I have offered to make it for our extended family Christmas party tomorrow, and my sisters get in tomorrow as well which I am very excited about!
My best friend Naomi came over and chilled with me on Sunday and we are planning to get together with a bunch of our girlfriends before I leave on January 3rd to come back home to Costa Rica.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and may God's presence surround you and protect you.
Te quiero mucho. Que el Senor les proteja y cuide con todo lo que hagan en este tiempo. Disfruten tiempo con su familias y nos vemos!
Love
me
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Opportunity
Today I had the opportunity to share my faith with the sister of my landlord. She is standing in his place while he is in Argentina, and we went together to the bank. Afterwards, she treated me to coffee and we talked quite a while.
She was very sweet and motherly. She reminded me not to go out on my own and she also went to the grocery store with me, and kindly assisted me in everything. How difficult however for her to hear the gospel. I am hoping for the opportunity to get to know her better, and I pray that God opens her eyes about works. You see, when someone thinks their salvation depends on how hard they try to live correctly, they are sadly mistaken. We cannot live perfect, which is the requirement of God. Although it is wonderful to do our best and strive to make a difference in our world, without Jesus' sacrifice we would still be condemned.
How beautiful however the promise that Jesus brought. For he has promised that there is NO CONDEMNATION for those who BELIEVE IN CHRiST. The reason is because He took the penalty of all the sins of the world upon his shoulders! What great love!
This lady talked about being religious, and just being who you are. She seemed very taken with the idea that is very common these days. This is the idea that if you are religious that is wonderful and if you are not religious that is fine too. She would call me "religious." However, I am not sure that it is an advantage to be considered religious, because misguided religion leads you more into slavery, rather than the freedom that God intended for His children.
I am grateful for the possibilities God has brought to me through his mighty power. How beautiful that we can chose to serve him.
What a beautiful and dear lady. May God by His power and great love reach her heart.
Love you all!
Joanna Joy Finkenbinder :)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December in Costa Rica
A Costa Rican Christmas
Warm and windy
Streets buzzing with traffic
Coffee, milk and tea
Gallo pinto and Tamales
Long sleeves ward off
Chilly winds, and sunshine
Keeps away colds
Bright colors everywhere
Parties (too many)
New Years plans
Friends and family
Spreading love and cheer
The penniless lady
Her beautiful smile
Receives an inheritance
More rich than mine
A gem and a crown
Will be placed on her brow
She spreads wealth with me
As we eat together
Christmas cheer
Is not dead nor gone
In Costa Rica
We sing Christ's song
My time in December this year is only the first 19 days and I have been busy helping with camp registrations, phone calls and christmas newsletters, as well as different parties that signify very much networking.
About that penniless lady. Her name is Zoila and I love her so much. I have enjoyed getting to know her as I pass by San Pedro and stop and talk with her. She sits there on the side of the sidewalk asking for money. Pray for her. She needs a miracle. I want her to be especially blessed this Christmas. She has especially blessed me.
Well, better get back to that calling now actually. One job down. . . one more to go.
Take care everyone. I'll be sure to get back to you in a few. I have more to share!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Re: Honor the Family Name
Hey all.
I can't believe how fast this year has been flying. It is already December 1st! I have been here for almost 1 yr now and I can hardly believe all that I have learned.
Being a missionary is a constant learning process. Right now I am thinking about finishing 12 credits that I need to make my teaching English official. 12 credits later I can have my certificate. I see a great need with these precious children in this area. This week I believe we are having a Christmas party for them. I am very excited! The plan is to have the whole class in English, which will be a great challenge for these students. We will teach them how to make candy cane reindeer but they must follow our instructions in English. and we have a movie planned.
It is a great challenge to teach these kids the basics of English because many of the previous programs just had them memorize words, but if they tried to put it in context or heard it in a different context, they would not recognize it.
We just finished a the Central America Field Fellowship meeting in El Salvador this past week. It was incredible to be with other missionaries and hear their stories from all over Central America. I was encouraged to learn more about King's Castle ministries in El Salvador, different MAPS building ministries in both Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador, many great missionaries and kids... and to pull an "allnighter" hahaha with the youth. Well we tried but the parents didn't let us hang out later than 2 am. so ... oh well... I prefered that anyway. shh.... don't tell them that.
We also had a water baptism and 10 missionary kids and youth got baptized, praise God!
It has been so encouraging to hear the Lord speak to me. Many times, I have felt that I should be doing more, and discouraged because I think I am not reaching my full potential. But then I am amazed as God shows me that I am doing what He wants me to do right now, and that I am exactly where I am needed.
I will do all with a cheerful heart. I am so blessed to be able to serve under Jon and Jen Dahlager. I watch them in all they do, and I have learned so much from them. They are humble, faithful, hard workers, and great examples of purity and love. I love seeing their interaction with the youth and pastor's kids. It has brought great connections getting to known the pastor's kids through them as well, as many of their PKs are 15 to 25 yrs old.
I met some incredible people at MFCA. These are people that I hope to work with for many years to come, who I felt were like family. They are very special.
I also have found great truth in the verse that "a good name is more to be desired than great riches..." My name Finkenbinder, has opened doors and caused recognition that I do not deserve, but receive because of the honor bestowed on my great uncle Paul. He has paved a road for me that I want to honor. I hope to do that name pride.
This thought causes me to think of our God. We all are adopted into his family, and receive honor, not because we are worthy of it, but simply because we bear his name. What a privilege, but also what an important task!
I want to live to make his name be lifted high, and I do not want to bring him any dishonor.
I want to be a daughter that causes others to be reminded of how great our God is. Don't you?
Well. I love you all :) Peace out!
Blessings!
I can't believe how fast this year has been flying. It is already December 1st! I have been here for almost 1 yr now and I can hardly believe all that I have learned.
Being a missionary is a constant learning process. Right now I am thinking about finishing 12 credits that I need to make my teaching English official. 12 credits later I can have my certificate. I see a great need with these precious children in this area. This week I believe we are having a Christmas party for them. I am very excited! The plan is to have the whole class in English, which will be a great challenge for these students. We will teach them how to make candy cane reindeer but they must follow our instructions in English. and we have a movie planned.
It is a great challenge to teach these kids the basics of English because many of the previous programs just had them memorize words, but if they tried to put it in context or heard it in a different context, they would not recognize it.
We just finished a the Central America Field Fellowship meeting in El Salvador this past week. It was incredible to be with other missionaries and hear their stories from all over Central America. I was encouraged to learn more about King's Castle ministries in El Salvador, different MAPS building ministries in both Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador, many great missionaries and kids... and to pull an "allnighter" hahaha with the youth. Well we tried but the parents didn't let us hang out later than 2 am. so ... oh well... I prefered that anyway. shh.... don't tell them that.
We also had a water baptism and 10 missionary kids and youth got baptized, praise God!
It has been so encouraging to hear the Lord speak to me. Many times, I have felt that I should be doing more, and discouraged because I think I am not reaching my full potential. But then I am amazed as God shows me that I am doing what He wants me to do right now, and that I am exactly where I am needed.
I will do all with a cheerful heart. I am so blessed to be able to serve under Jon and Jen Dahlager. I watch them in all they do, and I have learned so much from them. They are humble, faithful, hard workers, and great examples of purity and love. I love seeing their interaction with the youth and pastor's kids. It has brought great connections getting to known the pastor's kids through them as well, as many of their PKs are 15 to 25 yrs old.
I met some incredible people at MFCA. These are people that I hope to work with for many years to come, who I felt were like family. They are very special.
I also have found great truth in the verse that "a good name is more to be desired than great riches..." My name Finkenbinder, has opened doors and caused recognition that I do not deserve, but receive because of the honor bestowed on my great uncle Paul. He has paved a road for me that I want to honor. I hope to do that name pride.
This thought causes me to think of our God. We all are adopted into his family, and receive honor, not because we are worthy of it, but simply because we bear his name. What a privilege, but also what an important task!
I want to live to make his name be lifted high, and I do not want to bring him any dishonor.
I want to be a daughter that causes others to be reminded of how great our God is. Don't you?
Well. I love you all :) Peace out!
Blessings!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
We are Finite, Human and God is Incomprehensible
As I am sitting here doing my devotions today and thinking about what I need to accomplish in the office, I suddenly felt quite embarrassed at the comforts which I enjoy.
Praise God for good friends, and last night I had a great time with another single missionary friend, Bethany. She was a great blessing, and I need to hang out with her more. We played a game and enjoyed making Christmas cookies.
So this morning, I was enjoying a Christmas cookie with my cup of coffee, as I played worship music, "Vengo A Adorarte" "Here I am to Worship" and read the Word of God in Isaiah.
The song begins to say, I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sins upon that cross... and they flashed pictures of the crucifixion as pictured by The Passion of Christ. Such emotion raised within me, that I did not want to look. I felt ...embarrassed... that I was sitting here eating a cookie and drinking coffee. I could hardly do that and think about what Jesus had done for me.
It hit me. How often do we turn away our faces from those beaten down on the streets? How often does the tragedy hit us, and we stuff it away, not wanting to deal with the ugliness of it? If we acted in compassion, perhaps we would do something, ANYTHING.
The Bible says in Isaiah, "The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes, to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by his noble deeds he stands."
Isaiah 32:7-8
Are we the noble man? Acting out in love and with nobility, by which our deeds will stand the consuming fire of judgment when Christ shall come in His glory? Or are we REJECTING the face of our brothers and sisters, who are of our own flesh and blood, because we do not want to be contaminated by their "dirtiness" and because it is too "dangerous" to help them? God help us!!!
We are truly a lost people who cannot even reach out our cursed human hands to touch those who have been abandoned... although we as Christians have been found.
My fellow Christians, I call upon you to remember from where we came. Remember that we are no different than those abandoned to their conditions but for the BLOOD OF CHRIST. Who RESCUED us from the grave and FOUND us when we were dirty. Had he considered us unloveable, we would still not be here?
My Father, Please help me, and all my friends to have wisdom in this day and every day. Please help me to reach out my hands to the one in the streets and greet him, giving honor to one who others ignore. Help me to touch those who are untouchable in my day and demonstrate the love of God that has transformed my life. Father, I pray for those abandoned onto the streets, who are held captive to the slavery of drugs, homelessness, abandonment, prostitution, alcoholism. Father, please, teach your servants how to make an impact to these for I know that your Word shows that they are worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that they without home or love, have been loved by you and are worthy to receive adoption into your Home forever because you paid their entrance with your very blood. You have made a blood pact with humankind and have won us back if we will join in this covenant with you.
JESUS WE NEED YOU. Who can understand?
I love you! have a great day.
Praise God for good friends, and last night I had a great time with another single missionary friend, Bethany. She was a great blessing, and I need to hang out with her more. We played a game and enjoyed making Christmas cookies.
So this morning, I was enjoying a Christmas cookie with my cup of coffee, as I played worship music, "Vengo A Adorarte" "Here I am to Worship" and read the Word of God in Isaiah.
The song begins to say, I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sins upon that cross... and they flashed pictures of the crucifixion as pictured by The Passion of Christ. Such emotion raised within me, that I did not want to look. I felt ...embarrassed... that I was sitting here eating a cookie and drinking coffee. I could hardly do that and think about what Jesus had done for me.
It hit me. How often do we turn away our faces from those beaten down on the streets? How often does the tragedy hit us, and we stuff it away, not wanting to deal with the ugliness of it? If we acted in compassion, perhaps we would do something, ANYTHING.
The Bible says in Isaiah, "The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes, to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by his noble deeds he stands."
Isaiah 32:7-8
Are we the noble man? Acting out in love and with nobility, by which our deeds will stand the consuming fire of judgment when Christ shall come in His glory? Or are we REJECTING the face of our brothers and sisters, who are of our own flesh and blood, because we do not want to be contaminated by their "dirtiness" and because it is too "dangerous" to help them? God help us!!!
We are truly a lost people who cannot even reach out our cursed human hands to touch those who have been abandoned... although we as Christians have been found.
My fellow Christians, I call upon you to remember from where we came. Remember that we are no different than those abandoned to their conditions but for the BLOOD OF CHRIST. Who RESCUED us from the grave and FOUND us when we were dirty. Had he considered us unloveable, we would still not be here?
My Father, Please help me, and all my friends to have wisdom in this day and every day. Please help me to reach out my hands to the one in the streets and greet him, giving honor to one who others ignore. Help me to touch those who are untouchable in my day and demonstrate the love of God that has transformed my life. Father, I pray for those abandoned onto the streets, who are held captive to the slavery of drugs, homelessness, abandonment, prostitution, alcoholism. Father, please, teach your servants how to make an impact to these for I know that your Word shows that they are worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that they without home or love, have been loved by you and are worthy to receive adoption into your Home forever because you paid their entrance with your very blood. You have made a blood pact with humankind and have won us back if we will join in this covenant with you.
JESUS WE NEED YOU. Who can understand?
I love you! have a great day.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Growing pains: Be a Christian not a manstian
There is something amazingly beautiful about the way that a new born baby grows. So quickly within a mother when it is conceived it begins to form different parts. It is important for that little babe's development that it gets the right kind of nourishment to thrive. The conscientious mother takes great pride and care in her little child with the nutrients that her baby needs to grow properly. When that baby is born it sleeps and sleeps and eats.
As the child grows, it needs plenty of sleep and proper nutrition to function well. The body is still changing and developing.
I have been a Christian more than 18 years, but sometimes I feel like that child. I still need the proper rest and nourishment as I grow.
This past week, I think my body needed a break with everything I was learning. I slept ALOT.
The things I was struggling with are not over, but I praise God because I know that I am growing. Hallelujah!!! It is good to be in His fellowship.
When a preteen is growing, many times there is pain involved as the limbs grow and different parts of the body develop. I feel like that pre-teen just developing and in the process I feel sore. There is no way that preteen wants to stay the same size and stop growing. They just don't like the pain. I have been thinking about how it is the same with our faith.
God is greater than our pain and our feelings. Without some of the experiences that I have passed, I would not have grown stronger, but through them, I have learned to be strong. I wouldn't trade it. I want to grow. I want my ears to be trained to hear his voice.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4
"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21
There are so many good things here in the Word of God that lighten our path and teach us how we should go. As we permit God to work in our midst, He is making us more like Jesus, and I am grateful for that process because I know it will bring glory to His name!
Jesus Christ, receive the glory and honor for how I live my life! He is the one that I follow, not a man.
I am a Christian, not a manstian. lol.
Christian = Christ follower
Love you guys!
As the child grows, it needs plenty of sleep and proper nutrition to function well. The body is still changing and developing.
I have been a Christian more than 18 years, but sometimes I feel like that child. I still need the proper rest and nourishment as I grow.
This past week, I think my body needed a break with everything I was learning. I slept ALOT.
The things I was struggling with are not over, but I praise God because I know that I am growing. Hallelujah!!! It is good to be in His fellowship.
When a preteen is growing, many times there is pain involved as the limbs grow and different parts of the body develop. I feel like that pre-teen just developing and in the process I feel sore. There is no way that preteen wants to stay the same size and stop growing. They just don't like the pain. I have been thinking about how it is the same with our faith.
God is greater than our pain and our feelings. Without some of the experiences that I have passed, I would not have grown stronger, but through them, I have learned to be strong. I wouldn't trade it. I want to grow. I want my ears to be trained to hear his voice.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4
"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21
There are so many good things here in the Word of God that lighten our path and teach us how we should go. As we permit God to work in our midst, He is making us more like Jesus, and I am grateful for that process because I know it will bring glory to His name!
Jesus Christ, receive the glory and honor for how I live my life! He is the one that I follow, not a man.
I am a Christian, not a manstian. lol.
Christian = Christ follower
Love you guys!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Stark contrasts
This morning, I had a wonderful time with the kids at church. We laughed, talked about David and Goliath and sang together. At the end, we had icecream and the team stayed and cleaned up.
On this particular Sunday morning, all of the classes were combined. We do that once a month to give the children a fun diversion from the normal classes the other three or four Sundays. We use art, music and activities to teach the children biblical standards. Today was about facing your fears and not being afraid when God is on your side...hence, David and Goliath.
One of my students came and asked me if I could come to her house after service, because she was having a garage sale, and I decided to go so that I could meet her parents. She and her sister come to the church, but her parents do not come. I had met her father, but I had not met her mother... and she also proudly introduced me to her kitten. :)
However, I was struck instantly when we passed by a teenager sleeping in the streets. I often see men sleeping on the sides of the roads, with very skinny legs and tattered clothes. Some younger than others, but today I felt horrified. This boy could not be over 15 yrs old, and although I had read about street children, seeing one for the first time was overwhelming. He was sound asleep and I felt the sudden urge to go over to him, wake him up and offer him something to drink. I wanted to comfort him, I felt as though he did not belong there. But then... neither do the others. How long have they been suffering on the streets without shelter.
Emerson, who I have talked about before, only was 24 yrs old, or possibly younger, and how long had he suffered the cold nights and harsh rainy seasons without shelter? I cannot bare to think about those who have been abandoned, stuck in drugs, and living without a hope. Why, anyone could come by and injure this child. Anyone could introduce him to all kinds of horrible things.
Jesus loves him and died for him. This little 15 yr old should not have to live life this way. Whatever compeled him onto the streets is destroying his young life that God intended for good.
As we walked to Irina's house, I was struck with thoughts of what I have taken for granted in life. Entering the alley into her house, a young 8 yr old came and tickled my sides...kinda scaring me. then I turned to see a sweetie from the church. I gave her a big hug and found out she lived in this same neighborhood. They are very special children. The patio of my student's house was small and dingy. They were selling dolls, barbies, rollerskates, and different things (mostly dirty). The smell of the dirt and sweat hung stalely in the air. I was very happy to meet her mother...again, I felt a twist in my stomache.
I thought about how my little student caused so much disruption in class, but all of sudden, I didn't care so much anymore about the previous frustration I felt. As she so quickly opened up her innocent little heart to me, I decided that I will pour my love out on her. If she is looking for attention inside of class, I will give her attention outside of class. It was obvious that her needs for attention are very tough to obtain within her families limited resources. I will be attending one of her basketball games with her family as she plays on a team. I am proud of her and see a lot of potential in her.
So many kids in different positions. How beautiful that my student had food, a roof over her head, a family trying to make ends meet even if that means a meager looking garage sale..and selling things of value, like a playstation, that was a sacrifice to get rid of. But they are working as a family to make things work. I long for the sucess of this family. My student's parents love her and are doing what is necessary to keep her and her sister in a home and off of the dangerous streets.
What about the others? Is it possible that their families did not have the means to protect them from the street's peligro (danger)? What about this child? What about the MANY like Emerson who have 11 bros & sisses and hardly have a place to lay their head at night?
How do they survive such a lifestyle?
"When Jesus looked upon the crowds, He was moved with compassion..."
What about you? Does this picture move your heart? Or are we too caught up in our own needs to see those of others?
A thought for my dear readers from an intensely passionate heart
with love
On this particular Sunday morning, all of the classes were combined. We do that once a month to give the children a fun diversion from the normal classes the other three or four Sundays. We use art, music and activities to teach the children biblical standards. Today was about facing your fears and not being afraid when God is on your side...hence, David and Goliath.
One of my students came and asked me if I could come to her house after service, because she was having a garage sale, and I decided to go so that I could meet her parents. She and her sister come to the church, but her parents do not come. I had met her father, but I had not met her mother... and she also proudly introduced me to her kitten. :)
However, I was struck instantly when we passed by a teenager sleeping in the streets. I often see men sleeping on the sides of the roads, with very skinny legs and tattered clothes. Some younger than others, but today I felt horrified. This boy could not be over 15 yrs old, and although I had read about street children, seeing one for the first time was overwhelming. He was sound asleep and I felt the sudden urge to go over to him, wake him up and offer him something to drink. I wanted to comfort him, I felt as though he did not belong there. But then... neither do the others. How long have they been suffering on the streets without shelter.
Emerson, who I have talked about before, only was 24 yrs old, or possibly younger, and how long had he suffered the cold nights and harsh rainy seasons without shelter? I cannot bare to think about those who have been abandoned, stuck in drugs, and living without a hope. Why, anyone could come by and injure this child. Anyone could introduce him to all kinds of horrible things.
Jesus loves him and died for him. This little 15 yr old should not have to live life this way. Whatever compeled him onto the streets is destroying his young life that God intended for good.
As we walked to Irina's house, I was struck with thoughts of what I have taken for granted in life. Entering the alley into her house, a young 8 yr old came and tickled my sides...kinda scaring me. then I turned to see a sweetie from the church. I gave her a big hug and found out she lived in this same neighborhood. They are very special children. The patio of my student's house was small and dingy. They were selling dolls, barbies, rollerskates, and different things (mostly dirty). The smell of the dirt and sweat hung stalely in the air. I was very happy to meet her mother...again, I felt a twist in my stomache.
I thought about how my little student caused so much disruption in class, but all of sudden, I didn't care so much anymore about the previous frustration I felt. As she so quickly opened up her innocent little heart to me, I decided that I will pour my love out on her. If she is looking for attention inside of class, I will give her attention outside of class. It was obvious that her needs for attention are very tough to obtain within her families limited resources. I will be attending one of her basketball games with her family as she plays on a team. I am proud of her and see a lot of potential in her.
So many kids in different positions. How beautiful that my student had food, a roof over her head, a family trying to make ends meet even if that means a meager looking garage sale..and selling things of value, like a playstation, that was a sacrifice to get rid of. But they are working as a family to make things work. I long for the sucess of this family. My student's parents love her and are doing what is necessary to keep her and her sister in a home and off of the dangerous streets.
What about the others? Is it possible that their families did not have the means to protect them from the street's peligro (danger)? What about this child? What about the MANY like Emerson who have 11 bros & sisses and hardly have a place to lay their head at night?
How do they survive such a lifestyle?
"When Jesus looked upon the crowds, He was moved with compassion..."
What about you? Does this picture move your heart? Or are we too caught up in our own needs to see those of others?
A thought for my dear readers from an intensely passionate heart
with love
Thursday, October 16, 2008
These last couple months of the year are looking like a busy (and cold) time of the year here in Costa Rica.
As we work to get everything ready for the Pastor´s Kids camp coming up in two short months, I am at work making phone calls with a goal of 80 calls per day. Well, that is my goal, up to date I have not quite reached that goal, but I want to get to everyone as soon as possible so that every young person receives equal chance and opportunity to get their money and camp registration form in the office on time.
Besides that, Jhonatan Salas and his team are working on camp activities and design. It is incredible everything it takes to make this camp go off a success. It is fun!
Yesterday, October 15, I visited at four different Piedad schools which are located in poor neighborhoods around Costa Rica with the goal of giving Christian education to their students. My purpose was to visit the English classes and access their needs. It was an incredible experience, and I look forward to visiting at Linda Vista this next Wednesday. To be a teacher in this kind of school takes love and patience. They are not paid superior, but they work because of their love for the kids, however, many times these schools lose their English teachers to better paying jobs. Please pray for Latin American ChildCare when it enters your mind. Pray that God will continue to do His work in these kids lives and that we will be able to continue being a part of their education, which is SO important.
As it rains and rains and RAINS some more, I give thanks to my heavenly Father, because this rain has made Costa Rica a beautiful land full of many plants and rich soil. It has been a great blessing to Costa Rica to be able to export fruits and vegetables and coffee. Without the plentiful rain, we would not have those blessings here. However this is also the season of head colds, allergies, mold, and ¨I wanna stay in bed¨syndrome. So please pray with me for the health of our missionaries and pastors, as well as an extra strength, super natural motivation.
Next Friday, I will be speaking at a church in Torre Molinos about relationships and purity to the women´s ministry in the church. I am very excited!
On a more personal note:
I have been developing relationships here in Costa Rica relatively easy, but sometimes I find areas that make me uncomfortable, primarily because of cultural concepts and differences. God has been good to me and helped me!
I have also come to face some of my weaknesses and had to humbly ask the Lord´s forgiveness and correction another time. God has been strengthening me and directing me, but I continue to seek his direction as I look at what he has for me in the ministry in the future.
THANK YOU for reading and for thinking of me!!!
You are loved: each one of you!!!
As we work to get everything ready for the Pastor´s Kids camp coming up in two short months, I am at work making phone calls with a goal of 80 calls per day. Well, that is my goal, up to date I have not quite reached that goal, but I want to get to everyone as soon as possible so that every young person receives equal chance and opportunity to get their money and camp registration form in the office on time.
Besides that, Jhonatan Salas and his team are working on camp activities and design. It is incredible everything it takes to make this camp go off a success. It is fun!
Yesterday, October 15, I visited at four different Piedad schools which are located in poor neighborhoods around Costa Rica with the goal of giving Christian education to their students. My purpose was to visit the English classes and access their needs. It was an incredible experience, and I look forward to visiting at Linda Vista this next Wednesday. To be a teacher in this kind of school takes love and patience. They are not paid superior, but they work because of their love for the kids, however, many times these schools lose their English teachers to better paying jobs. Please pray for Latin American ChildCare when it enters your mind. Pray that God will continue to do His work in these kids lives and that we will be able to continue being a part of their education, which is SO important.
As it rains and rains and RAINS some more, I give thanks to my heavenly Father, because this rain has made Costa Rica a beautiful land full of many plants and rich soil. It has been a great blessing to Costa Rica to be able to export fruits and vegetables and coffee. Without the plentiful rain, we would not have those blessings here. However this is also the season of head colds, allergies, mold, and ¨I wanna stay in bed¨syndrome. So please pray with me for the health of our missionaries and pastors, as well as an extra strength, super natural motivation.
Next Friday, I will be speaking at a church in Torre Molinos about relationships and purity to the women´s ministry in the church. I am very excited!
On a more personal note:
I have been developing relationships here in Costa Rica relatively easy, but sometimes I find areas that make me uncomfortable, primarily because of cultural concepts and differences. God has been good to me and helped me!
I have also come to face some of my weaknesses and had to humbly ask the Lord´s forgiveness and correction another time. God has been strengthening me and directing me, but I continue to seek his direction as I look at what he has for me in the ministry in the future.
THANK YOU for reading and for thinking of me!!!
You are loved: each one of you!!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
My Amazing Maker
“Mas yo esperaré siempre, y te alabaré mas y mas. Mi boca publicará tu justicia y tus hechos de salvación todo el día, aunque no se su número. Vendré a los hechos poderosos de Jehová el Señor; haré memoria de tu justicia, de la tuya sola.” Salmos 71: 14-16
“But I will always hope, and I will praise to you more and more. My mouth will publish your justice and your acts of salvation all day long, although I do not know the exact number. I will proclaim the powerful works of the Lord Jehovah; I will make memory of your justice, yours alone.” Psalms 71: 14-16
I want to share with you all the incredible things the Lord has shown me this past week. On Friday morning, September 26th, I left with a team of six people for the province of Guanacaste. We went to the capital Liberia, in a neighborhood called Nazaret. We were about 2 hours away from the Nicaragua border.
The missionaries I went with, Paul and Karla Weis, are the current Area Directors in Costa Rica, and will be moving to work stateside in December. They have had a strong outreach throughout Costa Rica workintg with the drama, Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames.
The impact of this drama brings all who view it to take a good look at life and death, along with their options for a heart at peace and eternity secure. It is very good.
I would like to testify to the greatness of my Lord. We saw many of the people in this town delivered from illness, suffering, unforgiveness and many other things.
There was an epileptic boy named Tony who I believe God has healed and more importantly I saw the change on his face as he asked Jesus to reign in his life and become his guide. His whole face lit up and his smile now began to reach his eyes in place of the stare that before watched me.
The ministers that were on our team watched as a teenager named Gabriel decided to embrace Christ in place of the wounds from his past and home, and there was an amazing transformation in his face as well. He also took immediate steps of leadership, demonstrating love and joy which only comes from the power of the Spirit of God.
I was amazed. In the course of three nights, 4 presentations, and much hard work, 185 young people and adults gave their hearts and lives to Jesus for the first time as well as over 25 recommitments. There were also many testimonies of people who went home and there gave their hearts to Christ as well as many children. The number I do not know for sure of these.
God is amazing. I was also personally encouraged.
The amount of things I could tell you is endless. I returned yesterday, Wednesday, October 1st, with sunburn (we visited three beaches on Tuesday before our final presentation . . . I brought home TONS of pretty sea shells...so exciting!) . . . and my heart FULL. God has been so good to me.
There are about 10 little kids that I now have in my prayers, several teenagers, and a few priceless mothers.
I hope to return to Liberia, Guanacaste in this next year and spend time reaching out to these beautiful people.
Please remember them in prayer with me as so many of them battle in a neighborhood full of witchcraft, drugs, and poverty. Even though there is a beautiful tourist area about an hour away, the people in this neighborhood are struggling against things much greater. The love in their hearts was obvious as we left.
A little ring that a precious child gave me with glowing eyes begging me to return, the shy beautiful teenager who gave me chocolate and smiled with gratitude and the mother all of them embracing us. They even did a break dance presentation before we left wanting to show us appreciation, and as we applauded for them, they applauded for us and said, no... the applause is for you.
These memories are cherished, but the one we really honor is not ourselves, for the one who did all these things, is our Heavenly Father.
Who loved us so much that he made all of this Joy and Love possible. It is incredible!!!
Te quiero mucho! y que Dios los bendiga mas cada dia!
I love you lots! and may God bless you more every day!
OH.... Becky!!! Congratulations on your engagement! i am so happy for you!!!!!!
Your sister, daughter, friend.
“But I will always hope, and I will praise to you more and more. My mouth will publish your justice and your acts of salvation all day long, although I do not know the exact number. I will proclaim the powerful works of the Lord Jehovah; I will make memory of your justice, yours alone.” Psalms 71: 14-16
I want to share with you all the incredible things the Lord has shown me this past week. On Friday morning, September 26th, I left with a team of six people for the province of Guanacaste. We went to the capital Liberia, in a neighborhood called Nazaret. We were about 2 hours away from the Nicaragua border.
The missionaries I went with, Paul and Karla Weis, are the current Area Directors in Costa Rica, and will be moving to work stateside in December. They have had a strong outreach throughout Costa Rica workintg with the drama, Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames.
The impact of this drama brings all who view it to take a good look at life and death, along with their options for a heart at peace and eternity secure. It is very good.
I would like to testify to the greatness of my Lord. We saw many of the people in this town delivered from illness, suffering, unforgiveness and many other things.
There was an epileptic boy named Tony who I believe God has healed and more importantly I saw the change on his face as he asked Jesus to reign in his life and become his guide. His whole face lit up and his smile now began to reach his eyes in place of the stare that before watched me.
The ministers that were on our team watched as a teenager named Gabriel decided to embrace Christ in place of the wounds from his past and home, and there was an amazing transformation in his face as well. He also took immediate steps of leadership, demonstrating love and joy which only comes from the power of the Spirit of God.
I was amazed. In the course of three nights, 4 presentations, and much hard work, 185 young people and adults gave their hearts and lives to Jesus for the first time as well as over 25 recommitments. There were also many testimonies of people who went home and there gave their hearts to Christ as well as many children. The number I do not know for sure of these.
God is amazing. I was also personally encouraged.
The amount of things I could tell you is endless. I returned yesterday, Wednesday, October 1st, with sunburn (we visited three beaches on Tuesday before our final presentation . . . I brought home TONS of pretty sea shells...so exciting!) . . . and my heart FULL. God has been so good to me.
There are about 10 little kids that I now have in my prayers, several teenagers, and a few priceless mothers.
I hope to return to Liberia, Guanacaste in this next year and spend time reaching out to these beautiful people.
Please remember them in prayer with me as so many of them battle in a neighborhood full of witchcraft, drugs, and poverty. Even though there is a beautiful tourist area about an hour away, the people in this neighborhood are struggling against things much greater. The love in their hearts was obvious as we left.
A little ring that a precious child gave me with glowing eyes begging me to return, the shy beautiful teenager who gave me chocolate and smiled with gratitude and the mother all of them embracing us. They even did a break dance presentation before we left wanting to show us appreciation, and as we applauded for them, they applauded for us and said, no... the applause is for you.
These memories are cherished, but the one we really honor is not ourselves, for the one who did all these things, is our Heavenly Father.
Who loved us so much that he made all of this Joy and Love possible. It is incredible!!!
Te quiero mucho! y que Dios los bendiga mas cada dia!
I love you lots! and may God bless you more every day!
OH.... Becky!!! Congratulations on your engagement! i am so happy for you!!!!!!
Your sister, daughter, friend.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The work continues
As I imagine what these next months will be like, I am excited and full of intense thoughts.
I am grateful for all of you. Your support makes these days possible. I will be training English teachers every Tuesday and hopefully getting to know some of their students as well.
It is exciting to be available to serve and to be doing the Lord's work, but it is in these things that I recognize my need for him.
The children here break my heart, their honesty is so touching and their laughter is contagious. I am anxiously waiting for my camara charger which I accidently left in the United States so that I can take pictures of these beautiful little ones.
I was taken right away by them in the Cartago where we celebrated the national day of children with these who are taken away from their parents.
Since I got back 14 days ago, I have been helping out with meetings, translating materials, visiting children, given new ideas for children's church, building new relationships, and dreaming about how God might choose to open doors.
As many of you have been praying for my friend, Emerson, please continue to pray not only for him, but for the many in Curridabat just like him who are struggling against addictions to drugs. Our God is a healing and miracle working God.
How incredible if parents didn't have to lose their children because of drugs and alcohol and their apparent neglect becuase of problems in their lives. God is able to deliver them from all these things.
Pray with me for these children.
The HIMAD (children of ministers assemblies of God) is doing well. We had a great meeting last Friday in which we spoke of the unique challenges that they face.
Remember our ministry in prayer please, as also I think of each of you.
Your financial and emotional support has been sustaining me through it all.
I love you so much!
Joanna Joy Finkenbinder
I am grateful for all of you. Your support makes these days possible. I will be training English teachers every Tuesday and hopefully getting to know some of their students as well.
It is exciting to be available to serve and to be doing the Lord's work, but it is in these things that I recognize my need for him.
The children here break my heart, their honesty is so touching and their laughter is contagious. I am anxiously waiting for my camara charger which I accidently left in the United States so that I can take pictures of these beautiful little ones.
I was taken right away by them in the Cartago where we celebrated the national day of children with these who are taken away from their parents.
Since I got back 14 days ago, I have been helping out with meetings, translating materials, visiting children, given new ideas for children's church, building new relationships, and dreaming about how God might choose to open doors.
As many of you have been praying for my friend, Emerson, please continue to pray not only for him, but for the many in Curridabat just like him who are struggling against addictions to drugs. Our God is a healing and miracle working God.
How incredible if parents didn't have to lose their children because of drugs and alcohol and their apparent neglect becuase of problems in their lives. God is able to deliver them from all these things.
Pray with me for these children.
The HIMAD (children of ministers assemblies of God) is doing well. We had a great meeting last Friday in which we spoke of the unique challenges that they face.
Remember our ministry in prayer please, as also I think of each of you.
Your financial and emotional support has been sustaining me through it all.
I love you so much!
Joanna Joy Finkenbinder
Sunday, August 24, 2008
My trip home
These two weeks are chock full of time catching up with friends, preaching, going to weddings, and finding out that one of my best friends is pregnant!
I realized that it had been quite a while since I have written on here, so I thought I better update you.
This past month has been so busy. In the very beginning of August, a young new believer came to the Lord, and I have been crying desperately to the Lord on his behalf. I am also rejoicing to the Lord for bringing in another to his fold. His name is Emerson, and I am believing God for complete deliverance from alcohol and drugs with this young man.
I also graduated from language school on the 14th of this month and will be working directly with the Dahlagers from this point on, daily being responsible to practice the Spanish I have learned. My work will involve planning training sessions and speakers for children's pastors, prayer support and ministry with children, youth and young adults, as well as different projects here and there.
I am so excited to be working for the Lord and it has been such a privilege to see people's lives changed by the power of Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
My busy schedule since I arrived home has included one wedding and one presentation at Life church as well as a trip to Missouri to visit my younger sister. This week I have one more wedding and a message to give this coming Sunday at my home church.
It has been way to easy to fill the spaces during this week chock full of meetings with friends, and I have to remind myself to REST!
At the same time, I praise God for how He has led me, and used me. I am so thankful that he chose me as I recognize that anyone else could have been used as well in my shoes.
This morning in the worship service God touched me in a very special way. I was reminded of those first moments when his saving power cleansed me and made me into a new creation when I was six years old. I was never reminded so strongly as I was this morning of God's love and his compassionate favor towards me. How that when I was only six years old, I asked him to be the King of my life, and he came and transformed my stubborn willfulness and all the things I had done to displease him and my parents. I remembered in that brief moment how I had changed, and how my desires turned from being focused only on myself, to suddenly consider those around me. It was a VERY real transformation that began that day.
His transformation lasts forever, and I am not that old person anymore that was born into this world. What a beautiful thing to be reminded of his salvation, and to be reminded of how He has created me.
Truly anyone who calls upon His name, (the name of Jesus Christ) will find freedom from condemnation, and will find themselves captured by the loving gaze of a God who also suffered as a human being with them in mind.
He loves you my friend. And He will do nothing less for you than he has done for me. How great is my best friend and how I love him.
Your friend and partner in prayer,
Joanna Joy Finkenbinder
I realized that it had been quite a while since I have written on here, so I thought I better update you.
This past month has been so busy. In the very beginning of August, a young new believer came to the Lord, and I have been crying desperately to the Lord on his behalf. I am also rejoicing to the Lord for bringing in another to his fold. His name is Emerson, and I am believing God for complete deliverance from alcohol and drugs with this young man.
I also graduated from language school on the 14th of this month and will be working directly with the Dahlagers from this point on, daily being responsible to practice the Spanish I have learned. My work will involve planning training sessions and speakers for children's pastors, prayer support and ministry with children, youth and young adults, as well as different projects here and there.
I am so excited to be working for the Lord and it has been such a privilege to see people's lives changed by the power of Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
My busy schedule since I arrived home has included one wedding and one presentation at Life church as well as a trip to Missouri to visit my younger sister. This week I have one more wedding and a message to give this coming Sunday at my home church.
It has been way to easy to fill the spaces during this week chock full of meetings with friends, and I have to remind myself to REST!
At the same time, I praise God for how He has led me, and used me. I am so thankful that he chose me as I recognize that anyone else could have been used as well in my shoes.
This morning in the worship service God touched me in a very special way. I was reminded of those first moments when his saving power cleansed me and made me into a new creation when I was six years old. I was never reminded so strongly as I was this morning of God's love and his compassionate favor towards me. How that when I was only six years old, I asked him to be the King of my life, and he came and transformed my stubborn willfulness and all the things I had done to displease him and my parents. I remembered in that brief moment how I had changed, and how my desires turned from being focused only on myself, to suddenly consider those around me. It was a VERY real transformation that began that day.
His transformation lasts forever, and I am not that old person anymore that was born into this world. What a beautiful thing to be reminded of his salvation, and to be reminded of how He has created me.
Truly anyone who calls upon His name, (the name of Jesus Christ) will find freedom from condemnation, and will find themselves captured by the loving gaze of a God who also suffered as a human being with them in mind.
He loves you my friend. And He will do nothing less for you than he has done for me. How great is my best friend and how I love him.
Your friend and partner in prayer,
Joanna Joy Finkenbinder
Monday, July 21, 2008
Three adventures... Take a weekend off!
This past weekend I went to the Jaco beach which is 2 - 3 hours away from my home in Zapote, and I spent the weekend with a Tica family who have become great friends of mine. Although this meant that I did not attend any of the church activities for the weekend, I had an incredible time and I believe it was definitely of God.
Thus I give you three short stories that I had this weekend not including the great refreshment that I have returned with.
1. At the bus stop where I waited to catch my bus to the beach, I met two girls from Israel who spoke very little Spanish, but a bit more of English. They were excited to see a more white than usual face and quickly approached me asking if I spoke English. I was so inspired by knowing them, and I believe that it was an inspiration for us both. One of the two girls was a devout Jew and the other was not religious. They were here for two months and go home in one or two more weeks. What a joy and pleasure to be able to share with them!
2. Sunday, when we were returning home in my friend´s car, we stopped at another beach on the way back, because Katherine wanted me to be able to see more of Costa Rica´s beaches. It was gorgeous! The waves were spiraling and crashing, and I thought of the beauty and majesty of God and how powerful He is... I thought of how He must have created water with such passion and as a demonstration of his powerful side. Something to be respected and feared, and yet something so beautiful and appealing, that you love it and are refreshed by it.
Anyway... It was on this beach, that my friend´s cousin and I began to look for seashells called ¨conchas¨in Spanish. We only stayed for about 45 minutes here before we continued on our journey back to San Jose, but God gave me a special reminder of how much he loved me as we were searching carefully for the ¨conchas.¨ Just as we were finishing to look for shells and returning, I found one last shell in two halfs. it was little, but it was so precious. It was purple!
The color of royalty... and so rare! it signified to me how valuable I am in God´s eyes and I was filled with love and joy :)
3. The third most profound and stretching part of my time with Katherine and her family was our time we spent walking the beach together in the morning on Sunday before any of the family was up. Katherine and I had decided the night before that we were going to arise at 6 am and go and walk along the beachside to have fewer distractions (i.e.... her cousins...) who although are precious, keep us busy making sure they don´t go out into the waves and get swept away to sea. Katherine and I began to talk about some aspects of culture which are very different for us both, and we began to learn and grow and sharpen each other with our differences. I felt humbled by our conversation, as I also felt enriched. We view things differently on some counts, not only for our religious values, but also by our cultural values. It was incredibly beautiful to hear God speak through another individual and stretch our brains to hear what the other was saying and understand why one thinks they way they do.
Praise God for friendship like that! My prayers grow more intimate and more full of emotion after a conversation like the one we had.
.... I was reminded by our conversation to stick to the Bible at all times and let cultural values and religious values that are extra Biblical remain as personal preference.
It is not always good to say all you think or all you know, but rather to be a great listener and reiterate the truth of the Word of God. As man, we have ideas and perceptions that may be false and are usually greatly influenced by our culture and our upbringing, but the Word of God will stand forever.
Thus I give you three short stories that I had this weekend not including the great refreshment that I have returned with.
1. At the bus stop where I waited to catch my bus to the beach, I met two girls from Israel who spoke very little Spanish, but a bit more of English. They were excited to see a more white than usual face and quickly approached me asking if I spoke English. I was so inspired by knowing them, and I believe that it was an inspiration for us both. One of the two girls was a devout Jew and the other was not religious. They were here for two months and go home in one or two more weeks. What a joy and pleasure to be able to share with them!
2. Sunday, when we were returning home in my friend´s car, we stopped at another beach on the way back, because Katherine wanted me to be able to see more of Costa Rica´s beaches. It was gorgeous! The waves were spiraling and crashing, and I thought of the beauty and majesty of God and how powerful He is... I thought of how He must have created water with such passion and as a demonstration of his powerful side. Something to be respected and feared, and yet something so beautiful and appealing, that you love it and are refreshed by it.
Anyway... It was on this beach, that my friend´s cousin and I began to look for seashells called ¨conchas¨in Spanish. We only stayed for about 45 minutes here before we continued on our journey back to San Jose, but God gave me a special reminder of how much he loved me as we were searching carefully for the ¨conchas.¨ Just as we were finishing to look for shells and returning, I found one last shell in two halfs. it was little, but it was so precious. It was purple!
The color of royalty... and so rare! it signified to me how valuable I am in God´s eyes and I was filled with love and joy :)
3. The third most profound and stretching part of my time with Katherine and her family was our time we spent walking the beach together in the morning on Sunday before any of the family was up. Katherine and I had decided the night before that we were going to arise at 6 am and go and walk along the beachside to have fewer distractions (i.e.... her cousins...) who although are precious, keep us busy making sure they don´t go out into the waves and get swept away to sea. Katherine and I began to talk about some aspects of culture which are very different for us both, and we began to learn and grow and sharpen each other with our differences. I felt humbled by our conversation, as I also felt enriched. We view things differently on some counts, not only for our religious values, but also by our cultural values. It was incredibly beautiful to hear God speak through another individual and stretch our brains to hear what the other was saying and understand why one thinks they way they do.
Praise God for friendship like that! My prayers grow more intimate and more full of emotion after a conversation like the one we had.
.... I was reminded by our conversation to stick to the Bible at all times and let cultural values and religious values that are extra Biblical remain as personal preference.
It is not always good to say all you think or all you know, but rather to be a great listener and reiterate the truth of the Word of God. As man, we have ideas and perceptions that may be false and are usually greatly influenced by our culture and our upbringing, but the Word of God will stand forever.
When God dreams...
Praise God for His faithfulness. He likes to give dreams, but often we don´t understand the way those dreams are coming to us, and every day he fine tunes us.
I have found that it is in humility that I must remain, for in humility God is able to bring me all kinds of understanding that I would have passed right over had it been in pride.
For this, I recognize that I am nothing without him, and He has given me some incredible dreams that I am so excited to be living. We need to be full of the Holy Spirit at all times, my friends, so that we can be ready to share the good news in every situation and with all wisdom.
Before we can share the good news with someone, we must know that they will see how this news affects them and how it is so good. The best news that ever existed. For if we do not present it as so, many see this news as a painful news, and as a news that is not that good. To share the good news, we must have the Holy Spirit´s wisdom, because the Holy Spirit is aware of the inner workings of our hearts. He knows our love languages and our fears.
The Holy Spirit is God... and He knows everything you know...
It is a beautiful thing to be able to express to someone how great life can be with Jesus Christ, but many times we believers shy away from our calling, as found in Matthew 28:19, to go into all the world and share the gospel.
My question is why.
I believe that many times it is because we are not in tune with the Spirit. For if we had His wisdom every day, and if we were walking with his touch in our hearts, we would speak when the soil is fertile, and we would have the confidence of His words within us.
I want my eyes and ears to be open to the inner workings of the hearts, so that I will know when to give an answer for the hope within me.
¨Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you.¨
There is a song from hillsong that I remember. the second verse goes like this...
¨The Holy Spirit fills me up and I need him every day,
For fire, faith and confidence and knowing what to say,
I gave my heart and all I am to the one who needs me most
I´ve got love grace peace and power and joy in the Holy Ghost
...
I had a dream last night of one of my friends praying for me. For that I thank you. It means so much. God is awesome, and every day He surprises me with new opportunities. If you are the person who prayed for me yesterday...July 20th, ... or this morning perhaps... thank you so much for being used by the Holy Spirit. I felt his presence and his love.
...
God bless all of you deeply and richly. May you walk by him, and may be you be surrounded by His presence in your life. Thank you so much again... for all of your prayers.
Another day, I will re'count to you another story... until then.
Dream with God and the angels...
I have found that it is in humility that I must remain, for in humility God is able to bring me all kinds of understanding that I would have passed right over had it been in pride.
For this, I recognize that I am nothing without him, and He has given me some incredible dreams that I am so excited to be living. We need to be full of the Holy Spirit at all times, my friends, so that we can be ready to share the good news in every situation and with all wisdom.
Before we can share the good news with someone, we must know that they will see how this news affects them and how it is so good. The best news that ever existed. For if we do not present it as so, many see this news as a painful news, and as a news that is not that good. To share the good news, we must have the Holy Spirit´s wisdom, because the Holy Spirit is aware of the inner workings of our hearts. He knows our love languages and our fears.
The Holy Spirit is God... and He knows everything you know...
It is a beautiful thing to be able to express to someone how great life can be with Jesus Christ, but many times we believers shy away from our calling, as found in Matthew 28:19, to go into all the world and share the gospel.
My question is why.
I believe that many times it is because we are not in tune with the Spirit. For if we had His wisdom every day, and if we were walking with his touch in our hearts, we would speak when the soil is fertile, and we would have the confidence of His words within us.
I want my eyes and ears to be open to the inner workings of the hearts, so that I will know when to give an answer for the hope within me.
¨Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you.¨
There is a song from hillsong that I remember. the second verse goes like this...
¨The Holy Spirit fills me up and I need him every day,
For fire, faith and confidence and knowing what to say,
I gave my heart and all I am to the one who needs me most
I´ve got love grace peace and power and joy in the Holy Ghost
...
I had a dream last night of one of my friends praying for me. For that I thank you. It means so much. God is awesome, and every day He surprises me with new opportunities. If you are the person who prayed for me yesterday...July 20th, ... or this morning perhaps... thank you so much for being used by the Holy Spirit. I felt his presence and his love.
...
God bless all of you deeply and richly. May you walk by him, and may be you be surrounded by His presence in your life. Thank you so much again... for all of your prayers.
Another day, I will re'count to you another story... until then.
Dream with God and the angels...
Sunday, June 29, 2008
To Panama and back again
Included in this expedition:
2 10 hour bus trips. Thurs morning through Sunday evening
3 night hotel stay
A great breakfast buffet!
Great break from school and time to get to know the newer missionary families that got here in May. No way two months almost since they got here! Time flies!
Great shopping! Things in Costa Rica are expensive so it was nice to be able to buy a pair of shoes for only 3 dollars and 10 cents including tax!!!
Also found a couple of great shirts for under five dollars! and some great prices for the kids!
but alas... we are back from Panama, a small bit tanner, and refreshed to begin school again tomorrow!
I will keep you updated! :) Tonight there is a new newsletter in my brain, and in this next week we will see about sending it out.
Always something exciting and always something new.
May you be blessed and feel my love from afar!
Joanna Joy :)
2 10 hour bus trips. Thurs morning through Sunday evening
3 night hotel stay
A great breakfast buffet!
Great break from school and time to get to know the newer missionary families that got here in May. No way two months almost since they got here! Time flies!
Great shopping! Things in Costa Rica are expensive so it was nice to be able to buy a pair of shoes for only 3 dollars and 10 cents including tax!!!
Also found a couple of great shirts for under five dollars! and some great prices for the kids!
but alas... we are back from Panama, a small bit tanner, and refreshed to begin school again tomorrow!
I will keep you updated! :) Tonight there is a new newsletter in my brain, and in this next week we will see about sending it out.
Always something exciting and always something new.
May you be blessed and feel my love from afar!
Joanna Joy :)
Friday, May 23, 2008
Who I am...
Just a little poem to begin with but turns into a bit more. not sure how correct it is, as I have reviewed it a few times now, and continually find errors with things I am saying here. Hahaha.. Just like me to overly analyze myself. :) But it is what it is... a reflection of sorts.
Who am I?
I will stop being defined by those around me
I am free to be who I was created to be
who is that? Lord won't you teach me?
I am being molded, shaped and changed
Moment after moment
Some steps are easy, others are hard,
But I find such beauty in getting to know
me.
Me. The one I have hidden from so long and denied
In efforts to be a better person, to serve others
I have lost my own desire
I have drowned out the sounds of my wild spirit
Trying to control with my hands what was
within me burning...within me bursting forth
The love.
Often rejected by the ways I express it, however embraced by the needy, lonely, hurting and rejected.
The cross.
I want to take my cross. I want to be His bride. He has promised to be my Saviour, and He has told me to need him. He has told me that it is okay for me to need Him and that none of my needs are too big for him. He has told me to stop hiding my needs and trying to live in such a way that it is impossible to live.
I can find peace.
Peace in knowing that He is my shelter and that He does not push me away. He does not regret loving me...EVER... and I can be sure and secure of His love. Because HE will never NEVER abandon me!!!
You who are with me...who also believe...we are the body of Christ. He died so that we might live. He is not willing for us to die, but has promised us life.
Eternal life.
What a word. Whatever unhappiness we had in our flesh, he has taken and given us joy and freedom. I like being able to dance like a baby.
Discipline.
My lack of it has bit me in the face, and caused me to feel yucky. Discipline is an important part of my daily life. An important part of what I do on the mission field. taking care of my physical body is also important for not only now, but the years to come. I believe that if I am to feel wholesome, I must take care of my body by eating right and excercising frequently.
These are all important things. Things I have not yet conquered control over. Areas in which I long to grow.
For it is in the deepest desires of my heart to be close to Jesus, who has delivered me from all evil and has held me up in His arms. He has protected me time and time again, when I have acted from my heart instead of my head.
We cannot deny the needs of the poor, the broken, the addicted, however Jesus has given us wisdom in how we approach their needs and it is my desire and passion to share the love of Jesus, although I might get dirty.
"Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matt. 5:3
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom as well as healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, becuase they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harves is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the Harves, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matt. 9:35-38)
God has been so good and I have endless accounts that I can share with you about things He has taught me. I will have to save another story for another day... but just ask my father. hahaha :)
With sincere love.
Joanna :)
Who am I?
I will stop being defined by those around me
I am free to be who I was created to be
who is that? Lord won't you teach me?
I am being molded, shaped and changed
Moment after moment
Some steps are easy, others are hard,
But I find such beauty in getting to know
me.
Me. The one I have hidden from so long and denied
In efforts to be a better person, to serve others
I have lost my own desire
I have drowned out the sounds of my wild spirit
Trying to control with my hands what was
within me burning...within me bursting forth
The love.
Often rejected by the ways I express it, however embraced by the needy, lonely, hurting and rejected.
The cross.
I want to take my cross. I want to be His bride. He has promised to be my Saviour, and He has told me to need him. He has told me that it is okay for me to need Him and that none of my needs are too big for him. He has told me to stop hiding my needs and trying to live in such a way that it is impossible to live.
I can find peace.
Peace in knowing that He is my shelter and that He does not push me away. He does not regret loving me...EVER... and I can be sure and secure of His love. Because HE will never NEVER abandon me!!!
You who are with me...who also believe...we are the body of Christ. He died so that we might live. He is not willing for us to die, but has promised us life.
Eternal life.
What a word. Whatever unhappiness we had in our flesh, he has taken and given us joy and freedom. I like being able to dance like a baby.
Discipline.
My lack of it has bit me in the face, and caused me to feel yucky. Discipline is an important part of my daily life. An important part of what I do on the mission field. taking care of my physical body is also important for not only now, but the years to come. I believe that if I am to feel wholesome, I must take care of my body by eating right and excercising frequently.
These are all important things. Things I have not yet conquered control over. Areas in which I long to grow.
For it is in the deepest desires of my heart to be close to Jesus, who has delivered me from all evil and has held me up in His arms. He has protected me time and time again, when I have acted from my heart instead of my head.
We cannot deny the needs of the poor, the broken, the addicted, however Jesus has given us wisdom in how we approach their needs and it is my desire and passion to share the love of Jesus, although I might get dirty.
"Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matt. 5:3
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom as well as healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, becuase they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harves is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the Harves, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matt. 9:35-38)
God has been so good and I have endless accounts that I can share with you about things He has taught me. I will have to save another story for another day... but just ask my father. hahaha :)
With sincere love.
Joanna :)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
During my two week break, I went to visit my friend Katherine who lives in Cartago. May 1st, their labor day, her mother got off work, and we all visited "the Chayote Fair" "Feria de Chayote" (which my camera died, unfortunately) and we visited the ruins of this Catholic church which is one of three that were destroyed in earthquakes "terramotos" It is an important part of the history of Cartago, Costa Rica.
I got totally made over. I finally decided I was going to die my hair and so my friend from Venezuela did it for me, and then we straightened it. She also does makeup excellent...so we had fun. Since then... well, is a different story. NO WAY am I showing you the before picture we took. hahahaha !!!!
"I love you. I want you. I am jealous for all of your love."....journaled may 10.
Today is already May 10th and I can hardly believe it. The time is flying so fast. I have been in Costa Rica for four months now. I am so tired because I have been working in every fiber of my being: physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.
I have seen some very great successes in these past couple of weeks, and I praise God for those victories. We had a great turn out last Saturday for the L3 meetings, and I praise God because lives were impacted and three people got saved that night. I am sure that others left with food to chew and new perspectives that they had not had before about Christians. The whole purpose of the night was to draw in the unbeliever and join together with them in a show of talents. It was incredible. We had a group of bikers who were unsaved, and some fire-breathing antics with another unsaved group. We also had two outside Christian singers, a “worship” band, musicians, drama, and choreography. We also had artists in our young people who drew incredible things on the walls, we did graffiti, and it was an all out party. We also re-arranged the sanctuary in such a way that it would be like a circle. The congregation on Sunday morning was a bit shocked I am sure at the condition of the church, because we kept it the same so that they could see it.
Although we passed out invitations for a few hours the day of, my critique is that it may not have been enough time for many people to come. I feel that it was a bit too ambiguous for many and that while they expressed half-hearted interest, they couldn’t actually come. However, if we had been out there a different day as well as the day of, I feel it possibly could have been more effective. The thought of the others was that doing it the day of was the best, because it gave people just enough time to remember about it and not forget when it was. We had a blast.
The last Sunday of April, we had a special “Pirate” theme Sunday for the kids. As most of you know, I am a part of a team that does a special outreach one Sunday a month to the kids of Curri. It was extremely successful. In it we had a big pirate ship, three classrooms transformed into cabins of the ship. We all dressed up in Pirate gear and we played pirate like games. We had a map in which they had to pin flags on the X marked on it. It was like pin the tail on the donkey. We also had many decorations that we spent hours working on. I told a lesson about pirates and finding treasure. And we learned the verse about Guarding your Heart. I also talked about the most important treasure ever, which is having a relationship with Jesus! And how no one had the ability to take that away from us.
Monday, May 5th we started up classes again. This week has been all about Missiology. We have reviewed the Indigenous church model which makes every effort to keep the church run by national people. This is important so that there does not become a reliance on the missionary, but rather the people are being trained so that they can grow in their faith and they can have ownership of the church. We have talked about many things in regards to what our goal is as missionaries in proclaiming the good news and as we say in the Assemblies of God, the FULL gospel. This implies that we are centered on Christ and bringing him to all people by means of the Spirit of God working within us. It is through the power of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we are blessed to see people come to Christ, but on our own we recognize that we are weak. We talked about the problems that can happen when we start to try to do things in our own strength and forget to rely on prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. This is often how burn out and different kinds of moral failure happen, because people get disconnected from the source of all which is Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit whom he has sent as our Advocate and our Comforter.
It has been enriching and convicting to have this class.
Sometimes when we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, he takes us places we don’t desire to go or that may seem insignificant to ourselves or others, but the important thing is that we are following His call. When we lose sight or hearing of His voice, is when we start to get off track.
Today I pick up a team of construction workers who are here to help with the Bible school construction. It is so very exciting to be a part of what God is doing! I will be with the team on Saturday and Sunday and we will be doing an outreach concert on Saturday night, and doing a service on Sunday morning in a little village. The construction guys will give testimonials and I will look forward to this!
As you can hear, I have been incredibly busy, and I am praise God for every opportunity he has given me. I pray that I will be able to be faithful to share his word. My prayers are out to you back home because I believe God is going to begin a new work in you and that we have barely tapped into our potential as a church. It is amazing the kind of outreach we can do, if we are just faithful. It doesn’t mean we will always see great results but we cannot measure those results with human eyes because the Spirit sees something completely different than we do.
MY BATTLE
As you all know. I am a very relational person, and relationships are important to me. Herein lies my weakness. I have been battling some loneliness, but at the same time, I feel ashamed of this need I have. God has always blessed me with many friends, and I love them so very much.
I have been fighting, however, and I have lost some of the battles. I desire to have a relationship one day that is pure and holy. I desire to have the relationship that is right for me. However, this only comes through fighting and prayer because there are all kinds of opportunities for the wrong relationships. Although this should be only secondary right now, because I am focused on many other things in my life, and I have committed not to date for the next couple of years, I find myself yearning for the right person. I see children and can't help noticing how much they look like their parents, I sit at home and cook for myself, iron for myself, and I simply struggle from time to time...in the times of quiet.
Please pray for me that I will trust God, and not be afraid of what he may be telling me. One of the most important things for me right now is discernment and focus. Pray that I will put such thoughts out of my mind, because I know that I can trust God who knows the desires and seasons of the heart. He knows my ways. Please pray that I will grow in Him and in His desires for me and in His understanding!
Sometimes our dreams must die, in order to find life and grow into something beautiful.
I am sure every young single woman has to deal with this on occasion, but the most important thing to me is my relationship with Jesus. He is the greatest passion of my heart. I struggle with the tensions of these two things. Because I feel that if he is truly my greatest passion, then marriage should dwindle, rather it is still strong. Other single missionaries struggle with this tension as well, and I ask you to pray for us. We are called, and God loves us so much. He is our husbandman and best friend.
God is faithful and good. His love never fails and I am forever grateful for who He is. I need him every day and I am thankful that He can be strong where I am weak. I acknowledge that I have not handled this desire with perfection.
If he can use me…one of the least of these…friend, He can use you. All it takes is a willing vessel and a willing heart.
God would say to you..."I love you. I want you. I am jealous for all of your love." I know He says this to you. He told me that. It was so beautiful and I felt His presence and I could barely breathe.
I have seen some very great successes in these past couple of weeks, and I praise God for those victories. We had a great turn out last Saturday for the L3 meetings, and I praise God because lives were impacted and three people got saved that night. I am sure that others left with food to chew and new perspectives that they had not had before about Christians. The whole purpose of the night was to draw in the unbeliever and join together with them in a show of talents. It was incredible. We had a group of bikers who were unsaved, and some fire-breathing antics with another unsaved group. We also had two outside Christian singers, a “worship” band, musicians, drama, and choreography. We also had artists in our young people who drew incredible things on the walls, we did graffiti, and it was an all out party. We also re-arranged the sanctuary in such a way that it would be like a circle. The congregation on Sunday morning was a bit shocked I am sure at the condition of the church, because we kept it the same so that they could see it.
Although we passed out invitations for a few hours the day of, my critique is that it may not have been enough time for many people to come. I feel that it was a bit too ambiguous for many and that while they expressed half-hearted interest, they couldn’t actually come. However, if we had been out there a different day as well as the day of, I feel it possibly could have been more effective. The thought of the others was that doing it the day of was the best, because it gave people just enough time to remember about it and not forget when it was. We had a blast.
The last Sunday of April, we had a special “Pirate” theme Sunday for the kids. As most of you know, I am a part of a team that does a special outreach one Sunday a month to the kids of Curri. It was extremely successful. In it we had a big pirate ship, three classrooms transformed into cabins of the ship. We all dressed up in Pirate gear and we played pirate like games. We had a map in which they had to pin flags on the X marked on it. It was like pin the tail on the donkey. We also had many decorations that we spent hours working on. I told a lesson about pirates and finding treasure. And we learned the verse about Guarding your Heart. I also talked about the most important treasure ever, which is having a relationship with Jesus! And how no one had the ability to take that away from us.
Monday, May 5th we started up classes again. This week has been all about Missiology. We have reviewed the Indigenous church model which makes every effort to keep the church run by national people. This is important so that there does not become a reliance on the missionary, but rather the people are being trained so that they can grow in their faith and they can have ownership of the church. We have talked about many things in regards to what our goal is as missionaries in proclaiming the good news and as we say in the Assemblies of God, the FULL gospel. This implies that we are centered on Christ and bringing him to all people by means of the Spirit of God working within us. It is through the power of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we are blessed to see people come to Christ, but on our own we recognize that we are weak. We talked about the problems that can happen when we start to try to do things in our own strength and forget to rely on prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. This is often how burn out and different kinds of moral failure happen, because people get disconnected from the source of all which is Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit whom he has sent as our Advocate and our Comforter.
It has been enriching and convicting to have this class.
Sometimes when we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, he takes us places we don’t desire to go or that may seem insignificant to ourselves or others, but the important thing is that we are following His call. When we lose sight or hearing of His voice, is when we start to get off track.
Today I pick up a team of construction workers who are here to help with the Bible school construction. It is so very exciting to be a part of what God is doing! I will be with the team on Saturday and Sunday and we will be doing an outreach concert on Saturday night, and doing a service on Sunday morning in a little village. The construction guys will give testimonials and I will look forward to this!
As you can hear, I have been incredibly busy, and I am praise God for every opportunity he has given me. I pray that I will be able to be faithful to share his word. My prayers are out to you back home because I believe God is going to begin a new work in you and that we have barely tapped into our potential as a church. It is amazing the kind of outreach we can do, if we are just faithful. It doesn’t mean we will always see great results but we cannot measure those results with human eyes because the Spirit sees something completely different than we do.
MY BATTLE
As you all know. I am a very relational person, and relationships are important to me. Herein lies my weakness. I have been battling some loneliness, but at the same time, I feel ashamed of this need I have. God has always blessed me with many friends, and I love them so very much.
I have been fighting, however, and I have lost some of the battles. I desire to have a relationship one day that is pure and holy. I desire to have the relationship that is right for me. However, this only comes through fighting and prayer because there are all kinds of opportunities for the wrong relationships. Although this should be only secondary right now, because I am focused on many other things in my life, and I have committed not to date for the next couple of years, I find myself yearning for the right person. I see children and can't help noticing how much they look like their parents, I sit at home and cook for myself, iron for myself, and I simply struggle from time to time...in the times of quiet.
Please pray for me that I will trust God, and not be afraid of what he may be telling me. One of the most important things for me right now is discernment and focus. Pray that I will put such thoughts out of my mind, because I know that I can trust God who knows the desires and seasons of the heart. He knows my ways. Please pray that I will grow in Him and in His desires for me and in His understanding!
Sometimes our dreams must die, in order to find life and grow into something beautiful.
I am sure every young single woman has to deal with this on occasion, but the most important thing to me is my relationship with Jesus. He is the greatest passion of my heart. I struggle with the tensions of these two things. Because I feel that if he is truly my greatest passion, then marriage should dwindle, rather it is still strong. Other single missionaries struggle with this tension as well, and I ask you to pray for us. We are called, and God loves us so much. He is our husbandman and best friend.
God is faithful and good. His love never fails and I am forever grateful for who He is. I need him every day and I am thankful that He can be strong where I am weak. I acknowledge that I have not handled this desire with perfection.
If he can use me…one of the least of these…friend, He can use you. All it takes is a willing vessel and a willing heart.
God would say to you..."I love you. I want you. I am jealous for all of your love." I know He says this to you. He told me that. It was so beautiful and I felt His presence and I could barely breathe.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
?Donde esta tu tesoro?
"Donde esta tu tesoro" means "Where is your treasure" and it is a song that I was using for a very special Sunday school that we had on Sunday, April 27th.
We worked so hard, and the kids absolutely loved it! I wrote the lesson about a special treasure from many years ago, and a family's discovery of the most important kind of treasure we have.
It was all in Spanish and it was so fun, but hard work! This Sunday we did something really special. We painted a HUGE ship on the outside of the classrooms and in three classrooms we had different cabins of the pirate ship. We drew anchors, bones, a skull, and gold of course as well as had a ship steering wheel and a map to find treasure.
The kids learned a verse in Proverbs 4:23 that says, "Above all things that you guard, guard your heart, for from it spring the waters of life."
It was a huge adventure for the kids, and alas, my lesson was more or less a success. I was so nervous about my Spanish, but they understood pretty well and I was impressed that they got the concept.
The concept was that we can be ambitious towards many things, but love and family are much more important.
Also, the Bible says that we should store up our treasure in heaven. When we devote our lives to helping out each other, we can find true joy and happiness, and this is the will of God. There is greater treasure than any one can buy in our love for one another.
My greatest treasure is found in God. I have the most intimate relationship with Him and His Spirit leads me into everything that is good and true. I couldn't ask for a better friend or leader.
I have found that God is devoted to me. He has hidden His treasure deep within me and is devoted to shaping and molding me in such a way that I experience Him fully.
I encourage all of my readers: Devote some time to seeking after this God. He will build your character and change your life. Lately He has been strengthening me in so many ways, and as I have been working doing things for others, I find He (God) is doing things for me! Incredible!
How true it is what He says in 1 John:
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us: and sent His Son to be a sacrifice for our sin."
Some one may ask why this needed to happen? But I can see how imperfect I am. I know that I am not worthy to inherit the kingdom of heaven, but for His love and His sacrifice,
I was made an heir of the kingdom of God!!! A child of a King!
?Donde esta tu tesoro? Where is your treasure?
We worked so hard, and the kids absolutely loved it! I wrote the lesson about a special treasure from many years ago, and a family's discovery of the most important kind of treasure we have.
It was all in Spanish and it was so fun, but hard work! This Sunday we did something really special. We painted a HUGE ship on the outside of the classrooms and in three classrooms we had different cabins of the pirate ship. We drew anchors, bones, a skull, and gold of course as well as had a ship steering wheel and a map to find treasure.
The kids learned a verse in Proverbs 4:23 that says, "Above all things that you guard, guard your heart, for from it spring the waters of life."
It was a huge adventure for the kids, and alas, my lesson was more or less a success. I was so nervous about my Spanish, but they understood pretty well and I was impressed that they got the concept.
The concept was that we can be ambitious towards many things, but love and family are much more important.
Also, the Bible says that we should store up our treasure in heaven. When we devote our lives to helping out each other, we can find true joy and happiness, and this is the will of God. There is greater treasure than any one can buy in our love for one another.
My greatest treasure is found in God. I have the most intimate relationship with Him and His Spirit leads me into everything that is good and true. I couldn't ask for a better friend or leader.
I have found that God is devoted to me. He has hidden His treasure deep within me and is devoted to shaping and molding me in such a way that I experience Him fully.
I encourage all of my readers: Devote some time to seeking after this God. He will build your character and change your life. Lately He has been strengthening me in so many ways, and as I have been working doing things for others, I find He (God) is doing things for me! Incredible!
How true it is what He says in 1 John:
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us: and sent His Son to be a sacrifice for our sin."
Some one may ask why this needed to happen? But I can see how imperfect I am. I know that I am not worthy to inherit the kingdom of heaven, but for His love and His sacrifice,
I was made an heir of the kingdom of God!!! A child of a King!
?Donde esta tu tesoro? Where is your treasure?
Friday, March 14, 2008
Sera Valiente: Be Bold
On Tuesday night we had a great time of prayer and sharing together at Renacer, my church, and I felt greatly encouraged about what this life is all about.
The pastor spoke about a short encouragement that Paul gave to Timothy in 2 Tim 1: 13-14. It says this: "Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Just a funky side note: It is raining hard outside and it is the middle of the summer here. How strange! This is normally the hottest time of the year, and I am sitting here in a long-sleeved black shirt and I am not hot. Super strange. Ok... sorry for the distraction from the point, but it just started raining like that.
I was saying... How encouraging his words were about faith and love. Everything that we do in an ideal world should be based from faith and love. It was a good reminder that when the hard times come, we need only to hang on tightly to our love and what we believe and know to be true. It is like when two young people fall in love. The moment of falling in love may fade, but their trust in each other maintains a firm bond in their relationship. They are continually stimulating the fire of their love as they grow in their friendship and commitment to each other. The walk with Christ is very similar to this.
I want to be so full of Christ and so confident of him that I couldn't waver in the difficult moments.
Sometimes the translation in Spanish sounds cooler than the English translation. For example. Instead of sound doctrine, it translates healthy doctrine. The point is that your foundation needs to stay firm.
God has been doing great things here. We began our children's ministry thing at Renacer and we were exctatic. The biggest thing I need to work on right now is studying forms of Subjunctive, present participle, past perfect versus imperfect.
We have a huge test the first week of April which is basically an interview. It is so easy to get distracted doing all sorts of different ministry things, but right now, I need to really focus on my Foneticas, Gramatica, and Conversacion classes.
God is so good. I will write to you all soon. Have a GReAT Easter and miss ya!
The pastor spoke about a short encouragement that Paul gave to Timothy in 2 Tim 1: 13-14. It says this: "Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Just a funky side note: It is raining hard outside and it is the middle of the summer here. How strange! This is normally the hottest time of the year, and I am sitting here in a long-sleeved black shirt and I am not hot. Super strange. Ok... sorry for the distraction from the point, but it just started raining like that.
I was saying... How encouraging his words were about faith and love. Everything that we do in an ideal world should be based from faith and love. It was a good reminder that when the hard times come, we need only to hang on tightly to our love and what we believe and know to be true. It is like when two young people fall in love. The moment of falling in love may fade, but their trust in each other maintains a firm bond in their relationship. They are continually stimulating the fire of their love as they grow in their friendship and commitment to each other. The walk with Christ is very similar to this.
I want to be so full of Christ and so confident of him that I couldn't waver in the difficult moments.
Sometimes the translation in Spanish sounds cooler than the English translation. For example. Instead of sound doctrine, it translates healthy doctrine. The point is that your foundation needs to stay firm.
God has been doing great things here. We began our children's ministry thing at Renacer and we were exctatic. The biggest thing I need to work on right now is studying forms of Subjunctive, present participle, past perfect versus imperfect.
We have a huge test the first week of April which is basically an interview. It is so easy to get distracted doing all sorts of different ministry things, but right now, I need to really focus on my Foneticas, Gramatica, and Conversacion classes.
God is so good. I will write to you all soon. Have a GReAT Easter and miss ya!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Escuela, ...y errores culturales... School,...and cultural errors.
Bueno.
"This is the confidence that we have in him(Christ Jesus), that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us." 1 John 5:4
My dear friends,
I am learning so much Spanish...but my speech is so SLOW!!! Thank you all for your prayers. I am hoping that I will be able to communicate the gospel and for this I need the language.
So many of you have been in my thoughts and prayers lately, and I hope you are doing wonderful.
OK...so there is this REALLY strange icecream here. It is like a popsicle but it is really icecream...and it has all kinds of ingredients...but a mild sweet flavor.
I ate one yesterday that was called "Fresa y Natilla." That means Sour cream Strawberry. It was so strange. It included all kinds of ingredients like peaches, chocolate-covered toasted rice, chocolate cookies, bananas, coconut, milk, pineapple, caramel... basically it just tasted like a very light strawberry shake, but I was greatly amused by the amount of ingredients it has.
Right now, I am part of a team of 8 people who are working at Renacer to develop the children's ministry. We will be putting on a "black theatre" at the end of this month and also separating everyone into 4 teams. My team is the yellow one and we are going to win! :) We are committed to helping mentor these children in life. We will provide them opportunities to grow socially, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
I am having to be careful about how much I get involved yet because I am still working on the language alot. I am also studying with this wonderful women, Aida, who is learning English. I usually tutor her for about an hour and then she works with me on my Spanish. There is this wonderful girl, Katherine, who is also helping me with my Spanish. She is a good friend.
I miss all of you and pray God's blessing on you. Thank you for your friendship and your faithful support. You are helping me to be able to pour my love on others.
The people of Costa Rica are friendly and helpful, but I have made cultural errors. I am constantly learning about things I should or should not do. Many things are involved just in the tone of voice that you use. Please remember to pray that God will help me with the language so that I can communicate correctly what my heart is saying.
There are lots of southerners here... so ...
Talk to y'all later, and love y'all!
yours for him.
Joanna Joy
"This is the confidence that we have in him(Christ Jesus), that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us." 1 John 5:4
My dear friends,
I am learning so much Spanish...but my speech is so SLOW!!! Thank you all for your prayers. I am hoping that I will be able to communicate the gospel and for this I need the language.
So many of you have been in my thoughts and prayers lately, and I hope you are doing wonderful.
OK...so there is this REALLY strange icecream here. It is like a popsicle but it is really icecream...and it has all kinds of ingredients...but a mild sweet flavor.
I ate one yesterday that was called "Fresa y Natilla." That means Sour cream Strawberry. It was so strange. It included all kinds of ingredients like peaches, chocolate-covered toasted rice, chocolate cookies, bananas, coconut, milk, pineapple, caramel... basically it just tasted like a very light strawberry shake, but I was greatly amused by the amount of ingredients it has.
Right now, I am part of a team of 8 people who are working at Renacer to develop the children's ministry. We will be putting on a "black theatre" at the end of this month and also separating everyone into 4 teams. My team is the yellow one and we are going to win! :) We are committed to helping mentor these children in life. We will provide them opportunities to grow socially, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
I am having to be careful about how much I get involved yet because I am still working on the language alot. I am also studying with this wonderful women, Aida, who is learning English. I usually tutor her for about an hour and then she works with me on my Spanish. There is this wonderful girl, Katherine, who is also helping me with my Spanish. She is a good friend.
I miss all of you and pray God's blessing on you. Thank you for your friendship and your faithful support. You are helping me to be able to pour my love on others.
The people of Costa Rica are friendly and helpful, but I have made cultural errors. I am constantly learning about things I should or should not do. Many things are involved just in the tone of voice that you use. Please remember to pray that God will help me with the language so that I can communicate correctly what my heart is saying.
There are lots of southerners here... so ...
Talk to y'all later, and love y'all!
yours for him.
Joanna Joy
Monday, January 28, 2008
What a weekend...what a great God
Dear Family and Friends,
My God is so wonderful, good and kind. It has been taking time to adjust to all the differences down here, but I am so excited to be getting into ministry.
This weekend was very exhausting and fun. I had the opportunity to help teach a Sunday school class on Sunday, and will now be helping out with ages 6 to 7 at "Renacer" in Curridabat.
On Friday, all the women got together and had a sleepover party. None of us slept very well and we all ate tons of chocolate. Sister Nancy, gave a short devotional on Saturday morning and we spent a time of prayer. (Her cooking is amazing by the way.) One of the missionary's, Cathy, has been on the field with her husband for 38 years. They were in Tanzania, South Africa for many years, and have been serving here in Costa Rica for 8 years. Both Steve and Cathy need our prayers as they will be returning to the U.S. in December. Steve is sick and they are not sure what the next steps will be, but they will be very sad to leave the field. Please pray for them.
My Spanish is hopefully improving, but I know that I have a long way to go. I hope that all of you are doing wonderful as well. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.
One of the highlights of this past month has been when Pastor Luis Apuye came to my house. He gave a short message at this "prayer meeting," where Cecilia, her daughter Diana, and I hosted about 20 women...and only one man! haha. He spoke a message about seven important keys we must hold in our hands to receive from God what He has for us. The prophetic word He spoke into my life that night was an exciting confirmation to the desires in my heart. I have always hoped to learn Hebrew one day and to use that in my ministry, and I did not tell that to anyone. His words could not have come from man. Praise the Lord!
I am so excited about what this next month will hold! When you think of me, pray that I will learn so much Spanish, and be able to balance all of the relationships. Pray because at the church "Renacer" we will be looking to start a children's ministry program in the church.
Let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to talking to you soon! There are so many of you that I wish I could talk with more frequently, but alas! it is so hard to balance my time. Hopefully in the nearby future, I will be able to get internet in my house so that I can connect with you easier.
Peace and love.
Joanna Joy :)
My God is so wonderful, good and kind. It has been taking time to adjust to all the differences down here, but I am so excited to be getting into ministry.
This weekend was very exhausting and fun. I had the opportunity to help teach a Sunday school class on Sunday, and will now be helping out with ages 6 to 7 at "Renacer" in Curridabat.
On Friday, all the women got together and had a sleepover party. None of us slept very well and we all ate tons of chocolate. Sister Nancy, gave a short devotional on Saturday morning and we spent a time of prayer. (Her cooking is amazing by the way.) One of the missionary's, Cathy, has been on the field with her husband for 38 years. They were in Tanzania, South Africa for many years, and have been serving here in Costa Rica for 8 years. Both Steve and Cathy need our prayers as they will be returning to the U.S. in December. Steve is sick and they are not sure what the next steps will be, but they will be very sad to leave the field. Please pray for them.
My Spanish is hopefully improving, but I know that I have a long way to go. I hope that all of you are doing wonderful as well. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.
One of the highlights of this past month has been when Pastor Luis Apuye came to my house. He gave a short message at this "prayer meeting," where Cecilia, her daughter Diana, and I hosted about 20 women...and only one man! haha. He spoke a message about seven important keys we must hold in our hands to receive from God what He has for us. The prophetic word He spoke into my life that night was an exciting confirmation to the desires in my heart. I have always hoped to learn Hebrew one day and to use that in my ministry, and I did not tell that to anyone. His words could not have come from man. Praise the Lord!
I am so excited about what this next month will hold! When you think of me, pray that I will learn so much Spanish, and be able to balance all of the relationships. Pray because at the church "Renacer" we will be looking to start a children's ministry program in the church.
Let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to talking to you soon! There are so many of you that I wish I could talk with more frequently, but alas! it is so hard to balance my time. Hopefully in the nearby future, I will be able to get internet in my house so that I can connect with you easier.
Peace and love.
Joanna Joy :)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Opah... I have to go back to classes in like...1 minute
My dear friends,
Thank you for all your prayers. I have learned so many things about the Tico people and their way of life. I especially love my friend Cecilia... or "Mama Tica" who is quick to give me advice of so many kinds. It has been fun to connect with many people here as well. The teachers are very patient with us and help us with many things.
Opah! that means oops in Spanish. There goes the bell and I am late. I promise to update you after classes today.
Dios los bendiga mucho MUCHO!
Love your friend and family,
Joanna Joy
Thank you for all your prayers. I have learned so many things about the Tico people and their way of life. I especially love my friend Cecilia... or "Mama Tica" who is quick to give me advice of so many kinds. It has been fun to connect with many people here as well. The teachers are very patient with us and help us with many things.
Opah! that means oops in Spanish. There goes the bell and I am late. I promise to update you after classes today.
Dios los bendiga mucho MUCHO!
Love your friend and family,
Joanna Joy
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
A new land, a new language, a new home...and homework!
My dear friends and partners in prayer. Pura Vida! This means life is an adventure...live well...live fully...enjoy.
You who know me so well, know how much fun I can have, and at the same time how serious I can be sometimes.
Since January 2nd, when I arrived at 10 pm. This has been a full head-on adventure. God is so good.
Jennifer Dahlager picked me up from the "Aeropuerto Nacional de Juan Santamaria" on Tuesday evening. We arrived about 20 minutes late, and I was so excited. I had two students arriving with me. They were Leslie, who I have nicknamed "Le," and LaDawn, who I nicknamed "La." They are my two songnotes and they have both been an incredible blessing so far already. Leslie was a Missionary Associate in Colombia for 7 years and she is now going as a fully appointed missionary to continue working with the street children there. LaDawn was a MK who grew up in a mixture of the United States and El Salvador. She love El Salvador, but is returning to work now in the Dominican Republic with some missionaries in translation and children's ministry (I believe) She is going to be a MIT or Missionary in Training there.
Leslie and Ladawn both knew each other from a previous time when they roomed together at school.
The Dahlagers started their school for "Hijos de Pastores" (Pastor's Kids) on Tuesday the 1st. They had a great time at camp. They hosted 6 guys from Argentina who gave special workshops and spoke in the evening service. Because I had the day off on Friday, I was able to go and be a part of their camp activities. The guy who spoke from Argentina was very powerful and the presence of God was strong. I also saw that God was moving on the behalf of the students. One teenage girl fell under the power of the Holy Spirit right as she was exiting the sanctuary.
Back to Wednesday night, I met my "new" mama. She sends greeting to all my family and says she is taking care of me. She is very nice, and she has three sons and one daughter. She also has three grandchildren. Her daughter is going to be moving in with us soon. I talked with Cecilia (Mama Ceci) until 1 am on the night of my arrival. Since then, we have become great friends.
On Saturday, I met all of the new students of CINCEL and we had a tour with a young man from the school whose name is Pablo. We didn't tour the city so much because even though Pablo was showing us so many things, we were all talking and getting acquainted. It was pretty hard to pay attention. We returned around 1 pm, and we enjoyed a very American picnic with hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and baked beans. We had an orientation of sorts as well where we were introduced to all the students who were already here and the teachers. We had another orientation on Monday.
On Sunday, I visited "Centro de Excelencia" with my Mama Ceci. She really loves her church, and the pastor is Pastor Luis Apuye. The whole service was very refreshing and enriching. The pastor spoke a very appropriate message for me about life. He spoke on how everything in life is a process. He talked about learning to be patient with ourselves and not "over-achieving." It was very good.
Mama Ceci and I had prepared a room also for a girl who came on Sunday. Angela came to stay with us for one week and she is studying one week's worth of Spanish. She came without knowing any Spanish and she has learned so much!
This has been a huge transition for me, and I am enjoying everything and hope to take it all in. Definitely this is the biggest adventure of my life, and there have been many challenges.
I was up late doing homework last night, and I suspect I will be again. I could tell you so many stories, but here I will cut it short.
Suffice is to say, there have been many new words, people and adventures in this past week.
I miss you all and love you dearly. Please stay in touch.
Joanna Joy
You who know me so well, know how much fun I can have, and at the same time how serious I can be sometimes.
Since January 2nd, when I arrived at 10 pm. This has been a full head-on adventure. God is so good.
Jennifer Dahlager picked me up from the "Aeropuerto Nacional de Juan Santamaria" on Tuesday evening. We arrived about 20 minutes late, and I was so excited. I had two students arriving with me. They were Leslie, who I have nicknamed "Le," and LaDawn, who I nicknamed "La." They are my two songnotes and they have both been an incredible blessing so far already. Leslie was a Missionary Associate in Colombia for 7 years and she is now going as a fully appointed missionary to continue working with the street children there. LaDawn was a MK who grew up in a mixture of the United States and El Salvador. She love El Salvador, but is returning to work now in the Dominican Republic with some missionaries in translation and children's ministry (I believe) She is going to be a MIT or Missionary in Training there.
Leslie and Ladawn both knew each other from a previous time when they roomed together at school.
The Dahlagers started their school for "Hijos de Pastores" (Pastor's Kids) on Tuesday the 1st. They had a great time at camp. They hosted 6 guys from Argentina who gave special workshops and spoke in the evening service. Because I had the day off on Friday, I was able to go and be a part of their camp activities. The guy who spoke from Argentina was very powerful and the presence of God was strong. I also saw that God was moving on the behalf of the students. One teenage girl fell under the power of the Holy Spirit right as she was exiting the sanctuary.
Back to Wednesday night, I met my "new" mama. She sends greeting to all my family and says she is taking care of me. She is very nice, and she has three sons and one daughter. She also has three grandchildren. Her daughter is going to be moving in with us soon. I talked with Cecilia (Mama Ceci) until 1 am on the night of my arrival. Since then, we have become great friends.
On Saturday, I met all of the new students of CINCEL and we had a tour with a young man from the school whose name is Pablo. We didn't tour the city so much because even though Pablo was showing us so many things, we were all talking and getting acquainted. It was pretty hard to pay attention. We returned around 1 pm, and we enjoyed a very American picnic with hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and baked beans. We had an orientation of sorts as well where we were introduced to all the students who were already here and the teachers. We had another orientation on Monday.
On Sunday, I visited "Centro de Excelencia" with my Mama Ceci. She really loves her church, and the pastor is Pastor Luis Apuye. The whole service was very refreshing and enriching. The pastor spoke a very appropriate message for me about life. He spoke on how everything in life is a process. He talked about learning to be patient with ourselves and not "over-achieving." It was very good.
Mama Ceci and I had prepared a room also for a girl who came on Sunday. Angela came to stay with us for one week and she is studying one week's worth of Spanish. She came without knowing any Spanish and she has learned so much!
This has been a huge transition for me, and I am enjoying everything and hope to take it all in. Definitely this is the biggest adventure of my life, and there have been many challenges.
I was up late doing homework last night, and I suspect I will be again. I could tell you so many stories, but here I will cut it short.
Suffice is to say, there have been many new words, people and adventures in this past week.
I miss you all and love you dearly. Please stay in touch.
Joanna Joy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)