Friday, February 11, 2005
Starting off with a BANG!
| ¡Hola queridos! I hope we were not gone too long, it feels like we have not updated for at least three months, we have been so busy. I will try to tell it all in order, but bear with me. The end of the year was wonderful, and we started the New Year off well-rested, Liza´s family having just left, and we took advantage of the break from the church activities (the services were still held though). During the month of January we were denied permission to stay in Costa Rica. We are not sure exactly why, but we have appealed it and are “legal” until they review our appeal and get back to us, which may be another 3 months. There was not a valid explanation for the denial, so we will see what comes of it all. Also, we moved! It was a last minute thing, because we were living in the Swedish missionary house, and there were missionaries coming, so we had to leave, or at least give them the furniture if they did not stay there. Long story short, we exchanged houses with Marcos, the pastor from Brazil, and had one days´ notice. Now we live closer to the church offices, closer to soccer practice, and closer to the center of the city. The house is older but bigger, and Lara the other missionary from the U.S. moved in with us, so we are a big house of foreigners. They hold one of the San José services in our garage, it sounds weird, but it is a really nice garage, and all of our services are humble in comparison to the U.S. There are still a lot of things we have to do for the house, and I do not have a window to the outside (but to Liza´s room and the hallway I have windows- yes it is weird), but all is well because we are all together and we are close to everything. If anyone needs the new number just email either of us: lindsaym7@hotmail.com or lizafoo22@yahoo.com. January is also the month where the church evaluates the last half of the previous year and plans the first half of the upcoming year. We worked hard two full days to get out complaints, suggestions, future plans and how we will go about carrying them out, and much more. It was a good experience since we have not been here that long relatively speaking, and it is neat to see how everyone keeps the church running. It is very stressful with only 4 full-time pastors spread out all over Costa Rica, and everyone wanting more money to carry out their ideal year in their church. Needless to say, my heart goes out to the heads here. Fútbol por la vida has really taken off. We finished a clinic in an indigenous town about 4 hours away (Guatuso), and it was very tiring. Three days straight consisting of 2 practices a day (morning and afternoon), then a meeting to capacitate the coaches and adults of the village to be able to run their own practices, and teach them a little more about the fundamentals of soccer. We taught them a lot, but we definitely learned a lot. They know a lot more than I think we give them credit for. It was so fun playing with the girls of the village especially, they really have a love for the game, and for the team. From here on out we will be traveling to other small towns and villages where the church is located to run clinics. Our schedule is already full, but it is well worth it just to see the kids´ faces light up with the equipment they get to use. For many months now the people in La Carpio have been trying to reconstruct the church. The money is there, but the coordination is not. We are hoping to start the construction ASAP, but that also means moving all the church activities such as kids´ group, young adults, English classes, Bible studies, etc. We may have to cancel some, but usually the community opens their houses and is very good about sharing what little they have with the church. We will see what happens. This last week we were invited by Liza´s boyfriend Randy to participate in a young adult camp in Panama. It consisted of four days of worship, prayer, and playing. It moved Liza and I so much, it really filled us up. My boyfriend Jesús was also invited, and I think it touched him more than all of us. It was really a great experience, and we also brought back ideas for the young adult camp held here in Costa Rica, along with emails from brothers and sisters in faith. God is great, that is all I know. The month of March will bring us lots of work and lots of play. My family will be coming out (minus my Mom L) the first week of March, and I think it is something much needed for me. Then there will be two U.S. delegations coming out to build and get to know the people here, hopefully learn a thing a two about this wonderful place. We will be accompanying them to translate and to make them as comfortable as possible. At the end of March Matthi and Irena´s parents will be coming to visit, and I don´t think I have seen them so excited. It will be busy, but like always it is well worth it. Time flies when you´re serving the Lord. Looking towards the future, things seem so uncertain. I know that God has a handle on it all, but Liza has applied for a position to stay for two more years, and I have been waiting, praying to see if God wants me to stay or not. It gets clouded because I have a boyfriend here, but I have really had a pull to come home. I just hope we both listen to what God has in store for us. I know what others want, both her family and friends and mine, but all that matters is what God wants, making the most out of us. We will keep you updated on the decision. Prayer Requests When I get to this part I feel like I could write a book just on prayer requests. It is like when I pray, and get lost in thought of all the people I know, all the situations that arise in life, and before you know it I am lost in thought about how they are doing, losing track of my original prayer. Here are just a few requests I would like to mention, but keep in mind there are so many more that need prayer. *the safety and recovery of the El Salvador Lutheran Church, as they were raided and a guard was killed not too long ago *a safe trip for the Germans´ family and mine *for my uncle who is recovering from a slight stroke, blood clot that affected his cognitive thinking, almost reached his brain *Liza´s and my future serving the Lord *continued progress in the new year for the activities in the church, which are growing exponentially (thanks to all the support) *the continued growing in faith of all the missionaries both here and all over the world (we can really use it!) *as always, for friends and family who are struggling right now, probably more than we know *and so much more that weighs on all our hearts To end, I would just like to thank you all for your support and your love, which truly keeps us going, because God shows himself through you all. Thank you. |
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www.elca.org
www.futbolporlavida.org
# posted by Liza & Lindsay in Costa Rica @ 8:50 AM 
