Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of Your love and faithfulness.
Since starting our work with the indigenous and non-indigenous people in our little corner of the world in 2006, we have often received comments from well-meaning visitors such as these "It's really impressive how you have given up a secure and comfortable life for a life of service" or "Wow, you've really left behind a lot to serve in this obscure part of the world." The truth is, there is no other place we would rather be. Every day our hearts are filled with gratitude for the life to which God has called us: a life full of challenges, to be sure, but rich in rewards. He made us for this, and there is no greater contentment than to be in the center of His purpose. It has certainly been a journey of faith, and every day we sit on the edge of our seats in anticipation of how He may be leading us next.
We'd love to give you an update on several different aspects of our lives over the last few months. There really is so much going on, that it's hard to boil it all down, but we'll do our best to try.
Art Mentorship Program
It wasn't until recently that we found out that the Cabécar nickname for the Christians on the reservation is translated as "the meeters, or the people who meet". In June, I challenged the girls, who had been on the receiving end for about 8 months, that it was time to start giving out of what they have received. They took on the challenge to no longer be known simply as "the meeters" (after all, a lot of people have meetings - in government, in school, etc.), but to be known for Christ's love in them as "the people who love, the people who help, children of God".
As the girls come from different communities, we decided to take turns having each girl host an outreach to their respective communities. We leave after art class on Saturday, then hike together with all the girls to the hosting girl's house while visiting homes of people in need along the way. We then spend the night at the girl's home, and return to our respective homes the following morning (Sunday).
The girls have identified people in their communities who are lonely, mourning, sick, or discouraged. They then encourage, pray, sing, and just love the people we visit. We have done two such outreaches so far, and the girl's excitement at what God can do through them is contagious. The important thing is that these outreaches be led by each girl - I (Judith) am just there for encouragement and support, and am honored to be a part of it all.
Sikwa Ditsä School
About 1 1/2 miles down the road from us in Paso Marcos, just inside the reservation, there is a school called "Sikwa-Ditsä", which means "Non-indigenous person/indigenous person", denoting the mixed ancestry of many of the children who attend. Through the support of national and international individuals, we at Centro Emanuel have adopted the school. A Costa Rican accounting firm (C&V Associates) has provided school supplies and backpacks for all the children, and groups from the U.S. are helping to improve the facilities. These groups include our dear friends from our days in Rochester, the Gill family, as well as our home churchVillage Parkway Baptist Church in San Antonio. Our local team, the Friedly family and the Longs, plan to augment the children's education with English, health, and outdoor phys ed. classes.
U.S. visit
It had been almost 2 years since we had visited the U.S. together, and in July we were able to spend about 3 weeks visiting friends, churches, and family in Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Also, during this time Alekcey was invited to the Aspen Institute's Global Leadership Network Conference, called Act II, to participate as a lead discussant for the round table topic of "Can a nation develop without losing its soul?". God really blessed our time there as a time of learning, relationships, and rest.
Erika
Our 20 yr old niece, Erika, gave her summer to serve in whatever capacity she was needed in Costa Rica. Her time here included helping home-schooled missionary kids finish up their school year, teaching violin, living with a Cabecar family and tutoring in English at the Cabecar high school (English is one of their required classes), helping in the kitchen during teams, helping with construction work at the school, and composing an amazing song that we are still humming at Centro Emanuel. I'm sure I've left something out, but, all in all, it was great to have her here and to see how she was shaped by her time in Costa Rica.
Helicopter Program Update
Some of you may remember our mentioning our aspirations to start a Helicopter Program to support the work in the remote indigenous areas of Costa Rica. The real possibility of this started with the scouting visit of two prospective missionary pilots in April of this year. As these things often go, in spite of gentle pushing and prodding in different directions, not much happened to move this project forward here in Costa Rica until about 2 weeks ago -- and now it is really moving forward fast (it's often like that here - all or nothing!).
We have begun the process of soliciting the permits for rotor-wing ambulance and internal/external load transport services for a Huey helicopter in Costa Rica; and our missionary helicopter pilot partner, Paul Abbott, is looking at a helicopter for sale in Washington, as well as working on beefing up his Spanish so he can pass the licensing test here in CR. The idea of this program is to run the only rotor-wing air ambulance in Costa Rica, as well as offer cargo transport services, which will in turn fund helicopter services in remote areas of the reservation for ministry purposes.
Honestly, getting this program going is definitely a stretch to our faith, since it requires start-up funding many times greater than the funds we are use to raising and handling. BUT we realize that this is not a limitation for God. Please pray for us that we may be wise in handling all aspects of this new venture, and that He will be the center of it all.
Duchi bridge
This is the third year in a row that God has allowed us to direct the construction of a bridge on the reservation. The Duchi (or Chirripo) river divides the reservation, separating thousands of Cabecar people from the outside world. About three years ago, the bridge over this river collapsed, and people had to resort to either crossing on a precarious cable or fording the river. In the last year, both of these options have proven fatal at one time or another as people attempt to cross the river to sell their produce, buy food, or access healthcare.
Once again, the Engineering and Maintenance Department of Hospital Clinica Biblica in San Jose, with funding from multiple sources, will be building the bridge along with the community and our team from Centro Emanuel September 10th-17th. We would very much appreciate your prayers during this time. Our hope is that this bridge would be a monument of God's great love for the Cabecar people.
As usual, there is more going on that we can talk about in one blog (we should probably write more -but it sure is hard to find the time!).
We are so thankful for your continued love and support. You are a vital part of all that goes on here.
Thank you for your partnership.
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| Cable over the Duchi river at the future bridge site |
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| Alekcey with the Duchi bridge committee |
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| Cabecar high shool where Erika taught English |
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| The Gill brothers |
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| Brian Gill painting the Sikwa-Ditsä school |
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| Cabecar schoolchildren rappelling |
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| Working on Sikwa-Ditsä school |
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| Students and work team |
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| The kids are on their way to having a new school |
