TONS of things have happened since I blogged last! First, we went about 3 hours away to Manuel Antonio to the beach this past weekend. It was awesome and kind of like a "mini-vacation". Since it is a huge tourist spot most people spoke English! Then on Monday I went over to a lady from church's house (if you rember Rosita from my last post, this is one of her daughters) for lunch with the youth group. We ate hamburgers and played the Wii (I know, life here is rough haha). Her granddaughter, who is almost 3 was possibly the cutest thing ever! She knows all of the songs on Just Dance and was not too shy to show us. Then today was my birthday and we celebrated by going to the mall for pedicures and American fast food. It was awesome! And more parties to come because another girl in my class's birthday is Sunday, so were having a big, joint party Friday night.
On a more serious note, a girl in our class is in the hospital..tonight will be the second night so be in prayer for her (and for us, that no one else gets whatever infection she has).

Sweet Rosita

I am in awe of God’s faithfulness right now…this afternoon I was able to visit with an elderly widow from the church I have been attending here. This means 2 things: first of all that God answered my prayer for someone to practice Spanish with! And second that my Spanish is improving since I’ve been here, even though most of the time I feel like it’s completely inadequate! Let me assure you that 3 weeks ago when I arrived here I could not have visited with someone for an hour and kept conversation going the entire time! Sweet Rosita and I talked about her children and grandchildren, Guanacaste (where she used to live in CR), all the other countries she’s visited, and her garden. I even got to taste a guanabana from her garden; it’s kind of like a green apple. Rosita also managed to learn in an hour that I have no idea how to sew and can only cook a little, needless to say I don’t think she will be recommending me to any Costa Ricans as a wife. Continue to pray for my Spanish and for other opportunities for me to practice! (Rosita and I already made plans for me to visit next Tuesday too!)

Also continue to pray for my support I still need a little over $3,000 by the time I arrive in Honduras on August 4. If you are interested in giving or know someone who is you can give online at https://donations.mtw.org/donate/default.aspx , just choose my name from the drop down list, or you can mail a check to:

Mission to the World

P.O. Box 116284

Atlanta, GA 30368-6284

(please be sure to put 11854, my account number, in the memo line)

God's redemptive plan

This morning in chapel we talked about the story of Jonah and how God's plan goes forth regardless of us, but that God chooses to use our obedience. There is evidence of this all throughout the Bible, even though Jonah was disobedient and unfaithful at first God's plan for the redemption of Nineveh still went forth and the 125,000 people of Nineveh still heard God's message and believed. Esther 4:14 says, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place." These things are true because this isn't a story about us or what we do or how we do it, it never was. Despite what some popular Christian music may say even my salvation wasn't, and isn't still, about me, but God. This is all a story about God and ultimately about him redeeming people from every tongue, tribe, and nation to himself.

Reckless Abandon

This week at school is Spiritual Emphasis Week (I know, cool, right?) so we have a guess speaker who is speaking every morning during our hour break and again every afternoon. His name is David Sitton and he was a missionary for many years to the unreached people of Papua New Guinea, the founder of To Every Tribe (a missons organization to unreached people), and the author of several books including his newest "Reckless Abandon".
One thing he said this morning that really stood out to me was that God could have in the blink of an eye called the nations to himself. He could have chose to use angels (who would have been far less argumentative and wouldn't cling to their comforts or try to bargain with God, they would have been obedient) but he didn't. He instead chooses to use his children for missions and to reach the world. This is very humbling and leaves me in awe of the awesome God I serve. He chooses to use me even though it isn't the easist way. Missions is not to be viewed as an obligation or duty, but a priveledge. I am not needed yet God chooses and desires to use me.

Thankful

I am thankful for:
-a hot shower this morning
-burritos for lunch(yum)
-an awesome host mom that speaks English and helps me with my homework
-an awesome host little brother who is "muy loco" and runs around the house like a crazy person, but knows how to make me laugh:)
-chapel this morning in English
-a phone call to my dad

Mio

Well, I've made it to Costa Rica! And as proof all of my google toolbar is in Spanish. You wouldn't beleive how long it took me to figure out which button to hit to type a new post (and I am still not confident as I type this that it will post like I think it will)! The family I am staying with is awesome! The mom is a few years older than me and is raising her 3 year old son, Ian. Ian and I are destined to be best friends, I know it! He is my motivation to learn Spanish. Within an hour of me arriving he already taught me a new word, "mio". Any guesses as to what that means? Well he's three so of course his favorite word is "mine".

It was fitting that I learned the word "mio" last night and then this morning went to church (in spanish) and the sermon was on Abraham and Isaac and was entitled "Mio o Suyo?" "Mine or Your's?" The pastor at the end of the sermon asked what you were holding onto as yours, "Como tienes esperar?" "What do you have to give?" It hit me just now as I finished taking my cold shower that I am still, despite coming here and despite how God continually proves his faithfulness, holding onto my comfort. I still feel entitled to certain things like showers and water I can drink and a long list of other things. I still feel that God owes me something or that I deserve something. Despite the fact that God already gives me things I don't deserve through his grace daily, like a host family that speaks English, internet access in my room, and the opportunity and calling to be here now, doing what I am doing.

Final Update before I fly!

Hello Friends!

Well, the time has finally arrived! I fly out of Charlotte on Saturday to arrive in Costa Rica in time for my language classes that start on Monday! I am super excited about the “big move” and even more excited to see all the Lord is going to do. Pray for me as I navigate unfamiliar airports alone (I have a layover in Dallas).

I am currently at about 78% of my support! This means I still need about $3,800 more by the time I arrive in Honduras in the beginning of August in order to be able to effectively do ministry there. The Lord has continued to surprise me through this entire process and I have no doubt that he will raise the remaining funds. He never calls us without providing the means necessary. With that being said, I have exhausted my known resources (though not his) so if any of you are considering supporting me I would urge you to really spend time in prayer about it and to give joyfully and sacrificially. And if you know of anyone who has a heart for missions and may be interested in giving either one time or monthly forward this info along!

Please pray that language wouldn’t be a barrier and that I would pick up on Spanish quickly so that I am able to effectively serve the Lord in Honduras. Pray that my time in Costa Rica wouldn’t be overwhelming and that I would look to the Lord as my source of comfort. And also pray that through this whole process more of Christ and of his grace and provision would be revealed both to me and others.

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

In Christ,

Jennifer

“And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him.”    –Daniel 7:14