We only saw one ball of fur....

01/04/2014 It's Saturday morning and I woke up to the most beautiful scene, well worth the 6:30am wake up! Costa Rica is just so beautiful and so peaceful (well at least where we are!) It's much cooler here than in Panama because of the elevation....I guess we are slowly getting our bodies used to what we have to look forward to when we fly in tomorrow. ;) This morning we are headed to Poas Volcano! It's so beautiful there and I pray we get to see it clearly! Yesterday we stopped at the beach for lunch. The water was nice and it was really warm. We had plans to go to the Sloth Sanctuary, actually this was our highlight of our tour days. The trip fell through :( and many of us were sad! We were hoping to hold a sloth or at least paint it's toenails! :) definitely on the list for next year....WE WILL DO IT!!!!!! We ended up at the platter place for dinner last evening. It was very yummy and nice to sit and have a meal together. After the volcano we are headed to a cafe to purchase coffee and see the plantations along the mountains. Then it's off to Morovia for shopping!! Birds, here we come!!! Our tradition of Pizza Hut is this evening...whose birthday will it be???? ;) I can't believe this trip has almost come to an end! Next time my plan is two weeks....we never seem to have enough time and we always leave wanting more! Please pray for our returning....we are concerned that we won't make it into Chicago and if we do, we will be stuck there. Lots of prayers are appreciated!!

Never ride in a car with strangers does not apply in Changuinola....

01/03/14 You'll notice that the date on the previous post is completely wrong! You can tell that 1. I'm really tired and 2. Changing years always confuses me!! I apologize for the delay on posts! We have been so busy, busier than most trips I've taken!! I've literally had an hour each day to get ready and maybe sit for 15 minutes before we are on to the next task! Not a complaint, because it's very hard to complain when you are witnessing people come to Christ, but it's just been a long week!! We completed our week of work! I was so excited about all the work we accomplished! The added stairs were completed and we left Cielo to finish the railing. Three rooms were painted inside for their classrooms that they use for a school during the week! On Thursday afternoon I was volunteered (thanks Kerri!) at 3pm to paint flowers on the wall!! Took me a few hours, but they were completed! I wish I had more time to paint more murals! Maybe next time! Many worked on the wrought iron that needed to be painted and the new added kitchen wall was finished as well! We are excited to see the kitchen be completed as with some money that was donated, a refrigerator, stove, and microwave was purchased!!! Wednesday evening a few went to canvas the area where a new church plant is beginning! Our group headed there to show the Jesus Film in the evening! What a night! Many people were waiting when we pulled in and you could just see the people walking toward the shelter from all directions! We began with our David and Goliath skit and by the time we began the film there were over 300 people there! Some sitting, some standing, some on bikes, others under umbrellas! It reminded me of the story of Zacchaeus....It didn't matter, He found a place where he could see Jesus! Afterwards there was a call to receive Christ and around 30 children and a few adults came forward!! We were so excited for the response! I look forward to when a team of people can go and build a structure for a church to meet in this new Finca and I hope I can be a part of it!! On Thursday evening we had a baptismal/farewell service in the Baptist church. It was a very nice service....Pastor David from El Silencio preached and Yanis led the music. Cabot even played the drums! Several were baptized. We had a time of fellowship afterwards and said "hasta luego" to many of those we've grown to love! Today we woke up and headed down to the church for our group photo and prayer time! Many of the church people met us there to pray with us. The church gave each of us a gift and it was a very special time as Pastor Nieves anointed each of our hands with oil. It was truly a blessing! Always sad to end our time in Changuinola. It usually goes too fast and we are always sad to leave them. Time does not stand still and we miss out on a lot when we head back home. I'm very blessed and I always want to spend just a little more time with the people.....continue to pray for Changuinola....

2014....a new year.....

12/01/2014 It's 2014!!!!!!!! Felix Años Nuevo!!!!!!!!! We rang in the new year....Panamanian style!!!!!! After working all day at the worksite, some of the team headed to Finca 11 and showed the Jesus Film. Finca 11 has a church....it's very neat, a sidewalk with homes on either side and you eventually run into the church, which is nestled among all of the homes. The church was filled with many children and some adults. Many came forward to accept Christ. It's always so exciting to see people come to know Him, even if you don't understand the language! God understands!! To celebrate New Year's, we had a church service with lots of music and Derl Keefer, from our group, preached the message. Afterwards we gathered outside, ate a meal together and shot off fireworks as the clock struck midnight! Even though many of us were very tired, it was an awesome time to celebrate with our family and friends here in Panama! Lots of work is getting done....the stairs will be framed up tomorrow and then walls being built inside are getting higher! A fresh coat of paint is being put on many walls in the classrooms....we can see progress for sure.... Continue to pray for our group! We have been blessed so far.....

A new start.....how will you begin?

12/31/2013 Today was an amazing day! A lot of work was completed today at the church including more work on the stairs, lots of painting, and more block laying. Along with all of the work, we are having fun on the worksite as well! :) It's New Year's Eve....the end of 2013, the beginning of 2014. What a way to begin a new year, but by serving! Personally, I have been thinking back on my 2013....what did I do? What are some highlights? What moments would I'd like to do over? This is the time to reflect, re access, and decide what your 2014 will look like. This doesn't mean stress or worry about it, but we can evaluate! What's great is that it's so exciting to know that we can walk into the new year with God. We don't have to enter it alone, we don't have to go through trials alone, and we don't have to celebrate alone! We have an amazing God who wants to walk with you. Maybe you don't have that, and maybe you are interested in knowing....this is your year!! 2014 could be the year that you give up all of the junk, drama, and worries....and start a fresh life with God! I pray each of us as we make our goals or resolutions for this coming year, adds to that list "Spending more time with God." We all could use a little more of that.....