El parque+ tres hijos+dos mujeres= God's Perfect Timing

Today started out as a normal school day. Mark and I woke up and headed out the door for school around 7:15 this morning with Josiah in tow. After school we headed home and had some lunch. I wanted to relax a little because I had just taken a grammar test but Mark suggested that we go to the park ( el parque) before it rained. So, with sombrillas, bolas y hijos ready to go ( that is umbrellas, balls and kids) we headed to the park. However, today we decided to go to the park near the ferria where we buy our fruits and veggies on Saturday. Normally, we go to the park closer to the house. Anyway, we head to the park and Mark and the kids shoot a little basketball while I play with Josiah on the playground. Taylor and I with Josiah in the stroller decide to take a walk around the track. Now, at this point everyone is ready to go home. So, we start to head for the gate. We notice that 2 mujeres ( ladies) are walking towards us so we greet them with the few Spanish words that we know....Hola, Buenos Tardes, ?Como esta? The ladies stop and actually want to carry on a conversation with us. We chat for about 10-15 minutes in the entrance of the park. We discuss in Spanish of coarse why we are here, where we live and how long we plan on staying among other things. We get ready to go and then it starts to sprinkle. (by the way...the 2 ladies had just eaten and came to walk around the track for some excerise) As we start to walk away the ladies change their minds about walking and offer us a ride in their car...by this time it is really starting to rain. We insist that we are fine because we have sombrillas(umbrellas) with us and we live close. We start to head home and as we turn down one of the main streets to our house guess who is in the car in front of us and driving towards us.....?You guessed it those two ladies. They toot the horn and wave. We smile and wave back and proceed to walk home. But wait  that is not the end....they pull up into their driveway and wave us up. They want us to get out of the rain and so they invite us inside. So, we go on up the driveway and begin to chat and then we are motioned inside for cafe and te (coffee and tea) which is so funny because we don’t drink either....However, we did not want to offend our new friends so we all chose to drink hot tea. We get the tour of the house and the inside scoop on both ladies.

 Anna the lady who owns the house is the mother of 3 children and her husband has passed away. Margarita is her friend and her father passed away about the same time as Anna's husband. Margarita is visiting from Mexico. (so far only the Lord could have put us in this place...) We sit and drink tea and eat cookies and just chat around the kitchen table like we have known these 2 ladies for every. Actually, Anna kind of reminds me of my grandma Mathie in North Carolina. She is a very sweet lady who fell in love with our kids.

She was already trying to spoil Josiah.....:). We talked about many things and again yes it was all in Spanish. Anna told us that she was a teacher before she retired and she helped us a bunch with some words that we were unsure of in our conversation. Margarita is also a teacher that helps children who have specific learning disabilities and struggles in class. As we are talking we get started on church. We explain where we go to church and what we believe. While this is still a hard area to really get into because of the language barrier we did our best and conveyed our beliefs. In Costa Rica as for almost all of Latin America almost all claim to be Catholic. We chat and talk about Jesus Christ and how he is the only way to Heaven and he is the only one that can forgive us of our sins. You can tell that the ladies are holding on to something and also there is something else there...a deep feeling in their hearts...maybe they had been misguided or confronted in the wrong way about their beliefs.

Josiah giving kisses to Ms. Anna

We chat more and more and then we start talking about struggles in life and how they affect your life and your spiritual life and  how some people react differently to trials and sorrow. I begin to share with them that, I myself have had some hard trials in my life and the ladies are eagerly listening as I explain the Lord taking my babies to Heaven. In the middle of the 3rd story of losing Uriah the phone rang. You can hear Anna say Hola and then it is silent and she returns with the phone in hand and tears streaming down her face. It was the hospital; they had called to tell her that her sister in law had just died. (Wow) Here we are in a house of a stranger and we are currently talking about struggles and trials and then she receives this news........now you can say ONLY GOD! We hug her and tell her how sorry we are and then we offer to pray with her. As Mark is praying she starts to cry. God knew where we needed to be, who we needed to encounter and what needed to be said. We pray for Anna, Margarita and their families tonight not only for comfort from God almighty but that this will be a door that we can use to share the love of Jesus Christ with them. After all that is why we are here....to learn the language so that we can share the gospel. Please help us by praying for these 2 ladies and that the Lord will continue to soften their hearts for us to be able to share our faith. We have been invited to stop in at anytime again another gift from the Lord. Pray that we speak only the words that the Lord would have us to speak to help these two ladies.

Margarita, Anna, Taylor and me

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Joy and Hope.....Learning to Sing in Spanish........

Recently in one of our classes we were able to learn some hymns and songs of praise in Spanish. This was one of my favorite things about this paticular class. In "fonetica" or phonics class we have been learning the tools that we need to be good readers and speakers. It is amazing for me to think just how much I learned as I can now pick up a book or paper and read it. I might not know all the words but at least I can read it. As the trimester is closing to an end our teacher pulled out some songs so that we could learn how to sing in Spanish. I must say that I was excited about doing this. It is so amazing to hear a song even in Spanish and how it can touch your heart. When singing one of the songs it brought such joy into my heart. Here is the song is Spanish and I will translate the title for you so you know what it is...but everyone should know this song for it is a very popular hymn:

?Que me puede dar perdon? Solo de Jesus la sangre.

?Y un nuevo corazon? Solo de Jesus la sangre.

Precioso es el raudal, que limpia todo mal, no hay otro manantial,

solo de Jesus la sangre.

(Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)

There is such joy in that song for those who are saved while there is such hope in that song for those who are not. We as Christians put our faith and trust in Jesus and know that he is the only way. He is the truth and the life. We know that you can not go to Heaven except by putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It is not from good that you or I have done. It is not from the money that you have or give. It is not from even being called into service for the Lord. Our salvation comes through Jesus Christ and HIM alone. As for the world and those who are non-believers they put their faith and trust in things of this world. Maybe for some it is a job or money. For others maybe it is another human.  Those who are unsaved are blinded to the truths that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. It is our job as Christians to share with others that there is "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus" that can make us whole and can send us to Heaven when we die. It is our responsiblity to share the news with others that brings us so much JOY! Is our world perfect as a Christian........NO! Why because the devil is always out seeking whom he may devour. But we have JOY anyway because we know that one day we will live forever in a place that is beyond human comprehension and meet the one who sacrficed all so that we could be there too. I challenge my readers to share this good news of Joy and Hope with someone this week.

John 16:33 says "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17 says  "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you and every good word and work."

Teaching them to OBSERVE ALL things

     Mark and I have been teaching our children the importance of a daily prayer life. We wish that when we were younger we would have put more time and thought into our own prayers. However, you can not dwell in the past but we can teach our children from our mistakes and down falls. We have our daily family devotion time and prayer time after dinner. This is such a wonderful time where we reflect upon God's word and then hear our children as they recall those who have special needs or the names of our friends, family, supporters and supporting churches.

The other night while we were listing our prayer request and praises it was such a huge blessing to hear all 3 of our children praying. Yes, even Josiah was lifting the names of the people that he remembered up to the Lord. He folds his hands and closes his eyes and ask Jesus to be with those people. WOW! Then, the other two continued in prayer. Taylor said her prayers with such detail and meaning. As she was praying I thought of the verse in Matthew 28:20 where it says: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." What a command that the Lord has given us. To not only teach others about HIS love and grace but to teach them to observe all things that he has commanded you. He has commanded us to talk to him in prayer. Have you ever stopped to think about your prayer life? Have you ever stopped to think if you were teaching your children to have a healthy and bountiful prayer life? I have some friends back home that have some of the most wonderful and heart wrenching prayers and then I think to myself....Lord I stumble over my words and things do not come out smoothly like others. But, then I think.....you know the Lord knows my heart and he knows my thoughts...even if they do not come out as poetic as others. I am thankful that Mark and I are trying to "teach our children to oberserve all things" and prayer being one of those things. While we had prayer time at home in the States it is so important for us to keep our prayer lives in check especially for us to stay focused on the task that the Lord has for us here on the field. We also want to uplift all of those who pray for us all around the world as well as those that give so that we can be here. We can honestly say that we pray for our fellow missionaries, family, friends, supporters as well as the churches that support us and their Pastors. We are so thankful for all of those who help us through support and prayer it just may be your prayer that helps get us through a trial that we may be having that day. We love you all and THANK the LORD for YOU and we PRAY that he will bless you for your prayers and support.

A THANKFUL HEART IS NOT ONLY THE GREATEST VIRTUE, BUT THE PARENT OF ALL OTHER VIRTUES.

Living Your Life to Create a Legacy

Last night right before I went to bed I was looking at a picture of Mark's grandpa and grandma. I then proceeded to get ready for bed and do my nightly preparations and then drifted off to sleep. I started to dream and think about the life that they led. What a legacy that they have left behind and now are still reaping the rewards in Heaven today.  You see John and Eunice Hinsley were very faithful servants of the Lord. They attended Fellowship Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina. Papa as they called him drove a church bus from their little community of New Hill, N.C. to Durham every Sunday. It was about a 45 minute to an hour trip one way each Sunday. They would pick up many boys and girls as well as adults and drive them to a Bible believing church that would teach them about the Lord. I know that there are many that now have eternal security in Heaven because of them. Then, because of their service Mark's dad began to help with the bus route as well. Mark was also saved on that bus after a Sunday morning service when he did not go to the alter as a young boy.

As Mark grew he began to drive the bus at the age of 16 helping get those children, teens and others to hear the gospel. I think about the Legacy that they left behind for their families. Not only to their own flesh and blood but to the others they were able to reach through their ministry. The Hinsley Family has been brought up in the church and as far as we know all their children have become Christians. I know for sure of two people that rode their bus that are serving the Lord in full time ministry because of their dedication to the Lord. Jeff Jones is serving as a Pastor and missionary in Panama. While Greg Locklear is working on fulfilling his Pastoral degree while serving his country in the military. You know, I know with all of my heart that his grandparents would be so happy to know that all of those years of driving were worth those two serving in full time service.  Then, there are the rest of us. How are we living our life? Are we living our life so that we will create a Legacy worth remembering and one that will continue to give back to us once we are gone. I am thankful for the grandparents that John and Eunice Hinsley were because of that I have a wonderful Godly husband who loves the Lord. If we are saved we are leaving a Legacy no matter what...but what kind will you be leaving behind? Whether we want the spot light on us or not if we are Christians then we are responsible for sharing the light with others. All of our words, actions and reactions are out in the open for all to see. Help others to only see the good and leave them with a Legacy of rewards. I know that is what I want for my family.

Psalms 143:10

Teach me to do thy will;for thou art my God:thy spirit is good;lead me into the land of uprightness.

Psalms25:8-9

Good and upright is the Lord:therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgement:and the meek will he teach his way.

1 Timothy 5:18 ".......The labourer is worthy of his reward."

Happy 4th of July

While the 4th of July is such a wonderful thing to celebrate this is a sad time for us. We are in a country that does not celebrate July 4th....because it holds no meaning for them. It is also our first holiday outside of the U.S.  However, we know that we are right where God would have us to be and this is just the first of many holidays that will not be spent with family. There are many families and individual missionaries all around the world that share the same feelings. We know that while everyone else is celebrating we too can have our own celebration. We have such a wonderful time here as a family. It is such an awesome blessing to see our children serving right along side of us. Tomorrow as we remember just why we celebrate the 4th of July we will share the history with our children. We will sing songs and eat a good ole American hotdog with a Costa Rican twist...(that means we will be eating fried plantains).....lol...one of our favorite new treats. We will also think about how lucky we are to have been born into a country that gives us such freedoms. We are so thankful for all the men and women who have and will sacrifice all to continue giving us those freedoms. There are many family members and friends that have served and we would like to "THANK YOU" from our heart....and then there are those that serve that we have never met....but are just as Thankful for.  May God continue to Bless our nation and this world. It is also such a wonderful blessing for us to be able to share our faith with those around us. While the devil tries to drive a wedge...we fight hard..and continue to try to speak in Spanish. It is comforting to hear Josiah ask to sing in Spanish. His favorite is "Dios estan bueno." ...God is so Good. We thank you all for your prayers of support and wish you all a HAPPY and SAFE 4th of JULY!!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

What do you Do on the weekends....

Well, here in Costa Rica it is the only time Mark and I are not in class. When we were back home in North Carolina we were able to be very  involved in church and the activities that went along with church. We loved being involved and sometimes we had our hand in a little of all the areas of church. We loved to work with the children. I worked in the nursery and in the 2 year old class some and on Wednesday nights we worked with the AWANA's program. We both were in a wonderful Sunday school class and sang in the choir. We also went on visitation each week and when we had special door knocking Saturdays.

When we started on deputation in August and moved to Tampa we started to attend another wonderful church. We went to Sunday School but because we were always on the road trying to raise support we could not get involved as much as we would have liked. Now, that we are on a foreign field and without the proper tools to help it is still very hard to get involved.  That is until we found "EL FARO". It is so amazing at how God puts you right where he wants you. Just to say this the name of the church in Honduras is in fact Iglesia Bautista Misionara "El Faro". The only thing that is different is that this church has Missionary in the title. We love it. We love the people and the fact that there are so many youth. Here like in other countries it is hard to find Latin American men in church. In fact today for Father's Day the only men in there were the 3 "Gringo" Daddies and the Pastor. Now we are able to serve the Lord in a new ministry. Hopefully we can now spend our Saturdays serving in the The Mountains of Los Guidos. They have a heavy population of young people and are on the poorer side of San Jose. We will be serving along side of Pastor Gabriel and his family and some of the best teens around. They give up their Saturdays to help serve the children and then they are faithful to return back at 6 for Teen Activities.

 But with their smiles you would never know. We spent almost 4 hours playing games and singing with the children. There were about 65-70 kids there. The Pastor had a Bible lessons and then we passed out a snack. We brought sugar wafer cookies and lollipops. The KIDS went CRAZY!!!! At the end when we were almost ready to pack up an elderly lady from the community...probably an "Abuela" or grandma came to thank us for helping the community. We had not really done anything but use our time to serve the Lord. It felt so good to be back serving like we once had. We look forward to many more Saturdays serving in the hills of Los Guidos.

Since today was Father's Day....one of the little girls from the church named Alexandria made Mark a card. Feliz dia del Papa....it was so sweet. She was also at the Bible Club as well and has grown to love Josiah and our family.

Who knows.....she may not have a papa at home to look up. Please pray for the church and the people here. The need is great but their hearts are willing.

Well.....what happened...where did the time go?

              I know that we can all say that once upon a time...ok at least once a day we look down at our watch and say..."Where did the time go?" I think back on my teen years and young adult years and think about the same thing. I was saved at a young age but I must confess that I did not do all that I could have during those early years of my life.  Now, I think about all that I could have done for the Lord, but we can not dwell on or live in the past. So, that is why  you need to do all that you can today.  We all have had good intentions but we can all look around and see where we failed to reach the goal that we had set. Maybe there are books that we purchased that sit neatly stacked on a shelf that we never took the time to read. It could be a nice pack of greeting cards that you meant to mail out to those sick in your church or the ones that just needed an encouraging word. God has given us 24 hours, 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds in everyday that will be spent in some way or fashion. The time that God gives us is ours to spend and we must determine how we spend it. We can fill it with life building life experiences or let it slip right through our finger-tips.

I know that being here in language school Mark and I spend alot of time studying. Sometimes we come home straight from school and study in some fashion until almost time to start dinner. Then there are times where we are so tired that we have lunch and put Josiah down for a nap and crash ourselves. However, it is very important that we always use the time that we have to spend with our children and also to share the gospel with those in this world. We are very excited that we are learning words and phrases in Spanish. We are in great anticipation of the day that we can share the Romans Road in Spanish to those that we meet here on the streets in San Jose. Please pray that we will use our time wisely and learn quickly what the Lord would allow us to absorb in the year that we have here. As for my readers just remember that God gave you this day and it is up to you on how you spend it.

 "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. "

John 9:4