Quick encouragement: check out the facebook pages of anyone who is going on the trip to see tons more pics than I am able to post on this blog. People are tagged and you should be able to find many online already.
Now, check out the Day 4 wrap from Brittany.
Day 4
Today was pretty relaxed in comparison to our other days working in the tiny town of Betania, but it was just as inspiring as all of those that preceded it. This morning, our group held a makeshift church service in the “meeting room,” which is more accurately an outdoor patio filled with chairs and benches we borrowed from throughout the hotel campus. We worshiped God with songs playing from Melissa’s computer and then Michael Blue delivered a message from Luke 24 about the Road to Emmaus. After lunch, Tane, Melissa, Saranne and I decorated some cross necklaces to give to the Tico kids, while the rest of the ladies worked on preparing salvation bracelets. Around 2:30, we headed for Betania to take part in the 3 o’clock church services held in the “Casa de Lito.” As it had yesterday, this tiny church service rocked me to my core. First, a group of kids from a church in San Jose performed a few sign language dances and sang songs. Then, Blue delivered a message through translator Wences from Luke 15 with the three parables: the sheep, the coins, and finally, the prodigal son. Gerson and Pastor Pedro were amazing (as usual) with all of their enthusiasm for the gospel and for the people they were sharing it with. Also, Amber, Pat, and I led the church in singing “Amazing Grace” and “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” which we actually attempted to sing in Spanish (Abre mis ojos, O Cristo.) The entire church singing together, perhaps, was the thing that touched me the most. As we all sang “Te adoro” (I adore you) together, I could so plainly feel the practically tangible presence of God. There’s something beautiful about the universal message of the gospel that transcends culture and language barriers. It was such an amazing experience to be worshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ from halfway around the world. God is moving in Guatuso, no doubt about it. And I’m so thankful that I have the opportunity to witness it. Please continue praying for our team and for the people of Betania, that their hearts would be softened and that those who have received God’s salvation will continue to press on as disciples.
Thanks for your perspective Brittany!
Another amazing thing happened today. Our driver, Egidio (A-he-de-oh), knocked on my (Cory) door. He explained to me that he was chatting with one of the ladies who cleans the hotel, Adonai. He said she wanted to know more about Jesus and asked to talk to someone. Egidio, Adonai, Amber, and I sat in our room and went through the gospel together. After dialoguing for roughly 15 minutes, she said she wanted to give her life to Jesus and wanted to walk with Him! We spent more time encouraging this new sister in Christ and encouraged her to share her story of salvation with her family and friends today. We are all looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow and offering more encouragement. It is also a tremendous blessing to have such a godly man who gets us from place to place!
God is working here in Guatuso and we have the blessing of being able to see it first-hand! What a good God we serve!
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