March update

    Hey everyone!

    We are well into the second semester of the GAP year and so far have had an awesome start to 2018 here in San Jose, Costa Rica. There is so much to reflect on and be thankful for over the past two months, and we praise God for the how He is working in and through us!
    January included many busy days and nights packed full of signing, playing, teaching, praying and fellowshipping with the people from our church. We held two full weeks of Summer camps for the kids and youth of Tirrases. Both weeks looked very different from each other, but God definitely used each one to leave a lasting impact on both the students lives and ours. The first week included a VBS in the town of Tirrases for kids ages 6-11. In the mornings we had time to play games, sing, and spend time getting to know the kids. After lunch, we had a Bible lesson and craft in the church. We all had a great time being with the kids throughout the week as well as teaching them what the Bible has to say about obedience.

The following Monday through Friday were spent at a camp facility with around 40 youth from both Tirrases and Los Guido. The week went even better than we could have hoped for as we spent most of the time in Bible studies, learning about the topic of sexual purity. Overall, it was an awesome opportunity to share with and teach the youth what it looks like to live a life of purity like the Bible teaches, even when the world around them is constantly telling them differently. We are praying for this generation in the church to bring change to the towns they live in - to end the cycle of desertion, single mothers and poverty that we see each day. We also had lots of time in the swimming pool, playing games, eating delicious food and just getting to know the youth. Check out our Facebook page, Iglesia Cristiana Emanuel, for photos of our camp weeks!

    The church in Tirrases has been thriving, and we are excited to see how God is working in and through the people we have coming out each week. We have a steady group of adults and youth coming each Thursday night for our study through the devotional "Vida Nueva en Cristo". We have started studying through Ephesians on Sunday mornings and have enjoyed the growth and conversations we see coming from each of these studies. Since camp, it has been really encouraging to see the strength of the youth as they strive to grow in and live for Christ. And of course, we continue to have a blast with the many kids that come out each Saturday morning for fun and lessons in the church. We are asking for prayer warriors to pray for safety for the people we hold so close to our hearts in the town of Tirrases, as well as for us as we serve there. In the last few months violence, drugs and gang activity have been rising throughout the town. Our hearts are heavy for the people we see struggling with loss and fear because of this. We are continuing to pray for God to work a miracle in the town, and that Satan would release the grip he has on so much of what is happening there.

    There are two months left in the 2018 GAP year, putting us in the midst of some very busy and fun times! We had a great time meeting and spending time with some of the families of our GAP students during family visitation week in February. This month we have a trip across the border with Nicaragua to renew our visas, and a few excursions planned for the students as they finish out their time here. Pray for the students and staff here, that we would be able to finish out this year strong. We are praying for continued opportunities to pour into the students here this year as they think about heading into whatever is next for them.

    It has been an awesome second semester so far, and we love all of the opportunities God has given us to serve Him here in Costa Rica. We are so thankful for all the love and encouragement we receive regularly from friends and family back home. We were able to spend a great week of vacation with Brandon's family who came to visit, as well as showing them what life and ministry looks like for us here. We are looking forward to a few more visits coming up from people back home as well! Throughout all of this, Brandon is continuing to work towards his degree with Lancaster Bible College, and we are enjoying life here in the beautiful country we call our home!