Basic Needs

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? 

And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? 

And how shall they hear without a preacher? 

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? 

As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, 

Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 

Romans 10:14-15

How often when we read this passage, do we find an exact basic need that we just know must be fulfilled?

We have been getting to know the kids more and more, as well as understand their background and difficulties.  With each one we get to know, our heart becomes attached to them.  With many of them, our heart also breaks for the difficulties and trials that they go through, hoping that in some measure we can be a blessing to them and make a lasting impact.

Gustavo!

In a previous update, I spoke of Gustavo.  One of the primary reasons his behavior is a bit unruly is because he gets easily bored in classes, particularly because he does not yet know how to read.  He is 8 years old. Because of his behavior, the teachers in school have given up on him.  They report him to the principal, who in turn, reports him to his mom.  His mom has pulled him out of school during his second attempt at first grade, as opposed to being passed by the teachers without knowing how to read, as some other kids.  It is so sad that this is not an unusual story.  The hardest part is that the parents will pull them out of school, or leave them in school although they do not learn how to read, but do not or are unable to teach them to read, as many of them cannot read themselves.

Our team visiting with Gustavo's family

We visited Gustavo and his family and got to know them a bit better.  They are from Nicaragua originally.  He has an older brother and a baby brother, and is surrounded by cousins.  His mom and dad work a lot, so he is always hanging out along the street or at his aunt’s house with cousins.

Gustavo with his grandma visiting from Nicaragua, his mom,
his baby brother and his cousin.

The Lord has put it on my heart to try to teach Gustavo to read.  I have begun giving him private reading lessons and I have been amazed that he responds really well with me alone.  We get to hang out and I am using learning applications on my iPad.  This has been stretching for me, as I have never done it, but as I have been stepping out, Gustavo is interested and engaged, and as long as there are no other distractions, I can see him learning.  The beaming glow of excitement when he comes to learn is heartwarming to say the least!!!

During one of our learning sessions

It is slow and I don’t know how far we will be able to get while I am here, but I am hopeful that once he is able to learn to read and write, he will do much better in school as he won’t be as bored.

There have been some very sweet moments, some bittersweet and others that have been heartbreaking.  One example of the bittersweet moments is when I was asking him if he would like me to teach him to read.  He proceeded to tell me that we all (short term missionaries) come and leave, and leave him alone.  This was very hard, but the Lord had me answer that although it was true that I was leaving, that if I taught him to read, that it was as if a little piece of me stayed with him.  He agreed and we have stepped forward down this path together.

Gustavo, his baby brother, Stuart, and I

I am determined to prayerfully love him consistently, to express that my love is because Jesus loves him even more and to see him reading, writing and loving Jesus.  There are barriers that surround his heart and only the Lord can fully melt them, but He is working! Every time we have a lesson, he always asks “¿Mañana otra vez?” meaning “Tomorrow again?”.  Once he came late, but he normally comes early, even an hour early today, which is so not "Tico-Time"!!!  (Note: "Tico" is "Costarrican" and "Tico-Time" is always late!)

Gustavo praying with Rebecca during Kid's Club

There is also another boy, who is 11, that doesn't know how to read either.  It is almost a crime that at that age he wouldn't know how to read and keep going through grades.  He also needs this personal attention, so I am praying about teaching him too.  I have yet to speak with his mom and him about this, but the burden is there.  Please pray that the Lord will lead me wisely as this is not normally what the program does, but it is very necessary to minister to this basic need of these kids that the system has failed.  Please pray for these kids!

Making application from Romans 10:14-15 … 

How can they read the Bible if they cannot read?

Life goes on...

Wow, I can't believe time has passed so fast since I last sent an update!  Sorry for not communicating more often.  The days fly by with busyness and activity.  Other days, just allow us to catch up on laundry, groceries, etc.  Then Saturdays I have been cleaning quite a bit, cooking and practicing for worship for Sunday and still barely time to write to you all.  I have worked on this same update for a while now, so some of the information is a bit older than the other.

We have definitely exchanged our clouds of rain for clouds of dust.  The dry season has been going on and we haven’t had rain for several weeks.  On about two occasions it cooled down and the wind picked up, clouds came, a drizzle fell and all was gone.  Last night, it finally rained and it was such a blessing and it was a wonderful refreshing feeling.  Today, it is actually kind of dark, but it never rained.

It seems like this month has been one of injuries and pains, yet the Lord has shown Himself faithful as always.  Toward the end of last month, I ended up taking a tumble off a bike and hurt my ribs quite a bit.  I am all better now, as far as that is concerned.  Then Sydnie, one of my teammates, severely hurt her foot playing soccer.  For both of us, on each occasion, we ended up going to Liberia (1.5 hrs away) to find the clinic that had X-Rays where we could find out if there was a fracture.  Praise the Lord that neither one of us had a fracture!

Last Monday, after my ribs were almost completely well, I was trying to get out of the way of a car on the narrow road both the church and the apartment are on.  I ended up slipping and sliding down the slope on the side of the road and scraping my knee.  It is getting better and healing, but not as fast as I had hoped.  I guess it has become a bit frustrating to continue dealing with injuries.

I have been playing guitar somewhat regularly at church for worship and also for Bible Club.  It has been a blessing and I am certainly enjoying it.

When I entered into Costa Rica, I was given a 60 day visa.  At that time, it seemed like a long way away, yet shorter than the other two team members.  Well, I am about 10 days away from the expiration of that visa.  Next Monday December 3, a small team of ladies from the church will be driving south to Rio Claro, Costa Rica to minister to the ladies at another Calvary Chapel outreach from the church in Villarreal, where I am serving, to setup a ladies Christmas event.  This town is close to the Panama border, so I will be going with them and taking some time to cross the border and renew my visa.  Please pray for safe travels and grace with the visa.

Our last days of PFK and Bible Club for the year are very quickly approaching.  The kids are soon out of school, some graduating and we will be taking a break from the program for the school break.  The church will be re-locating to another plot of land in the same town but across to other neighborhoods.  Please pray that the Lord will direct our steps during the school break to invite new kids of the new neighborhoods for the upcoming year.