My Potter's Field Ignite Story

This is my story for the past 10 months of Potter's Field Ignite training and service in Costa Rica.  I pray that you are blessed and can love each of these kids, as in a sense, through me.

Coming Full Circle

Warm Sunset at Langosta Beach in Costa Rica

OK, so it isn't quite a circle, maybe more like an odd figure 8 and some, but I have ended up where I have begun, though nothing is quite the same, particularly me.  The past ten months have been a whirlwind.  They have gone so fast and a lot has changed in addition to my physical location.  After the travels in the US and then going to Costa Rica, on April 1 I flew back to Montana for a month of re-entry with Potter's Field Ministries.

 

On Day Trip to Canada

It was a very edifying time of "unpacking" and "repacking" lessons and emotions.  After the time in Montana, I drove cross country stopping in diverse locations visiting dear friends and being able to share with them to catch up on each other's lives and fellowship.

My General Route!

First stop was in Bozeman, MT to see John and Michelle Merkovsky.  It was a short overnight visit, but I was thankful to see them again!  Last time I saw them was when I drove cross country from Rochester to Montana!  Crazy how fast the 10 months had passed and how much their kids had grown.





I then went to Carthage and Joplin, MO to spend time with my dear friends, the Stearns and with Hector and Chelsea Romero.  It was soooo good to spend time with them after all the time since we had seen each other last.  They have all been instrumental in this journey that the Lord has brought me on and it was wonderful to share with them after it has pretty much come full circle.  I was privileged to share the lessons and experiences that the Lord granted me at a ladies Bible study and with the church on Sunday morning.

Paul and Beth at Braum's Ice Cream!  Yumm

Chelsea and I together again!

I then visited Jesse, LeeAnne and Tori Tomkins in Charlotte, NC.  It was so good to see faces from home, even though my road trip was barely over half way done.  Seeing Tori almost 3 years old was a bit surprising.  Amazing how much a two year old grows in 7 months!!!  I also got to see the beauty of the city of Charlotte and meet sisters in Christ.  It was also nice to go the Billy Graham Library and see the documentation of a lifetime of service to God.  It is challenging to be reminded that all that is needed from us is obedience and faithfulness, even through the sacrifices.

Tori and Aunt T

Billy Graham's Library

I then drove to Philly and stayed with Ashley, a fellow Ignite intern that I have grown to love!  On Saturday, we met with Annie and Danielle, several fellow Ignite interns, and Pastor Steve and Pastor Craig Linquist to go to a baseball game!  I even got all decked up in Phillies gear!  The fellowship was sweet, but the score abysmal, but it was soo fun.

At Phillies Game with Pastor Steve and Pastor Craig

On Sunday morning, I got to go to Calvary Chapel of Philly and then I drove to Ontario to see Margie, her mom and friend that were visiting, Leah, Aurora, Sarah and her 4 kids.

The Merkovsky 4!

Finally, I am now back in the Rochester/Webster area.  For a week, I was house sitting for my dear friends Sherri and Joel and I then returned to my Pastor Ray and Margie's house.  I have been catching up with some friends and it has been a blessing to see my local family in Christ.

I still have many that haven't been able to see yet and that I hope to see soon, but I am thankful to be here for this season.

I don't know what is next, but I am open to all possibilities and doors that the Lord may open.  Please keep me in prayer as my heart just longs to return to my brothers and sisters in Costa Rica, but I am waiting for the Lord to provide for such an adventure, when He pleases.

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
- Proverbs 16:9

During re-entry in Montana and now after all the travels within the US, I have contemplated a lot upon what the Lord has done in my these past months.  I have in many ways and over time defined a lot of my identity based on what I do.  I have also used that self-identity to see what I do as a measure of my relationship to the Lord or the assumption of how the Lord sees me.  The Lord has used my experience in the Ignite Program and my involvement with the leaders and fellow servants in Potter’s Field Ministries to stress the nature and magnitude of His unconditional love for me.  I have more deeply realized how vast the Father’s love for me regardless of what I may do or not do for Him.  My identity has become wrapped up in His love for me rather than in what I can do for Him.  I have learned to recognize the reality that has been there, revealed in His Word, all along.  He loves me whether I am serving Him or in the flesh.  I am so secure in His love, that as I lean upon Him, my natural response to His love is to love Him back with all my being and actions.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
- Romans 12:1

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
- Philippians 3:7-11 

The world advises and advertises finding oneself through much searching and experimentation, yet after all that searching, one is left empty and lacking meaning.  I have learned to find myself in Christ, to know who I am in Him.  To have a heart full of gratefulness for the amazing gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, to count all things that were gain to me, as loss.  My identity is no longer as a software engineer, though I have not lost my degree.  Neither is my identity defined in serving as a missionary.  My identity is found in Christ.  I am His child and His servant.  What I do is love Him and worship Him with all my being in all that I do, to use the talents He has fashioned me with to reach the world for His glory, and be transformed daily more and more, to be like Him.  I am His.

Seasons of Change

So much has happened in a bit over a week!  I am now back in Montana at the Potter's Field Ranch.  I arrived last Monday night April 1.

I have exchanged sitting on my bed in shorts and tank-top in front of the fan for sitting with slippers, fleece jacket in the dining room in front of the fireplace!  I miss the kids and new friends in Costa Rica.  I am thankful that the Lord is allowing me to continue in communication with new friends in addition to those friends that I have known for much longer.

Throughout the week, the teams were coming in little by little from each one of the field locations until we all are together again, except for some that we knew were not going to be joining us.  It has been great to see faces of so many other interns that have now completed their field times too.
Things have been more laid back here compared to the training months.  We have been sharing experiences and learning how to process emotions and culture changes.  For some of us, the culture shock is not as great, yet as in my case, what is ahead is quite dim and fuzzy, so different prayer requests are raised up for direction for the immediate future.

This week, we have started the classes officially and we have been having some great Bible Studies with Don McClure and worship with Terry and Nancy Clark.

Some of us have been struggling with health issues, so prayer is welcome for that.  I am doing well healthwise, other than some lingering dizziness from either the travel or the altitude changes.

Thank you all for your prayers.  Please keep them up!

One by One, One on One

It has been way too long since I sent out an update. I am doing well and blessed.  A lot is going on and every day just seems full and busy.  I am seeing the Lord work on behalf of people one by one.  I am blessed to see how He is allowing me to be a vessel of blessing to others, primarily one on one.

It has been terribly dry here. It hasn’t rained since the beginning of November.  The heat has gotten pretty intense and even though right now, we have a “cold front” and it is only windy, but it hasn’t rained.  I am thankful for the wind because it cools down the air (I felt almost chilly for the first time in Guanacaste last night at church). The sanctuary is outside and it has a roof and back wall to the platform but no other walls, so it is like being out in the open.  The wind was so strong that it was knocking over the empty chairs at church yesterday morning!  Tonight, as I write and sit on my bed with the window open and the fan on me, wearing a tank-top and shorts, I am comfortable, almost chilly … sorry to all of you in the snow!!!  J

I so appreciate your prayers!  I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me to hear from any one of you and that you all are praying for me.  Things have been spiritually intense as of late and I can definitely hear the Lord speaking to my heart.  Although clarity isn't full yet, I am starting to have an inclination and potential opened doors. 

During the end of December, the month of January and most of February, we were not having formal PFK (Potter’s Field Kids) program (Manos del Alfarero).  The school year in Costa Rica coincides with the calendar year, so most of this time was school break for the kids.  In December, we had graduations for the kids that passed from 6^th grade to Jr. High (Colegio as it is called here).  They leave the kids program and are able to attend the youth group instead.  During this time, we worked on special events and activities to invite and encourage new kids to join the program.  We went around the various communities with invitations, loud speaker and announcement and talked with kids wherever we would see them.   We would setup game days and meet with the kids to play soccer or plan activities where we would have Bible classes, worship and snacks.  With the graduations and a couple of kids that had stopped coming, we had smaller numbers toward the end of the year and we were a bit far from our max of 40 kids for the program (I believe we were closer to 25 or so).  I created a video in Spanish to share with the church and parents of kids so they would know what the program is about.  I am including it here, but I don’t have an English version, so sorry to those that can’t understand it. 

Once we completed our registration, we have been blessed to have 43 kids (in two groups) signed up and one on a waiting list (since this one and all 3 extras are in the same group)!!!!  It is amazing to see the new kids blend in with those we know and love, get to know them all and have new expectations of what the Lord will do in their lives!!!  I was blessed and privileged to pray with the mom of one of the kids to accept the Lord during one of our registration days!!!!  That was so exciting!!!!!

It seems like I haven’t had as many opportunities to get together with Brandon and Gustavo now that school started and part of their day is occupied with school and my afternoons are occupied with PFK again.  In any case, I was so blessed to see Gustavo coming home from school in his school uniform and a huge smile on his face!  I asked him how he liked school and if he was finding that our time together has helped him.  He said that it has helped him a lot because now he’s able to understand and finish his papers to hand them in quickly!!  It just warmed my heart!!!  Please keep praying for him and his family, as I see improvements, but I also see some of his old attitudes and difficulty.

In January, Sydnie and Emily’s visas were expiring, so we went with Corey to Nicaragua for a short day-trip to renew our visas.  With 90 days on our new visas, we are all legal in Costa Rica until April 7, which is safe since we leave April 1^st J.  The trip was nice and I got to see a new country and get a new stamp in my passport for a country I had never seen.  We went to the town of Rivas and took a stroll in “bike-pushed-taxis”.  Two of us sat in front and a guy sat in back on the bike that was attached to our carriage and pushed us through town.  It was a fun little trip!

During my time here, I have gone to San Jose/Heredia/Alajuela (the capital and surrounding cities, about 5 hrs away) on three occasions (two by bus), all of which have been a huge blessing for different reasons.  On two of them, I have been able to spend some time with a wonderful couple that has known my mom and I since I was a young child.  Miguel Gonzalez (a puertorrican pastor in Costa Rica) and Sarita (his wife, who is from Costa Rica) have lived lives of faith for many years and they are missionaries for life.  He has been an evangelist and founded many churches in Latin America. They were instrumental during my initial calling to missions many years ago on a previous trip to Costa Rica and also during these couple of encounters lately they have blessed me more than they could ever know.

The first time I went, I was also blessed to receive an offering from the Lord to use as He would direct, with no stipulations on what that would be.  It was challenging and convicting, and I saw it as a huge responsibility to seek the Lord for what He had in mind for that offering.  After I returned, I prayed and sought the Lord for what He would have me use it for.  As I prayed, one person kept coming to mind, but I didn't know what need she had.  After a couple of weeks of praying, I consulted with Pastor Phil and he mentioned the same person and that he had observed that she had a need for new eye glasses!  I had no idea, but was blessed that the Lord had directed my heart toward the same person, so I saw it as confirmation from the Lord.  I later agreed with her to take her out for a surprise.  It wasn't until we were on our way that she learned where we were going and she was blown away by how the Lord had worked on her behalf.  She had already gone to get an eye exam, although she didn't have the money for the glasses.  She had been praying and the Lord had told her to not speak of her need to anyone, but rather to commit it to prayer.  The store is located on her way to work, so she always carried her prescription with her and would often (if not every day) stop and ask about more information regarding the glasses and tell them that she would return with someone to cover for her glasses, as she felt the confidence from the Lord as she prayed!!!  This day was the day that I would take her and be blessed by hearing of her faith and how the Lord answered her prayer because He chose to allow me to be a channel of blessing!!!!  This whole experience has challenged and grown my faith!!!  It also served as a testimony to her daughter, who does not yet know the Lord, that God answers prayers and loves her very much!

The second trip, Sydnie, Emily and I joined Erika (my new closest friend here) to go to San Jose and Heredia and we had a refreshing time of going to the mall, eating at Wendy’s, shopping a little bit and walking around in weather that required a light jacket!!!  I was also immensely blessed to meet up with someone that the Lord had also put on my heart to use some of the offering money to bless.  I later learned that she needed to buy school supplies for her kids and it couldn't have been more timely!!

Last week, I went to San Jose/Heredia Thursday through Saturday with Rebecca (Pastor Phil’s wife) and Erika.  I have been very blessed with the friendships that the Lord is establishing for me here in that they have been a comfort, too.  The Lord truly filled our time with amazing blessings. I had a huge desire that I couldn't explain that Erika would meet Miguel and Sarita.  The Lord opened the doors for Erika, her daughter (Natalia) and I to join Miguel and Sarita for a day and it was AMAZING!!! This couple is one of the most inspirational missionaries I have ever met in my life!!!  They walk by faith and share what it’s like to walk by faith in ways that draw anyone and everyone to desire to do the same.  Erika was so blessed and now she can’t wait for her husband to meet them!  It’s crazy how amazing it was to sit and walk around just fellowshipping in the Lord hearing of their experiences!!

Potter’s Field just recently decided to send one of the interns that went through the program in Montana with us to Costa Rica.  She remained at the ranch when we came down and has been with them for this time.  Mariah arrived on Thursday afternoon (the same day I left for San Jose) and came to an empty apartment.  I got back and now we are adjusting to living together and sharing all the things that have been routine for us here as new to her, although I feel bad that we can only fit her bed in the living room as it is such a small apartment.  The bed she is on is a provision from the Lord after the most unbelievable long story, that I will have to leave for another time, but suffice it to say that the Lord has been showing Himself faithful provider.  She will be staying here until we leave (April 1) and has already been fully assimilated into Team Costa Rica!!!

On Monday night, after PFK was over, I was walking home immersed in my own thoughts and almost ran into a lady from the church that greeted me with “Can you pray for me?”.  I was a bit surprised and asked her if right now, so before praying I started asking her why and seeing if I could minister to her beyond prayer, as she obviously wanted to talk.  I was blessed that she opened up, sometimes with tears and shared her burden.  I didn't immediately have an answer for her, but rather listened.  After a while, I shared a few things and the Lord touched her heart that she needed to see the Lord as her defense and not try to guard herself and protect her heart, that her defense mechanisms were actually hurting her.  She was very touched and cried some more, so I prayed for her and we were both super blessed.  I can’t explain it, but lately it seems that the Lord is bringing to pass Isaiah 50:4 as He reminded me of this promise a couple of weeks ago.  

Tuesday, Erika and I began partnering in counseling a lady, which she will take over once I leave.  It is amazing that I can’t even resort to my old habits of saying that I have nothing to offer, because the Spirit is evidently filling my lips although I don’t feel ready.  The Lord has been using the verse in 2 Corinthians 10 to remind me that those thoughts or “imaginations” as it says in KJV are thoughts that exalt themselves against God’s goodness and character and that they need to be cast down and my thoughts taken captive to the obedience of Christ.

I can’t say that I understand all that the Lord is doing and where we are going, but I am seeing an amazing pattern that fills me with faith in two ways:

1. The Lord is faithfully directing my steps and words to bless people that are hurting and need it deeply, particularly one on one and one by one.
2. I may not know where I’m going next or who I will talk to next, but the Lord already has it planned out and I will see it unfold as I am faithful to listen and obey.

I would love to hear from you via email, facebook, skype, text me, or Viber.  If you want the numbers or contact, please send me a private message as I do not want to list the numbers on the blog for privacy reasons.  Unfortunately, both texts and Viber require internet connection, which has not been very good in the apartment.  My US number that most of you have will become active April 1^st which is when I return to Montana. 

The End of the Previous Year and The Start of the New Year

It has been a little while since I have published a full update.  Things have gotten a bit hectic and amazingly, the new year is now here and moving fast!  We are just catching up with a couple of team videos and I am including three in this entry.

This is the video for November

This is the Story of Brandon

This is the video for December

Merry Christmas!!! Feliz Navidad!!!

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

This scripture is very traditional of Christmas, but have we really thought about what it means to us?  It isn't all about a child.  It is about the Child that would be so much more and it describes it in detail. This passage has been taught about in service on Sunday and it was read again in the Christmas eve service that I went to at another local church.  We sang about it in service and it is definitely sinking in.

This Christmas, I am celebrating it in Costa Rica among new friends.  The Lord has been faithful to grant great people to hang out with and celebrate this blessed day.  At a distance, I would like to wish my friends and family a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

I love you all very much and I thank you all for your support and encouragement.  May the Prince of Peace be your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God and Everlasting Father!

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?