Construction
Following God’s Lead
As we listened to a podcast this week, they were talking about peoples lives and their routines – how we are predictable with our schedules, our travels, our work and our time. We looked at each other and laughed out loud, as we considered what that meant for us! Schedule? That would be really helpful! Predictable? The only thing that is predictable for us is that our plan will be co-opted by God’s plan and all of the people that show up, don’t show up, call, or need help from us on a daily (many times ‘hourly’ basis) is all in God’s hands. Schedules and predictability of events are a thing in our not-so-distant past, and we have slowly but surely learned to embrace the fact that we have been in a type of boot camp, learning how we should be following God’s lead with our plans!
Matt. 16:24, “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
With this training, miracles have also become a recognizable part of our life as we see God’s hand moving in ways that we could never have imagined. It is almost never in our timing, and most often not as we would have ‘planned’ it; nevertheless, it is beautiful and when you look for it, you see it happening all around you. We absolutely have a huge testimony about the cogs in the wheel that have brought us to where we are today as we begin the next work-discipleship project. Although every day brings its challenges, remember and all that God has done in the past, and that He holds the future. Because of this, we are able to rest much easier in the day to day with the way that our life seems to unfold here in Costa Rica.
If we relied on our flesh and our get-it-done characters, some of these things would have been taken care of years ago – but that wasn’t God’s plan. Looking back on the details, we see many of the reasons that the road was longer, windier, and full of hills and valleys. It is with this kind of progress and path that God can be glorified and we recognise that it has nothing to do with us – it is all about following God’s lead!
Of course, we would have loved to have had more done before the rainy season kicked in, but the Pura Vida attitude lends itself to a less pressured attitude of urgency. There is some rest in that when you really realize that God’s timing is different from yours, and He is the center of everything. Even with the challenges that the rain can bring, we are seeing provision with an amazing team to work alongside of us to move forward as we continue following God’s lead with the construction work that He has set before us. Earth has been moved, drainage has been perfected, landslides have been contained and protected, and roads have been upgraded on the farm, so we move steadily forward providing work for those in need, developing friendships, and discipling through it all.
John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
This is just something that makes us chuckle each time it happens …. even with the people who have known us over our 9 years in Costa Rica, there is still a ‘disconnect’ between the truth and their perception! At least they got the first name right this time (it’s usually ‘TIN’!).
The Greenhouse is still in full swing and we make periodic trips to the tilapia farm to try and keep our tilapia pond full:
Donations continue to allow us to provide for families in need:
John 10:4 “When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
English and bible classes are flourishing in the neighborhood and with other ministries that we help and support:
Food distribution to neighbors who are out of work is a highlight when you see the gratitude and excitement on their faces for things that we all take for granted.
We continue to find favor (not in a timely fashion, nor with ease, nevertheless we find it!) with our legal requirements to continue to live, minister and work to support ourselves here.
The best part of all in every step of our non-scheduled life, is that simply focusing on following God’s lead is allowing all of the friendships that have developed to continue to flourish, allowing God to have His way in us.
When our Costa Rican friends take vacations and think to send us pictures of them playing in the snow, because they know how much we miss the fun of snow, it’s pretty encouraging. Seeing that you have been able to make an impact for Jesus in their lives and are thought of even when you’re not nearby, makes the hard stuff worth it all.
Learning to let go of your plans, keeping your grip on this world loose, and following God’s lead is an exciting way to live. Knowing that the things that He has put before you are the things that you are meant to do takes out the stress of guesswork and brings that blessed assurance that “Jesus is mine” in a way that can keep you going with the joy of The Lord in your heart, and the praise that He is due on your lips.
Psalm 107:1: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Hebrews 13:15: Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. Colossians 3:15: And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
As always, we covet your prayers and thank you for your encouragement, partnership and support!
Construction
Too many people end up on the streets or turning to activities that don’t benefit their lives in their survival mode of providing an income. For those who were unable to finish their education due to the costs of an education or the family needs and burdens, opportunities for steady work are few and far between.
Many young men that we have had the opportunity to talk with or have gotten to know who are in those very situations have expressed that the main thing that they need is a job. No one desires to be jobless, unable to provide for themselves or their families. Most just need an opportunity and people to believe in them and give them a starting place, giving them the tools and training they need to succeed.
What are we doing if we aren’t helping others ‘learn to fish’? Giving money to those in need is a good thing, but how much farther can things go and multiply if the focus is setting people up, giving them opportunities, training them, supporting their efforts, and encouraging them to succeed? Not everyone has money to give, but they can give of their time, knowledge, gifts and talents to benefit another person and allow them to keep on going far beyond anything that you can personally do or give to them.
By providing work for men who are eager to get their hands dirty and not afraid to try, commit and work hard right along side of us, we can not only help them physically, but spiritually as well.
God in His infinite wisdom began leading us in our ‘tent-maker‘ role to use what we were familiar with doing prior to our arrival in Costa Rica. Designing, constructing, remodeling and managing homes as side businesses for over 30 years has allowed us to move forward in earning our way on the mission field while also providing for those in need of jobs. The best part is that this is just one more opportunity to train others up in the ways of the Lord, encouraging them with work and hope at the same time. Our ‘Work Discipleship Program‘ has begun building homes using the talent of our good friend with 30 years experience in construction combined with our construction, design and remodeling knowledge and skills.
Just as Aquila and Priscilla were willing to invest the time necessary to take one young man under their spiritual care and pour into his life the things of Christ, we strive to do the same thing with our Work Discipleship Program. Working side by side with young men to train them to be tent-makers, our goal is to teach them the truth of God as we labor together making it a part of both our life and ministry. And as a result of this time, just as with Aquila and Priscilla, our prayer is that each laborer may become an effective servant of God (1 Cor. 1:12).
Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.” Deuteronomy 24:14
If you would like to help support the salary of someone in the work-discipleship program, please donate below.
Work Discipleship Program
Several years ago we were assisting a short term missions team that was here for a week to minister to some of the neighborhoods in the San Ramon area. The team was playing games, working on crafts and teaching a bible class each day to the younger school age children in that particular neighborhood. In the background stood several teenage boys who were too old to appreciate what was going on, but they were never-the-less curious.
One of the leaders of the group noticed them and had a desire to get to know the boys more. That’s when he approached us to ask for help in going and speaking to the young men. After a little bit of getting to know each other, he asked the young men one question: “What do you guys need?”. To his amazement, as well as ours, they all said without hesitation, “jobs”. It was at that point that we knew God was leading us in our ‘tent-maker‘ role to use what we were familiar with doing prior to our arrival in Costa Rica, remodeling and building homes, to move forward in earning our way yet also providing for those in need of jobs while training them up in the ways of the Lord at the same time.
Just as Aquila and Priscilla were willing to invest the time necessary to take one young man under their spiritual care and pour into his life the things of Christ, we strive to do the same thing with our Work Discipleship Program. Working side by side with young men to train them to be tent-makers, our goal is to teach them the truth of God as we labor together making it a part of both our life and ministry. And as a result of this time, just as with Aquila and Priscilla, our prayer is that each laborer may become an effective servant of God (1 Cor. 1:12).
“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:8-9
Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.” Deuteronomy 24:14
If you would like to help support the salary of someone in the work-discipleship program, please click below to donate.