Farming and Food

Following God’s Lead

Following God’s Lead

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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!

 

Harvesting Coffee Isn’t For Wimps!

Harvesting Coffee Isn’t For Wimps!

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When you think of Costa Rica, coffee has to be one of the top things that comes to mind, as Costa Rican Arabic coffee is among some of the best coffee in the world.  God saw fit to place us right smack dab in the middle of one of the coffee capitals in Costa Rica, with most of our long-time Costa Rican farming families surrounding us having beautiful and bountiful coffee farms that go back for generations.

 

The farm that we live on in San Ramon, Costa Rica, was used as a coffee farm in the past.  It has been our desire to try to honor the tradition and legacy of the families not only surrounding us but those who have been on our farm before us by reviving and adding to the coffee on the farm.  So many of the things that the Lord has seen fit to have us learn while we’ve been ministering here have been understanding from a first hand perspective how Costa Ricans live.  Since coffee and Costa Rica go together, and we live in an agricultural community, we knew that having coffee on our farm was a necessity.

We planted approximately 1000 coffee plants several years ago, and they are to the point where they are beginning to produce!  There is something incredible about enjoying the aroma of the flower, seeing the colors of the coffee fruit as it grows and matures, and then being able to participate in the timeless tradition like harvesting coffee.

 

Tim and I had some time the other day to hike (and I mean, HIKE!) down to the coffee area of our farm.  It turned out to be one of our favorite moments here in Costa Rica as we spent the afternoon picking our cosecha (harvest) of organic coffee beans right off of the plants we and our faithful partners/helpers so painstakingly put in the ground all those years ago.  The tranquility of the light afternoon breeze while we were tucked in the shade of the surrounding protective trees, toucans in the distance, parrots flying overhead, and thanking God for all of the great things that He has done.

Harvesting coffee takes a lot of physical strength – we have watched over the years as the Costa Ricans gather their entire family together, from the smallest children up to the grandparents and patriarchs to pick the coffee that they have worked so hard all year to take good care of for a grand yield.  We have also experienced being at the border of Costa Rica during coffee harvest season, both on the North in Nicaragua and at the Southern border with Panama, as the mostly indigenous wait patiently in line for days at immigration for an opportunity to come into Costa Rica and help harvest coffee to bring money back to their respective countries to support their families.  It is not uncommon to have those migrant workers, able only to sign their names by a fingerprint, in our neighborhood working on the sides of very steep hillsides in some pretty daunting heat for several weeks before heading back to their homes abroad.  It is our desire to meet their needs of food and drink during the coffee harvest each year with the hope of showing them the love of Jesus and sharing the gospel with them – a harvest in two ways!

 

This year’s coffee yield on our farm was small as it is just beginning to produce, but we are still thrilled that we are on our way to providing our own organic Arabic coffee for our family, friends, guests, and those in need.  Coffee time is all of the time in Costa Rica, and you can count on ‘cafecito’ at regular intervals, without fail, every day:  9am, 3pm, 6pm.  It doesn’t matter what you are doing, or where you work, those are sacred times for a cup of coffee and a moment to stop and enjoy the day.  The importance of coffee in the Costa Rican culture can’t be overstated – it is something that is necessary to make a part of your life to get a truly unique experience here!

Of course after working on the side of a mountain, even for one afternoon, you have the daunting task of carrying your harvest back up the hill!  This year we were able to handle what we picked … in the future, we will definitely need to call out for reinforcements!  Picking the coffee is just the beginning of the harvest, however.  Once you have it off of the plant, there are quite a few ways (and a few old school tricks) to separating the bean from the fruit.  One of our patriarch neighbors, Ethel, told us that they bring the coffee bags up and actually drive their car over the fruit to break the outer casing in order to easily remove the bean inside (in tact, even!).  You can hand separate it, as we did here – but you will soon learn that you would do better off with a whole lot of people to save the use of your hands for other things in life!

 

 

After the work of separating the bean from the fruit, comes the drying process.  We take the pulp, or seedless fruit, and use it as a natural fertilizer to better feed the soil and recycle all parts of the plant.

Then we place the beans in on the shelves in our greenhouse at night to avoid any moisture in the air, while setting them out in full sun during the day for the quickest natural drying method.

 

 

This process can take several weeks, so patience is a necessity!  We continue to be grateful for every opportunity and experience that the Lord blesses us with, and look only to be a blessing to others with every step.

 

If you ever wonder why some of your favorite coffee costs what it does, let us assure you that with all of the work involved in getting it from farm to table, it is well worth every penny!

 

One way that you can help to support our missionary efforts, provide for the needy in our neighborhood while supporting local farmers and their families at the same time is to participate in our fundraising ministry, Coffee That Counts.  This ministry allows for you to raise support for your church, group, missions trip, youth group, or whatever ministry you are involved with in an easy way.  We look forward to working with you to support your ministry efforts while you in turn are supporting ours!

 

Contact us for more information!

 

 

 

Overflow To Panama

Overflow To Panama

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God has been moving and working in so many ways, both seen and unseen, during the first quarter of 2018. He continues to amaze us with His plan and His creativity, proving time and time again that nothing that we have gone through or put effort into is in vain!  We are so excited to say that even as we continue with what is going on in Costa Rica, He has made a way through all of the hurdles of paperwork and legalities to also open doors into Panama.   To see what He is doing with things that He started almost 8 years ago in Costa Rica continue and to begin to overflow to Panama is nothing short of miraculous.

This quarter’s Work Discipleship Project has brought two new men to the construction project and we are grateful for what they bring to the job.  The process is moving along at a brisk pace, and we are confident in God’s provision not only for them and their families, but for ours as well.  Continuing to bridge the gap between language and culture, every day brings new opportunities to share the love of Christ even as we work along side of them with everything from purchasing and delivering supplies to painting and designing a beautiful home!

Really never imagining the doors that teaching English would open, classes continue with both children and adults.  The ability of God to weave conversation and questions into an English lesson never ceases to amaze – the opportunities to share the Gospel, have open discussion and answer questions, and teach the Word of God all in the name of teaching English is something we are humbled to be a part of.  It also remains one of the best ways for us to continue to improve in our Spanish skills as we see more and more how much Costa Rica and Panama are and as far as we can see in the near future, to remain our home!

Friends have made the trip to Panama from Costa Rica with us and interest in joining us keeps on growing – that’s always encouraging!  Although the countries are similar in many ways, their differences are just as obvious.  With the location of the farm location being so tied in with the surrounding families from the indigenous tribes, there are continually growing opportunities to serve in many different ways.  One very exciting addition is the work that a friend has done to get audio files of the Bible not only in Spanish, but also in the native Ngobe tribe language.  We look forward to multiplying that resource and working with him to help spread the word of God to all peoples.

 

 

Our trips from Costa Rica into Panama this year have already proven to be fruitful in many ways:

  1.  Finalization of paperwork for ease of movement in, out and around Panama.
  2.  Working to help complete the Structure of the first 48′ x 60′ greenhouse.
  3.  Ministry volunteers using the bunkhouse as their home base during their time serving in Panama.
  4.  Completion of hydroponic test towers.
  5.  Feeding of families and sharing each day’s egg collection from the ever growing chicken house!
  6. Connecting with others ministering in Panama to help them further their calling.

 

We have been learning:

1. When you allow God to order your steps, you can’t keep up in your own strength.  Habakkuk 3:19 (ESV)  “GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places….”

2. Relying on Him for everything makes it all possible!  Matthew 19:26     “And looking at them Jesus said to them, “”With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””

3.Even the smallest of seeds grow into something great when God makes it grow!  1 Corinthians 3:6“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.”

Each moment that we take to reflect on what He has done, where He has brought us and how He never leaves us nor forsakes us, we see His greatness and His majesty.  That makes it easier to see that even the hardest of times and longest of valleys are all for His glory.  We are entering into this next quarter of 2018 encouraged, refreshed (even within the ‘busy-ness’), and hopeful of what is to come.  Our heart is for God to move in and through us in whatever way He sees fit while we keep our eyes on the prize set before us and run the race with all we’ve got.

Heb. 12:1-2  “…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,….”

We would love to have you be a part of ministering with us! 

Please consider making your tax deductible donation today –

For more information on how you can help or participate, please be sure to contact us!

 

 

 

Hydroponics And H2O

Hydroponics And H2O

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This past month was a very busy, yet productive one.  We have been working to help continue to grow and distribute staple crops like onions, carrots, and cabbage, at a larger farm, and the upcoming September 2017 potato harvest reminds us that there is still so much more ahead with the vision that God has given.

The small greenhouse on our property in Costa Rica that we have been learning with and working on for herb and spice production, along with growing veggies like peppers, spinach and chayote has turned into something beautiful with many coming to harvest and enjoy our bounty on their table.

Keeping our tilapia pond moving forward has also been just the beginning phases of our work, knowledge and training in the agricultural side of things.

We have been able to spend a good amount of time researching and meeting with agricultural experts in various locations to learn even more about greenhouse production (large greenhouses, at that!), hydroponics – beginning with strawberries, and searching for the best sources of water for the purposes of expanding growth into the next phase of the farm.

Strawberry production is just beginning to get its feet on the ground in the amiable climate that we have to offer, so we see the potential of great advances in providing food for our friends and neighbors in need.  At this time, our greenhouse will be dedicated to strawberries, lettuce, and other basic vegetables in order to take advantage of the year round growing that can be challenging when you are just relying on the one stretch of rainy season for the year.

We have a water catchment system to store and distribute rainwater from our roof and runoff into our tilapia pond as part of the hydroponic water system.  The plan is to use all of the natural resources that God has given to the fullest to multiply food production.

If you would like to donate to help with the costs of  any of the future agricultural projects, please click below! We are hopeful to multiply and excited to see what is in store this next growing season!

Panama For The New Year

Panama For The New Year

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We took a break from the work on the property in Costa Rica and closed out 2016 and welcomed in 2017 in Panama by finishing out the delivery of the potato harvest on the farm that we have been helping.  Over 350 sacks of potatoes (along with 300 heads of cabbage, carrots, onions, lettuce and sweet potatoes) were distributed in 2016 to families, orphans, schools, and missions to help feed as many as possible.

Of course, there was a little bit of down time as well (which we always appreciate!) getting to know more of those living in Panama as well as getting to know some more of the landscape and locations!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 projects will include the continuation of growing, harvesting and distributing food, along with whatever else God puts in our path! These efforts will be used to deliver to area schools to provide food and teach them how to raise their own food.  Stay tuned as we continue to follow God’s lead, wherever it may be!

To help further these projects to feed and educate, please click the button below.
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Workshop

Let Food Be Thy Medicine Workshop

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Costa Rica is such a beautiful, lush place. Guava (guayaba here) fruit trees, passion fruit laden vines, and squash (ayote) grow wild, even on the side of the highways! There is such an appreciation by the locals of the free flowing food that grows seemingly anywhere.

I remember the first time I looked out of our front window and saw kids climbing the neighbor’s tree just to grab a few guavas. One of the children sat in the tree picking the guavas and proceeded to eat his guava at the same time as he was throwing some of his ‘loot’ down to the other kids waiting eagerly below. It was so innocent and sweet – the children were all so excited to be gathering a snack and enjoyed the tart, soft fruit with smiles on their faces.

In our time here, I have learned many of ‘gramma’s remedies’ from my friends.  They have shared with me how to cure a cough with honey and newspaper, what leaves to use as a tea for decongestant, and how to use a plant to cure a stomach ache to name just a few.  Thankfully, all of those things are right up my alley, as we have used natural means for medicine for a very long time!

As an outreach to teach the benefits of fresh food to the newer generation of processed and fast food junkies, in conjunction with the work that is done on our health website, Passionate For Truth, Pura Vida Missions invited us to hold a workshop.  The workshop was designed to explain how to use the herbs and spices grown in our greenhouse on the Relentless Ministries farm as ways to enhance the flavors of fresh food naturally.  We were also able to explain many of the health benefits of eating fresh, whole foods to the needy families of their sponsorship program to help their bodies physically as the sponsorship program works with them to help them spiritually.

We have gotten to know many of these families over the years as we have helped out at Pura Vida Missions to reach out, minister to, and serve the needy families that they support.  Some very sweet friendships have developed over the years as well.  Being able to hear their health concerns and give them tangible, affordable ways to regain their health naturally was a blessing to us as well as to them.

During the 3 hour workshop, families packed the area of the back salon of the mission and eagerly listened and learned about what foods are of detriment to their health.  Then we were able to encourage them in how to use healthy replacements of those staple items that they are so used to in order to strengthen themselves more naturally.  The response was incredible, and we are getting requests on a regular basis to hold more seminars in the future!  Everyone enjoyed the warm bone broth drink and veggie tray complete with home made coconut milk ranch for their snack at the end of the seminar;  they even took baggies full for those who didn’t make it to the workshop to go!  Sharing how God created our bodies and the foods that best benefit them was a great way to pour more truth into their lives and they received in with gratitude.

We look forward to planning more classes in the future, about food, cooking, and health to benefit all of the families in need of good health!

The Chick Challenge

The Chick Challenge

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Raising chickens to giveaway to families in need.

 

The Coffee Starts Here

The Coffee Starts Here

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We started with a property right in the middle of long time Costa Rican coffee farming families, and it just seemed like what we were supposed to do!  Eager to be a part of the culture and our immediate community, we began preparing the land to receive our coffee starts.  Coffee plants typically take 3-4 years to grow into full maturity for harvesting, so our contribution to Coffee That Counts will hopefully be ready in the not to distant future.

Getting ahold of the best type of coffee for our region and the healthiest ‘baby’ plants took some doing, but we were able to have 1000 six month old coffee plants delivered by tractor to our property – there they were, full, green and beautiful, just waiting for a special kind of team to help us get them all planted while the planting time was at hand!

Faithful as He always is, God brought just such a team.  Pastor Jack Counts from California, along with his worship leader, Gary Izard, dawned their best coffee planting duds to get their hands dirty with the rest of our team, Tim, Tyler, Intern David Johnson, alongside of our Tico friends and helpers Jeank, Kevin, and Daniel, for a long weekend of some of the most exhausting and back breaking work on the side of a hill a man could do in the Costa Rican sun and heat.

With joy, thanksgiving and praise, the coffee planting team got 1000 beautiful, healthy coffee plants in the ground to decorate our hillside in an artistic fashion mimicking the beauty of the surrounding coffee farms in a start-up kind of way.  The team knew that this was the beginning of another outreach opportunity to grow coffee while supporting local farmers, business, and the missionary and fundraising efforts not only our ministry, but of other believers around the world through the business of Coffee That Counts.

For more information about Coffee That Counts, it’s mission and how it could benefit you or someone you know, contact us or like Coffee That Counts on Facebook.

 

 

Fishers of … Fish!

Fishers of … Fish!

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Tim was invited to go fishing on the ocean with his good friend and a bunch of his friends.  Being a lover of fishing from way back, he was excited to have a new fishing adventure for the first time on the ocean in Costa Rica while practicing his Spanish with all of the new Tico friends he would make on the ‘boat’ for the day!

The night before, as he prepped for the early morning gathering of all of the fishermen, he got his tackle box, rod and reel ready to go.  He got up early to pick up his friend, and then proceeded as a ‘taxi’ to drop by the house of 6 of 25 the other guys before they headed off to the ocean, full of anticipation of catching ‘the big one’!

Late that evening, they arrived back at our place with coolers full of the day’s catch – there were all different kinds of fish, none of them worthy of a fish story, but delectable eating of red snapper and more, none-the-less.  After laying everything out on a tarp and really getting a good look at the day’s accomplishments, they began dividing the haul and then the stories began!

I think the best story for all of the Ticos, and the funniest new experience for Tim, was the difference in how they fish vs. what he’s used since he was a boy.  It didn’t matter if he was fishing in the stream, river, lake or ocean, he had the proper gear to reap the most benefit for his days effort!  Boy, was that different than what the rest of the guys carried onto the boat!  As Tim was rigging up, they watched in wonder as they pulled their fishing line out of their pockets, wrapped the line around the palm of their hands, and threw it over the side of the boat – there was barely any room for Tim to manage his fishing pole as they brought fish after fish on board!  Of course, this adventure was still more enjoyable than his very first invitation by the same Costa Rican …. Tim and his friend Kent, crammed in the ‘not really a back seat’ of his pickup, squished up for 4 hours of driving to finally get to a river that had no fish in the territory of an indigenous friend.  All of this was coupled with visiting every relative along the way for the purpose of introducing them to the family!  No fish was brought home that day!!!!

The rest of this ocean fishing day was a good day – the Ticos were thrilled with their catch, and it was a great experience for all involved!  They learned a little English, Tim learned a lot more Spanish, and now they are all good fishing buddies!  We’ll see how Tim does with his fishing line next time!

 

 

 

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