Miracles and Blessings
Although the years seem to pass by faster and faster, God is still able and faithful to do great and mighty things that are evident even in the littlest of things.
2018 has been an amazing year for us – amazing in that even amidst challenges, difficulties and what we lovingly term ‘growing pains’, we have so much more to be thankful for and so many more reasons to praise Him because He is always worthy of our praise!
Our most amazing praise report is that Lindsey is reaching her 2 year seizure free mark – her vaccine injury at age 4 has brought more challenges than we could have ever imagined, but reaching this amazing, miraculous milestone at age 23 just seals for us our resolve in never letting go of the hem of His garment! We always said/prayed/cried, that when God finished His healing work in her, we would know that there wasn’t anything that we couldn’t withstand with Him holding us and guiding us every minute of every day. We hold steadfast to that assurance as we move forward in that victory, praising Him continually for the promises He has kept, His healing hand, His grace through our struggles, and the plans that He has for her. We are different people if for no other reason than the many things that the Lord has shown us and taught us over all of these years through the most trying of trials we have ever known. The work that He has for all of us in the future just through this experience alone is already coming to fruition in ways that we never imagined, and many are learning of the Hope that we have in Christ.
Over the last several years we have moved between both Costa Rica and Panama, working where and how God saw fit. We have met and been connected with like-minded believers and those with hearts after God like we have never known before. The way that God moves in our lives in even the tiniest of details is so amazing when you can take a step back to look at the big picture. The work that we were doing in Panama helping an Agricultural Foundation get going with their vision to feed the people of the Chiriqui province was a labor of love, and on the ground training; we have continually seen the Lord make a way and move people in and out as He saw fit. Today, the second greenhouse is being built, there are on-site care-takers of the greenhouses and farm, jobs are being provided and people are being fed. The farm has become a hub for ministries in that region to work together for the good of those in need around them there. As those needed for what is ahead have been moving in, we know that our time commitment there is diminishing and the main part of our work there on the board of directors is done, allowing our focus to move back to our home base in Costa Rica more full time.
This past year we saw several people accept the Lord, and a neighborhood family that we have ministered to over the years turn their lives completely around and come out of a life of drugs/alcohol and theft to become leaders in the newly formed church and Christian school (which many of you donated supplies for) in our barrio (neighborhood)! Because of your prayers, support and donations, we have had the privilege of sharing the gospel, feeding, clothing, and providing jobs and educational opportunities for many families (some of our adult Costa Rican friends have just graduated from 9th grade through night school – an amazing feat and opportunity for them!). We have also had prayer partners and supporters provide materials to allow us to provide materials for the Christian school, distribute bibles, audio bibles, educational and ministry/evangelical materials in Spanish, English and to the indigenous tribes in one of their languages, Guayimi. It is such a privilege to walk along side and support others in their ministry callings as well – both here and in Panama.
One of the highlights of 2018 for us was the ministry team from In His Steps Christian Dance School who came to minister along side of us (and to us!) in September. God moved more in our lives, the lives of the team, and the lives of everyone that we encountered that week in more ways than I think any of us had dreamed of, imagined or prayed for! Everything from ministering to a dance studio in San Jose that works specifically with kids on the street, to participating in the festivities of the Costa Rican Independence Day celebrations, joining in worship, sharing testimonies, and performing at a local church, enjoying Pupusas (a Costa Rican/El Salvadorian favorite food) at a Tico youth service, to delivering food door to door sharing the gospel and praying with families to teaching classes/loving on kids in neighborhoods and at an orphanage was covered in just one week. We have never been so blessed, watching God move in so many different ways.
2019 has already begun shaping up in our hearts as we prayerfully search for the next piece of property and the provision to build next year’s ‘spec’ house to provide jobs for our construction crew.
New Ministries On The Horizon:
Preparation for a Movie Night Outreach Ministry – partnering with churches in the area to provide a family fun night, share the gospel and minister to those who may never cross the threshold of the church door otherwise. We have been collecting the Spanish audio versions of some of our favorite evangelistic movies like God’s Not Dead, War Room, and the like, so that we can have an outdoor theater at the soccer fields or salons (grange hall) in the various neighborhoods. Please be in prayer for God’s will to be done as we move forward with these areas of ministry in the near future. Many of the other things that we have going will continue in the new year as well (English classes, discipleship, etc.).
Thank you so very much for your kindness, encouragement, friendship, prayers, support and donations over this past year. It humbles us, excites us, and fills us with expectation for what God has in store in the near future when we know you’ve got us covered! We are grateful for your continued support –
With heartfelt thanks and prayers – The Burke Family
Julianne Tirdell Keiper, Kama Panama, Raymond Scott, Libby Crookham, Jeremy Paniagua Varela, Yoss Alva Liiz, (and the many others that God used to make all of this happen!) ❤️.
Please add us to your prayer list, and remember that all of your donations are appreciated and are tax deductible through our paypal link.
