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| Even there Your hand will guide me! |
The processing started at a beautiful beach wedding off the Caribbean coast at sunset. I was surrounded by spoken English, awaiting a Latino wedding start time, and experiencing the beauty of Talamanca, Costa Rica. The following day, as we drove through the sleepy mountain town of Shiroles, my mind drifted back to the community that stole my heart for missions 27 years ago, San Francisco de Yojoa, Honduras. A time, age and place where I could hear God so clearly and in the simplest form. A place where distractions were minimal, mangos falling on a tin roof were the norm, the coffee was naturally sweet because they brewed it with sugar and Baleadas were my favorite before I knew what they were. The Lord spoke as the earth shook, as sweet, little Gloria snuggled in my arms for a nap, and through the box of saltine crackers regally gifted for my birthday. On my daily walk to the clinic, half clad children endearingly sang my chosen name, "Gringa", shy smiles peered through the tattered curtains of empty window frames, clothing mattered but seemed to be optional, and curious onlookers who were bold enough asked, "Where are you going?" Protruding bellies were due to lack of nutrition, not excess, a quick rinse under the hose outside sufficed as a shower and hammocks were beds, not just for Sunday afternoon lounging. I walked slower, greeted everyone and my 'schedule' was interwoven with frequent interruptions for conversation. In this place, roosters demanding attention at 2:00 am startled no one, heat and culture slowed everyone and the sun woke us and tucked us in at night.
As I lay awake in the early morning stillness of Talamanca, Costa Rica, expecting to hear roosters and mangos dropping on the roof, this song was gently floating through my mind ... "If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me ..." As my mind evaded sleep, I began to question ... Can I go from Your spirit, God? Will I sense Your guidance as we leave CR and live "normal life" in PA? Will you still guide me so simply, so clearly, so intimately as you did in Honduras and now here in CR? Where will I sense Your Presence? ... I sensed His gentle whisper, "This is abiding. To be so intricately intertwined with My Presence, as normal as breathing, that you can't possibly flee from My Presence". Let that settle in for a moment ...
Whether I ... live in Costa Rica, Honduras or PA; work in a clinic or am a stay at home mom; walk through a deep, long valley or bask in the morning, mountain sun; securely know future plans or move forward in faith; live in excess or in a drafty, wooden structure; have a job, need a job, have plenty or need plenty ... "Even there His hand will guide me." Psalm 139.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
If I am abiding, seeking, pursuing Jesus first, I can't flee from His Presence.
How might you share this hope with someone today?
Life on the Mountain
Marching through March! One more beautiful Latino wedding - tis the season. A trip to the Caribbean side of CR; The gift of sharing life with our students over break and hearing testimony of Father's faithful presence with them; Parents weekend and connecting with friends; Celebrating our church 40th anniversary; The Crucifixion - seeing His love poured out changes everything; Vida Missions spring break was full of life and activity followed by 4 days of Semana Santa rest; Celebrating Easter with friends who feel like family; Exploring beautiful CR with our beloved Attic Dwellers - we all agreed, they are the best, last guests to host in our CR home! And reflecting on the simplicity of "No matter where I go, even there His hand will guide me."
Praises
One more day of life to praise!
Safe travels and border crossings for Micah and students from CR to Honduras.
Morning walk/talk with Daryl and video calls with our boys
Morning walk/talk with Daryl and video calls with our boys
Adam finished 7th his grade English course
Exploring CR beauty and reflecting on Father's creativity with friends
Sharing coffee and life with our 'oldest' friends here in CR
Jesus, teach me to abide
Prayers
June 7 -13 - Jen is joining her cousins Monica and Jess on a medical missions team:
Good used car, washer and dryer
Provision of a Hospitality coordinator for Vidanet
Danny (Jen's cousin) healing after a cycle wreck
Details for our transition to PA
Unity in making decisions for life here and there
To trust "Even there Your hand will guide us and hold us fast."
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| The simple beauty of "I do." |
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| The place that took me back ... Where can I go from Your Spirit? |
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| Micah and his posse of leaders enjoying a night out "without the kids"!  A packed house to celebrate 40 years with Comunidad Cristiano Nuevo Pacto ... Our home church in CR |
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| Our classroom was filled with life again during break! |
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| Sending this dear one off to get married ... You will always have the title of "mi favorita"! |
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| Dressed in their finest for Caribbean theme night! |
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| The Cross before me, the world behind me ... Jesus lead us as we lead them to the Cross! |
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| The perfect day for a water balloon battle! |
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| This one turned 8 ... spiritually speaking! |
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| Easter tradition ... Chocolate peanut butter eggs and coconut cream eggs! |
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| Reflecting on the Cross through drama. |
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| Celebrating the start of her 20th year of life! So thankful Father has led you to serve with us at VN! |
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| The Attic Dwellers came to explore Costa Rica ... Of course we started with a Cosechas treat! |
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| Learning the art of Mango cutting! |
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| From "bean to bike to bar" Learning how chocolate is made using bicycle power for grinding! |
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| Our "oldest" Costa Rica friends ... We've lived a lot of life together! God certainly knew what He was doing leading us to rent our house on their property!  Where can I go from Your Spirit, where can I flee from Your Presence? If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea, Even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10 |
