Take Me to the River

We don't know where to start about this day......We shared with some of you before we left that God had revealed to us that we would have the opportunity to baptize someone in the river while we were in Costa Rica.
We were elated when we heard that the two teenagers we have know since our first trip had decided to make this commitment! The funny thing is that the seed for them was planted during VBS when we were teaching the younger kids what baptism was. They were leaders in our VBS and I thought I was speaking to the kids but all along their hearts were open and hearing. This was confirmation that we did in fact hear the Lord before we left. We had plans to go to the nearby lake and this was an answer to prayer.

BUT..............
As usual, God's plans are bigger and better than we could ever think or imagine. We went to the lake with a few families and after the kids frolicked in the water, we gathered for a lakeside teaching on baptism and what it meant for these two teenagers to publicly declare themselves as disciples of Jesus. As the teaching was going on, you could sense the Spirit moving and see the contemplation on the faces of many present. Before baptizing the two teens, Ted and Gracie asked if there were any others who would like to be baptized. Two or three raised their hands and the excitement grew in our hearts.

The sky was cloudy but the water was warm as the first girl was baptized, then the rest followed. Suddenly, the dad of the teen boy to be baptized came forward and made his decision. He was not one we necessarily expected at all. LITERALLY, as Ted and Larry lifted this Dad out of the water, the clouds separated and a strong beam of sunlight came through and shone only on the top of his head!!!!! It was like watching the bible in video!!! After this man came up, he then had the privilege of baptizing both of his sons!!!

There are no words to describe the atmosphere, feelings, or situation that we were part of. It would seem that you could never top this but God is only just beginning! So, by the end of the service, 8 people were baptized, about 6 families were forever changed, and many many more had seeds planted.  "Some will sow, some will toil, some will reap the harvest".... I feel that we were part of all of these this week.

Gaylor and Angie- 14 year-olds who chose to be baptized, hearing the word of God and deep in prayer prior to their demonstration of faith.

Missionary Graciela Quiocho and Melody Beckwith Babb
who shared the passage about running the race and never giving up!

Missionary Ted Quiocho and Larry Ziner baptizing  14 year-old Angie in Rio Frio

Ted and Larry baptizing Edwin (father of Gaylor) . He didn't plan on this but was the most remarkable demonstration when the skies opened over his head as he came up!!

Gaylor being baptized by Ted and Larry with his Dad now supporting his back!!

Larry and Ted with the 8 people who were baptized. The heavens were rejoicing!

This is what a formerly traumatized boy with a tough tough life, looks like, after the spirit of God falls on him and his Dad. Really, no caption is needed for this one!!! This picture says it all.

The joy after the service

Couples Relationships Blooming

As planned we had the opportunity to share with approximately 6 couples one evening. Mel shared the topic of having a "Nathan" in our lives. Nathan was a prophet that spoke directly and honestly to David after his sin with Bathsheba. David had the choice to accept or reject the truth that was spoken to him.

We discussed how in relationships, we can confront someone in love or in condemnation and also, we can receive the truth with confidence and conviction or with pride and an unyielding spirit. Despite the language barrier, Mel's delivery was awesome and there was much laughter along with very open ears and hearts of the couples who attended. One of the couples even came to this group as a result of their son coming to our VBS, so everything we do can have a far reaching and lasting impression!  All of the couples expressed the desire to continue coming to the group and the husband of the new couple said he didn't want to come at all but now wishes he could have this meeting everyday!!!

As is the mission of Life to Life, THE seed was planted! We look forward to an amazing baptism service in the morning.

Big update

Shortly after our last post, two of the teenagers we met on our first trip two years ago who accepted the Lord last year after we were here came and shared their desire to be baptized while we are here. We were so excited because we were intending to discuss baptism at the couples meeting tonight, but God already moved in the hearts of these two teenagers. We will keep you posted.

Dios es con nosotros siempre! (God is with us always)

Our week of Rancho Avalancha (a kids western themed VBS) has come to an end and very sadly for those of us who have to leave these kids behind. The children had a great time and  learned so much about God each day. For our closing day, the parents all came and watched the kids sing and share. They sang with such joy and excitement and also shared the five points they learned....Dios es real (God is real), Dios esta con nosotros siempre (God is with us always), Dios es fuete (God is strong), Dios es asombroso (God is awesome), Dios esta en control (God is in control). Their last song was Our God Is an Awesome God, and we taught them to do it in sign language. When they finished they knelt down on their knee and worshiped. It was truly wholesome and beautiful. One parent told Mel, "that we loved them so much in one week!!!" God really shined in this place today. After serious discussion, many children expressed the desire to accept the Lord as their savior.

When leaving the school, the last student brought her mother to us ; who told us that tomorrow was the little girls birthday and that all she wanted was for our team to pray for her give her a blessing before she went. It was an extremely humbling moment.

We have been welcomed by neighbors to visit their homes and have received many food gifts. It really is too bad that all the weight we have lost in pounds of sweat, we probably have regained in delicious foods. Tonight we have the opportunity to host a couples marriage group and are praying for opportunities to share not only the gospel but the opportunity for baptism if they are interested. We will have lots to share tomorrow.

It has been a wonderful time and our team is really blending. We appreciate each one of you.  See you soon.

Dios es real! (God is real)

After weeks of planning and many sleepless nights, our team arrived in Costa Rica Sunday afternoon and made our way through the rainforest to our destination of Finca 2.  Our first evening and first day (Monday) consisted of preparing for the week and adjusting to getting along with each other despite lack of sleep and incredible heat. By days end we collapsed in hopes of  reenergizing before beginning our V.B.S today. Thanks be to God, we all woke up in better spirits and began to work as the united team we are supposed to be!



Some of the kids had their faces in our windows by 5:30 am waiting to catch a glimpse of the team. We began our cowboy themed VBS on time and prepared, and we melted as the first smiling faces entered. There is something about their eyes that reminds us of why we are here and shows us the truth we taught today; That God is Real!






We are blessed to be back here to serve with missionaries and friends, Ted and Gracie Quiocho. We have also added three new friends who volunteered to help us this week. Larry and Ted have begun their projects of building bunk beds and doing home repairs and improvements. As is the case often in Latin America, supplies were not ready when promised so their schedule will be long and hard for the balance of the week. We miss everyone and appreciate your support. Prayers are needed for each and every day as there is always opposition! Keep posted!

Wednesday we continued our VBS with 10 additional children. We are anticipating more tomorrow! The children already know the first 2 songs by heart and are working on the dances. Today the children learned that God is with us always, even when they are being naughty!! (And that goes for us too:) We had a cultural "aha" moment, when we surprised the kids with fruit rollups and failed to tell them not to eat the plastic rapper. Good thing they get a lot of fiber in their beans to help the plastic pass through.

Larry and Ted have been busy building bunk beds to help the ministry house large teams. But as is the way in construction, the wood was not ready when promised. But, they're working hard to accomplish their project by weeks end.

Guatemala 2011 Team Returns Safetly and Richly Blessed

Going to Guatemala and serving alongside Jose and staff at Hope For Guatemala was nothing less than life changing for all of us! Feeding and spending time with these children who have nothing, yet have such thankful hearts and smiles is a reality check for us all! 

 

 

We left Guatemala with hearts full, tears in our eyes not wanting to leave, our lives changed, their lives impacted, and a new resolve to come back next year with more Spanish under our belts! We have experienced living out James 1:27 this week . . . Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 

Marie Groves.