Clinic Project
It is very important that this clinic is started as an extension of the Methodist church of Costa Rica, more specifically, the local church in Sarapiqui. The Agape church has a history of outreach and service to the community. This project has been a vision of the pastor for many years. They hope to reach more members of the community and share the love of Jesus with them through meeting some of their physical needs. There are many members of the church that have already been involved in the planning phase of the clinic and will continue to be a part of their church’s ministry to the community. I look forward to working with all of them to get this clinic up and running.
Christianity is also something new that they have been exposed to in recent years. Some of the pastors in more populated, mainstream areas have “adopted” these people and are bringing them supplies for churches and training pastors to bring the Word to their villages. The people that we spoke with feel that they are trapped inside a country that doesn’t care about them and they have been neglected. They raise and grow their own food, make their own houses, and deliver their babies at home. They have been promised a lot of things, yet few have actually come to fruition. There is a definite need for medical attention and ongoing education in this area and I look forward to finding out how the Methodist Church can be involved in making that happen.
I has been my prayer that I will clearly see how God desires to use me here and with this project. He is revealing things to me little by little, but I guess that’s all we can ask. Thank you for going on this journey with me and I ask for continued prayers and support for the clinic as we advance from here. I will be coming back to the states in early December and hope to see many of you then!
I am moved in and my apartment is starting to feel like home. Here are some pictures of my new place. 
Not much going on here to report. Just working on learning Spanish, getting settled into my apartment, and enjoying the amazing opportunity God has given me to live here!
I am trying to be patient as far as the clinic project is concerned. I am here to set up this medical clinic, yet I have done nothing to work toward that specific goal. I know God's timing in this is planned out and is the way it is for a reason, so I am trying not to let my impatience get in the way. For now, I am enjoying being here and experiencing this culture and the great people I go to school with. It is really neat to be surrounded by many other missionaries, all with very different stories that are eerily the same. We have one major thing in common and it makes things easier to be around other people that are going through the same experiences/struggles/joys as you are.
As the Lord reveals His plan to me (one teeny tiny piece at a time), I am starting to realize that my love of missions is more than just something for me. It is something I want to share with others. I really enjoyed working with mission teams this summer (much to my surprise) and would love to work with medical teams in the future as a continuation of the clinic project. Funny how God gives you things you don't necessarily know you want or need and makes your heart want for them. He DOES know what He is doing!
"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
~Romans 8:25
Please be in prayer for the clinic planning team that is coming here later this month. It is made up of people from St. Andrew UMC in Plano who will be working out the details and doing some decision making, fundraising, and planning on the US side. Many of the details discussed will determine a lot about my future here and with the clinic longterm. Pray specifically for clarity and descernment for me as I make dicisions about how I will be involved with the clinic.
Moving Day
I will be moving into an apartment this weekend! Yea! I am so excited to have a place that feels like a home and I can spread out a little bit and not have to live out of a suitcase. I have been feeling so stir crazy lately, so I hope this will give me a better sense of permanency. I will post pictures once I move in and get it all spruced up! It has two bedrooms so if anyone wants to visit, I have a place for you to stay!
Seriously. God is amazing.
Living in such a beautiful place has helped me to recognize the magnitude of God's creation. The fact that he gave us a gorgeous planet to live on is such a blessing that we tend to forget. Even taking a walk is an incredible experience here. The sunsets have been beautiful lately and the fact that I am completely surrounded by mountains doesn't hurt, either. It is so easy to forget the little things we have been given and to thank God for them! So, here's my thank you card...
