I have been struggling lately with giving my life over, fully and completely, to Christ. I feel that moving to another country to work for the Lord is just the first step in what He is calling me to do. The longer I am here, I realize that the clutter of real life is slowly getting in the way. As I make my life in Costa Rica and get settled, I am finding myself distracted by my wants and needs; wanting to spend time with people, getting to travel around the country, and even in the construction work itself. Even though the big picture purpose is ultimately working for the Lord, I forget to focus my thoughts on Him and the kingdom in the moment. My prayers have been centered on thanking God for the blessings he has given me and the amazing things He has done in my life. While it is great to thank him and praise Him, that prayer is still about me. I am looking inward at the ways God has worked in me. I need to remember to live for Him and Him alone, not for myself in His name.
I am a huge fan of music. I get a lot out of songs because they appeal to my emotional side and make me think- which connects the two parts of my brain. I tend to focus in on one song at a time and fixate on it because I feel that it has a message for me. Right now, that song for me is In Your Hands by Christy Nockels.

Here is my mailing address for letters or small packages. Other things that need to be sent down can be sent to HPUMC (Attention: Rachael Faubion) and they will get sent down with the next mission team or next time I come home for a visit.

Ray & Lidia Zirkel
Attn: Kim Baldwin
J.B.C. SJO #1441
PO Box 025240
Miami, FL 33102

We are starting a clothes closet for pastors to "shop" in and get needed items for people in their congregations. Please start collecting clothes, shoes, school/craft supplies, or any other donation items if you have them laying around or if you want to get a group (sunday school class or small group) involved in ministry here. We will ensure they get to the right place where they are needed and very much appreciated. Thanks!

Since it has been a very long time since I have posted anything and it would be impossible to catch you all up on everything that has happened. So, I will just give you a quick summary and lots of pictures so you can see what I have been up to for the last month.

Time is really flying by! Each week seems like it is gone so fast. I am really enjoying my time with the mission teams. It is so fun to get to know all of them. With these diverse groups have come some interesting people and situations, but all in all, it has been a wonderful experience. Will, Alli, and Hannah are the other interns I have been working with. They are so great to have around because it makes it feel more like a family. We are going through all of these experiences together. Hannah will be leaving us in a week and Chris will be joining the team for a few weeks before he heads back for another year at UVA. Will's friend, Wes, was also here for 2 weeks to hang out and play with the kiddos. It is so fun to have all of these people around all the time, but I am starting to miss my family and friends that I used to see all the time. It is really hard to keep up with emails and skype dates because I want to be able to pour out everything for the team members and for the Costa Rican people I come in contact with. I just need to learn balance...which is easier said than done.