Sunday, May 13, 2012
Exciting news ! :)
Hey Everyone,
I just wanted to post a very quick but exciting blog post and share a video that I made to go with it.
As most of you know June 24th 2011 I set off on a adventure that would change my life forever. I left for Costa Rica to do a Children at Risk school at the YWAM base in San Jose.
After a very life changing 3 months God led me to Jaco a small beach town about 2 and a half hours away from San Jose to help a young family with there Children's ministry called EL Refugio.
After 4 intense,fun ,challenging , awesome months I left Jaco with a heart to head back in April and continue on helping with the ministry and go on to make a long term commitment !
I returned January 25th ready for some refreshment to see my family after 7 months and to raise support.
Alot of unexpected circumstances came up and my trip to Jaco was post poned until only God new .
I got my job back I had prior to going to Costa Rica and started saving up bought my laptop and just prayed and asked God what he would have for me.
About a month ago I felt called to move to Baltimore, MD and pursue a nannying position so I filled out the application online and sent it in and started praying for the right one to come up and for a date to move, things looked good at first I got a reply right away wanting an interview that weekend :) Well of course I was not ready to leave just that soon and so I wrote them back and explained what was going on and that I would get back to them as soon as I knew. Applied for a few more and got a reply and all looked promising. :)
Well about 2 weeks ago I was over at my Pastor's house for Lunch he started asking me about my time in Jaco and what all I did. He also asked me if I felt called to missions for a life time on which of course my answer was "yes!"
He said he wants to meet again with me and get more details of my time there and what I will be doing when I return! you might say "what your returning ?" and my answer is it's only God!
He said he wants to help support me so on that thought he goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am returning to Jaco Lord willing in July and this is where all of you come in. Please pray and consider supporting me in my mission to help bring hope to the hopeless . and this is where my video comes in. Please take a few minutes and watch this and get a heart for what Jaco faces !
Thank you all for your time!
Sincerly Aimee Griffin
Contact me: Aimee Griffin
Livingwithapurpose@aol.com
Friday, March 2, 2012
Food for thought!
Hey Everyone,
Here is just a really quick thought I was reading one of my friends statuses today and she was posing some everyday thoughts. They really got me thinking so I decided to blog my thoughts down. Here goes we all have done it complained because we have to do another sink load of dishes, "I just did them last night" we might say. Or "I have to clean the house again? Why can't it stay clean?". I get so tired of having to do this everyday or some times we feel we clean all day and at the end of the day it looks like we didn't do anything all day. lol We all have had those times. Recently in Novemember while living in Jaco I offered to help a friend clean and organize her house. It was a bigger job then either one of us had bargained for but after the 2 days of completly dumping room after room into the middle of the floor and getting rid of bags and boxes of things that weren't useful to them anymore. The reward was so great the house looked beautiful and totally new we were exhausted but it was a satifactory tired we both sat down at the end of the second day and just smiled we had had so much fun getting rid of stuff and cleaning up so we could see the beautiful place that it actually was . The thing that came up time after time was "wow we have alot of stuff " Do I really need to keep books from my school I did in 1999? " I was like "if you haven't looked at it in the past 12 years chances are you never will" so if something was hard for her to part with I just took it from her hand and did the dirty work from her throwing away cute papers from her kids yes they were adorable but they were just laying around . Sometimes in life we need someone to come in and show us what to get rid of, to do the dirty work. It's not always easy but in the end it so awesome. Getting rid of the junk that fills up our lives so many times. Junk that clogs us up so we can't see the pretty things and enjoy the whole picture because all the junk is in the way. It's the same as in our personal life we have to stop and let Jesus clean and organize it let him get rid of all the junk so we can freely live in peace and be able to see his beautiful creation without having to look through dirty windows persay. The point of this blog is lets be thankful that we have to clean because that means we are blessed and have a roof over our head, out of the rain ,snow and heat, Lets be thankful we have to wash another load of dirty dishes because that means we just enjoyed another meal. Lets be thankful for what we have because that means we are blessed and that someone cares for us. Next time we think about complaining about having to go to work again lets remember that there are people out there that would do anything to have a job but unfortanantly there just isn't anything available. Nexts Time we feel like complaining about anything lets remember to be thankful for everything we have because it was given to us for a reason and by someone who cares for us.
Here is just a really quick thought I was reading one of my friends statuses today and she was posing some everyday thoughts. They really got me thinking so I decided to blog my thoughts down. Here goes we all have done it complained because we have to do another sink load of dishes, "I just did them last night" we might say. Or "I have to clean the house again? Why can't it stay clean?". I get so tired of having to do this everyday or some times we feel we clean all day and at the end of the day it looks like we didn't do anything all day. lol We all have had those times. Recently in Novemember while living in Jaco I offered to help a friend clean and organize her house. It was a bigger job then either one of us had bargained for but after the 2 days of completly dumping room after room into the middle of the floor and getting rid of bags and boxes of things that weren't useful to them anymore. The reward was so great the house looked beautiful and totally new we were exhausted but it was a satifactory tired we both sat down at the end of the second day and just smiled we had had so much fun getting rid of stuff and cleaning up so we could see the beautiful place that it actually was . The thing that came up time after time was "wow we have alot of stuff " Do I really need to keep books from my school I did in 1999? " I was like "if you haven't looked at it in the past 12 years chances are you never will" so if something was hard for her to part with I just took it from her hand and did the dirty work from her throwing away cute papers from her kids yes they were adorable but they were just laying around . Sometimes in life we need someone to come in and show us what to get rid of, to do the dirty work. It's not always easy but in the end it so awesome. Getting rid of the junk that fills up our lives so many times. Junk that clogs us up so we can't see the pretty things and enjoy the whole picture because all the junk is in the way. It's the same as in our personal life we have to stop and let Jesus clean and organize it let him get rid of all the junk so we can freely live in peace and be able to see his beautiful creation without having to look through dirty windows persay. The point of this blog is lets be thankful that we have to clean because that means we are blessed and have a roof over our head, out of the rain ,snow and heat, Lets be thankful we have to wash another load of dirty dishes because that means we just enjoyed another meal. Lets be thankful for what we have because that means we are blessed and that someone cares for us. Next time we think about complaining about having to go to work again lets remember that there are people out there that would do anything to have a job but unfortanantly there just isn't anything available. Nexts Time we feel like complaining about anything lets remember to be thankful for everything we have because it was given to us for a reason and by someone who cares for us.
Monday, February 13, 2012
It's been a whirlwind!
Hey Everyone,
So here I am sitting down to catch you all up on my life and what has been happening since my last one. Well I have now been home 2 1/2 weeks and it's been a time of adjusting to cold weather and the business of living in america after living in Costa Rica for 7 months where everything is so tranquila (calm)it's been an adjustment but it's good. I flew back to the states on Jan 25th and the nexts day, I went into my old job to see if I could get my job back and before I got a chance to ask my boss she asked me if she could call me if she needed an extra person! so the following day I got my first shift being on call Friday night and then again on Sat night God is awesome then I got a day off and worked again the nexts Monday I love my life then I got a few days off and was again called in to work on Friday the 3rd and Sunday the 5th Can I just say my God never ceases to amaze me with how he works. Ok going back a few days On Friday the 3rd Our church was having a weekend Youth conference and I had the privileged of being apart of that Chaproning a room of 4 girls it was a weekend of many blessing meeting new people and hanging out with about 57 youth and seeing God move in their lives it was a AWESOME time! My love for working with youth just continues to grow yes Gods ways are not my ways. :) I am now back on the schedual at my job and Sat I worked a 10 hour shift yes I believe they missed me .lol My life here at home has been so different then normal now that all my sibilings are in school and my mom is helping at the school a few hours most everyday. I find myself wondering what to do with my time it has been good to sit and relax after 7 months of intense days but it is also a weird adjustment to have so much free time still thinking I like the busy schedual better but all in Gods timing . Ok so you might all be wondering whats next and well that is my same question when you think you have your life all planned out and it gets turned upside down over night I just have to sit and wonder, God what is next which is the place where God always wants us to be in and he seems to do this to me every year. I can't give anyone any answers all I can say is in Gods timing he will reveal himself to me and I can then tell you all. In the mean time prayers for direction would definantly be appreciated I still want to go back to Jaco ,Costa Rica and serve if that is Gods will but I don't know when that will be . In the mean time I just want to grow in my relationship with the lord, and be here for the girls he has given me the privlege to be friends with while charoning the girls for the weekend youth confrence just made me realize just how much pain and rejection that even the youth here in America face some of the same issues that they are dealing with here are the same as the youth in Jaco yes we have a better life experince here but pain and rejection is something the whole world faces and it's tough to watch as people go through it on a daily basis. Thankfully we serve a God of love who can free us of all pain. Being in this place of unknown is hard but it's the best because I just want to follow Gods plan for my life and don't want get ahead of him.
Prayers request:
Direction for my next step.
Monthly support for if it is Gods will to go back to Jaco which is where my heart is.
Oppertunities to serve here in my home town and church while I am here.
More hours at my job so I can continue to build up my bank account.
Patience as I wait for God to reveal his plan for me.
Thank you so much for your time and prayers if you have anny questions please feel free to write me I would love to hear from you all.
sincerly in his service Aimee Griffin
So here I am sitting down to catch you all up on my life and what has been happening since my last one. Well I have now been home 2 1/2 weeks and it's been a time of adjusting to cold weather and the business of living in america after living in Costa Rica for 7 months where everything is so tranquila (calm)it's been an adjustment but it's good. I flew back to the states on Jan 25th and the nexts day, I went into my old job to see if I could get my job back and before I got a chance to ask my boss she asked me if she could call me if she needed an extra person! so the following day I got my first shift being on call Friday night and then again on Sat night God is awesome then I got a day off and worked again the nexts Monday I love my life then I got a few days off and was again called in to work on Friday the 3rd and Sunday the 5th Can I just say my God never ceases to amaze me with how he works. Ok going back a few days On Friday the 3rd Our church was having a weekend Youth conference and I had the privileged of being apart of that Chaproning a room of 4 girls it was a weekend of many blessing meeting new people and hanging out with about 57 youth and seeing God move in their lives it was a AWESOME time! My love for working with youth just continues to grow yes Gods ways are not my ways. :) I am now back on the schedual at my job and Sat I worked a 10 hour shift yes I believe they missed me .lol My life here at home has been so different then normal now that all my sibilings are in school and my mom is helping at the school a few hours most everyday. I find myself wondering what to do with my time it has been good to sit and relax after 7 months of intense days but it is also a weird adjustment to have so much free time still thinking I like the busy schedual better but all in Gods timing . Ok so you might all be wondering whats next and well that is my same question when you think you have your life all planned out and it gets turned upside down over night I just have to sit and wonder, God what is next which is the place where God always wants us to be in and he seems to do this to me every year. I can't give anyone any answers all I can say is in Gods timing he will reveal himself to me and I can then tell you all. In the mean time prayers for direction would definantly be appreciated I still want to go back to Jaco ,Costa Rica and serve if that is Gods will but I don't know when that will be . In the mean time I just want to grow in my relationship with the lord, and be here for the girls he has given me the privlege to be friends with while charoning the girls for the weekend youth confrence just made me realize just how much pain and rejection that even the youth here in America face some of the same issues that they are dealing with here are the same as the youth in Jaco yes we have a better life experince here but pain and rejection is something the whole world faces and it's tough to watch as people go through it on a daily basis. Thankfully we serve a God of love who can free us of all pain. Being in this place of unknown is hard but it's the best because I just want to follow Gods plan for my life and don't want get ahead of him.
Prayers request:
Direction for my next step.
Monthly support for if it is Gods will to go back to Jaco which is where my heart is.
Oppertunities to serve here in my home town and church while I am here.
More hours at my job so I can continue to build up my bank account.
Patience as I wait for God to reveal his plan for me.
Thank you so much for your time and prayers if you have anny questions please feel free to write me I would love to hear from you all.
sincerly in his service Aimee Griffin
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
It's all a process
Hey Everyone
I just wanted to update you all on my life and all that has since my last update .First of all I will just bullet point the happening an explain a little on each one to hopefully make it easy to understand.
Ramp ministy
Discipleship classes
Ministry in daily living
ie
Alright so here is how RAMP MINISTRY works everyday from 2-6 we open up our ministry property gate for anyone needed a safe place to come away from any form of temptations that faces the youth an children and adults here in Jaco The family that I am working here with started this ministry last April because they heart have a for kids and want to make a difference in there life giving them a hope and purpose. well they have never advertised or anything it has always been by word of mouth and they have always had lots of kids show up on any day we can average 5 to 25 kids here at a time.Well with the holidays and all we were having less and less kids which is never a problem being that Jesus would have died even if there had been only one person so even if only 1 or 2 kids show up they need love just as much or more then 25 kids do . We ended up making fliers a few months back to invite kids and also so parents would know for sure what their kids were doing but we never got around to handing them out. On Monday we finally had some time so we took the opportunity to go invite kids so we went into this one neighborhood which is just one of the many super poor parts and that afternoon we had over 20 kids all under the age of 13 can you say crazy? lol but it was awesome as well because a few of the moms also showed up bringing there kids and hanging out . God is truly blessing this ministry and it is such an amazing blessing to be apart of it.
DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES : The first weekend in Dec we had a team from Trinity Bible college out of Tampa Florida come to minister here in Jaco for a month they gave classes for the month every Mon,Tues,Thurs just sharing their testimonies and just coming here and giving encouragement to all of the youth here who need it so bad giving them counsel and just being there for them and I had a blessing of being apart of it helping out sitting in all the classes and just seeking counsel from other godly young people who are fully sold out for the lord and wanting to help others do the same. On Sunday they did a free concert in the Park with 2 of the guys rapping and they also invited other dancers to come out and share the love of Jesus to the town of Jaco. It was amazing to be standing in the same park that is used as a place where all the prostitutes will walk by where all the taxi are line up ever night ready to be of service for the girls and instead even with all that still happening to be worshiping our lord.
Daily Life in Ministry:
Everyday is ministry whether it looks like it or not everything you do reflects who you are and what you are living for from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed people are and will be watching you and making assumptions on your actions. There is this saying; Only one life will soon be past only whats done for Christ will last. it doesn't matter who you are or what you have done at the end of life the only thing that will matter is if you lived your life for the lord and followed his commands and one of those commands is to preach the gospel to the lost an to spread his love to the nations Isaiah 1:17 we are commanded to learn to do good seek justice help the oppressed defend the cause of the orphans and fight for the rights of the widows. it doesn't say if you want to or feel like it or if you have time to it tells us we have to with no options. We all at one point or another were lost and only by Gods grace are we saved not of our self but the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. The ministry we do here at La Ola Jaco is a tough ministry and we may not always see fruit but by loving on the kids and letting them know that they are special and that they have a purpose and God has a plan for them that he love them and that is what they really need to hear so even at the end of the day when we are tired and ready for some chill time we are always to know that we can make a difference in their lives giving them a sense of hope and just showing them that the can do whatever they put their minds to do.
I am so sad to admit this but as I realize I only have 2 more weeks left in this amazing place that I have had the privilege of ministering in and serving the lord in whatever he wants the pain is to much the thought of leaving my friends, my home, my church and the ministry is to much and I just don't want to think about it I have been so blessed by everyone here it hurts to know that my time is so short to think of leaving this beautiful beach town of Jaco which has been my home for almost 4 months to leave this beautiful country of Costa Rica which has been my home for almost 7 months is over whelming. Yes I of course want to see my family and friends back in the states but that doesn't mean it makes it any easier. Lord willing I will be returning in April for long term to continue on helping with the ministry at La Ola and working with Radical which is my home church here in Jaco helping with the youth and also joining the worship band as on Sunday all of us youth were just worshiping after church and I was up front just having fun singing in the microphone as I have missed being on the youth group band that I did over 3 years ago , the worship director was sitting there listening and he heard me singing and said I want you to join the team which was so awesome and yet shocking that I didn't even know how to respond,God has blessed my time so much here I am just so grateful to him for bringing me to this place of complete peace where I have found what it is I want to do with my life and that is to blessed and help others serving Christ in the church and in everyday .Thank you so much for your prayers and please keep them coming and consider helping me out so I can come back here as soon as possible I will be flying back to the states on the 25th and will be sharing my experiment and also sending out support letters and fundraising along with hanging out with my family and friends. Please also pray for me as the goodbyes are going to be tough and I will need the lords strength to get me through . Thank you and God bless sincerely in his service Aimee
I just wanted to update you all on my life and all that has since my last update .First of all I will just bullet point the happening an explain a little on each one to hopefully make it easy to understand.
Ramp ministy
Discipleship classes
Ministry in daily living
ie
Alright so here is how RAMP MINISTRY works everyday from 2-6 we open up our ministry property gate for anyone needed a safe place to come away from any form of temptations that faces the youth an children and adults here in Jaco The family that I am working here with started this ministry last April because they heart have a for kids and want to make a difference in there life giving them a hope and purpose. well they have never advertised or anything it has always been by word of mouth and they have always had lots of kids show up on any day we can average 5 to 25 kids here at a time.Well with the holidays and all we were having less and less kids which is never a problem being that Jesus would have died even if there had been only one person so even if only 1 or 2 kids show up they need love just as much or more then 25 kids do . We ended up making fliers a few months back to invite kids and also so parents would know for sure what their kids were doing but we never got around to handing them out. On Monday we finally had some time so we took the opportunity to go invite kids so we went into this one neighborhood which is just one of the many super poor parts and that afternoon we had over 20 kids all under the age of 13 can you say crazy? lol but it was awesome as well because a few of the moms also showed up bringing there kids and hanging out . God is truly blessing this ministry and it is such an amazing blessing to be apart of it.
DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES : The first weekend in Dec we had a team from Trinity Bible college out of Tampa Florida come to minister here in Jaco for a month they gave classes for the month every Mon,Tues,Thurs just sharing their testimonies and just coming here and giving encouragement to all of the youth here who need it so bad giving them counsel and just being there for them and I had a blessing of being apart of it helping out sitting in all the classes and just seeking counsel from other godly young people who are fully sold out for the lord and wanting to help others do the same. On Sunday they did a free concert in the Park with 2 of the guys rapping and they also invited other dancers to come out and share the love of Jesus to the town of Jaco. It was amazing to be standing in the same park that is used as a place where all the prostitutes will walk by where all the taxi are line up ever night ready to be of service for the girls and instead even with all that still happening to be worshiping our lord.
Daily Life in Ministry:
Everyday is ministry whether it looks like it or not everything you do reflects who you are and what you are living for from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed people are and will be watching you and making assumptions on your actions. There is this saying; Only one life will soon be past only whats done for Christ will last. it doesn't matter who you are or what you have done at the end of life the only thing that will matter is if you lived your life for the lord and followed his commands and one of those commands is to preach the gospel to the lost an to spread his love to the nations Isaiah 1:17 we are commanded to learn to do good seek justice help the oppressed defend the cause of the orphans and fight for the rights of the widows. it doesn't say if you want to or feel like it or if you have time to it tells us we have to with no options. We all at one point or another were lost and only by Gods grace are we saved not of our self but the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. The ministry we do here at La Ola Jaco is a tough ministry and we may not always see fruit but by loving on the kids and letting them know that they are special and that they have a purpose and God has a plan for them that he love them and that is what they really need to hear so even at the end of the day when we are tired and ready for some chill time we are always to know that we can make a difference in their lives giving them a sense of hope and just showing them that the can do whatever they put their minds to do.
I am so sad to admit this but as I realize I only have 2 more weeks left in this amazing place that I have had the privilege of ministering in and serving the lord in whatever he wants the pain is to much the thought of leaving my friends, my home, my church and the ministry is to much and I just don't want to think about it I have been so blessed by everyone here it hurts to know that my time is so short to think of leaving this beautiful beach town of Jaco which has been my home for almost 4 months to leave this beautiful country of Costa Rica which has been my home for almost 7 months is over whelming. Yes I of course want to see my family and friends back in the states but that doesn't mean it makes it any easier. Lord willing I will be returning in April for long term to continue on helping with the ministry at La Ola and working with Radical which is my home church here in Jaco helping with the youth and also joining the worship band as on Sunday all of us youth were just worshiping after church and I was up front just having fun singing in the microphone as I have missed being on the youth group band that I did over 3 years ago , the worship director was sitting there listening and he heard me singing and said I want you to join the team which was so awesome and yet shocking that I didn't even know how to respond,God has blessed my time so much here I am just so grateful to him for bringing me to this place of complete peace where I have found what it is I want to do with my life and that is to blessed and help others serving Christ in the church and in everyday .Thank you so much for your prayers and please keep them coming and consider helping me out so I can come back here as soon as possible I will be flying back to the states on the 25th and will be sharing my experiment and also sending out support letters and fundraising along with hanging out with my family and friends. Please also pray for me as the goodbyes are going to be tough and I will need the lords strength to get me through . Thank you and God bless sincerely in his service Aimee
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Reflection and a Merry Christmas from Jaco Costa Rica
Hey Everyone,
I Just thought I would share another blog giving you all a reflection of my life it's been almost 6 months since I left home at times it all feels like a dream sometimes a bad one but for the most part a really awesome one. There is so much to be thankful for so much change in me so much joy in my heart for what the lord has done in me and where I am . I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner 4 days to be exact! So much has happened it's hard to explain in words just how I feel and just what is going on in my head as I sit here tonight and just want to cry I am not the same person I was 6 months ago. I lived in my own little world and everything was perfect or if not I pertended it was I didn't want to face reality I didn't want help I was to proud to relize that I was going through the motions and slowing dying while I pertended I was ok and everything else around me was Honestly I was falling apart I was going know where living my life without a purpose until 6 months ago when I moved to Costa Rica and my world was shaken and turned upside down where all my comforts where pulled out from under my feet where everyone i knew was no longer with me. I was stripped of all comforts and I had to fully rely on God and only him for my strength to get my through it as I applied for the Children At Risk school had I known fully what it was going to be like I may not have done it but because I went in blind folded knowing I wanted and was called to workd with children I went and stepped out in faith as I would sit in class week after week and watch the videos and do the research I honestly felt like I was putting myself through torture the whole time and i wasn't sure why every week i would reflect on the week gone by and wonder why I am here why am I putting myself through so much pain is it worth it is there a pupose behind all this I knew God had called me there so I never gave up and i started out strong and wanted to finsh strong through many talks and prayer with friends and leaders God gave me the strength to finshed stronger then I started and when I got done I knew why I had done the school. I wanted to work with children and the harder the case the better. I moved to Jaco 2 days after graduation and well ministry started right away it took some time to adapt to a differnt life style after living at a YWAM base for 3 months having your schedual planned out for you was nice but moving to Jaco started real life where I needed to set my schedual or so I thought I am not a schedal person anyways I go with the flow thats how I work and that is how it is here my life is all about relationships building,loving, and just being a friend . As it has almost been 3 months of full time ministry I have loved every minute of it I never know what will happen how my day will start or end and thats ok with me I am all about adventure and flexibilitie. It amazing me how even though I am not at all a leader well I have kinda had to step up and be one here in this ministry as the questions are ask and know one but me is around to answer them . Living on the ministry property has been a blessing and I won't trade it for anything I never know at what hour someone will call my name at the gate and wants something it's not like ok ministry is over at 6 pm sharp and starts at 2 pm no ministry here is on going yes ramp hours are 2-6 but that doesn't mean anything when kids are at the gate at 1:15 or before you can't just turn them away and say it's not 2 yet they have walked acrossed a highway to get here or farther in some cases. When I asked God to break my heart for what breaks his I didn't know at first what I was asking or how it would feel and let me tell you it's painful but so worth it when I asked God for more love for these children and youth he answered and i never new i could have so much love for all of them and funny as it may sound the harder the case of the child or youth those are the ones I am the closest with when you ask God for something don't be surprise when he answers your prayer and how he does. before coming here i never know I was intrested in working with youth but the more I do it the more I love it it's a chanllenge but also a joy. I live my life for the lord and to serve others and through just being a friend and helping out someone that brings me more joy then I could have ever imagined I feel like a mom to all of them as I can't count the times I have fed all of the youth when they all come over for a Sunday afternoon or whenever and they tell me they are how can I refused and as greatful as they are for it I won't stop. Today as I sat in ramp ministry watching as the little boys played with eachother with the nerf guns and while the older ones just chatting 2 of the boys are youth that come reguarly and are apart my church and youth group here and are my friends we hang out alot and one just comes around sometimes they they were telling the one who just comes around sometimes about the differnet people who have helped out with the ministry and how they were, they were saying how none of the rest ever fed them or anything and that all they have to say to me is that they are hungry and I feed them one of the boys was over on Sunday eating lunch and we made mini pizzas it was fun to watch the creativity come out in each one and he was telling the other boys about it and just praising me to them and it was just such a joy to me to know that they truly do appreciate all I do that they are willing to sit and talk about it to someone else. Trust me doing this is a gift that can only come from God and I have often wonder why God choose me to do it where I can see a need and help them out when others might see the same thing and not do anything about it people tell me it's a gift and not just anyone could do it, it takes a special person to do what I am doing. Everday my heart continues to be broken for the needs that Jaco faces and the thought makes me never want to leave I am thankful for the challenges God has placed in my life for bringing me to this place for allowing me to go through all the pain torture and bringing me to my lowest so I can see the needs other face so I can no longer shut my eyes and pertend the word is perfect we live in a messed up place the needs are never ending and through Christ we can make a difference I am willing and thankful to be the hands and feet for Jesus to leave my own selffish desires behind and focuse on what really matters and that is people all the things in life will pass and only what we do for Christ will count in the end lets be soul winners lets stop standing around pertending that everything is great. People need help yea we might have our own issues but when we help others it seems our issues don't seem so bad when we look at what others face we may not have the fancy things in life like the newest car or the iphone 4 but if you have a bed and a roof over your head you are blessed some people don't have that if you have a draw full of clothes u are blessed if u have parents that care for you and are there for you and will do anything for you you are truly blessed some kids have none of this they wander the streets at night hoping to find some little shelter out of the rain and as they sleep on the streets they find a pizza box cover out of the trash to put over there faces to stop some of the rain from hitting them they never know what they will eat or how they will survive or where they will sleep the nexts night if they do at all they are scared and because being scared is a form of weakness they don't show it instead they harden themself to the point where they have no feelings where they want help but don't want to ask because that is a sign of weakness as well they have to be strong because they have knowone else. They beg for their food and money ,it's truly a sad issue we are faced with and then we sit and complain because we didn't get the newest outfit or whatever it might be. It's Christmas time and the normal thing to do is to make out our wishlist. These kids only wish is for a home a loving place where they don't have to worry about what will happen nexts.I know these are some deep topics but this is my life and what I face daily children not getting to be children. So as 2011 comes to a close please during this Chirstmas season remember to pray for the children all over the world who won't be getting a christmas remember to especially pray for the Children here in Jaco the ones we work with daily they are some tough case but nothing is impossible with God .Please remember before you eat your Christmas meal to give thanks for it because there will be children who will not have the privillege of eating that day, as you sit around with all your family remember to pray for the ones who won't be the ones who have no family at all, as you open your present make sure to thank the giver and God for it because there will be children who will not be getting that oppertuntiy. I hope this gives you just an idea of what I have been thinking about and faced with day after day and what I am doing. This ministry that I am helping with is like none other before it's unique and God has blessed me with the oppertunity to help out and be of service for his kingdom in giving me so many friends to help out with and to just spill love on them everyday even though I know they can't give me anything inreturn. I pray you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
I Just thought I would share another blog giving you all a reflection of my life it's been almost 6 months since I left home at times it all feels like a dream sometimes a bad one but for the most part a really awesome one. There is so much to be thankful for so much change in me so much joy in my heart for what the lord has done in me and where I am . I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner 4 days to be exact! So much has happened it's hard to explain in words just how I feel and just what is going on in my head as I sit here tonight and just want to cry I am not the same person I was 6 months ago. I lived in my own little world and everything was perfect or if not I pertended it was I didn't want to face reality I didn't want help I was to proud to relize that I was going through the motions and slowing dying while I pertended I was ok and everything else around me was Honestly I was falling apart I was going know where living my life without a purpose until 6 months ago when I moved to Costa Rica and my world was shaken and turned upside down where all my comforts where pulled out from under my feet where everyone i knew was no longer with me. I was stripped of all comforts and I had to fully rely on God and only him for my strength to get my through it as I applied for the Children At Risk school had I known fully what it was going to be like I may not have done it but because I went in blind folded knowing I wanted and was called to workd with children I went and stepped out in faith as I would sit in class week after week and watch the videos and do the research I honestly felt like I was putting myself through torture the whole time and i wasn't sure why every week i would reflect on the week gone by and wonder why I am here why am I putting myself through so much pain is it worth it is there a pupose behind all this I knew God had called me there so I never gave up and i started out strong and wanted to finsh strong through many talks and prayer with friends and leaders God gave me the strength to finshed stronger then I started and when I got done I knew why I had done the school. I wanted to work with children and the harder the case the better. I moved to Jaco 2 days after graduation and well ministry started right away it took some time to adapt to a differnt life style after living at a YWAM base for 3 months having your schedual planned out for you was nice but moving to Jaco started real life where I needed to set my schedual or so I thought I am not a schedal person anyways I go with the flow thats how I work and that is how it is here my life is all about relationships building,loving, and just being a friend . As it has almost been 3 months of full time ministry I have loved every minute of it I never know what will happen how my day will start or end and thats ok with me I am all about adventure and flexibilitie. It amazing me how even though I am not at all a leader well I have kinda had to step up and be one here in this ministry as the questions are ask and know one but me is around to answer them . Living on the ministry property has been a blessing and I won't trade it for anything I never know at what hour someone will call my name at the gate and wants something it's not like ok ministry is over at 6 pm sharp and starts at 2 pm no ministry here is on going yes ramp hours are 2-6 but that doesn't mean anything when kids are at the gate at 1:15 or before you can't just turn them away and say it's not 2 yet they have walked acrossed a highway to get here or farther in some cases. When I asked God to break my heart for what breaks his I didn't know at first what I was asking or how it would feel and let me tell you it's painful but so worth it when I asked God for more love for these children and youth he answered and i never new i could have so much love for all of them and funny as it may sound the harder the case of the child or youth those are the ones I am the closest with when you ask God for something don't be surprise when he answers your prayer and how he does. before coming here i never know I was intrested in working with youth but the more I do it the more I love it it's a chanllenge but also a joy. I live my life for the lord and to serve others and through just being a friend and helping out someone that brings me more joy then I could have ever imagined I feel like a mom to all of them as I can't count the times I have fed all of the youth when they all come over for a Sunday afternoon or whenever and they tell me they are how can I refused and as greatful as they are for it I won't stop. Today as I sat in ramp ministry watching as the little boys played with eachother with the nerf guns and while the older ones just chatting 2 of the boys are youth that come reguarly and are apart my church and youth group here and are my friends we hang out alot and one just comes around sometimes they they were telling the one who just comes around sometimes about the differnet people who have helped out with the ministry and how they were, they were saying how none of the rest ever fed them or anything and that all they have to say to me is that they are hungry and I feed them one of the boys was over on Sunday eating lunch and we made mini pizzas it was fun to watch the creativity come out in each one and he was telling the other boys about it and just praising me to them and it was just such a joy to me to know that they truly do appreciate all I do that they are willing to sit and talk about it to someone else. Trust me doing this is a gift that can only come from God and I have often wonder why God choose me to do it where I can see a need and help them out when others might see the same thing and not do anything about it people tell me it's a gift and not just anyone could do it, it takes a special person to do what I am doing. Everday my heart continues to be broken for the needs that Jaco faces and the thought makes me never want to leave I am thankful for the challenges God has placed in my life for bringing me to this place for allowing me to go through all the pain torture and bringing me to my lowest so I can see the needs other face so I can no longer shut my eyes and pertend the word is perfect we live in a messed up place the needs are never ending and through Christ we can make a difference I am willing and thankful to be the hands and feet for Jesus to leave my own selffish desires behind and focuse on what really matters and that is people all the things in life will pass and only what we do for Christ will count in the end lets be soul winners lets stop standing around pertending that everything is great. People need help yea we might have our own issues but when we help others it seems our issues don't seem so bad when we look at what others face we may not have the fancy things in life like the newest car or the iphone 4 but if you have a bed and a roof over your head you are blessed some people don't have that if you have a draw full of clothes u are blessed if u have parents that care for you and are there for you and will do anything for you you are truly blessed some kids have none of this they wander the streets at night hoping to find some little shelter out of the rain and as they sleep on the streets they find a pizza box cover out of the trash to put over there faces to stop some of the rain from hitting them they never know what they will eat or how they will survive or where they will sleep the nexts night if they do at all they are scared and because being scared is a form of weakness they don't show it instead they harden themself to the point where they have no feelings where they want help but don't want to ask because that is a sign of weakness as well they have to be strong because they have knowone else. They beg for their food and money ,it's truly a sad issue we are faced with and then we sit and complain because we didn't get the newest outfit or whatever it might be. It's Christmas time and the normal thing to do is to make out our wishlist. These kids only wish is for a home a loving place where they don't have to worry about what will happen nexts.I know these are some deep topics but this is my life and what I face daily children not getting to be children. So as 2011 comes to a close please during this Chirstmas season remember to pray for the children all over the world who won't be getting a christmas remember to especially pray for the Children here in Jaco the ones we work with daily they are some tough case but nothing is impossible with God .Please remember before you eat your Christmas meal to give thanks for it because there will be children who will not have the privillege of eating that day, as you sit around with all your family remember to pray for the ones who won't be the ones who have no family at all, as you open your present make sure to thank the giver and God for it because there will be children who will not be getting that oppertuntiy. I hope this gives you just an idea of what I have been thinking about and faced with day after day and what I am doing. This ministry that I am helping with is like none other before it's unique and God has blessed me with the oppertunity to help out and be of service for his kingdom in giving me so many friends to help out with and to just spill love on them everyday even though I know they can't give me anything inreturn. I pray you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Hey Everyone ,
I sorry I am not so great with sending out updates my life here in Jaco is beyond busy I never no from one minute to the nexts what will happen but I love it and wouldn´t change it for anything So much has happen I don´t know where to begin I just want to give a shout out ot my awesome God who brought me to this place of peace and and joy even when everything around me seems to be turned upside down even when so many obstacles come my way I know I can always turn to my awesome creator in times of trouble and he will pull me through . I will often catch myself question why me how come I always end up in the middle of tough situations and then I realized it is only to make me fully rely on God and go to him for my strenth and not others when so many people are against what you are doing it´s tough but God has been my stronghold through it all and I can´t thank him enough for everything he has brought me through and will continue to do so.What my week has looked like it´s been a crazy one let me tell you we have a team here from Trinty Bible College out of Tampa Florida, and they are teaching Discipleship classes Monday Tuesday and Thursday for the next 3 weeks So I have been attending those makes me feel like I am back in Dts and it is so awesome getting to dig into Gods word with all of my friends. My evenings are filled with ramp time of hanging out with over 20 youth which encludes many laughs awesome talks pictures and just getting to know eachother I love it won´t change it for the world I am so blessed to have so many friends honesty more then I have ever had in my entire life. Besides that it has been the ¨normal¨ stuff ramp minstry which yesterday I open the ramp by myself and ended up with an entire ramp full over 15 boys all went well for doing it solo ;) Thankfully I have friends you are always willing to pitch in and help where ever it needs such as helping with cleanup or rounding all the kids up at the close of the night sometimes it can be a real challenge. It´s always such a joy to serve christ ministrying to Children, some might say oh that sounds easy or can it really be that affective I mean really all they do is skate well let me tell you here is the thing about our ministry and why we do it and how we do it . Jaco is faced with many tough issues and so much intense pain that giving the children a safe place to come to and spend time hanging out is just a little glimsp of joy in their day who knows what they have been going through at home . Working with Children is a tough job and with the children we work with the reward is sometimes unseen and it´s a different feeling at the end of the day then other ministry might be. You may not feel all warm and cuddley and you may not be able to say wow that was awesome or those kids really love me no sometimes it quiet the opposite at the end of the day you might say wow I feel like those kids hate me or wow well the day was tough but I am glad we got through it or man these kids really need love and that it our desirehere at La Ola minsitry to give them a safe place to come to and feel the love of christ through us as we play with them calm them down laugh with them and just take time to observe them. As I have reflected over the time I have spend here I realize this is what I have always wanted to do and just didn´t know it I knew I wanted to work with kids but I didn´t realize this was it until I started and I love it . God continues to amaze me through out all thing he continues to provide for me. Prayer request would be for continued health and rest finances and for more love and patients hope this will help give you all an insiste to what I am doing . I iwll be sharing my testimony of my time here in Jaco when I get home and showing pictures of the children . Thank you so much for your prayers I know I couldn´t do it without them.
I sorry I am not so great with sending out updates my life here in Jaco is beyond busy I never no from one minute to the nexts what will happen but I love it and wouldn´t change it for anything So much has happen I don´t know where to begin I just want to give a shout out ot my awesome God who brought me to this place of peace and and joy even when everything around me seems to be turned upside down even when so many obstacles come my way I know I can always turn to my awesome creator in times of trouble and he will pull me through . I will often catch myself question why me how come I always end up in the middle of tough situations and then I realized it is only to make me fully rely on God and go to him for my strenth and not others when so many people are against what you are doing it´s tough but God has been my stronghold through it all and I can´t thank him enough for everything he has brought me through and will continue to do so.What my week has looked like it´s been a crazy one let me tell you we have a team here from Trinty Bible College out of Tampa Florida, and they are teaching Discipleship classes Monday Tuesday and Thursday for the next 3 weeks So I have been attending those makes me feel like I am back in Dts and it is so awesome getting to dig into Gods word with all of my friends. My evenings are filled with ramp time of hanging out with over 20 youth which encludes many laughs awesome talks pictures and just getting to know eachother I love it won´t change it for the world I am so blessed to have so many friends honesty more then I have ever had in my entire life. Besides that it has been the ¨normal¨ stuff ramp minstry which yesterday I open the ramp by myself and ended up with an entire ramp full over 15 boys all went well for doing it solo ;) Thankfully I have friends you are always willing to pitch in and help where ever it needs such as helping with cleanup or rounding all the kids up at the close of the night sometimes it can be a real challenge. It´s always such a joy to serve christ ministrying to Children, some might say oh that sounds easy or can it really be that affective I mean really all they do is skate well let me tell you here is the thing about our ministry and why we do it and how we do it . Jaco is faced with many tough issues and so much intense pain that giving the children a safe place to come to and spend time hanging out is just a little glimsp of joy in their day who knows what they have been going through at home . Working with Children is a tough job and with the children we work with the reward is sometimes unseen and it´s a different feeling at the end of the day then other ministry might be. You may not feel all warm and cuddley and you may not be able to say wow that was awesome or those kids really love me no sometimes it quiet the opposite at the end of the day you might say wow I feel like those kids hate me or wow well the day was tough but I am glad we got through it or man these kids really need love and that it our desirehere at La Ola minsitry to give them a safe place to come to and feel the love of christ through us as we play with them calm them down laugh with them and just take time to observe them. As I have reflected over the time I have spend here I realize this is what I have always wanted to do and just didn´t know it I knew I wanted to work with kids but I didn´t realize this was it until I started and I love it . God continues to amaze me through out all thing he continues to provide for me. Prayer request would be for continued health and rest finances and for more love and patients hope this will help give you all an insiste to what I am doing . I iwll be sharing my testimony of my time here in Jaco when I get home and showing pictures of the children . Thank you so much for your prayers I know I couldn´t do it without them.
Monday, December 5, 2011
where is the love
Hey Everyone ,
Just another update to let you all know what has been going on in my life since my last update. So much has happened it's always hard to know where to start. I will start off with a little story and hope that I get it right a week ago Friday we decieded not to open the ramp and instead a couple people took some of the boys that we minister to surfing and while doing so one of the kids who is a homeless boy started shaking and well they ended up taking him to the clinic and found out he has dengey which is a virus from mostqutoes. we let him stay at the property until he was back on his feet a little but he is still under the weather pretty well this is just one of the many stories of what these kids face everyday he needs our prayers his name is Wnston and he is 16 years old . after 2 entense months of ministry I needed a break and i took a few days off and went to San Jose for some rest and also to go with someone for my visa run after a very refreshing 5 days of being at the base and going to Niguragua for my visa run and just hanging out with friends I came back to Jaco with a new vision and ready to face whatever comes .Sometimes it feels like I am on the front lines of the battle all alone and I have to remember that God is always here with me we are fighting and it´s a tough battle but with God on my side who can be against me. As we continue to spread the love of Christ to this place it is amazing to watch the tiny changes that take place it´s not like a bomb and it´s the small things that count. it´s seeing a Child that is so hardened to love and to be able to accept love have a smile on there face when you look at them it´s the joys of seeing the toughest kids attend church.Yesterday was our first Sunday morning service at my church and as I looked arounds over half the church was filled with children under the age of 13 and it just made me smile to think about how this town can be transformed if all of these kids continue to attend church and grow in the faith of Jesus and are healed of all there hurts I serve an amazing God who can do even this Jaco is being transforrmed one child at a time we see it all the time and I am so blessed to be apart of this ministry and to see the lord moving in this place. God continues to break my heart for what breaks his and it is amazing to live it out . Some prayer request direction for my next step as I persure coming back here for ministry nexts year finanual support and for stregth to continue on this mission God has placed me in for more love in a deeper way and for my spanish to improve . Thank you os much for your time and I pray that through my blogs you can grasp a little of what our lives here in Jaco Costa Rica look like .
Just another update to let you all know what has been going on in my life since my last update. So much has happened it's always hard to know where to start. I will start off with a little story and hope that I get it right a week ago Friday we decieded not to open the ramp and instead a couple people took some of the boys that we minister to surfing and while doing so one of the kids who is a homeless boy started shaking and well they ended up taking him to the clinic and found out he has dengey which is a virus from mostqutoes. we let him stay at the property until he was back on his feet a little but he is still under the weather pretty well this is just one of the many stories of what these kids face everyday he needs our prayers his name is Wnston and he is 16 years old . after 2 entense months of ministry I needed a break and i took a few days off and went to San Jose for some rest and also to go with someone for my visa run after a very refreshing 5 days of being at the base and going to Niguragua for my visa run and just hanging out with friends I came back to Jaco with a new vision and ready to face whatever comes .Sometimes it feels like I am on the front lines of the battle all alone and I have to remember that God is always here with me we are fighting and it´s a tough battle but with God on my side who can be against me. As we continue to spread the love of Christ to this place it is amazing to watch the tiny changes that take place it´s not like a bomb and it´s the small things that count. it´s seeing a Child that is so hardened to love and to be able to accept love have a smile on there face when you look at them it´s the joys of seeing the toughest kids attend church.Yesterday was our first Sunday morning service at my church and as I looked arounds over half the church was filled with children under the age of 13 and it just made me smile to think about how this town can be transformed if all of these kids continue to attend church and grow in the faith of Jesus and are healed of all there hurts I serve an amazing God who can do even this Jaco is being transforrmed one child at a time we see it all the time and I am so blessed to be apart of this ministry and to see the lord moving in this place. God continues to break my heart for what breaks his and it is amazing to live it out . Some prayer request direction for my next step as I persure coming back here for ministry nexts year finanual support and for stregth to continue on this mission God has placed me in for more love in a deeper way and for my spanish to improve . Thank you os much for your time and I pray that through my blogs you can grasp a little of what our lives here in Jaco Costa Rica look like .
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