Behind ever story is an influence

Hey Everyone I know I just posted a blog this morning but I feel like I need to post another one just to give you all a little vision and glimsp of what goes on in my life, living here in Jaco and what we as a team face daily and why we need so much prayer honestly can't get enough I hope after this you can understand better know how to pray for us. Here is just a little bit of a story of our team something about each one. This Skateboarding ministy was started by Scott and Leslie Freeman a couple with 4 little boys who had a heart for the people and kids here in Jaco Costa Rica they wanted to serve Christ and make him known throughtout this place and well giving the kids a passion and a safe place to come was the solution not as easy as it might seem, but God has given them grace to continue on this path and their ministry continues to grow daily . They have had a few inters come along side them and help out but it started out with a family with a heart and love for at risk kids . In June I came to San Jose to do my Children at Risk school and also met Hannah Kauffman from Michigan who did the school with me and in Sept we both came to Jaco to help with this ministry . Just this past month another guy named Jonathan Christie from Canada joined our team he did his Children at Risk school 2 years ago and decieded to finish his outreach now. It has been a blessing to get to know these people and to work along side them everyday and to bless Scott and Leslie and support them in this awesome ministry. We are a team of 5 set out on a mission to serve Christ and to make him known in this place we want to shine the love of Christ ,We want to see lives changed. I am going to share some of the issues the kids face, most of these kids sadly do not have a dad in the picture they are from singal moms or if the dad is there he is still not really there sadly alot of these kids fend for themself. I am so sad to say this but honestly most of these kids have seen more and been through more then I ever have and will experience. Most of their innocents has been lost and most of their trust has been broken they don't trust anyone because anyone every that was suppose to be there for them did not fulfill the role and sadly the ones that are suppose to love and protect them are the ones hurting them the most . It's a trickle down affect trickling down from generation to generation sadly these poor little kids and teens don't know how to accept love and they in some cases thrive on pushing our buttons which is why we have to be on gaurd all the time knowing they do it on purpose so we don't loose our cool and lash out . Some of them deal with their pain by hurting others because hurting people hurt people that is just the truth so if they can get another kid annoyed or upset even to tears it makes the one hurting them in some ways well at least they think they feel better which is never true the more they hurt others the more they hurt . It's sometimes unbearable to watch even the teens wanting love and acceptance for who they are but not knowing how to ask so they might act out for attention because SADLY who know that might have been the only way they could get it . As I look into the eyes of all these teens and kids my heart is broken for them the pain and hurt that I see is overwhelming at times and all I want to do is take it away from them and shower them with love letting them know this isn't the way God designed it. God designed families to be there forever ,parents are suppose to love their kids . It's kinda funny how God works but the teens that are the hardest to love the ones that seem so tough and nothing bothers them the ones that kinda like to be annoying are the ones that I love the most. It didn't happen at first of course not when I first met them and started working the ramp with them by the end of the nigh I was ready to pull my hair out and well I just wanted to slap them silly.lol I prayed and ask God for more love for them and he gave me that and more he showed me the bigger picture he showed me that the reason they act out is because they are truly hurting and broken and so rather then to get annoyed I need to love them smile at them and most of all pray for them ,they need tons of prayer. On Sunday as I sat in church and started thinking about the ramp ministry I started to wonder why all the teens always want to come to the ramp and well it just hit me that maybe this is their only joy they have in the whole day maybe this is the only fun they have,maybe this is the only time they can for at least a little bit forget about the pain and hurt they have . I thought to myself if this is truly the case I can sacrifice my time to give them to give them some joy in their night to help them destress if that is the case just to give them some love. Not that is usually is a sacifice because I truly do love watching them skate and I don't mind opening it up for them. So please continue to keep all of us staff in your prayers we need it big time we need others backing us up this is a tough place to live I feel like I am on the battle field and we need to be on gaurd at all times with the amor of prayer on yet none of us would change it for anything . The kids and even the teens are all so cute and seeing them everyday is so much fun. We have our ministry ramp hoursfrom 2-6 Mon-Friday we have crafts books toys and all kinds of things for the kids to do and of course the all time favorites of Skateboarding, American football, Football (soccer) ,frisbee or even the most creative games of playing tag on the ramp and just chasing the kids around which the guys are great for. On an average we can have 5-25 kids and teens here at a time ages rang from 5-20 some times we have older people it always depends on the day and whats going on .it's always such a joy to be hanging out at those times yes by the end of the night we are all tired and ready to be done but by the nexts day we are again excited to watch and see just who and how many will show up . We have a swing that the inters before us put up that the kids love to swing on and it goes so fast ,never a dull moment here at the ramp always someone to watch and kids to play with we have tons of games and crafts that range from braclet making to coloring and much much more. My favorite thing to do is to stand or sit back and just watch as each child or group does their own thing and to watch as the staff play with the kids and just join right in doing crafts I love to watch as the kids skate we have as young as 6 years olds skating like pros . So I hope this gives you an insight to a little of what our days look like here of couse no day is ever the same as the nexts which is great . God bless all of you and thank you so much for all your prayers .

Hanging out at the ramp

Hey Everyone I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything time just keeps getting away from me and on top of that my computer is slowing dying on me so here goes another exciting update from Jaco ! I have been in Jaco one month yesterday and loving it just as much as Much as I did the first day I got here I am adjusted well and we are diving right into the race here it was a 3 weeks of alittle craziness going on with so many obstacles that came up along the way but it was all part of the plan of God. We have now step into full time ramp ministry with both feet it's been awesome as we are now in the flow of it all how many kids continue to keep coming everyday it's fun to watch the kids and watch as their inner creativty continues to blossom. Ramp ministry is always the highlight of my day and night as most nights we have youth here skating I have been going to inglsia y Radical which is an amazing church the sevice is Friday and Sat night at 7 and youth group Sat at 4 so I have been going there which is super cool to get to hang out with the youth on a everyday basis and then also attend the same church as them. God is continuing each day to break my heart for what breaks his he continues to let me give people the benifit of doubt rather then jugde them right off. The more I hang out with these youth the more pain I see in there eyes and the more I just want to love them and help them.So many times I see teenagers acting out like little kids and of course my first reaction is to right them off and be like they are so stupid or they need to get a life what's their problem but as I take a step back and look at the big picture I realize this is the pain coming out this stems from not having a great childhood or well sadly in most of these cases not having one at all.  The pain they feel comes out in different ways some want to be tough and others just like to terrorize others and some  don't know how to express it at all. I didn't think I even had this much love to keep pouring out but God in his faithfulness never ceases to stop giving it to me . The thing this town needs prayer  for is
1. poverty
2. prostitution
3. drugs
4. homelessness
5.street kids
and so much more this town needs Jesus and I want to be a light for Jesus in this dark place where so much evil is all around so please could you stand with me in prayer for these issues that face this place daily these are the things that go on around  for this is the reason why I love what I do so much and choose to live in this place away from all the comforts of home,this is my home and I love it I want to see the town of Jaco change I want to see Jesus high and lifted up in this place. I want to make a difference in this place. Jesus is their only hope here in this place of hoplessness as I walk outside my gate of where I live know matter what time of day you will see guys just sitting around drinking all day and all night you will see kids just riding around or walking around at all hours.  Alot of the kids will drop out of school because they don't understand or have the books or papper . so many kids are teens and still in 6th grade or less these kids need our prayer . Thank you for your time please pray and consider supporting me in my time here as I minister to this kids and youth and as I be a light in their dark lifes please pray that I would continue to pour out love to them even in the most difficult stiuations.

Those who pray together stay together !

Hey Everyone !
I believe it is time for another exciting blog post from Jaco Costa Rica ! Alright so here is what has happened since my last post on Wednesday. Thursday was the Dts free day so here's what took place I went to hang out with them found some at the beach and then went to their hostil the funny part is that there is a sign that says no vistars allowed but they always let me in . So I hung out there for awhile then went out for Pizza and then a few of the girls came over here to the Freemans to hang out and watch a movie and did laundry perfect day for their free day .Again all this time we are fighting the rain which is continual 5 min of dryness and then more rain welcome to Costa Rica! Friday I hung out here at my new home enjoying the peace and quietness of being free except for the fact that  I woke up sick so I spent most of my day sleeping which was not all bad sleep is good around 2 pm I got a knock at the door and lo and behold it was a gift from heaven a few of the dts people were coming to clean!  A little while later a few more dtsers show up to talk about the happenings of the night so we take a quick walk to Mega Super for a few things come back for a little time of prayer and then excitingly await the night. A few hours later I head to  church which was awesome and then prayer and worship with the Dts and then on to our prayer walk we again did another prayer walk on Sat night and Sun which was just awesome to feel the presence of God on the Streets of Jaco where everything seems so dark and evil. Spreading the love of christ one prayer drop at a time ! So many amazing things continue to happen during my time here when I thought of doing my outreach here I would have never guessed so much could happen in just 3 short weeks God continues to amazing me each and  ever day with his goodness and love. Joshua 1:9  ‎"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” I read this verse the other day and it have kept me going . I am excited for all the changes that will take place here in this small town of Jaco and also in my life and the lifes of the people that we touch with the love of Christ .  Thank to all who read this and keep up with the happenings in my exciting life here on the mission field to win souls for christ and to be a light in this dark place where hopelessness abounds in all places I want to bring the hope of Christ. God Bless you all! prayer  for Finanual support is needed . :)

It's the little things in life .

Hey Everyone !
Another week of excitement has come and gone so here goes as I tell as many of the exciting happening without boring anyone out.  I spent Oct 1st -8th living here at the Freemans while Scott was in the states that was an exciting adventure all in itselve living here in a house with 4 little boys never a dull moment here although to be honest I would never ask for one . :) Friday started out to be a normal fun day just hanging out here at the house and spending some fun one on one time with Koa the 23 month old he is such a cute and fun toddler we went shopping and then  spend some time in the pool cooling off after a very hot morning after ward Leslie took the 3 oldest to a movie and I chilled out while Koa napped it was a great day. Let me tell you living here in Jaco you just never know what your day will bring while she was gone I made supper and well I thought it was going to be a "normal" night aside from the fact that Leslie and I were both sneezing all night, hey I finally found a friend to be nose friends with as Scott calls us .lol  well we ate supper and chill had a great chat and then her and the boys went to bed while I continue to sneeze and feel like I was living in a flood . Nothing exciting happened until  10 I decieded it was high time I hit the hay so as I was perparing to shut my computer down  I  hear  a knock at the door thinking it was the nieghbors needing something I pull the curtain back and look out and see nobody  wow thats weird well sure enough soon 3 heads pop up and it's 3 of my friends that we minister to, as I open the door they all are begging for food "we are starving" so I proceed to get some food out and feed them let them chill out for awhile.Letting them  use my computer as they love to do finally about a half and hour later after I have everything cleaned up I finally tell them ok guys it's time to go and off to bed I go. just when you think your life is boring then something like this happens . living here in Jaco is great the relationships you make are forever ,  you might  just meet someone on the street and say "hola" once and think nothing of it but the nexts time you see that same person the smile on their face and the joy they having in their eyes is unforgettable because you took a second out of your life to greet them and from then on anytime you see them you  won't be able  pass without getting a greeting.  Saturday  was a crazy fun day as we took a spontanous trip in which we though would only be a couple hours ended up being an all nighter Leslie says to  me right after  I wake up if  I wanted to go get a trampoline and I say of course we need to get out of dodge thinking we would be gone a little bit because thinking we were only going somewhere here in Jaco well no we take a rode trip to Escazu about maybe 45  min away not to bad so of course since we are right by the mall we make a detour and head over to the mall to hang out got a few things I needed and then proceeded over to the pet store where they ended up buying the cutest hampster and then on to pricemart for our trampoline well they didn't have one but they called San Jose Price Mart and they had 4 so we drove another half and hour to there only to discover thankfully they only had 1 left so now it's 5 and we are in San Jose and Scotts flight gets in at 11:15 so we make the quick plan to go to the YWAM base hang out see if we can hang out a a friends house and put the kids to bed until we need to pick Scott up . Yes my life keeps getting crazier but I throughly love every min of it. God continues to show his face to me he continues to provide for me and just be  my everything here . he continues to surprise me each day with something new . Sunday was a low key day and Monday I spent 14 hours babysitting so that was an excitment all in itself yesterday was a fun day  again I got to spend some one on one time with Koa walking around town meeting up with the DTS that is here on outreach and then running the skateboarding ramp from 2-6pm which was definatly an exciting adventure hanging out with a group of boys can lead to many different things like for instance one boy taking another boy cellphone and hiding it and allowing everyone else to search high and low for it only to realized that he had it the whole time. And then they find the kool-Aid powder and proceeded to eat it and in the process of all this completly destroy the closet where we keep all of our supplies and skateboards.All this time we are trying to dodge the rain which continues to pour since Sat night ! Needless to say by the end of the night I was exhausted, hungry ,wet and ready for some chill time . Today has been a much needed day of rest for me as it feels like I have been going nonstop  for 16 weeks without a break so I spend the day just catching up on some much needed me time  and some much needed sleep. Which since Scott and Leslie ended up having to go to San Jose until Sun to take care of there residency stuff, Hannah and I both get to take a few days of much need rest so it will be great to get refreshed and restored to start back up fresh  with ministry and life here in Jaco on Mon not to say that nothing exciting will happen in the meantime but well to be honest I am used to this so bring it on . :)  So I am chillin here at the Freemans enjoying a bit of peace and quiet and making sure their house stays in one piece while they are gone. So this is just a little qlimsp of my life in a nutshell.  :) God is good and I am loving every min here. prayers are still appreciated still needing financal support and prayer for health and just my time here . Thank you and God Bless :) hope this is as enjoyable to read as it was to write!

His love never fails

Just thought I would post a small update. Just a little bit of what goes on in my exciting life living here in Jaco Costa Rica let me tell you never a dull moment here and I love it so much!On Friday we took a long trip to visit the San  Jose base my home for the past 3 months it was so awesome to see most of my friends and to be able to celebrate the YWAM base 7 year anniversary! Saturday we headed back here to my new home for the nexts 4 months Jaco CR. Sunday I went to church and heard an amazing message and I felt like God was speaking through the Pastor directly to me the message was title Don't worry be happy and was directed toward God providing for us and how God even provides for the sparrows so how much more will he provide for us all we have to do is trust him and not stress  over our needs whatever they may be for me it is my finances as I am living here in Costa Rica for the nexts 4  months which will make a total of 7 months and I just often wonder how I am going to stretch my money for that long,but ultimatly it comes down to the fact that I don't have to all I need to do is leave it in Gods hands do my part and let him do the rest. It was a much needed reminder to me ,we serve a big God and money is nothing to him since he owns all the cattle on a thousand hills he won't forget about me . Monday was my first offcial day of outreach although I feel everyday since moving here has been outreach nothing to exciting happened just the "normal" everyday stuff if that's even possible when living in a house with 4 little boys 8 and under, the day was long but God in his awesomeness pulled me through, all the pain of missing my amazing friends that I have spend the past 3 months with   just was to much for one day. That night  I had the privileged of going to a womens bible study which was so great just getting out and studying the word of God can only do one thing fill you up with him. I am so thankful for the people God is placing in my path while I am here and for the people who are so on fire for him.  Tuesday was a Great day spending the Morning at the ramp with kids is always the best thing The kids here that we minister are the cutest kids ever and the only thing you can do is just love on them laugh with them and just spending time with them is the best reward anyone can ever get . I love my life and the people in it God has brought me through so much so that I can inturn be a blessing and help to other hurting people. My prayer is for my time here to do all I can for the kingdom of heaven.

A new adventer of my life !

Alrighty everyone , I am going to in as  few of  words as possible give you the run down of my last 3 months and what is ahead of me .alright to start off on June 24th I set off on this amazing adventure not knowing my adventure would start right then after flying out of Chicago O'hare at 3:10 pm  my flight was suppose to arrive in Miami at 7:20 pm well we did not arrive until a half and hour later Not knowing it I rush out of the plane racing  inside  the place asking everyone in sight where my gate is trying to keep my 2 carry ons from falling as I race everywhere finally I get to my gate only to discover that I was to late and it had taken off only 10 minutes before I arrived . :( After a very long day this was not what I had anticipated and I was sad and confused it was my first time flying out of country and I had know idea what to do nexts. So I go to the front counter and explain what happened and they tell me I have to go in the rebooking line so they point me in the right direction well I go there hoping it will be easy only to find out there are 200 plus people ahead of me and more coming , I start to freak out when I realize that it is already 8 and I was suppose to be arriving in San Jose so my ride  might be waiting for me so I get out of line and decied well I better go buy a phone card and see if I can get a hold  of my family, after buying a card it didn't work but God placed these 2 guys in my life at the perfect time asked what had happened and let me use their phone to make my call. well I finally got ahold of my parents and they got ahold of my leader and I went back to get in line to wait to rebook my ticket by this time about 50-100 more people had arrived after standing in line exhausted and so hungry again God places a random stranger in my life and I see her step out of line and go buy soup soon she come back carring 2 bowl not really thinking about it continue to wait in line pretty soon I feel a tap on my shoulder and here come the sweet lady with the soup and gives it to me of course my reaction was a bit unfriendly because I didn't know if I should take food from a stranger or not but she was persistend and so finally I took the soup and continued to wait  well by the time I  got to the rebooking ticket counter the nexts flight didn't leave until 12:05 pm the nexts day well at this point there was nothing I could do but wait so I sat down and ate the soup and the only thought I could think of was who ever gives a cup of cold water in my name shall be blessed this lady was a tru angel sent by God. it is now after 10 pm and I am all alone in an airport so I ask them if I can go sit at my gate until I fly out and well thats what happen I go find my gate and chill out for the night having been awake since 6 am I am tired hungry and annoyed to be honest so I decied to treat myself and buy internet since well I had all night and for $8 got 24 hours of internet so I get on and talk to my school leader until 2 am so cool and then I deciede I need to sleep so I find a place to sack out across my luggage on the cold floor after a struggle to sleep with so many lights on and listening to the sound of someone vaccuming I finally dozed off only to be awoken soon after.  I awake to people getting off the plane thinking it was morning I get up stick my contacts in and go check my facebook only to find out it is only 3 am so I had only been sleeping for 1 hour .lol well after that I was like ok no more sleep for me so much commotion I just sat around for another 4 hours or so and then well only to realize I was not at the right gate anymore so I go find what I believe is to be the right one sit there trying to keep my eyes open and finally I doze off again for a little bit I awake to them boarding the plane and well come to find out yet again I was at the wrong gate and this plane was boarding to go to Chicago haha well again I run to find the right gate and lo and behold finally 3 gates later I am at the right one and sit there for another few hours 16 plus hours later I am finally boarding my plane to San Jose Costa Rica a couple hours later I land in the beautiful country never was I so happy to be somewhere after getting of the plane and going through costums and getting stamped into the country I am off to find my luggage hoping and praying it did not get lost along the way I go to the luggage place and all the luggage is being set off and my luggage is know where to be seen looking around  I spot what I think is mine but nope not a chance the guy ask me what I am looking for and I say my luggage and he is like oh it is over there by the desk and yup there it was safe and sound and set aside for me why and how they new it was mine was beyond me but I was just happy to have it back . so I grab my stuff and head out the door hoping someone is waiting for me sure enough 2 of my leaders are standing there but after going so long with out a good sleep I am completly out of it and don't notice them until they call my name . I look and feel like  zombie dirty and so ready for a shower and a bed after traveling sleeping and wearing the same clothes for 2 days it's just gross .So ater loading up we head off to the base which was going to be my home for the nexts 3 months! stopping for a quick break at AmPm a little store I meet my school leader for the first time in person after talking over facebook for 8 months ! We then head off to my new home the YWAM base ! I am shown to my room which by the way I have to say was absolutly amazing so big and perfect it was a little apartment yes I new I was going to share but being the first student tp arrive I had first dibs on the beds and I choose to sleep in the big room . :) well the other one was a little smaller and had 3 bunkbed apose to mine only having one the nice part about the little room was it was more private because in order to get to that room you first have to walk through mine but I still like the big room better . ok small detail but worth sharing after Rachel my school leader led me around the base showing me where everything was and I showered we then hung out at her place and then went to watch a soccer game it was a perfect welcome night needless to say going over 48 hours with out sleep with maybe a few times dozing off when I went to bed that night I crashed. I woke up the nexts morning to meet one of my classmates Hannah .afew day later more students arrived and on July 1st all students were there a total of 6 girls and 2 guys ! we had our orientation and Welcome dinner that night also with the dts that was starting with a total of 7 girls and 6 guys making a grand total of 21 students setting out on a journey to know God and to make him  know in a better way .It's awesome to see so many young people ready and excited to seek the face of our awesome saviour Jesus Christ . July 4th started my school off with a big bang and know to warn me what I was getting my self into first week topic was foundations for why we are here yes tons of  awesome info by the end of the week I knew this was going to be tough that God was going to pull me away from all my comforts and he was going to rip every comfort out of my life during the nexts 12 weeks ready or not here I was there was no turning back at that point . week 2 inner healing you might sit and ask yourself what is that well lets just say the name should explain it all healing from the inside out and oh yes thank the lord he healed me of so much it was painful but so awesome . Week three Applying the spheres alot more awesome info that makes your brain feel like it can't take anymore info but we aren't done yet . Week 4  Behaviour Managment  the topic explains it's selve I believe . Week 5 a great week where again God is stretching me . Charactor and Nature of God it was a great week . Week 6 we are half way done ! Project planning so cool :) Week 7 we take a mini week trip to the beautiful town of Jaco Costa Rica a beach town to say the least we had a week on Child Development and this is the turning point in my life this is where God told me what my mission was . Week 8 Human Trafficking a very intense week to say the least . week 9 a crazy week with monday being on Children with disabilities and Tuesday being on attachment disorders Wed was learning about foster care and Thursday worship ! Friday base cleaning day . week 10 Street Children . week 11 Celebrating Children and week 12 Refugees and Immigrants whew we are done . So much has happened in the past 12 weeks but of course  I will not bore anyone with it all I will just pick out the highlights and say during the past 12 weeks God has truly broken my heart for what breaks his he had to rip out all the comforts in my life to help me better understand what the world is facing and showing me ways to help ! This school changed my life for the better I can no longer walk around with a blind eye to the needs kids face today no longer can I sit back and pertend everything is ok no longer am I innocent to the issues. What the world needs is  Jesus and I am his hands and feet in spreading the love across the world. God has and is continuing to show me his faithfulness and his unfailing  love  . He is my true source of  help I know I can run to him with anything and he will never let me down . He has brought me through the thick and the thin he was willing to take the horrible death on the cross for me I am not worthy of his love but yet he chose to love me 100 % the way I am with no strings attached and that is how I want my love for other to be I want to be more like Jesus serving and helping others without expecting anything in return . Jesus is so much more real to me then ever before he brought me out of the Miry clay and set me feet upon solid ground I can now sit back knowing he has everything under control and he has my life planned out for me an d I can trust him knowing he is in control and that is the way it is suppose to be .He palced the perfect people in my life and with so many prayers going around for me I am a new person the old is gone and the new is come . OK you might all be wondering whats next well a week ago today I moved to Jaco Costa Rica to work with Scott and Leslie Freeman serving their family and ministering to the many at risk children and youth here. After a weeks vaccation I believe I am ready to step out in this time with both feet I am ready to get my hands dirty for the kindom of heaven I am ready to see lives changed and this place that is so dark with such  horrible issues like homelessness and  prostitution and so much more this place needs Jesus please join with me in prayer for my next 4 months I am excited for my time here  as it I am sure is going to have it's rough patches but those are the times of growing . as I learned during my school . Pray for me for finances ,health and for my heart and hands to be open to all that God has instore for me in the nexts 4 months and more. My life in a nutshell. Praising God for his wonderful loving kindness.