GAP Year and Wedding Countdown

Hey everyone! A lot has happened since my last update. We are coming to a close of another GAP year as the students have two weeks left here in Costa Rica. We just finished a tough week of Bible class going through the book of Ephesians. It has been awesome to see the students’ responses as they process what they have learned and how they have changed over these last 8 months. It has been a year of challenges and growth for many of the students, and it has been great to see God working in so many ways in and through their lives.

Our GAP Class of 2017

Second semester started out with some amazing weeks at camp with our ministries! Our first week included 40+ kids from ages 7-12. It was a crazy awesome time with our kids from Tirrases with Bible lessons, songs, games and a whole lot of pool time. All of the kids were split into two teams for the week. I, along with another one of our church leaders, was a captain of the team “Intensos”. I also had the opportunity to be the counselor for half of the boys. It was an awesome opportunity to spend tons of quality time with the kids, getting to know them better and pouring into their lives. I was with the boys day and night for the 5 days at camp, giving them the love and discipline that many of them do not receive in their homes. Looking back, I never would have imagined myself in this challenging yet so rewarding position, but I have loved every second of it and always look forward to serving these kids. The following week was another 5 days of camp, this time with the youth group. This week is more of a conference, with much more Bible time. This year we joined with the youth group from the town of Los Guido. Again, this was an amazing opportunity to spend time with and get to know the youth from our church better. I am so thankful for the opportunities we all had as leaders to pour into the kids and youth from these towns, and to see the growth that God has brought throughout the years. It has also been cool to see the growth within myself as they continue to challenge and pour back into me as well.

Teens and staff for second week of camp

My cabin for first week of camp

Kids and staff for first week of camp

In March, Jairo (The pastor from our church in Tirrases) and I were invited to attend the Calvary Monument Bible Church missions conference in Lancaster, PA. It was a great opportunity to be able to share all that God is doing here in our church plant as it continues to grow. It was also an awesome opportunity to get to know people from the church and to hear more about what God is doing all around the world. Everyone was so welcoming and organised, and there was never a dull moment with all that they had planned for us. It was great to see Jairo experience Lancaster County for the first time, as that has been one of his biggest dreams for a while. It was a fun week of firsts for him with seeing it snow, experiencing the Amish, eating a cheese steak, and so much more.

First time seeing snow

Jairo and I had a great time being able to hangout with my family during the missions conference

Things with Samantha and I are going great! There are only 81 days left until the wedding, and we are so excited! It has been awesome being able to do ministry together this year, and we are looking forward to continue the calling that God has given us down here in Costa Rica together. On Saturday we signed the contract for the apartment we will be moving into in August. This place is a huge answer to prayer as it is close to our base, in a very safe location, the perfect size for us, and just a nice place in general. We are very excited to begin the move in process and to have a place to come back to when we return after the wedding. 

Sami and I at one of our friends weddings

Samantha and I in Nicaragua

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for us as we begin the process of renting our first home. If anyone would like to help us out financially in this new step of life with the house or would like to jump on our team and become monthly supporters that would be a huge blessing to us!

Also please pray for us all as we finish this last month of GAP. It can be a hard time for many of the students and staff as they begin to think about goodbyes and transitions to come. Everyone wishes to end the year strong so pray for perseverance over these last weeks of class and ministry.

Big thanks to all of you who continue to give faithfully to the work that God has called me to in Costa Rica. If you would like to learn more or would like to join our support team you can click here. Score International Webpage.