The Berean Way

Costa Rica 11

Always some new faces coming join us for the ministry. The kids have lots of fun and seem to enjoy and listen to the Word that is spoken. Many fun times with these kids and adults.

After lunch, Jorgeli and Enea asked if we all wanted to go on a canoe ride up the river. All 14 of us plus them! We all thought, would it hold all of us?

Jorgeli and Enea were very gracious in transporting all of us on a fabulous journey up river. (the name of the river going up is Sixiola. We go up river maybe a quarter of a mile and turn right into a much smaller river call Jorking. The name Jorking is one that which created the border between Panama and Costa Rica. Along the way there was much gravel and sand that built up from flooding. Jorgeli is very worried about this, because he has a Banana plantation on that side. If it gets much lower, his labor will be almost impossible by himself. It was so low today that we had to get out of the boat and push. At one point, there were some pretty heavy rapids. Peter and I were on the same side of the boat. The water was probably 3 feet deep. He started to lose his grip and became very heavy. Hanging onto the boat, we regained our footing, unfortunately I didn't have any shoes on.

We made it to the spot they had wanted to take us to. This was special for them as well as us. We all had such a great time. The swimming was a much needed break for our team.

Everyone is extremely grateful for the sacrifices of the community in Sherwood and beyond. Your support and prayers continue to be a blessing to the community of Talamanca and for the team.

Our time here is becoming short. It is hard to believe its almost done. We will continue to make post even when we return, as we want you all to see more.

Tomorrow we split up our team again a head to Schwab (Jungle) to take Bibles to them. We ask for continued prayer until we return.

Wayne

Costa Rica 10 - Travel by canoe

An early morning for three. At 5:30am, John, Jeremy and Wayne went with Jorgeli retrieve his canoe. What a beautiful walk through the Jungle! Jorgeli carried a 20 horsepower motor on his back all the way to the river. ( It's about a half mile, and he is older in his years). He had went to the other side of the river and the water had receded and it became stuck. Before we started out, Jorgeli told us to remember our way. As he was not to return with us.

On the way back, John had to have some cane for the kids to play with. (It is a 15 foot high grass)

John, Jeremy and Jorgeli were able to get a ride from another canoe. It is probably 100 yards or so to the other side. Jorgeli went to go look for a stick to help get it into the water. Meanwhile Jeremy and John already have it in the water. Enea, (Jorgeli's wife) made sounds to get his attention, you could hear his laughter from across the water. They came back and he guided the canoe with only a stick to steer and paddle. When he left the boat he had to take the motor with him. For if people leave this for very long, it would be stolen.

Every afternoon about 3pm, we go door to door with bible distribution and pray for the needs of each family. We have completed much of the distribution area that was planned. We arrived back at camp around 5pm.

I have never ate so well on a mission before! You expect to loose weight on rice and beans. Not the case here.

There is only one day left of teaching. Our time hear in Bambu has been wonderful! Less kids showed up yesterday and we pray that they all will show up for the last day.

We hope the people here will be blessed and please continue to pray for Pastor Jorgeli, That he will continue to have love and grace for his people.

Wayne

Costa Rica 8 - Stevie Update

Stevie is loving it!

He is learning how to be a missionary in a foreign country. He has already made some friendships with the local kids and learning that you can't play cowboys and Indians with the locals.  You need to adapt to their culture and play like they do.  Fortunately, his soccer skills came in handy.

Stevie is facinated by all the bugs & creatures and has already been bitten by ants. He also enjoyed reading participating in the Bible study and working with a translator for the first time.

So far it has been a great opportunity for Stevie to learn how to live out the passion God has given him to spread the Gospel. (from Stevie's mom)

Costa Rica 3 - Journey to Bambu

Here is the team who made their way to Bambu today.

Stevie eating beans and rice

Wayne chilling at the airport during the extra hour layover in Denver

Costa Rica 2

On the day Stevie was leaving he said it was the best day of his life.  They left the house at noon on Friday and arrived early in the morning Saturday and Stevie only slept 1 hour the entire trip......yikes.

From Dana (Stevie's mom)

Costa Rica - meet Stevie

I remember back in the '80s of a shampoo commercial where the actress "told two friends about it, and they told two friends, and so on and so on . . ." On the  TV screen the number of people doubled each time this was said which it made a powerful visual impact of what can occur in a short amount of time when people get involved.

Real discipleship also has a similar effect. In everything we do, our goal is to duplicate ourselves among the local people as well as our international team members. We invest much of our time teaching discipleship to our indigenous friends.

A few days ago, I had an "ah ha" moment when I realized this was happening right before our eyes, here in Oregon, yet I hadn't seen it.

Wayne Cox has been with us even before we were the Berean Way. He now handles the logistics for several different ministries (including airfare, local transportation, in country lodging, MAF flights, etc.) and is a vital member of our team. Years ago, Wayne traveled twice to Uganda with us and used those experiences to impact his wife and young kids.

Now fast forward several years. His son Stevie (10 years old) is an evangelist with a special calling. He is bold, confident and courageous with his faith. It is not uncommon to find him walking up to his neighbors and talking about Jesus. But he has been too young to travel . . . until now.

Next week, Stevie is taking his dad and a number of adults & friends with him on his first missions trip to Costa Rica. They will be gone from 1/20-1/28.

CLICK HERE to watch Stevie explain his trip to you.

I have been so focused on duplication overseas and with adults, that I have overlooked something amazing that God has been doing before our very eyes. We have a lot to learn from the simple faith of a young boy. I ask that you pray for Stevie and the team as they provide Bibles, share the Gospel, & invest in the children in the jungles of Costa Rica.

We will keep you updated . . .

Video Testimony - Jeff on passion

And here are some of my thoughts after holding two 3-day conferences in Hetauda & Pokhara, Nepal on how God's love for us results in our passion for serving others.

CLICK HERE

Video Testimony - Sam on why we must go to the unreached

Our Indian Director, Sam Apollos, has a deep passion for the unreached people of Nepal & India. To watch his summary from our recent trip to Nepal in October 2011

CLICK HERE

Nepal - Kathmandu 3

Yesterday, we visited Swayambhu (the monkey temple) which sits on a hill in the middle of the city of Kathmandu. It is a Buddist temple with a Hindu shrine right in the middle of it.

 

It breaks my heart to see so many people living in such extreme poverty and filth. The animals have more value than humans. But there are not many ways to get to "heaven". Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. This is why are are here . . .

We also had our final coordination meetings with Sam, Prakash and Obed so we are ready to go. Today we split into three teams that will speak at three different churches.

1. Todd & Sam

2. Tim

3. Branden & Jeff.

Please pray for clarity in the messages this morning. We expect to see God work in the lives of the people in mighty ways - every day. Pray for an outpouring of the Spirit of God. Pray for unity in the churches. Pray for wisdom, direction, mission & intentionality in Kathmandu that will spread throughout this great nation!

After lunch we will travel 5 hours to Gorkha where our first festival begins tomorrow.