Costa Rica – Day Three

It’s Friday!  It’s hard to believe we have only been in this beautiful place two days.  Already I have fallen in love with the people and their spirit! The prescience of the Holy Spirit is so strong in this place.  A good friend once told me that miracles occur in third world countries because people have the faith of a mustard seed to move mountains!  I am not sure Costa Rica is a third world country, but after spending the time on the bus traveling through the city yesterday, I do know that  this is not Naples!  Yet, the spirit of the Lord shines through his people and what flows forth is power amplified! 

I wake early here, because we are two hours behind our time, so it’s never a problem getting up and getting started and being ready for the day ahead.  Our two special chef ladies came early and cooked us French toast and eggs and all sorts of other goodies.  They are so special.  They really seem to have a great love for me, every time I go by they scurry to bring me something or give me a special smile.  One of them, Bene (nickname) asked me to take a picture with her.  I see her servant’s heart … and I love the spirit that flows forth.

It seems to be ALL about the spirit here … words can’t work, we don’t speak the same language, yet we do.  The language of love is universal!

After breakfast we head into the van, for a trip back to the hospital.  I am so excited to have the opportunity to visit Domingo again and see how he’s doing.  When we arrive, we head upstairs for a time of worship with our hospital liaison.  She is a doctor, she loves Jesus and we pray for God’s healing hand to touch all we encounter.  One of our team starts worshipping and the atmosphere in the room is amazing.  In a hospital class room the spirit of the Lord flowed.  I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

We head down to the sixth floor and I am SOOO excited, this is the floor that Domingo is on.  I don’t wait for anyone to give me a room assignment; I already have mine from God. Off I go in search of my special friend.  And when I pop in his room, there he is.  He got a big smile on his face when he saw me.  Through our translator, he shared that he had slept through the night, was a little sick to his stomach, but all in all, wonderful!  And immediately the name of JESUS popped on his lips.

I wanted to weep with joy!  Thank you … Thank you … Thank you JESUS!

Several members of our team came to meet him and I connected him with the pastor from Puntarenas who was with us that day.  I wanted Domingo to have some support here when he left the hospital, someone to mentor and guide him along his journey. 

After a few minutes, we had to leave.  I had spent the whole time, standing by him, rubbing his head.  Here he was, a grown man, yet he felt like a little boy to me.  He had been confused, made wrong choices and although the consequences should have been fatal, God’s grace fell heavily upon him. And this man was so thankful that his faith, of a child, brought healing and hopes.

That is the gospel message my friend … oh my.

We spent another two hours visiting patients, praying for hope and healing.  The eyes of the people would perk up when we asked to pray for them.  They were eager to hear the name of Jesus.  No one denied us the privilege of praying for them.  I really can’t describe how humbling this experience as been for me.

The opportunity to minister to those who are hurting is simply amazing.  Hurting people are everywhere.  They need the hope of a Savior!

When it was time to go, I was on cloud nine, leaving this place.  Sad to leave my new friend, but confident that Jesus had him in his arms and all would be well.

Outside the hospital, an elderly woman called me over to pray for her.  Apparently, she had been with us the day before on our parade and she remembered me.  We sat and prayed and hugged.  Again, neither understood the other’s words, but the love was communicated in a powerful way.

Back to the van we went, winding our way through street merchants.  It’s amazing the things they sell on the streets here. EVERYWHERE … Anything you can imagine.  Small carts, tents, stands … everywhere.

Back at the house, lunch was served.  A trip to the local orphanage was next on the agenda … I will share that next time.

My word for you today … throw off the barriers that hinder your communication and let HIS LOVE be the common ground.

I love you much!
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Costa Rica Trip – Day Two – Part Two

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”             
      John 5:6

After we left the hospital on Thursday, we went back to the house for lunch.  It’s amazing the amount of food that these two ladies are preparing for us.  The not only cook for the eleven of us, but for all who are involved in this mission trip, for all the members of the various churches.  It’s so sweet, just hanging around the living room, someone always has a guitar, someone is always singing.  The Spirit of the Lord flows through this place!

After lunch, we loaded into the bus and met many others from various churches at a local park. As we drove up to the park, there were two elderly women waving American flags for us.  Too sweet!

Our mission was to hand out 30,000 fliers … all over the city, inviting people to the big event on Saturday evening.   There were probably 20 to 25 cars in the parade …. Many vehicles with amplifier systems, broadcasting the message of the good news of Jesus throughout the streets of Punta Arenas. 

People came out of their homes and businesses to see what was going on, and all were handed a flier to invite them to the big party Saturday night.  These people have such a spirit of fun.  It was so amazing to be in the midst of them.

We probably drove around for about two and a half hours, up and down the streets.  I saw the city, in all its despair.  This is not a wealthy country.  The homes are small and not much like the houses in Naples.  Gates are in front of everyone’s house.  They may not have much, but they want to keep what is theirs.

I saw such innocent faces that day.  I saw an entire family traveling on one bike, the husband riding his wife and his son.  There are many cars in Punta Arenas, but there are many more bicycles.  The roads are terrible.  Ruts everywhere, narrow and windy, but our driver maneuvered through the maze like a pro!

After the bus trip, back to the house to change for church service that evening.  As I walked through the living area, the leader of our group, Cal, pulled me aside and asked me to give the message at one of the local churches that evening.  To tell them about the healing of the man in the hospital.  Earlier, God had given me the story of the man at the pool in Bethesda.   He had been unable to walk for 38 years.  He waited by the pool, everyday, waiting for someone to help him into the water, when the angels came and stirred it, but he never made it in.  Apparently, the pool had special healing powers, during this time.

Jesus walked by and asked the man if he wanted to be well, if he desired healing.  The man’s reply, “Yes”.  Jesus then instructed him to pick up his mat and walk.  We must be willing to receive healing; we must be willing to take that first step of faith, the action of actually receiving it. 

And this man did. 

I was an eager to see how God was going to use this message of healing and hope.

When we arrived at Pastor Ronald’s church, there were about five people present.  It was a very small storefront, with no AC.  The sound system was two speakers in the front, plugged into a laptop.  There was a keyboard and immediately one of the local pastors started playing and singing.  The music was amazing.  The Spirit of the Lord flowed through the house. The worship probably lasted an hour; the joy of the room was contagious.  At one point, I turned around and the place was packed!

After the music, a doctor from Honduras shared her testimony of healing.  How her muscles had been dying, how she couldn’t walk.  The pain she experienced and Jesus healed her, whole and complete.

I then shared the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda and the man in the hospital, and then invited the church forward for healing prayer.  At least half of the church came to the altar and we spent the next hour ministering to them.  One elderly woman so touched my heart.  She came up to my chest, and she just hugged me for dear life.  She did not want to let go.  She was the mother of 14 children, three of them in wheelchairs with various ailments.  One of her sons was at the service, his chair parked at the front, praising his Lord with all his heart. 

This little lady wanted nothing from me but to hold me tight.  That my friends, brings you to your knees.  She brought me to my knees.

When all had been prayed for, we headed back to another church, ready for more celebration.  It was one of the Pastor’s birthdays, and there was more food and birthday cake, but the most special was the love of the Lord in that room.  Again, every place we stepped, Jesus went before us, showering everyone with His Love.

When we headed back to the house, it had to be close to eleven o’clock, and yet I could not think of sleep. Soaking in his wonderful prescience was my agenda.

A few of us sat in our room, recounting the evening and all of its awesomeness.

And then it was time to rest ….

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Day Two – Costa Rica – Part One

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
John 5:6

What an amazingly awesome day on Thursday of our trip. I will try to put it into words.  A few of us were hanging around the house while others went to the grocery.  Our interpreter, Daniel, arrived and he had his guitar with him.  We sat around the patio table worshiping and it was the sweetest time.  Creation worshipping the Creator.  In the beautiful setting of the Pacific Ocean waves crashing in the background … a sweet offering to The One who brought us all into this place.

I have fallen in love with this country and with its people.  The poverty here is evident in the surroundings, but you never see it in the spirits of the people that we are working with.  The love that pours out of them, to us, to Jesus is so special.

After our impromptu worship session, we headed off to the local hospital to minister to the patients.  It took quite a while for the administration to decide to let us in, but there is never a moment wasted with this group.  The hour was spent in the waiting room of the hospital, singing praises to The King.  When it was decided it was okay for us to visit the patients, we headed off to the maternity ward.  There were precious new bundles of life everywhere and mothers about to give life. 

One soon to be mother brought tears to my heart when she explained to us that she was in the hospital waiting to find out if her unborn baby was still alive inside of her.  My heart caught in my throat, as I remembered the pain of finding out that Chance was no longer alive, and I prayed fervently that she would not receive that same message.

We met several young girls, only sixteen, and already mamas.  The age of all the women in the ward we visited was very young.  Motherhood came early to these young women.  We prayed blessings, health, favor onto their lives and the lives of their little ones.  It was a sweet time.

After the maternity ward, we had a choice to go to the Oncology or Surgery Floor.  We chose Oncology.  We prayed for several men who were suffering various ailments and then, as we were standing outside a room, determining where we should go next, a young woman approached us.  Would we come quickly and pray for her brother.  He was dying.  He had decided that he didn’t want to live any longer, his wife had left him and he could not face the pain of her departure.  So he decided to take his own life, by drinking some sort of poison.  The doctors said he would die that day, his organs were shutting down.

We followed her down the hallway and there was met by such a sad sight.  Her brother was shaking like a leaf and sweat was pouring off of him.  His eyes were wild with fear and the smell of death was in the room.  We approached him and explained to him that we wanted to pray for him.  He had changed his mind, and he did not want to die.  He now wanted to live, but death was overtaking him and he was panicked and afraid.

First we asked him if he wanted to receive Jesus into his heart and he said yes.  We led him in a prayer of Salvation.  Then we started praying healing over his body.  As we prayed, you could see the peace of Jesus overtake him. It was something to watch.  The sweat stopped, his eyes calmed and he began declaring the power of Jesus in his life.  He declared healing and hope and that he would tell the world what Jesus did for him.  As his mother and sister watched the life flow back into this man, their tears turned to smiles.  When we left, he was praising God for healing and hope in his life. 

I know I probably can’t convey the depth of the emotions of that event, but know that it was truly a miracle from Jesus, that we were allowed to see in that room.  The healing hand of the Lord in action, right before our eyes.  So humbling … so amazing.

I am going to stop with this story here. I want to encourage you to spend some time seeking God’s healing hand in your life.  The power of the Holy Spirit working through you, healing you, comforting you.

There are two more parts to Day Two.  It is amazing how much God packs into each day, if we are open and ready to receive it.

I’ve learned some things here in Costa Rica that I pray will never leave me.  Being in that hospital, being a part of this miracle causes my heart to leap for joy.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.  In Him I am strong … without him I can do no things.

There will be more to come ….

Blessings upon you today!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Costa Rica – Day One

The adventure began at 5:05 am on Wednesday, July 27, 2011.  Three cars pulled out of New Hope Ministries parking lot, headed to Miami International Airport. Patricia, Cal, Reese, Catherine, Eddie, Sandy, Tammy, Nancy, Henriette, Stephanie and myself.  The 2 hour drive to the airport was filled with eager anticipation of what was ahead.  The flight was delayed about an hour, but the time was enjoyable, everyone was excited about the trip ahead.  It was fun to watch a family of six young girls entertaining themselves as they waited.

The two hour flight to San Jose, Costa Rica was uneventful, as I fell asleep almost as soon as I was I was seated.  Having only about an hour sleep the night before was catching up to me.

I was wedged between two fellows who had no interest in conversation and that was really okay with me.  I wanted some rest time.

When we landed in San Jose, we were in another world.  I could see mountains surrounding the city.  It was beautiful.  After spending an hour in line getting through customs we were met by our welcoming committee and a 25 passenger van.  The two hour trip down the mountain was wild!!  The road wasn’t very wide, I was glad I wasn’t sitting in the front.  I really couldn’t see what was ahead, and that was a good thing.    But the driver was skilled and comfortable and I felt safe with him at the wheel.  It was an amazing time of worship and prayer, and I immediately felt the spirit of the Lord with us. 

When we arrived at the house we were staying at we were met with such a warm welcome.  There were three ladies in the kitchen cooking and many warm faces to greet us!  They had prepared a lunch of fish and clams with rice and veggies.  It was wonderful and we spent the next couple of hours settling in and meeting the pastors of the churches we would be ministering at.

The house is on the beach, the waves of the Pacific are crashing and declaring the glory of The Lord … beautiful.

Michelle was the first young lady who spoke some English, we had a nice afternoon visiting.  A young man, Andy, seemed to have a crush on one of the young girls with us, and he wrote notes back and forth with another young girl.  They wouldn’t share what was on the notes, but it seemed to make them smile. Eddie Flores showed me two songs that he had song that were on You-Tube.  He  is a pastor in Honduras.  His song was very sick and in the hospital and he wrote a song to Jesus, pleading for his life.  And his son was healed. 

I met a woman pastor who has about 45 families in her congregation. She has no husband, she takes care of the church herself. She has a heart for children and takes care of many parentless children in her community.  One of the translators told me that she lives in a very dangerous community, yet she is safe, God is her protect

The spirit of the people here is just awesome.  They are so excited to serve us.  We came here to love on them and they are loving on us!  WILD!!

They were planning a big celebration and soon the house started filling up with people.  The cooks were busy in the kitchen preparing the dinner of Seviche, Chicken Kabobs and fresh salsa and slaw! 

But before dinner, was the worship time.  Now this was amazing. It wasn’t 2 or 3 songs and then let’s eat.  We spent TWO HOURS worshipping THE LORD.  I can’t really explain what happened in those two hours, simply that the Spirit of The Lord flowed through this place.

I met so many sweet spirits … they gave me gifts and thanked me for coming to Costa Rica.  I spent a good portion of the night talking to Daniel. Daniel is 21 years old.  He is our interpreter.  He is going to school to be an English teacher.  He is the only one in his family who loves Jesus.  His mother has a drinking problem, his brother is gay.  Yet, this precious young man believes that JESUS is going to save his family and heal their hurting hearts!  I shared my story with Daniel and gave him a copy of Sticks and Stones.  He was so cute.  He was going to share it with his family and pray that God touches their hearts.

The party lasted into the night, but finally I could not keep my eyes open, so I put my I-pod on, and laid in bed and let the spirit of God draw me into sleep. 

Because Costa Rica is two hours behind our time, I was wide awake at 5:00 am … so I got up, showered and went out to survey my surroundings.

I am sitting here now, at the kitchen table surrounded by people.  People here to bless us.  People that we are to bless.  The chefs are back to cook us breakfast.  My friend, Michelle, brought her laptop for one of the girls in our group to use.  There are a group at the beach.  There are people praying on the lanai.  The love here is simply amazing.

The prayer for this trip was that God’s AGAPE LOVE come forth and it is so flowing here. 

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

We have a big day ahead.  I am eager to see what God will do today.

My love to you!
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Redneck Paintball – Straight Up Youth – July 20, 2011

The youth had a fun night playing redneck paintball. It involved marshmellows, ketchup and mustard.  Interesting combination, but a good time was had by all! 

Laundry Love – July 16, 2011

Our Laundry Love team met on Saturday, July 16th, at the Bayshore Laundry to share the love of Jesus with its customers.  There were six team members there, seventy dollars were donated and with that money they were able to help ten families with their laundry.

What a hands on, practical way to share the love of Jesus!   Thank you Laundry Love Team!  You Rock!

Nursing Home Ministry – July 16, 2011

Five members of The Tree of Life gathered at Manor Care at Lely Palms on Saturday, July 16, 2011, to share the love of Jesus with the residents there.  There was finger nail painting and clowns and balloon animals.  A good time was had by all.  If you would be interested in joining this ministry, they meet at the nursing home the third Saturday of each month at 3:30 pm. 

Costa Rica Journal – Not Me God!

I experienced the most amazing time on my first mission trip to Costa Rica.

I’ve shared my story in this journal. 

Just click on the link below.  It does have pictures, it may take a few minutes to download.

Costa Rica Journal

Enjoy!!

Blessings To you!

Joyce