#GivingTuesday

I had a goal of raising $1,000 towards YL Costa Rica, today, on Giving Tuesday.  And WE HAVE MET THAT GOAL!!!  Wow!  I am blown away!!  Obviously I was hopeful, but after five months of fundraising, it's hard to be 100% that your goals are attainable.

But thankfully, we serve a God of abundance!  And a God who provides abundantly more than we ask for!  (Thanks, AT, for reminding me of this.) 

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 7:7-8

Click HERE to support YL Costa Rica!

Can we double the goal before the day ends??!  

Follow THIS link to give online!

I am so grateful for the support!  YOU are an important part of ministry here!  Thank you for making a difference in the lives of kids!

thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

For the past few years my family in the States has done the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day.  I decided to keep the tradition alive by going on a run this morning with one of the interns before all the feasting!

Not a bad view for a Turkey Trot...

Then we went to Jeni's house to celebrate!  Thanksgiving is so fun here!  It is, of course, a U.S. holiday.  However, we have created a tradition of throwing Thanksgiving for all of our Tico friends and co-workers!  It is so fun!  They share so much of their culture with us, it's great to be able to share some of ours with them!  It was a full house and the most perfect afternoon!  This past year has been a whirlwind but there truly is so much to be thankful for - resting in that today.

Grateful for my Costa Rican family!

wyldlife camp!

Check out the amazing weekend my middle school friends just had at WyldLife camp!  What a weekend!  Two of my high school girls also went to serve as part of the Work Crew.  They had a blast!

where it all began...

Today I had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to meet the founders of Young Life Costa Rica, Marv and Wilma!  It's an incredible story.  Marv is from the States and had been working in Brazil when the Lord brought him to Costa Rica to start Young Life.  Wilma is a Tica who had noticed a need for ministry in her community and started praying for Young Life to come.  Marv spoke English and Portuguese but not Spanish.  Wilma spoke Spanish but not English or Portuguese...

But in some miraculous way, Young Life Costa Rica was born!  Their passion for Jesus and this ministry is still so evident.  It was so encouraging to hear them describe Young Life years ago and realize the message and the mission has not changed.  The desire is still the same, for every kid to know Jesus and grow in their faith.  To do life and live life together.

They shared several stories of success and several more of failure.  Through it all, the Lord has been faithful and constant.  He has raised up leaders within the various communities to continue pouring into local kids and growing the ministry.  Both Marv and Wilma left us with the charge that the best is yet to come!!  How exciting to think and pray about the future of ministry here - The hundreds and thousands of kids and families who will be changed because of it!

Thanks for sharing, Marv and Wilma!  And thank you for your obedience years ago, and establishing a solid foundation for Young Life in Costa Rica!

The founders of YL CR!
Marv to my left and Wilma to my right.

"When Jesus speaks about shepherding, he does not want us to think about a brave, lonely shepherd who takes care of a large flock of obedient sheep."

-Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus

435

435.
It's not a number, it's a vision.

The Lord is on the move in Costa Rica!  And He is calling us to WAKE UP!  To lift up our heads and look around - to see what He is doing.  Where He is moving.  What and who He is calling us to.  The harvest is ready NOW!  We don't need to wait, but we do need to wake up!  To see it.  To notice it.  To experience it.  To engage in it!

You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.'  But I say, wake up and look around.  The fields are already ripe for harvest.

John 4:35

So we have a vision.  As a team we have a vision.  To participate in this.  To stop looking at our own feet on the ground and to start looking up!  To wake up!  To see what is around us - life and joy and peace and love - and to invite others into it with renewed excitement and passion.

Together, we have a hope that 435 kids will come to camp this year - to hear and experience the Gospel for themselves.  To hear and experience the radical love of Jesus, what He did on their behalf, and the gift of this tremendous life of LOVE and adventure He desires for his children.

Please join us in praying for this vision.  International schools staff and leaders are currently inviting our middle school friends to WyldLife Camp November 21-23.  Pray for this vision.  Pray for boldness to look up.  To see.  To go where the Lord is leading us and to invite kids into the journey.  Thank you!

"What decisions have you been making lately and how are they a reflection of the way you sense the future?"

-Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus

misoneros meeting

Meet my friends and heroes!  These are (some!) of the many faces behind Young Life Costa Rica!  Young Life staff and team leaders joined by our special friends Marty (SVP Young Life International South Division) and Susan Caldwell, here for Sharon (YL National Direction Team) and Rodolfo's (YL Camp On Wheels) wedding!

los estados unidos!

So I recently had a great trip to the US.  It was a little crazy, like all trips back seem to be, but it was great!  And a true gift.  This trip was a little bit of everything.  I went back to be part of a dear friend's wedding, but managed to squeeze in some catching up, some fundraising, a meeting with a church, some time at home, and ended my stay with a YL conference in Grand Rapids, MI.  Here are some highlights - Thanks to so many who helped make this trip a success!  Places to stay, cars to drive, food to eat...it was an absolute JOY seeing you cara a cara, being in your homes, drinking coffee, celebrating fall and life.  THANK YOU!!

Let the festivities begin...Wescott-Latham Wedding!

October 11, 2014

Rehearsing at the beautiful West Manor Estate in Lynchburg, VA.

Bridesmaids

The women of 414 N Sheppard St - Y'all are the best!
Thanks for the memories and your friendship!  RIP apartment #7.

Next Stop...Indianapolis!

October 15-17, 2014

One of my favorite places in the world!  Yes, in the world!  I was able to share with a church what is going on in and through Young Life in Costa Rica and invite them to be a significant financial partner.  Please join me in prayer as they consider supporting ministry here!

I also got to spend some great time with my favorite family!  (Thanks Darc, for the precious Insta of y'all!)  These people are the best.  They are the real deal.  They live and they love deeply.  They care about people and are part of their community in a real and raw and transparent way.  So grateful for y'all - For what your family has taught me and for the way you are loving the entire Zionsville community.

Andy, Corbin, Charlene, and Darcy Miller!
These people are world changers!!

Even got to go to YL Club where I used to lead!  Who doesn't love giant Twister, racing around trash cans, and eating milk (from the gallon) and Oreos to Roxanne?!

Real Fall!  Holland/Grand Rapids, MI.

October 18-23, 2014

Wow.  Fall color is stunning!  Like makes my jaw hit the ground stunning.  What a gift to experience real fall.  Bright blue skies and even brighter colored leaves, bursting with reds, yellows, and oranges!  Wow.  It was the best to bundle up!  To be home and wear my favorite Better Sweater jacket, boots, and a scarf!  Thanks Mom and Dad for always welcoming me with open arms.  It was the best to be with you for a couple days - Zumba, the best burger of all time, and three hours+ at the Apple store.  Y'all are great!

Wow.

My time in the US ended with the YL International Schools Conference in Grand Rapids, MI.  My team and I traveled from Costa Rica, and we were joined by staff from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.  It was a great time to be encouraged.  To see the larger community we are part of.  To share and learn and grow together through sharing our experiences.  Our success and our failures.  Our celebrations and our devastations.  It's all happening all of the time all around us, and it was great to step back and process it together.

We were able to experience some more fall, introduced some friends to "The Big Lake" (which I'd like to remind everyone, has a BEACH), and got to hear my teammate Kelly's amazing guitar skills.

Team Rica dominating the corn maze!

Becca (intern) and I
My first ever corn maze - not sure how that happened!

Who knew there were such things as "giant umping pillows"?!

Grand Haven Pier

Group shot at Pastor Heather's house

It sure was a whirlwind, but one of the best kind!  Full of friends and family and love!  All my favorite places and people in one trip - VA, IN, MI!  Lots of traveling, but so worth it!  Love you all!  Thanks for welcoming me home with open arms!!

chosen.

Por lo tanto, you, prisionero por servir al Señor, les suplico que lleven una vida digna del llamado que han recibido de Dios, porque en verdad han sido llamados.  Sean siempre humildes y amables.  Sean pacientes unos con otros y tolérense las faltas por amor.  Hagan todo lo posible por mantenerse unidos en el Espíritu y enlazados mediante la paz.  Pues hay un solo cuerpo y un solo Espíritu, tal como ustedes fueron llamados a una misma esperanza gloriosa para el futuro.
Efesios 4:1-4

Therefore I, as a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Always be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
Ephesians 4:1-4

LETS LIVE INTO OUR CHOSENNESS, TOGETHER.

91 for 91

Join our Young Life friends in Liberia and Sierra Leone in praying Psalm 91 for the next 91 days (October 27 - January 26).  This scripture has been a source of strength and encouragement for them as they serve in an area devastated by the Ebola crisis.  For more information, check out the YL Africa website.

Here is the most recent update written from Steve Larmey, VP of YL Africa, and his wife Dyan:

Sadness, Sickness and Hope: Ebola Update

Our Young Life friends in Sierra Leone and Liberia are closing in on four months now of life/death with Ebola. They keep praying, going and hoping, but visibly they see a battle being lost. The numbers of infections and deaths are increasing -- the World Health Organization says that in two months there will be 10,000 new infections each day if some significant intervention does not happen. The death rate has risen from a low of 52 percent to over 70 percent now.

The Liberian government has run out of money to pay health workers who are threatening to strike if their $500/month danger pay is not increased to $700/month. President Johnson of Liberia literally begged the workers’ union to continue working, explaining to them the government has no money. In what has been called by some a surrender, the government of Sierra Leone is now just giving families rubber gloves and some hydration salts and medicine and is telling people to treat Ebola victims at home because they lack space at Ebola treatment centers.

Here are some updates from our Young Life family in Liberia and Sierra Leone:

• Our teacher staff in Freetown, Sahr Kamasie, lost his wife, Victoria, two nights ago. She was 29 years old, fell sick and died a few days later. She has left behind a 2-year-old son, John, and a 3-month-old baby, Matilda, with Sahr. Sahr has been alone in his house with her body waiting for Ebola test results on her body to come back. The babies are at their grandmother’s house where they sent them as soon as Victoria was sick. Please pray for Sahr and the Sierra Leone team. The results will come back Thursday. If it was not Ebola (thousands of people are dying of many things other than Ebola every day because the healthcare system can only handle Ebola cases) they will bury her body with just a few friends. If it is a positive test, Sahr and the children will be under quarantine. 

• Andrew Quimeh, one of our top volunteer leaders in Kakata, Liberia, died of Ebola yesterday. He was on the Leadership Tree of Area Director Yancy Dixon. A Campaigners kid from the same area – Greature Worr – was released Ebola-free from a treatment center after weeks of treatment, but she lost her father and her sister. Pray for Andrew's family, for Greature and for Yancy and his team.

• Jeraline Johnson has two weeks left of her second 21-day quarantine. She is the only one left in the house as both her sister and brother-in-law have died of Ebola and her niece – 2 year-old Blessings – and Blessings’ aunt were both diagnosed with Ebola and taken to a treatment center eight days ago. I asked her what she does all day as she sits alone: "I pray and I read my Bible. I pray Psalm 91 constantly. I sing and praise and thank God."  Then she broke down in tears and sobbed with me on the phone for about five minutes and said, "Steve, I am so, so scared." There was good news today as Blessings' aunt was released after eight days of treatment from the Ebola center. At the end of the call she composed herself and said, "My hope is in Jesus alone. And He is faithful." We prayed Psalm 91 together.

• Our area director from Robertsport and DGL graduate, Baccus Roberts, and two other leaders from Monrovia, Abraham and Gbeme, are all currently sick. We are praying that this is not Ebola. Pray for healing for them. 

James Davis, our regional director for Liberia and Sierra Leone, texted today, "Steve, I have to admit, I feel like giving up the fight, but if I do, who will help lead kids and leaders? We have no peace or freedom. Our people are dying every hour. Our hope is in Jesus, but we fear we may be the next Ebola victims. I can't bear this – Jesus we need you more."  He later texted back to the whole team of Senior African leaders who are here now in Colorado, "I promise I will NOT give up – the Band of Brothers do not give up. … I know that we are not in this alone – the Lord is with us. And so are you."

Please continue to lift our friends up and let's not grow weary. Let's be strong for them as they focus not on what is seen but on what is unseen.

Thank you, 

Dyan and Steve

happy fall!

I just returned from a crazy trip to the US!  Lots of traveling, but it was super great!  Between VA, IN, and MI - It was so great to see so many of you!  I'll be posting a recap on here soon, so stay tuned!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Reeds Lake - East Grand Rapids, MI

BC, just like the good ole days

Many of you know my favorite days used to include BC, BS, OC.

Big cookie.
Bible study.
Obstacle course.

It meant Day 1 of Young Life camp, lots of energy, and hundreds of campers arriving to experience the best week of their lives!

So we brought a little bit of that Day 1 camp magic to Costa Rica!  We had spaghetti night, which was unreal - I've never seen kids take down pasta like they did!  And we ended our carb-loading session with big cookie.  One giant, warm cookie in a pan, covered with ice cream.  Soooo good!

The boys challenged the girls to a competition...who could eat it faster?  (There were two.)  And don't you worry, ladies and gentlemen...The girls did not have a problem winning.

Becca, our sweet intern, gave her first ever YL talk in Costa Rica!  She shared with us what it means to be chosen by Christ.  Not haphazardly stumbled upon but intentionally seen and chosen.  It was awesome!

Did you know that the English word "adoption" comes from the Latin word meaning "to choose"?  Pretty cool, right?!  So when the Bible talks about being adopted as God's children, or references a "spirit of adoption," it's really talking about being chosen!  It's not talking about feeling sorry for someone.  It's not referencing an act of sympathy or an accident.  It's intentional.  It's choosing to invite in.  Choosing to see.  Choosing to care for.   And choosing to love.

You didn't choose me.  I chose you.  I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruity, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

John 15:16

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves.  Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.  Now we call him, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:15

fundraising update!

Things are happening!  Have a goal of raising $500 in monthly support by October 1st - $350/month to go!  Thanks for your prayers and generosity!

If you would like to give, follow this link and search by Area Number X8205:

giving.younglife.org

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20

go deep.

GO DEEP.
Go where Jesus is.

We focused on Luke 5:1-11 as a team today.  The passage where Jesus invites Simon (and us) to cast our nets in deep water.  In the middle of the day, mind you, when the fish are at the bottom of the lake.  But that's the thing.  Jesus asks us and invites us to do things we wouldn't normally do in a way we wouldn't normally do them because he has a plan for us.  Simon thinks he's going to proves Jesus wrong, that they won't be able to catch any fish.  But wrong.  They catch un montón de fish!

Interesting that the Spanish word for "deep" is "profundo" which also means "profound."  Isn't that so cool?!  When we have the guts to follow Jesus, to go where he is, to do what he's doing, and engage in life with him, he has something profound for us.  Something miraculous.  Something life changing.

He knows what he's doing.  So go where Jesus is.  And go deep with him.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish."  

Luke 5:4

carrera de la pensa

Before (top) and After (bottom)

Check out these fine runners!  They did a GREAT job today participating in their first 5K of the season!!  It was a "practice" more or less to prepare us for AASCA in November.  They got to practice their pacing and build their confidence on a marked course!

It was a little crazy - they don't close the streets for these races like they do in the States.  And let me remind you that San Jose is huge!!  Lots of traffic!  Luckily, we finished without anyone getting taken out by moving objects on 4 (or more) wheels!  

Proud of these guys and how far they've come!  (And for getting up at 6AM on a Sunday to participate!)

fundraising update!

I am $2,375 per month away from being fully funded!!  Thanks for your prayers and your partnership!  My goal is to raise an additional $300/month in support this week!  

If you can help, follow this link and search by Area Number X8205:  

giving.younglife.org

So grateful for your support!  Thank you!!

feelin' 22

Meet Becca...

She's my awesome teammate and today she turned 22!  So what did we do?  Made a quick trip to Volcán Arenal to celebrate!

Celebratory jumps.
L-R:  Me, Becca (intern), Ashley (intern), Grace (Staff Associate)

The Arenal/La Fortuna area is gorgeous!  And Becca couldn't have picked a better day!  We arrived on Saturday and it was sunny so we could SEE the volcano!!  This is pretty uncommon, especially now during rainy season.  You can almost always see the base, but then there is normally a thick cloud that blocks the rest of the view.  But not for us!  So we were able to snag a few pics!  It was seriously unreal weather and it felt so great to get out of the city, even if just for one night!

This is real.  And unfiltered.
Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Chelgren for this lovely view this weekend!

On Sunday we went canyoning (aka repelling down waterfalls)!!  This is SO fun!  If you have any streak of adventure/nature-lover in you, you will love this I guarantee it!  We did four repels, one was almost 200ft!  And they do such a great job guiding you and making it fun.

After repel 2.

Last repel.

Unanimously, our favorite part of the tour is when they made us cannon ball one-by-one into this super narrow natural pool!  (It was also the scariest part of the whole thing!  Forget the heights...narrow waterholes where you are totally just trusting it is deep enough...definitely scarier than repels!  But so fun!!  And it was deep enough...).  That was water surprise #1.  Water surprise #2 was the tsunami - take a look at the pictures below...

SO.

MUCH.

WATER!!!

To make this happen, one of our guides laid in the river, "blocking" the water while we climbed down and got situated.  Then as soon as he stood up, this is what happened!  The flood gates literally opened!  Crazy, because water flowed by him the entire time he was laying in the stream.  Definitely did not think it was going to be this powerful but it was SO fun!!  And we were obviously soaked!

We ate dinner at 5:30.
Had the place to ourselves...haha, gringos...

This was such a great weekend for our team!  Fun to do something together, spend some intentional time together and grow as a team.  Thanks Becca for being born and for giving a reason to celebrate! We are so glad you're here!!  Excited for more adventures to come!

L-R:  Ashley, Becca (interns), Me, Kelly (intern),
Jessie (Area Director), Grace (Staff Associate)

Club!

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose (Jesus) is to give them a rich and satisfying life.  

John 10:10 NLT

How great is that?!  That's what we got to invite kids into on yesterday at our first Club - a rich and satisfying life!  I'm excited to do life together this semester!  With kids and leaders!  We were made for community and together we get to explore and experience a life of adventure and joy and celebration!

We had a great night!  Three new kids and lots of great conversation!  Thanks for praying for us - we're excited to meet again this week!

fundraising update!!

The ball is definitely rolling!  And God is good!!  I am looking to raise an additional $2,675 in monthly support and then I'll be funded!!  Woohoo!!  That's 27 people giving $100/month - so attainable!

I am so grateful for the many people who have given so generously to me and this ministry.  The Lord is on the move and it is SO exciting!!  Please join me in praying for raising the rest of these funds.  My goal is to have this monthly support committed by October 9 so that I am able to stay in Costa Rica (otherwise I will most likely be heading back to the States until I am funded).  If you are interested in partnering, please let me know!  Every little bit helps!  Here's some context:

$10 / month - Supplies for 2 YL Clubs

$25 / month - Visa Renewal

$50 / month - Service Project

$100 / month - One Month of Leader Care and Contact Work

$200 / month - One Month of Transportation

$250 / month - One Month of Club Expenses

$500 / month - Housing

It is possible!!  And even "small" gifts are BIG!!  Please click HERE if you are interested in giving online using Account #X8205.  Grateful to the One who is able to anticipate and provide!  Thanks for being in this with me and believing in what the Lord is doing here in San Jose through Young Life!

"When I think of all of this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

Ephesians 3:14-19