HI FRIENDS!!
I’m alive & well!
My days here in Costa are very full between ministry, quiet times, hanging out with my squad, base chores, and an occasional shower(when there’s time)
My ministry for the next three months is an international christian school called Love at Work! I spend most of my time trying to teach 25 preschoolers while communicating in only broken Spanish, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. The organization, the teachers, and even the little people have already taught me so much about the love of Jesus.
I like to read! Who would’ve thought?
When we got here I realized I forgot to cram some books into my huge pack. I went book hunting the first weekend, and found a real treasure. For the next three days I had my head in the book Bruchko. I could talk about this book and all of the things it revealed to me for hours, but for the sake of your time, I’ll break it down for you.
A man named Bruce Olson gets a calling from God at 19 years old to go without a mission organization to a remote part of South America to minister specifically to a group of Indians. Bruce was close to death at least three times, was captured, got every sickness imaginable, watched three people he loved die, and through it all was still faithful to God and the plan He had for his life.
Talk about an eye opener!! wowww.
This week I struggled with feeling like I wasn’t making a difference in Costa Rica, I got pretty homesick and I was exhausted from a full week of ministry. God used Bruce Olson to speak into my life and melt my insecurities right in front of my eyes. Here I am thinking that in three short months my squad and I are going to change Costa Rica. God blew that plan wide open. I am not here to be a hero to these people, but to serve and love the people that are going to stay in Costa Rica and fulfill God’s plans. I found what this looked like my spending a lot of time with a couple of teachers from the school. These two women have such a heart for the kiddos and the love of The Lord shines out of them. Getting to talk to them and here their stories, and their trials, and their willingness to trust God has been worth all of tears and tiredness.
Heres a couple things from the book that really got me.
- “Oh Jesus, these people need You. Show Yourself to them. Take me out of the way and speak to them in their own language, so that they can see you for who you are.” God doesn’t believe in language barriers. We can sweat them all we want but God will speak through us to the people he wants us to reach. Whether it be through a bunch of fourth graders laughing at you trying to speak Spanish, or saying the same words to little kids over and over (because those are the only ones you know). People will see the love of the father through us.
- “I told you that you have to have both feet in the hammock, you have to be suspended by God.” Trusting God doesn’t look like knowing his will will be done but trying to control aspects of it. Trusting God doesn’t look like worrying he won’t provide for you, but knowing he will and rejoicing in that. If we have one foot in and one foot out of the challenges God is putting us through or the work he wants to do in our life, other people we are trying to reach will see that reflection. Trust looks like abandoning everything and knowing God will use it for his glory.
- “He knows my name. My real name.” The king of all kings knows us for who we truly are. For who he made us to be. He doesn’t see us as our mistakes or our trials or the times when we try to run away from him. He sees us for who he made us to be, in HIS image. HE KNOWS MY REAL NAME. He’s calling me to get to a place where I know it as well.
Thanks so much for listening to the many things God is already speaking to me. It is so evident to me that this will be a journey of growth and trust. Right now I am trusting that God will provide financially so I can continue to carry out his will. I need $5,000 to be FULLY FUNDED. The number seems daunting but I know we can get there! If you feel led to share my blog or to donate please don’t hesitate. Any amount would be so greatly appreciated! My God is a God of miracles, and I know he provides for his children.
ALL MY LOVE,
brooke
