As my team and I prepare to leave our ministry here in Costa Rica, I can think of one central theme for my time here. There have been many challenges to overcome, sicknesses to beat, and pains that needed comforting. Through all of these, God has shown his sustaining power.
No matter what has come my way, God has made His presence known. He has given me words to speak, lessons to teach, and wisdom in hard situations. The language barrier had been a challenge, but through sustained knowledge, study, and practice, God has allowed me to overcome it. There have been times while I am speaking with someone in Spanish that God has brought to remembrance words and phrases in order to communicate clearly. While translating for sermons, the Holy Spirit has filled me with words to speak in order to properly communicate what He and the speaker are intending. I have had opportunities to teach english to the indigenous people of Térraba, Costa Rica. God has constantly brought to my mind simple yet effective and practical lessons to teach. A challenge that has arisen is my limited knowledge of Spanish. In this lack of knowledge God has granted wisdom to rely and trust my teammates for help. God has shown me that through the Son, he has sustained me and my team in order to work His will.
The biggest challenge I have faced in a long time occured yesterday. My brother had an accident and was taken to the hospital in Buenos Aires, Costa Rica. Through this time I was calm in my thoughts and actions, but doubting in my heart. During the ride to the hospital, the Holy Spirit assured me of the sustaining power of the Lord. I was then able to do what I could and give the rest to Jesus (1 Peter 5:7).
Through these trials and challenges, God has shown through the power of Jesus that He will sustain me for His mission. He will strengthen me by His hand, comfort me with His love, and assist me to do His will. Pray that I would continue to trust in the sustaining power of Christ and that the peace that goes beyond understanding would flood my life (Hebrews 1:3).
