Queridos Amigos, Beloved Friends,
Thanks to all of you who continually read my blog and stay updated on what is going on here with the school and in Quepos. This last week, I got to share my life with Julie Van Loo, a great friend from high school who came down to visit. Because of the rains, the trip didn't turn out as planned, but we had the chance to spend some time together and see God work in different ways!
Storm and Flooding Update
Thank you again to all of you who kept us in your prayers last week. Tropical Storm Tomas left quite a mark on Costa Rica- many
lives and homes were lost in the flooding and landslides. We were able to give five bags of clothing that that ZCS Rainforest group had donated on their last trip to families in Parrita (a town about 30 min from Quepos) who had lost their homes and everything in them when the river swelled.
While the rain has stopped, there is still a lot of damage to both personal and public property. The Manuel Antonio road, which sunk in over a meter, making travel up and down the mountain limited to an old one lane dirt road.
Glimpses of Grace
The majority of our students come from unchurched homes. I love sitting in on Bible class because most of the students are hearing these Bible stories for the first time. When they heard about the snake in the garden, tempting Eve, they were irate! And wanted to kill that snake!
Last week, we were discouraged because two students dropped out for reasons unrelated to the school. As a class, we prayed that God would bring more students. Shortly after, twins joined our preschool. On their first day, I asked the kids if they had realized that God had answered their prayers. Our 5th grader shouted from the back of the classroom, "God did a miracle!!" And the students sat with smiles on their faces. We took the time to thank God for what he had done, and one by one the students again prayed that God would bring more classmates to the school.
Fifteen minutes later, during a grammar lesson, a woman came to the door. She said that she was interested in putting her fifth grader in the school. The classroom erupted, in front of the guest, with shouts of joy. I will never forget this moment- because their faces radiated -in awe of a their God who hears and answers.
Continued Prayer Requests
While we see God working in the classroom, our main concern and prayer request continues to be that the legal process of accreditation would be completed quickly. The most immediate and specific need is a suitable building/property that will meet all the requirements of the ministry of education.
A second request continues to be funding for the school. As it is rainy season, many families struggle to pay even partial tuition. We are talking about starting a program of micro-loans for families, especially mothers, to have an additional source of income.
A Personal Note
Admist rain storms, classroom details and piles of legal paperwork, God has brought this verse to mind over and over again.
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17
He has taught me that my role, first and foremost, is not to be a school director... that he has me here, in Quepos, so that I would seek his face. He needs nothing from me- but invites me into what he is already doing.
Whether plans change, whether there are challenges or glimpses of his grace, he asks me to recognize who he is and who I am in him.
As always, I have a hard time keeping updates short :) Thanks for reading this far, and continue to check out my personal and school blog to see more pictures and updates on life in Quepos.
Dios les bendiga! God Bless!
Un abrazo fuerte! A big hug!
Anna
