The New Year
It is hard to believe that we have started a new year
here in Costa Rica. I want to look over
some of the past year and give thanks to God for what he has accomplished. Although my family and I are here, you must
know that it is not us doing the work but God acomplishing his mission through
us. This past year has been hard for us
to adjust and find our place in this culture.
We are far from our family and many times far from our comfort
zones. However, we rest in the fact that
we are following the call. God has not
called us to live in comfort or stability, but to wrecklessly abandone
ourselves to him. He states in Luke
14:26 says "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and
mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life such
a person cannot be my disciple. It does
not literally mean to hate but we must love Christ more. So as we follow this truth we rest in the
fact that God is with us and will provide our every need.
First I
want to thank our supporters for over the last year you have made this ministry
possible. I am so glad that we have the
supporters we do. When we were able to
come home for Christmas, our fellowship with you was a true blessing from God. Being overseas is not a glamorous life and it
has its ups and downs. Our trip home was
refreshing and encouraging. Thank you
for your support!! As we work here we keep your ministries in our prayers as
well. May God continue to bless you
though our partnership like he has blessed us.
Before
we came home we were able to partner with two churches in Siquirres. We were able to provide a leadership ministry
through Multiply. It is a discipleship training book by Francis Chan and
David Platt. It was such a blessing to
work together in these churches and partner with what God was already doing
there. We drove 3 hours one way twice a
week to be with the churches in Siquirres for 3 months. What joy we had watching them grow in
knowledge and how they thirsted for the gospel.
When the time came for graduation everyone was excited including
us. We were so proud of our brothers and
sisters and how much work they had put into this program. And when they received there certificate of
completion words will never express the gratitude they had. If this was a mere program I would not have
enjoyed it near as much. What we need to
understand is this was life changing events and revelation of what God has
called them to be. The opportunity we
had in partnering with them was a pleasure.
We were able to build relationships with people that grew real loving
God centered relationships.
We now
have our first student for the mission training school. His name is Dominique. What a joy he is to
have. He has an infectious laugh and an
attitude of in awe! He is already talking about what he feels God is calling
him to do and where. I hope you will
pray with us for this young man and the up and coming decisions to be
made. We are only a few short weeks into
the internship, but I can see God working in his life as well as ours. Continue to pray for this school that God is
glorified through it and that his will is done in it.
GOD Bless you all, The Splechter Family
