Tico Tuesday, January 29th

Happy Tuesday!
Saturday evening we had the annual welcome bonfire with all the kids from the Bible Home. Every house introduced itself and did some kind of presentation, whether it be a skit, song, dance/interpretative movement to a song or some other creative idea. I was really impressed with all the presentations! Some of the houses have a totally different group of children, many of them new, and they all did great! I was so proud of them all! I think I have to say the Bethesda house was my favorite though. The house mom had a friend come and teach the children a worship dance to a simple song about God raining down on us. It was beautiful and very powerful - I could feel God's presence! And, little Sebas stole the show. For being only 3, he did a great job following along, and when he started doing his own thing, it was just too adorable! Please join me in praying for this to be a great year at the Bible Home and for God to do amazing things in the lives of each child and family we serve. There's much to be done, but with God all things are possible!
And I have great news! I only need $25/month to be at FULL support!!! I praise God for his faithfulness, provision and how quickly so many of you have responded to my needs! But you're not just responding to my needs, you're responding to the needs of the children and families I just asked you to pray for. Just one more person at $25/month - by this Friday, January 31! Thank you so much for all your prayers and support for me and for those I serve here. I can't tell you how important and powerful they are!
With love and gratitude,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, January 22nd

...And they're back! Sunday afternoon the children came back to the Bible Home! I haven't been able to see them yet though, since today was a stay-home-and-study day and yesterday I was in San José with the parents of the children who will be coming in to the Bible Home between tomorrow and Friday.
Last Thursday we had a welcome day for these parents and their children to come to the Bible Home and get to meet the staff, see the grounds and a few of the houses, and have some fun. We have 10 boys and 2 girls coming in. I feel like I was able to connect with the girls pretty well, especially the older one. I'm so excited to get to know these kids more and share God's love with them!
Yesterday we had a more in-depth orientation with the parents of these new children. Though we had to go over a lot of details, it was also important to give them an opportunity to express themselves as they prepare to be separated from their children. It's hard for me to put myself in their shoes since I don't have children of my own, but I can sort of put myself in the children's shoes. How heartbreaking! Please pray for these children and families as they go through this temporary separation and for all of us at the Bible Home as we seek to support them to the best of our abilities.
To give you a support update, I need to confirm with a couple of you, but it appears I only need $65/month in monthly giving commitments! Praise the Lord! Can you help me reach full support by January 31st? It's just 9 days away!
Thanking God for his love and faithfulness, and you for your prayers and support,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, January 15th

Tuesday greetings from San José de la Montaña! (the town I live in)
Today was our Annual Spiritual Retreat for all the Roblealto personnel. Along with the beautiful time of worship and the opportunities to converse, discuss and pray with my co-workers, I especially loved sharing testimonies. One girl, Fernanda (the one you see on the left in the picture), grew up in our 15 de Setiembre Child Care Center, from 9 months to 12 years old. It became her second home, and she grew to love it, her instructors, and Jesus. After rebelling for a couple years in Jr. high, Fernanda turned back to Jesus and started getting heavily involved in her church. Then, she started volunteering in an NGO similar to Roblealto. After that, she started volunteering at the 15 de Setiembre Child Care Center again. Not much later, she was offered the opportunity to work as an instructor there. What a joy it is to see her talk about her love for God and the place where she works! I've seen her in action with the kids in her class, and I assure you her love for the children she works with is obvious too. How beautiful for her to come and give back to a place that gave so much to her! I thank and praise God for the life of my sister in Christ, Fernanda! And that was just one testimony I got to hear today!
To add a testimony of my own, on Thursday alone I received news of $125 in new monthly giving commitments! Praise the Lord! I now need a total of only $125/month! This can be 2 people at $50/month and 1 at $25/month, or 5 people at $25/month (or 1 at $50/month and 1 at $75/month). I'm so close to being at full support now! Will you help me make it all the way by January 31st? (If you click on the link, you will get to see my updated bio!)
May God be glorified in all we do this week--our lives greatly impact others!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, January 8th

Happy Tuesday!
What a way to start the New Year.

I was at the amusement park waiting to watch the New Year's Day fireworks with some friends, including a couple house moms from the Bible Home and the few children who weren't able to go home for vacation (since they don't really have one to go to). We were all lying on the grass and it was just one of those happy love piles, kind of like that game where everybody lays their head on the tummy of someone else. I couldn't believe it when K, one of the girls from the Bible Home nestled her head right on me! In spite of my attempts over the past couple years, she and I have never really connected before; I always feel like she's distant and just does whatever she wants. Needless to say, I was very surprised to be her pillow of choice! It was a sweet joyous moment for me. Maybe I just happened to be the closest body available, but it is still really good to know that she feels comfortable enough to rest her head on me. It was a special moment for me.
May God bless us all with special moments this year, and may we have open eyes to recognize them and the wisdom to cherish them!
Carrie

P.S. Praise God! I only need 6 more people to commit to supporting me at $50/month and 3 people at $25/month in order to be at full support! Praise God for his provision, goodness and faithfulness! Is he calling you to partner with me?

Tico Tuesday, January 2nd

Happy New Year from Costa Rica!

I was able to be with my parents for a few days over Christmas, and as I savored every rich moment with them, my mind couldn't help but wander towards the Bible Home and the different homes that are represented there. The homes where the children at the Bible Home come from aren't nice homes. The houses are generally in poor condition and located in dangerous neighborhoods. Many families don't have enough money for Christmas decorations or presents. Many didn't even have the funds to have enough food to get their family through this vacation until the children go back to the Bible Home. Thanks to the gifts of Roblealto's employees and their friends, family members and acquaintances, we are able to make about 100 food baskets a year to give to our poorest families so they can have enough food to make it through the holidays. As I continue to serve in Roblealto, I am reminded over and over again of how blessed I am. I am so grateful for all that I have, and am constantly being motivated to do everything I can to help these children and families experience not only some material blessings, but the richness and greatness of God's love.
Thank you for helping keep me here serving others and showing them God's love!
May God bless you and your family and make you rich with his love all throughout this year,
Carrie