Tico Tuesday, February 21st

Tuesday greetings to you!

This past Saturday we had our first meeting of the year of Vida Abundante Heredia's core leaders. This is a key space in which we have some fun and games but also receive vital training and information to pass along to those involved in our respective roles and ministries. I was given the microphone for a minute to make a couple important announcements about the small group facilitator training retreat we're going to have this Saturday and our series that starts in two weeks, "gods at war."
This year we are going to have three training retreats instead of seven different training sessions (like we did last year). I'm excited to see how the training retreat goes. I think my team and I have put together some good stuff and I look forward to helping them get a better idea of the value of small groups, how (and why) to delegate responsibilities, and provide them with some valuable tools for analyzing and improving spiritual growth. As the series approaches, I'm also working on recruiting new small group leaders and members, making sure the database and all the sign up sheets are up to date, selling the materials for the series, making sure I have enough volunteers at the small groups stand to help sell the materials, figuring out my own small group, and more. And this Friday I happen to be teaching from John 5 in young adult group. I'm feeling a bit swamped, but trying to stay on top of it all and do it all as unto the Lord and not for men (as Paul put it so well in Colossians 3:23).
I covet your prayers in this busy busy time of year. Please pray for me, but also the rest of the pastoral team at church and the rest of my church. I know of many people dealing with cancer, depression, addictions, marital struggles, etc. This is why we cling to Jesus. He is Hope and Life in the midst of our brokenness. And helping others know him is what all of this is all about.
Thank you so much for journeying with me and for your constant support!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, February 14th

Valentine's Day greetings from Costa Rica!

This past weekend was men's camp. I heard a couple updates about what was happening over the course of the weekend, but I'm not sure much could have prepared me for their return. As the second service came to an end on Sunday, we received the 120ish men who went- an all time record number of attendees. (I think in the past the record had been around 70). The men could hardly wait for the sermon to finish and make their entrance clapping in rhythm and shouting "¡Grande y fuerte es nuestro Dios!" Great and strong is our God! These men were exuberant. Once they all made it to the front of the church we all sang the song "Grande y fuerte es nuestro Dios" and then their families all came and surrounded them, happy to be reunited again, even though they were only apart for a couple days. It was a special, joyful time. God has been moving powerfully in our church the past few weeks and this was clearly a continuation of the same movement of the Holy Spirit. So, why am I telling you all this? Because, in addition to wanting to let you know what's going on in my church, there is a more specific testimony I want to share with you. A man who started attending my church last year, got baptized, and became a small group leader came up to me after the service. He is divorced and no one in his family comes to our church. I think they might even all live in San José. But after the service, though he had no spouse or children there to greet him, his small group came. And that touched the depths of his heart. And it touches mine. That is one of the main things small groups are supposed to be about, and I praise God for it and allowing me to be aware of it. Hallelujah! He is so good!
May he continue to work powerfully in your life! Thank you for being a part of mine and being an instrument of God's blessing to me! ¡Grande y fuerte es nuestro Dios!
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, February 7th

This past Saturday I had the privilege and joy of teaching part of the 201 Spiritual Maturity class at my church. A lot of people who came are relatively new to my church, and many of them do not have a regular time of devotions with the Lord. I pray that will begin to change after this class, which covers Bible reading, Bible study, and a few other related disciplines, along with prayer, basics on how to have devotions, tithing, and Christian fellowship.

I teach the section on prayer and how to have devotions and I love it! It is so much fun! I love being able to provide people with tools and ideas to help them grow in their relationship with God and really encourage them to start putting these disciplines into practice and allowing God to be their first priority in life. There is a saying in Spanish that translates "Tell me who you walk with and I will tell you who you are"--implying that the people with whom we spend time mold our character. From what I have learned in life, I have coined a somewhat similar phrase, "Tell me how you spend your time and I will tell you what your priorities are." We make time for what matters most to us. The way we live reflects what we value. Part of why I love teaching a section of this class is that it leads me to reflect on my own life. How is my time with Jesus? Am I living in a way that allows people to see Jesus in me? The material challenges and encourages me, and gives me an opportunity to challenge and encourage others. The goal of the class isn't just to convey information: the goal is to invite people to make a deeper, stronger commitment to the Lord. And most (if not all) of them do.
There is a huge need here in Latin America for discipleship, for helping people grow and mature in their relationship with God so they can be equipped to evangelize and disciple others well. I love being a part of what God is doing here! Through your prayers and holistic support, you are a part too! Thank you!
May others see Jesus ever more clearly in you!
Love,
Carrie