Saturday started with a relaxing morning. Our team was able to do some bonding and getting to know each other better. Until it was time for lunch and we were zoomed off to another lunch in the home of a church member. This church family has been so welcoming to us (probably a big part of the culture). We have been doing lunches and dinners in homes which has been a great way to build stronger relationships with those we are here to help and learn more about the tico culture. I'm hoping to do a blog post all about food soon.
After lunch we headed back to the church for another open house. We had a better turnout today than Friday. A few class members showed up to get specific advice. I was able to meet with one young man hoping to start a business targeted at the church's young population. Sounded like a great idea. It is so encouraging to hear how excited these Christians are to serve fellow Christians and non-believers. Our North American churches could really use a lesson. They are passionate about spreading the gospel and serving others.
Something that I believe to be unheard of in the States is youth (teenagers) going to church, becoming Christians, then bringing their PARENTS to church with them. For starters I don't think parents in the States have enough respect for their own teenagers to do this. These teens are exemplifying a "born again" lifestyle so strongly that their parents want to know what it's all about. So they go to church with their kids.
My final class was exhilarating to say the least. We started with some boring dialogue delivered by me then allowed one of the students to share some of the work he has created. He had logos, videos, and pictures that he just made on his own. No one asked him and no one really knew about them til now. Another huge encouragement. These were high-quality, multimedia products. Then I set the team to work: come up with a plan to get your church online; assign parts of the work to individuals on the team; and most importantly, hold each other accountable for getting their part of the project done.
I also shared a bit more of my testimony with the students. Specifically how through Matthew 28:19-20 (Go and make disciples of all nations...) God has been encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone and really start spreading the gospel to new places. It was the primary driver for my coming to Costa Rica. Then applied it to them and their work on the church website and how they can reach more and more people. Plus, some day God may want them to go some where else. I explained to them that this verse isn't about some Christians receiving a "calling," this is a command to all Christians.
Then dinner, at another house, and finally....sickness.
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| Typical Lunch: Carne con Arroz y Frijoles |
Something that I believe to be unheard of in the States is youth (teenagers) going to church, becoming Christians, then bringing their PARENTS to church with them. For starters I don't think parents in the States have enough respect for their own teenagers to do this. These teens are exemplifying a "born again" lifestyle so strongly that their parents want to know what it's all about. So they go to church with their kids.
My final class was exhilarating to say the least. We started with some boring dialogue delivered by me then allowed one of the students to share some of the work he has created. He had logos, videos, and pictures that he just made on his own. No one asked him and no one really knew about them til now. Another huge encouragement. These were high-quality, multimedia products. Then I set the team to work: come up with a plan to get your church online; assign parts of the work to individuals on the team; and most importantly, hold each other accountable for getting their part of the project done.
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| Classwork: Day 3 |
Then dinner, at another house, and finally....sickness.
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