Strangers n' Starbucks

           What a week it has been!! :) 
                       So many stories I could share.I don’t even know where to begin.

      Last Sunday, I went to a local Starbucks with two of my teammates (Mario and Celeste) to work on our book report together for class. As the three of us talked about the sermon we had just heard, a tall dark haired lady walked up to us. “Excuse me, my name is Anne. I couldn’t help but overhear you three talking about church.” she said. “ I am from Seattle and a believer in Jesus. I have been in San Jose for 3 weeks now. I don‘t speak much Spanish so I haven’t been able to make many friends. Do you mind if I sit with you all?” We invited her to join us. As Anne spoke with us, we found out that she had been visiting local hospital in Costa Rica. She was doing medical reach and had plans on being in the country for eight more weeks. She also told us that her dream of becoming a nurse and helping people who suffer from Aids. Anne expressed her passion to not only help patients with their medical needs-but spiritual needs as well (If Vanessa Miguel was ten years older-this lady was her twin). And get this!! Anne personally knows one of my professors from Moody in Spokane, Washington. Wow, talk about a small world!:)

As we talked with Anne in Starbucks, Mario told her that the three of us are doing a DTS with YWAM. He also mentioned that we were planning on going to his church that evening. “I would be so happy if I could come worship with you all, may I?” Anne asked us (without any fear in her voice). Mario, Celeste, and I looked at each other and smiled. “Of course, you are more than welcome to come with us and we will give you a ride home afterwards.” we replied.
As the night came to a end at Marios church, Anne had the opportunity to meet many other believers at church. She shared how grateful she was that we took her with us. Yet, Anne wasn‘t the only person who received a blessing that night. Spending time with her really encouraged my teammates and I. A few hours prior, we were all strangers in Starbucks; but as we dropped Anne off at her host family’s house (and hugged her goodbye), my teammates and I felted like we had met one of our sisters for the very first time. We didn’t want to part ways. So, we invited Anne to come back to church with us the following week. And she agreed without any hesitation. The week was just beginning, what more would God have in store in the days to come…

Every week we have a new teacher that challenges us in our faith. This week we had Pancho as our teacher. He is from El Salvador and has lived on the base for over two years. On Tuesday, Pancho told the group that we would not be able to use any of our electronic devices for the entire week. And let me tell you, not having any electronic devices ended up being a very freeing experience. Nearly every night this past week the girls and I spend time sitting on each other’s beds, telling jokes, and laughing until it hurt! Normally, most of us are texting on our cell phones, reading, bogging, or skyping with someone from home. However, not having any electronics really brought us closer together. :)

On Friday, the staff decided to do something special for the group. They planned a trip to the BEACH! This was a big deal to the group since we have not left San Jose for almost a full month (and the beach was a two hour drive away). On our way to the beach, we stopped at a bridge where over forty wild crocodiles dwell. For the first time in my life, I felt as if I was living in a still picture, straight out of a National Geographic magazine. There was professional photographer to the far left of the bridge, catching every move of two specific crocodiles. As I was watching from the distance, a Tico told me about an incident that happened in the river not that long ago.

According to this man, the news reported that a local man had been drinking one evening. He decided to take a swim in the river due to the humidity of the night. And since he was drunk, cooling off appeared to sound like a pleasant idea. The next morning the man was no where to be found.  Some after, people began to look for him. Reporters discovered that he had taken a swim under the bridge the night before into the crocodile infested waters. Sadly, these reporters could not find him nor his remains to prove he was dead. Unfortunately, the man’s head was found laying on a sandbank up stream-several hours later.


Once I heard this story, standing on this bridge while seeing full grown crocodiles under me- no longer felt so comforting. My team took a few photos and decided it was time to got back on the road. However, I began to think about this man’s life. I wonder why he was drinking that night? Was he a brokenhearted man? Was he a prisoner to darkness? I wish he could have had a life walking in the goodness of God’s Light. For I know, it is only in His Light that we can find true freedom.

The following verses really spoke strongly to me this week. They reminded me just why God has brought me to Costa Rica. When I look at the people of this country, my heart breaks…so many of them look like prisoners, searching for the Light; yet living in darkness.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of Joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness. A planting of the Lord for the display of His slender.”Isaiah 61: 1-5

Once we arrived at the beach, my group ran straight for the water! After some time of playing around in the waves-like a bunch of kids-we sat down and read God’s word together as a family. Pancho then announced that our group was going to celebrate life in Christ and new beginnings!

“Today is a very special day, I want to invite anyone to share their testimony and be baptized in the ocean in front of us.” he said. Four of my teammates decided to recommit their lives to Jesus (Jen, Shelby, Caleb, and Madelyn). It was an emotional experience for all of us to seem and one I will never forget.

So, that was my week…until next time :)

With love, Tiff

Finding Freedom: The Man Who Changed Everything

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZopQ-gTrb7o 

(Feel free to listen to this link while reading...)

 
       For the past four days, the tropical rainstorm have made San Jose its home.
A gray static cloud has been residing over the city for nearly a week. Like a loyal soldier, who has been commanded to not leave his post, this cloud has been immovable and obedient.

     On Saturday, my team and I had to cancel our plans of hiking due to the rain. The following day, we decided nothing would come between us climbing a particular mountain-on the outskirts of San Jose. Even if it meant we would most likely get caught in the middle of a storm; we were willing to do anything if it meant "getting off the base."

So after church on Sunday, eleven of us made our way to this mountain. Mario
(Photo: guy in the green shirt) told us that he knew of a bus that would take us straight to the bottom of it. Getting to there with a "crazy bus driver" increased the excitement in all of us.

      As we climbed to the top, trekking through orange paths made of wet clay, I started to think about my life and the storms I have been walking through the past several months.Gazing at the clay as it passed beneath my feet, my head facing downward, I noticed a heavy burden upon my shoulders. It felt as if a rock had landed on my chest. Suddenly, I was reminded that the sting of unforgiveness had not completely left me.

     So many feelings and thoughts began to entangle me. I started to contemplate about the movie we watched the night before, "The Passion of Christ." Then an important question came to my mind,

“ How can I preach God’s forgiveness to people (in the months to come); if I myself am struggling with forgiving?” This question remained in my mind for the rest of the hike. I thought about Jesus and how He has forgiven all my sins.

     Once, I reached the top of the mountain, I saw this ugly tree standing all alone. This tree was yet another reminder of my hurt. So, I asked God,  “Lord, can freedom and unforgiveness exist in the same place?” It didn’t take long for Him to answer my question. I knew within my spirit, that these two things cannot live together. To say freedom and unforgivness can be present at the same time, would be like saying “darkness can exists in the presence of light.” It’s just possible!
This heart of mine desires freedom and I want to live in the light.

As I descended down the mountain with my team, I knew that I had a choice to make! Will I allow this time in Costa Rica to be a chapter in my life focused on embracing forgiveness?

I have realized that I will only find this freedom in a man who has the power to transform my heart.

The Man Who Changed Everything

 “Above every storm the heavens wait to be seen. You are the Man who changed everything. As You spoke, in letters of red, I heard the sound of Your voice, ever more softly and ever more clear. Knowing that You are the Man who rids me of my fear. There has been times, where my stubborn heart didn't want to forgive; but this isn't the way I ever want to live."

“For on the cross He took my place, showing me His endless mercy and heart filled with grace. Wiping away my sins, no longer leaving a trace. Now I can enter into His kingdom with my head held high, knowing He purchased me and I will never die. It does not matter what storms this life may bring; His marvelous heavens are waiting to be seen. Yes, Jesus is the Man who changed everything, and because of Him, my Savior and my God- I will forever sing.”

~Tiffany :)

“Hearing God’s Voice and Silencing the Noise.”

It has been one week since I arrived in San Jose. This city is filled with sounds of motorbikes zipping through traffic. Car horns echoing off tin building and tropical birds singing songs together. Yet behind all this noise, one can see in the distance the mountains that border the city. Nearly every day, there are gray clouds that hover over these mountains. A downpour of rain normally hits around noon time and disappears within a few hours. Even though I have seen rainstorms almost daily; the storm within my heart is gently lifting. God presence is in this place and I am excited to see how He is going to teach me about His character of love and mercy.

On Sunday, my team and I had the opportunity to go downtown San Jose to experience watching the World Cup. On this particular day, Costa Rica was playing against Greece. Thousands of people filled the streets, to see if their small country would take home the title of winning against Greece (a team known to do excellent in soccer!). For the majority of the game the score remained 1 to 1, keeping everyone on edge. During the final part (going into over time) the teams had to finish the game with penalty kicks. Greece missed the fourth goal, and to our excitement, Costa Rica became the winning team!!! Never in my life have I seen a crowd go as WILD as this one!

In Costa Rica, it’s a tradition for the people to gathers in the calles (streets) and make their way to the “circle”  (as seen in the photo to the right). As they make their way through the streets, boys wave red shirts over their heads and women wrap the Costa Rican flag around their shoulders with pride. Everyone chants together, “OLE OLE OLE, TICOS TICOS!!” San Jose is a city and cultured filled with lots of noise; which at times is exciting. However, hearing all these sounds around me makes me think about how “noise in my own life” can distract me from what is most important.

There is a story our teacher told us this week in class that impacted the way I think about hearing God’s voice and silencing the noise. One day a Native American and his American friend (I will call them Katut and John) traveled to New York City together. Katut and John decide to walk near time square to witness the businesses of the city. For the first time, Katut began to experience what it is like to be in a city filled with lights and cars rushing from one place to another.
      As Katut and his friend where walking through the streets that evening, Katut said, “Do you hear that cricket?” His friend John laughed, “Are you serious? No, I can’t hear a cricket? Not over all this noise.” Katut pointed to a specific bush close by, “look inside that bush” he said. John still couldn’t hear anything but did as his friend had asked. To John’s surprise there was a little cricket at the bottom of the bush. “How did you hear this cricket? Wow, you must have better hearing than I do” John said.  Katut gave a humble smile and then responded to John, “My ears are no better than yours my friend.”  He paused for a moment, “You see, my ears are no different than yours…I simply listen for things you do not.” Katut then said something very profound, “People listen for things that are most important to them.”  “Let me show you what I mean…” Katut said to John. At that moment, Katut pulled a bunch of coins out from his pocket. As ten people passed by; Katut dropped his coins on the pavement of the sidewalk. Instantly, each person looked frantically on the ground to see if the change was their own. Katut explained, “You see, people listen for what is most valuable to them.”

Although the story of Katut and the cricket is a brief one, there is something about it that has stirred up conviction within me. This story makes me think about how there has been so many times in my life where I do not hear God’s voice; mainly due to the fact that I have chosen to listen to other things. Sadly, I have put other things in God’s place…and allowed the noise around me to cover up what is really of most value- and that is getting to know God’s heart. I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to show me His character in the next several months. My heart is tender and ready to learn from Him; perhaps more than ever before.

The photo bellow is my team members, here at the San Jose YWAM base. Please pray for us, that God will unite us as one on the mission field. That we will become as close as brothers and sisters...and that through God revealing Himself to us; we can reach the nations.

Thanks for reading.  I hope everything is going well at home.:)

Hey everyone:) So, this is my very first time blogging. Bare with me....since I am still learning how to do this. My hope is that this blog will not only be a way for me to share with my family and friends what is going on in my life in Costa Rica; but in some way it can be used as a tool to encourage you in your own walk with the God.