MORE WALKING.  LESS WHINING.  MORE GRATITUDE

 "Cry me a river."  It's what my niece Stephanie says when I whine about things.  Another friend adds, "Build a bridge and get over it."

Ministry in Costa Rica has given us reasons to whine lately (car trouble, church conflict, budget constraints) but also many reasons to give thanks.    First, we want to thank those of you who pray regularly and give generously to our ministry and for all of you churches who are giving to the World Mission Offering in the next month or two.  Your giving allows us to be here and to be part of things like:

 Rafael's call.  Rafael, one of our seminary students is 22 and knows he's called to pastoral ministry.  But he wants to talk with me about a growing sense of call to mission and cross-cultural ministry.  This is an answer to prayer and an honor for me to be one of his professors.   Rafael's call was nurtured in part by the "Call Retreats" that we've written about before.  Through your giving and prayers you walk with Rafael.

Holy play. Preschoolers are playing in a safe, loving environment while their parents learn life skills.  The Butterfly Transformation Center in La Guacima is spreading its wings under the developing leadership of Nancy Juarez.  This transformation is going on thanks to donations of equipment from American Baptist Women.  Pastor Xinia told us that the center is attracting un-churched families to the worship services and that doors are opening to share Christ with these families.  Through your giving to the World Mission Offering you walk (and crawl) with these children and their parents.

 Sarah and Hope's service.  These two young women from Olympia, WA and Hacienda Heights, CA felt called to come to Costa Rica to see mission up close.  Hope was part of a group her church sent in July.   Hope fell in love with Geanina, Pablo and their parents, Alba and Rigoberto.  She also fell in love with their ministry project in La Carpio.  La Carpio is an immigrant community (Nicaraguans) with a lot of poverty and drugs, but also an incredible openness to the gospel.   Rigoberto died suddenly in August, but the ministry goes on.   Hope wanted to come back and was invited to live with Alba and Geanina.   She?s been a great support to them, has ministered to the children of La Carpio, and has learned a lot of Spanish.   She's seen God at work in a place many people avoid and speak badly of.  Meanwhile Sarah is living with us (an adventure in itself!) and has been to La Carpio, Sixaola, Cahuita, La Gaucima, and to the seminary to move dusty and heavy library books.   She's also used her dental assistant training and given hygiene talks and toothbrushes (thanks to local dentists in Olympia, WA and support from Oly First  and Emmaus).  In spite of sunburns and language barriers, she has been a blessing to us and to others.   By your giving you walk with Sarah and Hope and the people they meet.   

 Maria's grief and support. On  a sad note, Maria, another one of my students whom I've written about before, lost her husband Francisco this week after a long battle with cancer.  He was a young man and leaves a wife and children behind.  We don't have answers for her, but we can share her pain and try to provide comfort.  Her local church, the Baptist Federation, the seminary, and undesignated gifts from some of you, worked together to cover funeral costs.  Please pray for her and her children as they mourn the loss of  Francisco. By your giving you walk with Maria on her road towards healing.

 In the meantime, Micah is growing like a weed, playing basketball, playing guitar for the worship team at youth group and getting ready for camp.  We get to talk with Jamie regularly and will see her at Christmas. By your giving you walk with us in everyday life.

 Lately, I'm learning not to whine, but it?s a process.  I've come to believe that what differentiates lament or godly sorrow from whining is determined by the situation and our motivation.  Crying out for justice is part of following Jesus.  Mourning the loss of a loved one or a relationship is human.   Being the victim of racism or sexism is painful.  Fussing about being inconvenienced or acting as if I?m entitled to a certain level of comfort is just childish and selfish and deserving of my niece's "cry me a river" line.   As churches and individuals we have a choice to whine, or to build a bridge of gratefulness.  We thank God for all of you and your partnership in the gospel and for your generous giving to the World Mission Offering. 

 Walking with you,

Gary and Mylinda