New Opportunities

Though it's only been just about a month since the students have left, everything is moving full speed ahead as we look forward to what the rest of this year brings and even next year already. This past week was especially neat as we had the chance to get to know some wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ from the mountains, actually from some rather remote indigenous villages, a people group called the Guarijillo. They live about a six hour drive from here in a town call Guajarai. Though a number came from this village, others came from villages relatively close by. Guajarai has access by road, though the last hour or so is rather rough. The other villages however have access on foot only (or mule if you're carrying a lot of stuff!) A previous team made the journey out to these villages to reach out to the people and encourage those who are believers there. Out of that journey, the idea for this past week was born and there ended up being about 45 men, women and children who came out to San Carlos for a getaway and a spiritual retreat. The believers in these villages had expressed an earnest desire to grow in Christ but the leaders in particular expressed their desire (and had been praying for) some type of encouragement spiritually. This trip came together with the help of a number of ministries and local churches.

The group on the bus on the way to San Carlos

The group spent seven days at Casa de Esperanza in San Carlos and for a number of those who came, this was the first time being any further than Guajarai. For many seeing the ocean was a new experience. God put it on someone's heart to find a way to take this group out on the ocean in a couple of boats, also a first for many. God put the cherry on top by giving them their own personal dolphin show as they were out there, and a number of dolphins made an appearance. By far though the highlight was just getting to know these brothers and sisters, spending time with them and seeing their desire to grow in their relationship with the Lord.

One of the first believers in the communities, as the group is out on the boats

The women treating us to fresh made corn tortillas

How do we as a school fit into this you might be asking? Each morning different people were brought in to share with this group whatever God put on their heart, a time of teaching. As the school we took the first morning and myself along with Jorge, one of our main teachers at CEC, shared on Galatians 2:20, on crucifying our SELF so that Christ can pour his life into us and through us. During the rest of the week, different pastors from different churches in the area shared whatever God laid on their hearts. The people where so open and receptive to all that was shared.

Jorge and myself during the teaching time

What is particularly exciting about their time here was that the church leaders who came, representing three different commmunities in the area expressed interest in some extended training time. As we met with those leaders, they were excited at the prospect of receiving some more extended training and teaching. As great as it would to have them come to study at CEC, it just isn't feasable for many of them. So, the idea was proposed to spend a couple of weeks in Guajarai, where the leadership in the different churches would meet and we would come out with several different teachers to give some foundational teaching, highlighting some of the topics we cover in our first year. Honestly, the idea of an "on the road" school has been something that has been on our minds over the past while. God seems to be bring this together and we are excited at the opportunity and to be whatever encouragement we can to this group of believers! Our plan is to head out there sometime in June to make some more arrangement, meet with the leaders, and put plans into place to hopefully see it happen sometime in October. It's exciting to see new opportunities like these! Pray with us as we plan and prepare to be a blessing to these wonderful brothers and sisters!

A couple of the men singing a song at the church in Fatima.  Each one of the local churches involved put together gifts of clothing and food to help out their Guarijillo brothers and sisters.  They ended up taking back two truckloads of stuff to blessing the churches and also their communities!