ONE YEAR IN COSTA RICA: An Interview

Cowboy, PHD in barking and play.
Loves Spencer and Kendra.

Hello and welcome! Thank you for being here with me, I am Professor Cowboy_Yeehaw and today I will be interviewing two of my favorite people.  Spencer and Kendra Thomas will answer my questions, together and individually, about their first year as full time missionaries in Costa Rica. Let's get started!

Let's bark! ... I mean, go!

Question-

How long have you been married, and when/why did you move to Costa Rica?

Answer- 

Married January 3, 2015.  We started praying about Costa Rica in February of 2015.  We knew, just by looking at each other, that Costa Rica was where we needed to be.  Why did we move? Because we were invited.  Seeking God's will is the only way a person can find peace.  

Question-

What is your mission field? 

Answer-

Our mission field is Colegio Metodista.  It is a private school with students from pre-k to high school graduation.  We primarily spend time with grades 7-11 (there is no 12th, they graduate at 11th).  We have spent the last year starting bible study small groups.  The purpose of these groups is for students to become Disciples of Jesus through meaningful Christ-centered relationships.  

Question-

What are some things you didn't expect to encounter after moving to Costa Rica?

Answer-

     Kendra: "I didn't expect a lot of things.  Principally, communication is difficult. Not just a language barrier, but a way of thinking that was different than mine. When I prepare for a meeting or event I am obnoxiously early. My coach always said '10 minutes early is on time.' As we learn Spanish one thing sticks out to me. 'I am early/late' does not translate. A person may say 'it is early.' However, that is quite different. Perhaps it is not the largest hurdle we have had, but this has proved to be the greatest learning experience. Although living with the Turrialba Volcano has also made life more interesting. With it's most active year in a long time, we now know the varied pleasures of regular ash fall."

     Spencer: "This is going to sound really dumb... but the food.  There's no tex-mex.  I was really excited when someone told me Costa Ricans do tamales.  Costa Rican tamales are not Mexican tamales, not even close.  In my mind I associated Latin America with Mexico and Mexican food.  So when we got here and I asked 'Where can a gringo get some tacos?' and they told me Taco Bell, I wasn't expecting that."

Question-

Looking back over your year, what has been the most difficult part of moving to another country"

Answer-

     Kendra: "Being away from family.  Our family is particularly close. We were so fortunate to be together for the Christmas Season, but missing my grandparent's Memorial Day BBQ and Mother's Day or the crazy annual Pumpkin Patch my mom's youth do every year is hard on the heart. Those times when the family comes together to celebrate and sometimes even argue, but then everyone takes a nap and feels better... those are the times you miss."

     Spencer: "Family, also.  On Kendra's side we have 6 nephews/nieces and on my side we have 3 boys.  So only getting to see them a few times is hard.  It's strange but true, I miss not being able to see how much they've grown.  Every time I see my nephews, they are noticeably bigger/stronger and harder to wrestle.




Question-
What gives you the most joy?

Answer-
     Kendra:  "Seeing the spark in a student's eye as they become excited to talk about the Lord and their faith. Being friends with these students, mentoring them, walking beside them as they discover what it means for Jesus to be Lord of their life, is the greatest joys.
     Spencer: "Seeing our students start to seek the Lord and take personal responsibility for their faith.  The absolute biggest blessing has been getting to share the gospel with someone who has never heard or opened the bible before."




Question-
What things do you miss most?

Answer-
     Kendra:   "The food! I miss sausage gravy, Whataburger, and Tex-Mex. Good Texas food with family and friends."
     Spencer: "Whataburger. Fishing.  Kayak.  The river.  But family most of all.  My mom and dad and my sisters family.  QUESO cheese dip!"




Question-
What is something you'd like to share that you've learned over the last year?

Answer-
     Kendra:   "Aside from some new cooking skills, I've learned to communicate better. As I said earlier, it is a struggle. I always took advantage of the whole English language to tell people about my faith, but when English is someone's second language, or if you are speaking in a new language, it is of the utmost importance you be clear with that message. The one thing we cannot afford to get wrong is sharing the Truth.
     Spencer: "Throw away all your pride.  It won't help you.  It will only hurt you and the people around you.  Having to be right or heard, because of pride, will not lead anyone to the Cross of Christ.  There is nothing I can do to change a persons heart.  Get rid of pride and make more room for the Holy Spirit."




Question-
Being your dog, I see you leave me at home every day... Where are some of the cool adventures you've been on?

Answer-
     Kendra:   "White water rafting and hiking through the rainforest have been my favorites! Beautiful views and fast paced fun!"
     Spencer: "Beaches, volcanos, and Panama.  But my favorite place in Costa Rica is Rio Tarcoles. It's know as 'The Crocodile Bridge' and it does not disappoint.   It was something I watched on the Discovery Channel as a kid and dreamed about seeing in person."

Crocodile Bridge

Manuel Antonio National Park

"I'm ready... take me with you" -Cowboy

Thank you for your prayers and support.  We are grateful for you. 

- Spencer, Kendra, and Cowboy Thomas

Ketchup, Mustard, and Catching Up

"Consider the lilies"

We find ourselves considering the lilies and laugh at our attempts to fashion the world around us. Consider the lilies and know that you are loved.  Kendra and I are completely incompetent at sustaining flowers, but living in Costa Rica has advantages.  We have beautiful flowers along our drive way that grow because it rains, a lot.  Praise God that Kendra hasn't touched them because they would surely die (her words, not mine)!

Toilets breaking, house leaking, vehicle needing new brakes, tired, busy, bored, lonely, content, homesick, frustrated, rainy, dry, and sometimes just out of coffee.... But it's worth it and we don't regret a single day that goes by.  Jesus is moving in our hearts the same as in the ministry He has invited us to be a part of.  Ministry with God starts with God ministering to the minister.   The closer we get to Jesus the closer we get to the cross.  God is surely ministering to us.  We are learning not only how to be missionaries in a foreign country and in a foreign language, but how to be married and love each other more than we did the day before.  We are learning how to argue better and how to disagree and how to compliment each other and how to love each other better.  I love my wife best when I love Jesus first.  Kendra loves me best when she loves Jesus first.  Jesus be the focal point of this person.  

Kendra... loves... running.  Spencer no like running very mucho.  But when I go running I never regret it.  For me running is a hassle, I don't like it, but I never regret doing it.  For me it's running.  What is "it" for you?  Maybe it's cleaning your room, or washing the car, or vacuuming.  We all have certain things that we don't like doing, but always feel good after doing them.  I want to challenge you...

       If you are married, I want you to share your testimony (story of how you came to know Jesus) with your spouse.  If you're not married, share your testimony with a person who has helped you know Jesus. Here are some things you are saying to yourself right now:

- My wife/husband/person already knows my story

- Sure, I'll do it later (just like you said you'd do that one thing that you haven't done yet)

- Keep reading...keep reading... oh, he's like, really wanting me to do this

- What's the point?

        I promise you won't regret it.  

It doesn't have to be complicated.  It doesn't have to be long.  It doesn't have to sound polished like a preachers sermon on Sunday morning at 11:00 traditional service.  

Do it simply.

Do it honestly.

Do it. 

 To make the title relevant, Kendra likes ketchup and I like mustard. Thank you for reading our blog and catching up with us!  Stay tuned for more. 

- Spencer and Kendra Thomas. 

May: "I feel like I just got off a roller coaster"

"I will send down the showers in their season; they will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26

Rest... Sweet rest...   The adventure started with an over night retreat into the mountains with our 9th grade generation.  Everyone arrived at the school at 5:15 A.M.  After brief instruction and loading onto five buses, we were shuttled up into the mountains of Costa Rica!   We arrived at the camp around 8, and first things first, we had breakfast.  Once everyone had consumed the most important meal of the day we started the fun.  Large group games, followed by small group games, followed by high ropes activities, followed by getting rained on, followed by more activities involving high ropes course action and running around.  Our over night trip was packed full of endless activity.  It was great.  We gathered in the evening and worshiped God.  A word was shared, talking about Daniel.  How Daniel stood out among his peers and how not even a pack of lions could turn him from pursuing the will of God.  It was the best part of the camp.  After worship we played a MASSIVE game of hide-and-seek.  Each staff member was worth a certain number of points (Kendra and I were worth the most).  The game ended when either all the people were found or time ran out.  Off we go! Into the dark, rainy, and cold jungle of Costa Rica to hide from 120 students.  After 30 minutes of very uncomfortable hiding, I heard the siren announcing the game was finished. "Awesome", I thought, "They didn't find me, I win!"  I hike out of the forest towards the camp fire, excited to see if Kendra was found.  Every couple of minutes a new leader would appear from the cloak of darkness, smiling because they were not found.  Every time someone new appeared I would rush over thinking it was Kendra.  Kendra never showed up.  I would be lying if I told you I wasn't worried.  I knew she had a flash light, but not a sense of direction.  We put together a scouting crew.  We scoured the woods looking for any sign of a beautiful gringa, my beautiful gringa.  Eventually she was found.  She was less than 50 yards from the fire, hiding behind a rock near the river.  She couldn't hear anyone yelling or the siren because the river was too loud.  #HideAndSeekChampion2016 goes to my beautiful wife.  Sharing of testimonies and smore's around a fire is what finished off the night... or so I thought.  After multiple attempts to get all the guys in my cabin to lay down and go to bed, they finally relented and there was peace.  Less than 5 minutes later everyone was awake, running and yelling, as 70 girls sang high school musical songs at the top of their lungs right outside our door.  There was no hope to getting my guys back into "sleep mode".  We stayed up all night....

The next day was still great! More activities and even more laughs.  After lunch we packed everyone back into the buses and made our way home.  We hugged and said goodbye to our students as their parents picked them up.  All were ready to be home, but our adventure had just begun!

We went home, unpacked, and then repacked our things, and went straight to bed.

The alarm went off at 4:15.... We awoke finished repacking our things. At 5:00AM we got into a taxi that took us to the airport.  After an entire day of travel we were back in Texas.  We spent the weekend in Kerrville preparing.

Tuesday morning we head out to Camp Eagle and prepare for the senior class from Costa Rica to arrive that afternoon.  We wait... And wait.... And wait some more.  The students and teachers finally arrived, after many delays, around 1:00AM.  They were exhausted but excited.  Tuesday night, I had no trouble getting the guys in my cabin to go to sleep.

Camp Eagle (located near Rocksprings, TX) is an adventurer's paradise spanning thousands of acres of wilderness, including rivers and cliffs.  Incorporated into the cliffs along the river there is rock climbing, rappelling, and an assortment of challenging "heights based" adventures.  All of which our students were able to enjoy!

Every morning, before our activities, we gathered together for worship. And every evening, after activities, we would worship together.  Throughout the week we went through the book of Ephesians.
Something crazy happens when we open God's word.  God speaks to us.  The best part of the trip was the last night of worship.  We spent the night at Kerrville First United Methodist Church.  Before worship we ate BBQ and learned how to line dance.

Once we had gathered for worship, we prayed and sang a song.  We put a microphone in front of the student body and gave them an invitation.  "We invite you to share how you encountered your Creator during this trip to Texas."

Listening to the testimonies of student after student share how God spoke to them was the best part of the entire trip.
"I never really realized that God wanted to know me like this"
"I want to follow Jesus and learn about the bible"
"For the first time in my life, I heard the voice of my Creator telling me I was loved"
"I never thought that I had to travel thousands of miles away from home to learn that God is Jealous for me"

These are just a few of the things spoken that made our hearts explode into a million tender pieces.  Jesus is so good.  E. Stanley Jones says that even evangelical movement starts with the evangelical being moved.  Oh how our hearts have been tilled, made ready for growth.  Kendra and I have never been more aware of God's love for us than we are right now.  And we find ourselves saying some of the same things our students said about going to Texas.  Moving to Costa Rica has produced revelation after revelation of how much God cares for us.

It makes me think of Heaven.  How Heaven is outside of time.  It's not measured in years or millennia, there is only eternity.  And every moment of eternity in Heaven will be filled with revelation after revelation of God's goodness.  Praise Jesus!

Kendra, myself, and Colegio Metodista are extremely grateful for all of the people and churches involved in making a dream become reality.  100 Costa Ricans on a senior class trip to Texas, spent in the hill country learning of and encountering our creator.

With much love,
    Spencer and Kendra Thomas

Greater Things Are Yet To Come!

Great and amazing things have happened and are happening, but even greater things are yet to come.  What is our purpose? What is our destiny?  I was talking with a friend of mine about Heaven.  About eternity and what will it be like.  For every moment spent with God, there is something new and fresh about His goodness.  Every moment for all of eternity, in Heaven, there will be a new revelation of God's love.  Wow.  God's heart is the final frontier.  His goodness, unmeasurable.  His power, boundless.  His love, inexhaustible.

James Joyce describes eternity as this:

"You have often seen the sand on the seashore. How fine are its tiny grains! And how many of those tiny grains go to make up the small handful which a child grasps in its play. Now imagine a mountain of that sand, a million miles high, reaching from the earth to the farthest heavens, and a million miles broad, extending to remotest space, and a million miles in thickness, and imagine such an enormous mass of countless particles of sand multiplied as often as there are leaves in the forest, drops of water in the mighty ocean, feathers on birds, scales on fish, hairs on animals, atoms in the vast expanse of air. And imagine that at the end of every million years a little bird came to that mountain and carried away in its beak a tiny grain of that sand. How many millions upon millions of centuries would pass before that bird had carried away even a square foot of that mountain, how many eons upon eons of ages before it had carried away all. Yet at the end of that immense stretch time not even one instant of eternity could be said to have ended. At the end of all those billions and trillions of years eternity would have scarcely begun. And if that mountain rose again after it had been carried all away again grain by grain, and if it so rose and sank as many times as there are stars in the sky, atoms in the air, drops of water in the sea, leaves on the trees, feathers upon birds, scales upon fish, hairs upon animals – at the end of all those innumerable risings and sinkings of that immeasurably vast mountain not even one single instant of eternity could be said to have ended; even then, at the end of such a period, after that eon of time, the mere thought of which makes our very brain reel dizzily, eternity would have scarcely begun.”

And still.... eternity has scarcely begun. 

We spent three weeks visiting our supporters, churches, and family asking for sleeping bags.  We needed the sleeping bags because at the end of the month, we are traveling with the senior class of Colegio Metodista to Texas! We will spend a week in the hill country out at Camp Eagle.  A big THANK YOU all who have helped and are helping to make this possible.  

The time is beginning to fly!  Our mission team will be gaining two new players! Tony and Heidi are coming to Costa Rica to serve as interns! They will be helping at the Methodist Children's Home and spending time with Kendra and I at the school.  Can't wait to welcome them to Costa Rica with a big "BIENVENIDOS".

Awesome things are being done by God, through His people, all over the world. And still, greater things are yet to be done. Lord Jesus, we pray that these 'greater things' would find us.  We ask, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that Your goodness would be made known in all places through the obedience of your people.  Thank You for inviting us to participate in the mission of Your will.  Amen.

-Spencer, Kendra, and Cowboy Thomas.  

March with the Thomas Family

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers.

           

(Small Group Leaders)

March has been a wonderfully busy month! Costa Rica has been enjoying the dry season, with its sunny days and warm afternoons. It is easy to forget that just a few months ago we thought it might never stop raining! Many families migrated to and from the beach for Holy Week, since the entire week is a national holiday for school and large businesses. It was very interesting to see the Easter Season in a different cultural setting.

As we have long anticipated, we split our not-so-small-groups into smaller groups this month! We have 4 girls groups with about 35 ladies in total and we have 2 boys groups with nearly 30 gentlemen. For the first five weeks all of the groups will cover the same basic principles.

-What is fellowship?

-Who is Jesus?

-What is Sin?

Our small group leaders all understand how important it is for their group to know these things before they can branch out. How can we teach about Corinthians if we don’t know who Jesus is or why he died on the cross? It is amazing to see these young leaders teach their peers.

After all of the groups finish the base lessons we will meet as a large group to remind everyone they are part of something big on campus. They will be able to see that each group has learned the same thing in different ways and we will worship together! Now that our numbers have grown to such a considerable size we are even more excited than ever to dive into the scriptures with them and grow deeper in relationship with Christ.

With all of this in mind, we now ask for your prayers. Our trip to Texas with the seniors is growing ever closer, so please be praying for God to soften their hearts in preparation for the great work He will do at Camp Eagle. Also, pray for our small group leaders as they adapt to their new roll among their friends and peers. Finally, be in prayer for the other students at the school. The spiritual landscape is changing in a beautiful way, we pray that they may feel God’s calling on their hearts.

Blessings and Love from the Thomas Family

February in Costa Rica with The Thomas Family

“Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it is finding its place in him.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

Lots of wonderful things happened in Costa Rica this past month.  Life, the means by which we describe unfortunate happenings, also happened this past month.  Jesus emerges victorious over both.

In this newsletter we wanted to share something specific and special that happened.  We were both moved and encouraged.  We hope that the testimony of this happening will be an encouragement to you.

Our small group bible study takes place on thursday.  The boys are with me, and the ladies with Kendra.  We average about 15 students each.  In the month of February our numbers skyrocketed.  The first blowout attendance we had was when we did a combined guys/girls group because Kendra and I prepared a message that God had prompted us to share with them as a whole.  I would like to tell you about the message we shared with them.



   Kendra and I stood in the chapel minutes before the bell was to ring announcing lunch time.  We observed our preparations. The microwave was plugged in, the chairs were set up, the powerpoint was on, and we had our bibles bookmarked.
   The bell rang.  Slowly students began to trickle into the chapel and heat up their lunches and hang out.  Upon entering, they were greeted with this image being projected onto the wall.

 

We had to explain to more than a few students what the joke was.  English being their second or third language, it definitely did not make sense to everyone.  Oh, the things you learn being a missionary in another country.

   Students kept trickling into the chapel.




We spent some time chatting and hanging out with our students.  They are our friends and we are theirs.  I don't know what Kendra was talking to the girls about, but I spent these first few minutes asking people to remind me of their names.
 
   Students kept trickling into the chapel.

Kendra and I stepped off to the side and looked at each other with wide eyes and goofy grins.  We were both thinking the same thing, There. Are. So. Many. Students. Here.  More than double our usual attendance. 60 students had made their way into the chapel for bible study this week. The nice circle of chairs we prepared had vanished.  There was now just a glob of people sitting and eating lunch.
   Our lesson that day started off with a game.  Guys vs girls.  So once the majority of people had finished eating, we lined them up across the entire chapel (two parallel lines, guys vs girls).  We gave the leader of each line an egg.  We explained the game.  The goal was to pass the egg over your head, then between your legs, all the way to the end of the line.  Then, the person at the end had to run up to the front and hand the egg to Kendra.  We actually played the game 3 times without breaking an egg, which was incredible, because it got pretty competitive.
   We won't announce who won the egg game, because this blog isn't about who won, but if we did announce a winner, it would be the guys, because I am writing this blog post.  If Kendra were to write this specific blog post, then maybe the girls would have won.  I digress...
   All the students were instructed to take their seats.  We prayed.  We then listed things that God had laid on our hearts to "call out" and reveal.

"Here are some things that people in this room are going through:
-Parents getting divorce/Mom or Dad leaving
-You feel alone or that everything is your fault
-A friend or family member has died
-You've been betrayed by someone
-You feel like no one cares about you or loves you

These are real battles that we all face.  These voices are real voices trying to shape our reality, trying to manifest themselves in our lives.

But we are here to tell you of another Voice.  This Voice speaks contrary to the voices of the world."

Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Psalm 139:13-14
"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

By the time Kendra and I had read these verses there was a sobering silence in the room. We told them about how there is so much more at work that we cannot see. Listen to this Voice. It is God speaking your destined eternal-reality, that you are loved by your Creator.  That our Creator has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus.  It was a very sobering silence indeed.  

   To break the silence, I grabbed one of the eggs and threw it at a student.  He yelled and caught it.... Nothing happened.  I grabbed another egg and smashed it on the head of the student sitting closest to me.  Everyone was wide eyed wondering what was going on! 

  The eggs were hard boiled.  The reality of the "egg game" was that there was no danger of making a mess.  

Listen to the Voice of God.  He speaks into us our destiny and purpose.  When we listen to His Voice, and not the voices of this world, our lives begin to transform by manifesting His will for us; To be reconciled to Himself, our Creator.  

Kendra and I are continually adjusting to living in Costa Rica.  This is one heck of an adventure.  We are grateful for your support.  Please pray for our future small group leaders and for the future members of their small groups.  

Blessings,

Spencer and Kendra Thomas.  

January in Costa Rica

"Jesus did not come to our world to make bad people good, but   to give dead people life" -Ravi Zacharias

Back In Costa Rica

We made it back safely to Costa Rica at the end of January.  We had a wonderful time visiting family and friends.  It was a month of rest.  Cowboy (our wonderful dog) gave us a royal welcome upon our arrival.  We were finally back.  We were home.  Living in Costa Rica has many challenges.  These challenges are becoming easier, while new ones that are more difficult are being discovered.  It's similar to chopping down a tree.  You just keep chopping.  And chopping....  And chopping.  Eventually, the tree will fall down.  Eventually, we will figure out how to get to that bank across town to pay the electricity.  Eventually, we will remember how to say, "Please speak slowly". Eventually, we will be able to drive to the grocery store without using the GPS.  Through all the busyness and lists of things to do, Jesus must remain the center.  Jesus' desire for our life must reign supreme.  

"Jesus did not come into our world to make bad people good,  but to give dead people life" -Ravi Zacharias.

This convicts me.  My role in the Kingdom of Heaven is not to be a good person.  My role is to be made alive and know Jesus and worship Him.  It is easy to forget.  

We are excited for school to start on February 8th.  We are even more excited that our small group bible studies will start back up!!!  Last year Kendra and I each led a small group.  This year, we will each be leading a small group AND we will have THREE student led small groups!  These small groups will be focused on how to be a disciple of Jesus.  These small groups will be about learning to become like Jesus while growing together as a group.  

We invite you to join us in prayer.  Please pray for:

-Smallgroups

-Smallgroup student leaders

-Kendra and myself

-That Christ would reveal Himself to students

-The learning of Spanish

We look forward to an amazing start of the school year!  The wheels are about to start turning fast, so  buckle up and keep looking forward! 

- Spencer and Kendra Thomas

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We are excited to wish you these tidings from Texas! With school at a close for the year and our students on vacation we decided to spend a little extra time stateside. The respite is a welcome one, even if we are currently missing the balmy weather, free of allergens, in Costa Rica.  We have greatly missed our families. There is nothing quite like a mother’s hug or the excited jittering of nieces and nephews. So far we have visited both our families for holiday merriment. They miss Cowboy almost as much as they missed us, so we have to assure everyone he is being well looked after by our friend and tutor. 

Our visit here will ends with us giving a tour to Estuardo, our supervisor from the school. The Zirkles will go with us out to Camp Eagle as we explore the sight of the senior class trip. Which means we will be writing you all again in June about our exciting “adventura” with 100 students on a plane to Texas!   

Our Spanish is improving! (Or at least that is what our tutor says.) When in Costa Rica we are constantly reminded how little we know of the language. However, since our arrival here we have noticed we understand more than previously thought. Our present tense is rounding out and we are to start other tenses when we return to our tutoring in January! 

Thank you for your love and support! This wonderfully challenging time is made possible by you and the Lord we serve, working in unison for his Kingdom. Amen.

Love from Spencer, Kendra, and Cowboy Thomas