“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."
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.
