Life Happens

Looking back a few years, I can see us getting on a plane and moving to Costa Rica. Missionaries embarking in pursuit of God and His Kingdom in Central America. I remember holding hands on the plane when we made the move here and being a little nervous, very excited, and ready to take on anything. Life happens. 

The annual Texas Camp for the seniors of Colegio Metodista takes place in May. Every year for one week we take the graduating class to Texas and experience adventure together at Camp Eagle. Every year is terrific, but this year was even better. Paul Trejo (worship leader for Kerrville FUMC) lead worship and Ryan Barnett (Senior Pastor of Waco FUMC) shared testimony each night of who Jesus Christ really is. 

My favorite part of Texas Camp was "Cabin Time". Every evening before we turned the lights out we would gather in our bunks and share our high and low points of the day, and then how we experienced God. It was a blessing to listen as students took inventory of the day. What was also a blessing was getting to spend the week with Brian and Katrina Sherman (Youth Directors of Gonzales First Methodist).

I'm going to talk about them for a bit. Brian and I met in high school.  We played football together as defensive linemen.  We were involved together in youth group trips to summer camp and it's where we both met our wives for the first time. Brian and Katrina are absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt some of the best people we know.  As youth directors in Gonzales, they are amazing. I want my future children to be a part of their youth group because it's that good, folks. They also take a week from working with their students to come and work with our students! For the past three years they have spent the entire week with us and our students during Texas Camp. Leading small groups, games, and life changing conversations. They've even come to Costa Rica multiple times to follow up and continue to build relations and plant seeds. AND! They just had a baby! So be praying for their ministry alongside ours, as well as their sweet healthy baby girl. 

The week we get back from Texas Camp, we took a selfie at the school: 

We love this picture.  And we're even wearing our fresh Camp Eagle shirts. We were tired, but excited about how camp went and to be home.  Right after this photo, Kendra says "My side kinda itches and it won't go away." 

Kendra gets shingles. Crazy.  Later that day we're looking at her side and there's this weird looking circle rash thing. So she spent about 3 weeks resting, taking medicine, and avoiding anything that raises body temperature (apparently when you have shingles, everything gets more itchy and irritating when it's hot, or so I've been told).  She made a full recovery and is 100% more beautiful than ever! 

July was super busy. Kendra and I broke a record... for the longest amount of time we'd spent apart since getting married. There is a three week break in July and we usually spend some of it in the states visiting our families and churches. One of my best friends was getting married the week before the break started, and his bachelor party was a camping trip the weekend before. Then Kendra stayed a little bit extra in Costa Rica because Brian Sherman was in country with his youth group helping build a church! I've never been so excited to pick someone up from the airport!!!

August... Kendra's birthday is in August. I was planning a thing. I was going to take her on a  surprise birthday trip to the beach for the weekend. I was going to pack our bags, hide them in the trunk, and then on Friday when we left for work.... drive right past the school and straight to the beach for her birthday weekend celebration bananza! This did not happen. 

I always thought I had a sensitive tailbone. I had heard others say theirs was sensitive.  So when mine hurt, I always thought it was just a little sensitive.  Not even worth mentioning.  Over the years it would become more sore, and then less sore. However, the beginning of August it started to be more than sore.  I went to sleep on my side because laying on my back was a no go. Well, in the morning Kendra decided to be a goof ball and wake me up by wrestling me out of bed. Usually I would welcome such a challenge.  When climbing over me she accidentally drove her knee into my tailbone. I woke up seeing stars. So much pain.  We end up going to the hospital and as it turns out, I have a massive cyst on my tailbone. It had been there for years. I'm excited that now it's going to not be there for many more. Kendra's birthday bananza to the beach turned into Spencer having surgery in the hospital. I am healing. And hopefully will have my final check up appointment this Friday. 

September has been on autopilot. I'm at home, trying to do things around the house that I shouldn't really be doing and she's at the school keeping the boat from sinking.  She's done an amazing job taking care of me and covering for me at the school.  

Things are winding down at the school.  The end of the school year will be in November, so October is full of test review and final project preparation.  We are currently three weeks into a card game known as Phase 10 with our small group students. I am winning. But I don't know what's going on.  And Kendra keeps looking at my cards.  I think she's cheating... but it might be to help me win. I don't know. 

Cowboy (our dog) is doing wonderful.  He doesn't know what surgery is or why I've been around the house more often.  But when I came home from the hospital he could tell something was wrong. He slept by my side and brought me all his toys throughout the day.  We also adopted a cat. Her name is Indi. Cowboy and Indi.  They love each other and play together all the time. 

The last few months of this year we have found a new normal for our life. We have not been able to operate the way we did months previous because life happens and we adapt. Thank God for this incredible gift. The world throws problems and pain at each of us, but God in his infinite wisdom equips his children with the ability to learn new things and adjust to circumstances we can't always control. From family to friends (and in this case doctors) we are grateful for the work God is doing through His people (Romans 8:28).

We love all of you.  Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.  We are praying for our Texas friends and all the rain they're getting. Stay safe out there!

- Spencer, Kendra, Cowboy, and Indi 

Holy Week

I believe this. 

I believe this and sometimes it seems crazy. I did not arrive at the conclusion that there is a God simply from being told so. I have experienced and witnessed something in my life that I cannot deny. I am not quick to call something "supernatural". When confused by a phenomenon of science I do not simply credit it to be magic or sorcery. I believe there to be a Creator. I believe His name to be Jesus. I believe Jesus died on a cross. And I believe that Jesus is alive and seeking to be in a relationship with us.

In the movie Star Wars, Luke Skywalker goes to a system of planets called the "Dagoba System" to train and learn how to be a Jedi Knight. His mentor, Yoda, has him do all sorts of tasks. From running and jumping around the jungle with Yoda in a backpack to doing handstands while lifting rocks with his mind, his training is meticulous and challenging. Skywalker crash landed when arriving to the Dagoba System and his space ship was partially submerged in a swamp. Yoda challenges young Skywalker to lift the ship out of the swamp (in the same way that he was lifting the rocks) as part of his training. Skywalker tries... and fails. He actually ends up making things worse... His ship sinks further into the swamp and becomes fully submerged. Skywalker is discouraged and defeated.

Yoda then lifts the ship out of the swamp and the two have this exchange:

 Skywalker: "I....I don't believe it!"

Yoda: "That is why you fail."




The goodness of God's character and nature is revealed in your life not because you go to church or read the bible. God's goodness is revealed because He chooses to reveal it. We are simply left with a choice to believe.

I choose to believe. I will not stumble blindly into the chasm of religion. I will seek truth on the mountain tops. Starting on a hill called Calvary.

Happy Easter.


- Spencer Thomas



(Click here to watch the video of Luke Skywalker and Yoda)

What is The Forge?

The Forge is home base for all small group activities.  It's where we meet with students for bible study, prayer, fellowship, and other stuff like making watermelons explode.

A forge is defined as a workshop containing a furnace for refining metal.  Our Forge is a place for refining hearts, educating our minds, and growing closer to Jesus. Each week more than 40 students come and participate in activities within our forge. This will be our first week having small group in 2018 and we are excited to review the why behind calling this place The Forge.




"Your hands have made me and formed me; give me understanding that I might learn your commandments."
Psalm 119:73

For something to be made there must be a maker. And our Maker is good at what he does. He doesn't make garbage. He is intentional and specific in knowing everything and everyone he makes. He is an expert, who when swinging the hammer, never misses the mark. 

I remember when my dad would be building something and I would try and help. He would eventually give me a "very important task" of hammering two boards together. While he worked on the real project I would be attempting to nail some throw-away extra material together. My father was wise to give me this task. I was awful. Just like every other six year old, I hit the board more than I did the nail. In the time it would take my dad to build a tree house and two picnic tables, I could destroy two pieces of wood without ever nailing them together. 

God never misses his mark. He strikes his hammer precisely where he means to. His vision is perfect and so is his plan.

Would you pray with us...
God, would you help direct us to be your ambassadors. Speak to us your vision and desire for this space. Give us understanding. Use this space to refine our hearts, to make your will come alive in us, and to build friendships.  Amen


- Spencer and Kendra Thomas

A New Year

We hope you had a wonderful winter break! Kendra and I were blessed to spend time in Texas during December and January.  For those of you that don't know, our school year in Costa Rica is from February to November.  Our winter break was a very restful time. Texas is still full of cedar.... It is always hard to say goodbye to friends and family when we head back to our home in Costa Rica, but knowing that we wont have to deal with cedar makes the trip easier. 

We are very excited about what God is doing in the life of Colegio Metodista.  As part of the Christian Education department, Kendra has been assigned as the Director of Programming and I the Director of Discipleship.  We are each leading a team to help us with our tasks and working with other groups within the Christian Education Department.  More and more people are beginning to share an intrinsic value for the salvation of students at the school. 

E. Stanley Jones  was a 20th-century Methodist Christian missionary and theologian. He is remembered chiefly for his inter-religious lectures to the educated classes in India, thousands of which were held across the Indian subcontinent during the first decades of the 20th century.  Jones ministered to the wealthy and elite of India.  The poor need Jesus.  The rich need Jesus.  The hope for our students at Colegio Metodista is that they would experience being loved and cared for and that they would develop a burden to seek after truth and compassion. 

Would you join us in this?  We are praying that each of our students would continue on after Colegio Metodista to be successful, that their lives be rich in love, and that they know the love of their Creator.


- Spencer and Kendra Thomas

June/July 2017

One of the things I will remember about the summer of 2017 is living out of a suitcase. I will also remember it as two months spent meeting new friends and catching up with old ones.  

The Thomas Family Mission was on the road for June and July as we raised support to continue in ministry for another three years in Costa Rica.  To all our friends and churches that support us, thank you so very much.  

We are back in Costa Rica and glad to be home! We enjoyed our time in the states but Costa Rica is home to us now.  As I sit in my living room, with the doors open, I feel the crisp morning stillness that is accompanied by the Costa Rican sunrise.  The stillness is only interrupted by exotic (and sometimes not so exotic) birds occasionally chirping past. I am learning to enjoy these mornings before the hustle and bustle of the day. Waking up early is tiring work though.  

An important event will be taking place in the life of the school soon. August 7-11 is a very special time at Colegio Metodista called "Spiritual Emphasis Week". This week is spent in worship at the school.  Imagine summer camp being brought to your school for a week. Students will be in class for a few hours and will then spend the rest of the school day in worship with some extraordinary folks learning more about Jesus.  The Mark Swayze Band is leading us in worship for the week and is bringing a team from The Woodlands United Methodist Church. Holy and Spirit filled conversations will be had. Please be in prayer for this short term mission team that will be serving us at the school, for our small groups, and for the students.

A personal prayer request that we have been asking God for is community. On tuesday we had the pleasure of welcoming a new family to Costa Rica who will be in ministry with us at the school! Praise God! Kyle and Tessa, with their four kids, have moved in next door to us. Please be praying for their family as they adjust to living in a foreign land and learning to speak Spanish.

Even though Costa Rica is our new home, and we've been here for two years, there is still a lot that is new and questions we still don't know the answers to. Kendra and I figured out this week that we can pay our electric bill right down the street from our house instead of driving across town! No matter what country you live in there will always be frustrating things. There will always be something to be mad about, and there will always be something not worthwhile that we can tie ourselves to and brood about until the floodwaters engulf us. The most joy filled  people I know are the way they are, not because they've somehow managed to remove themselves from frustrating things or solved them somehow, but because they personally know their Creator and seek the presence of God daily. 

We must not building upon anything other than the costly cornerstone that is Christ. We must not anchor our soul in anything other than Jesus. Worry/squabbles/frustration/gossip... these things are like an ugly piano, broken beyond repair, sitting in the middle of  the living room during Christmas morning. It is in the way and keeping us from opening presents! 

The Challenge:

Trust in someone who knows Jesus and ask them how they let go of the things keeping them from Christ. Then, with an open bible, ask Jesus to help remove the things that hinder you from him.  

-Spencer Thomas

If you have any questions about The Thomas Family Mission please email me at Spencer.Thomas@kfumc.org

Meditation Words

-----Meditation Words-----

Meditating is only for ninjas and wizards... FALSE! Our perception of what meditation is has in part been twisted by movies. When I think of meditation, the first thought that comes to my mind is the Ninja Turtles. There is a specific scene in one of the movies where they have to meditate as a punishment. Balancing expertly while trying not to be distracted by pizza. Of course they fail, for it is common knowledge that the Ninja Turtles' greatest weakness is pizza. 

Being mystical does not make meditation. Reciting mantras does not make meditation. Mental gymnastics does not make meditation. We claim meditation to be a difficult practice although many of us already do it daily, simply on the wrong things...

We are so prone to meditate on "worry". We fill our minds with obscure realities and sometimes empower those false-realities with a voice loud enough to influence, or even overrun, day to day life. Practicing meditation is important. It is not a question of whether or not we meditate, it's a question of what do we meditate on. The meditating part, for us, is inevitable. The material on which we meditate is subject to change.

One of my biggest pet-peeves is when people say "like" over and over again for filler while speaking. Example: "It's like, a thing when like, you have to like, do that thing". Figure out what your trying to say, and like, say it... This annoys me to no end! I am not perfect, and I have a confession. When I was in high school I developed this weird habit of saying "and, a ummm" for filler while speaking. It was a terrible phase. Every sentence would contain "and, a ummm" before, after, or in the middle. It took 4 long weeks to finally break this atrocious habit. 

Our perception of reality is subject to the contents of our meditations. When we meditate on worry it obscures our vision of God's promises. It causes doubt and frustration towards God. Jeremiah 29:11 is a fact. Our perception of reality is twisted by meditating on worry and God's promises will appear far away. It is our choice to practice meditating on other things... better things... the best things.

It took 4 weeks for me to break the silly habit of saying "and, a ummm". I challenge you to spend the next 4 weeks being intentional about the things with which you fill your mind. The purpose is twofold:
-First, to break the habit of letting worry obscure the reality of God's promises.
-Second, to develop the daily practice of giving your thoughts to something worthy.

"Spencer's Guide to Practicing Christian Meditation 101"

1- Scripture. Have it with you. From a book into your heart. 

2- Catch yourself meditating on the wrong thing? Start thinking about the verse you decided to memorize.

3- Ponder scripture while you drive, bike, or walk to work. 

4- Daily repetition. Practice, practice, practice.  

Let's meditate. 

Here is content to meditate on:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

"The soul is dyed by the color of your thoughts."

Prayer Words

-------Prayer Words-------

"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." Matthew 6:7

More words does not mean better. I sometimes find myself trying to imitate the cadence of people who I think to be "good" at praying. It's silly. What usually ends up happening is that I'm so focused on trying to sound a certain way on the outside, that the inside becomes babble. 

I enjoy a multitude of hobbies! Kayaking, fishing, frisbee, skateboarding, video games, playing guitar, and on and on and on. Kendra, my wife, will sometimes have to make me pause and evaluate the priority of my hobbies. Since moving to Costa Rica, these are the priorities of my current hobbies: 

1- Coffee drinking. 

2- Reading

3- Guitar/music

4- Games (Basketball and video)

To be the best at any of these hobbies a person has to practice. I'm so horrible at basketball, but I'm better than I was 3 months ago because of practice. Playing guitar takes a TON of practice. There has to be enough time spent learning and developing muscle memory so that holding a guitar and navigating the strings becomes second nature. We must practice praying. 

Everything we find important, we practice. What are some of the things you purposefully practice? What are some things you unintentionally practice? I realized, a few weeks ago, that I unintentionally practice having a bad attitude every morning when I first wake up. I don't like it. I'm not a morning person. I had practiced having a bad attitude every morning. Having a bad attitude in the morning had become second nature! I'm still not good at waking up in the morning. It's exhausting. But mornings have gotten easier with practice. Practicing getting up, and drinking coffee.

Practice praying so that it becomes second nature. Spend enough time in prayer daily developing "muscle memory" so that holding a prayer and navigating a conversation with Jesus becomes part of your nature. Drinking coffee has made my morning practice of having a good attitude easier. Opening the bible makes the practice of prayer easier. 

"Spencer's Guide to Practicing Prayer 101"

1- Use simple words. "God, I want to know you. I need you. Help me practice being in your presence."

2- Be honest. With yourself, and with God. 

3- Pray with an open bible. 

4- Daily repetition. 

Let's pray.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1John 3:1

Dear Jesus, I want to know this love. Amen.

2+3

It's time to stay in Costa Rica for another three years and chew bubblegum, and I'm all out of gum!

   The Thomas Family is very excited to tell you all that we are going to be in Costa Rica for a little while longer. Originally our commitment to being in Costa Rica was for two years. As we have gotten closer to the end of those two years, a decision had to be made. This decision has taken over 6 months to make. We feel with every fiber of our being that we are to be a part of this ministry in Costa Rica for 3 more years. Jesus Christ is moving our hearts in ways we never thought possible. 

   Our hearts are overjoyed to continue in this calling. Our response to Jesus moving our hearts to stay longer in Costa Rica has brought new energy and vision to this ministry at Colegio Metodista. 

   We have a few goals to pursue throughout our time in Costa Rica, one of them is blogging more often. Sharing multiple times a month with you about what we are doing in small groups and how you can continue to pray for us and our students. Another goal is that we must raise more monetary support.  To the churches, individuals, friends, and family who support us, we are extremely grateful for your offerings. We want to share, in person, the workings of Jesus we have witnessed during our time here thus far. We also want to extend the same invitation as when we first discerned to go on mission in Costa Rica, and invite you to be a part of it. 

   Here two ways you can be a part of this ministry, and we ask that you prayerfully consider each one. 

- Pray for us. Follow this blog and speak to God about what He's doing in Costa Rica, at Colegio Metodista, and in our hearts. 

- Monthly monetary support. This mission is made possible because men and women responded to God's calling to be a part of this ministry in Costa Rica.  

  We are looking forward to visiting with you. Stay tuned and buckle up! It's going to be a wild ride!

- Spencer and Kendra Thomas

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