We only have one more week until we
are back in the states and we are so excited. December and January have been very
full and satisfying months. We had the pleasure of attending 4 weddings and we had
a part in all of them. I had the very great privilege of marrying two of my them
both were former students. Monette, a student in this last Bible school married
a wonderful fellow Canadian here on a beach in Costa Rica. Another of my former
students, Paola, a Costa Rican, married a fellow from California who she met while
he was serving as a missionary here in Costa Rica. I was very blessed to be
asked to perform the ceremonies for both couples and am glad to say that both
went pretty smoothly (according to Karen). Marriages are not my strongest area
of expertise but I was honored none the less.
Other than marriages our year here
at the YWAM San Jose base started with a bang. Our first DTS started on the 4th
of January with 16 students from 10 different nations. We had many people on
vacation over the holiday (including our base leaders) and so the operation of
the base fell to Karen and me plus a couple of other members of the base
leadership team. Also The Christmas season and January are always busy as we
receive a good number of short term teams during this period. As well we
receive Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) from other locations who come to
Costa Rica to do their outreach. This year already we had 3 DTS teams from the
US and three short term teams for a total of around 200 people. Our base serves
as host for a number of local ministries working with children, street people,
building homes in slum areas, mobile dental clinics and several other
ministries as well. The teams come from around the world and connect with one
(or more) of our local ministries as missionaries from our base serve as
facilitators and hosts to help it all function. Our own part in it all is more
logistical and pastoral. Karen and I serve the staff of the base teaching,
mentoring and discipling as they serve in their various ministries. Our desire
is to see these young people raised up and send out as leaders in key areas of
influence in Costa Rica and around the world. It is wonderful to see how God
puts the body of Christ together with each one working in their gift so that
his kingdom is built.
Here at Youth With A Mission (YWAM)
we love to see young people leading out in missions, starting new ministries
and finding new ways to communicate the Gospel clearly to our rapidly changing world.
In the last month Karen along with her staff has had the opportunity to sit
with almost every one of our 40 plus missionaries here at YWAM San Jose and
talk with them about their dreams in ministry, where they see themselves in 5
years and how they hope to get there. This is an area where Karen shines and it
has been great to be able to do what she loves (and to have some help!!!)
In addition to all our ministry
tasks we have also been madly getting ready for our trip to the US! Before we
tell you anything else we have a major praise report. In our last update we let
everyone know about our extra expenses for travel and a couple of other annual
ones as well. We want to let you all know that we received all the money that
we needed, both for the trip and for the extra expenses!!!!! It is always
incredible to see how God provides for us. I had a couple moments of doubt
looking at the amount and asking how it would happen and God rebuked me and
softly reminded me of the thousands of other times that he has provided. I set
my worry aside and simply trusted and of course he did exactly as he has done
before and provide for our needs.
We will see you all soon !!! We are trying to plan a couple of open
houses and once we have dates nailed down we will let you know.
Douglas, Karen, Gabriel and
Zachariah
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