Bittersweet Good-bye

Today was bittersweet.  Our church said “Adios” to good friends and co-workers in the ministry.  Jonathan, Amy, and their kids have been an important part of the work we are doing here at the Abraham Project.  Jonathan feels called to return to the U.S. to pursue an education in law.  They have served as short term team coordinators and as our intern coordinators.  They have successfully integrated into the Latin culture and are definitely leaving their mark on the people of Costa Rica.  We wish them well as they follow God’s leading in their lives.

Ministry News!

As we mentioned last month, we are finally on an upswing with new kids in the homes.  We have since received one more girl into the children’s homes.  Rachel came to us in September.  She has meshed with the other “big” girls in her house (Angela and Sharon).  We are currently at 16 kids in the homes with 8 in each house.  Needless to say, our house parents are very, very busy, but they are rock stars and we love them! With that said, our beloved Candace is expecting a baby girl very soon.  She and Aaron were blessed with a couple of baby showers and they seem to be set (as ready as one can be) to receive their daughter.  Candace’s parents and sister arrived in the country and will be here to welcome their new grandchild/niece into the world.  All the kids in the home are anticipating the arrival of baby Chanel.  What a neat experience for the kids to be a part of!

This past February, one of the maids in the homes, fell and injured her spinal column.  She was given a medical leave of absence and was away for five months before returning again.  During that time, she received therapy, shots, medical follow-ups and such.  She returned to work at the end of July.  Everyone (especially our house parents) were ecstatic to have her back.  We had been limping along with a couple of ladies from the church that were gracious enough to help fill in.  Unfortunately, we received another call from the maid last week.  As she was leaving work (it was raining), she slipped and fell again, re-injuring her back!  We took her to the hospital and after a full check up, the doctor has put her on another medical leave.  We don’t expect her to be back before the end of the year.  Please keep our maid in your prayers.  She is believing God for a full and speedy recovery.  We know that there is nothing impossible for God!

We bid, “Adios” to our very last intern for the 2013 year.  Hannah was very instrumental the last few weeks in the homes.  With the maid’s absence, she filled in and did everything from changing poopy diapers, to bathing babies, serving food, putting kids in bed at night, and kitchen duty.  She, like all the young people who have come down, have had a heart to serve the neediest ones.  God commands us to look after the orphans and the widows.  Thank you interns for your drive, your passion, and your dedication to advancing God’s Kingdom work!

John 16:33 admonishes us, “...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  One house parent recently told us that the children in our homes are his heroes.  He explained that he learns something new from every child that comes through his door.  No matter what trial or difficulty  they have had to endure, children have a resilience that helps them move ahead.  They have an ability, with God’s help, to rise up out of the ashes.  God is doing great things in the lives of these kids!

Thank you for your constant, unwavering support!

Summer Interns!

Summer internships are HUGE around here.  We were privileged to host 11 young people over the course of the summer that came to serve.  We have come to admire these kids because they are willing to raise funds, leave home for a number of months, and give selflessly of themselves.  We are very aware that they could be doing a number of other things (like: working a summer job, spending time with friends & family, etc...).  We are so grateful for the quality interns God has sent our way!

Interns say "Adios!"

Lexi and Cait arrived in September to begin their intern stint at the Abraham Project.  The girls did “A little bit of everything” around here…literally.  The girls worked with Jason, our short term mission coordinator, facilitating our last team of the year, they painted, washed dishes in the cafeteria, cooked dinner for the children’s homes, babysat, mowed the grass, and so much more!  Cait & Lexi have definitely left their fingerprint on the hearts of everyone here at the project!

The “Intern Season” Comes to a Close

As we mentioned in the post Interns at the Abraham Project , we have many teens and young adults come serve at the Abraham Project as interns over the summer.  A big group came in June to serve (pictures in the post mentioned above), and then several more came in July and August.  The Project was blessed to have these willing and enthusiastic youths dedicate a month or more out of their summer to come and do whatever was asked of them!

Interns at the Abraham Project

This time of year (summer in the USA, technically ‘winter’ here in Costa Rica) is not only a time for many teams to come serve at the Abraham Project, but also for young adults from across the country to come and work as interns for a month or more. This summer Jonathan and Amy Griffith, the missionaries who run the intern program, will ‘host’ a total of 19 interns!  Ten young adults, ranging in age from 14-21 already came in June and dedicated a month of their summer to serve here at the Abraham Project.  Another nine are here this month.  They come from all over the U.S., ready and willing to work, serve, help, engage in the culture, and most importantly grow in their relationship with Jesus.  They live with local Tico families, and are mentored by Jonathan and Amy throughout their time here.

Here are a few pictures that give you a glimpse into the life of an intern:

They lead and participate in the weekly prayer meetings we have on Friday mornings.

They paint. (Getting instructions about the job from Steve Thomas)

They cook dinner for the children's homes.

They dig holes in the new property adjacent to the Project (an archeological study had to be done as part of the permitting process to build the next children's homes - this included digging 42, 1x1x1 meter holes!).

They explore Costa Rica and do zip lines!

They go hiking with the local church's youth group.

They babysit the Griffith kids to give the hard-working parents a little mini-vacation!

They hang out with the kids from the children's homes.

And they do much, much more.  Thank you interns for coming and graciously giving your time and energy and love to the Abraham Project this summer!  More pictures to come of the group that is here serving this month...