CLFCR - East White Oak Bible Church

Christian Light Foundation Costa Rica

Evangelism and Discipleship

Together in the joy of the Lord

Thursday, April 8 - by Ralph

Well that day has come…the last. You know, there are times in your life that you just wish you could freeze time. Getting ready to leave here is one of those times. Today was a mad dash to finish the projects that we have been working on. The “Animal,” Kevin, as Mark calls him was able to finish his rebar project of 22 sets right as the lightning was crackling all around. The work that Kevin’s team did for the La Finca Gym saved Mark $1,000’s on the building project. Laura put yet another coat of varnish on the baño (Spanish for bathroom); three in all, and she also painted the inside of the caretaker’s house with Melinda. She is trying to figure out how Melinda is the only one of everyone there who didn’t get any paint on her, Hmmmm. Pastor Rogelio continued his list of many jobs for me to do today. It was to stucco the exterior wall of the bathroom and paint the exterior of the bathroom complex. I also had to dig out and wheelbarrow dirt 100 yards round trip up a hill both ways. I finished the day by giving Kevin a hand on the rebar. All in all we are all tired and sad to leave, yet ready to come home. Rogelio and Alejandro and their families joined us for supper and afterwards Rogelio gave an awesome devotional.

We want to thank everyone for their prayers and financial support for this great and glorious adventure and we are eager to let you know first hand of our efforts and experience working along side the Kuzdas family. Please keep them and the leadership team in your prayers. The work that is going on here in Costa Rica is flat out awesome….they are changing lives to the glory of God!

Wednesday, April 7 - by Laura

Well, as it turns out, I’m spending a great deal of my time in Costa Rica in a bathroom… No, I’m not sick. This morning I put on the second coat of varnish on the bathroom doors and tomorrow I’ll be doing the third coat in preparation for the rainy season that is upon us. I’m also putting my painting expertise to good use by working on the interior walls of the caretakers’ home on La Finca with some of the new arrivals. I am badly sunburned at this point, so it is a wonderful blessing to be able to work indoors and still contribute.

With 11 new members from two different churches joining us, we all felt invigorated to work as hard as possible. It was a fantastic moment to realize that only God can bring together so many people from different denominations from across the US, spanning multiple age groups, to Costa Rica to work for His purpose. My favorite moments here are when we are worshipping our Father as brothers and sisters, both from the US and Costa Rica.

Throughout the day, Kevin continued with ironworking that will ultimately reinforce the block walls; he and his crew were dogged and uncomplaining. They deservedly received applause when they finished the day having met their goal. And Ralph seemed to have a hand in many of the jobs on La Finca today.

Tonight was the last night for the large high school group from Thomasville. After dinner we gratefully acknowledged the use of their strong young backs for picking and hauling dirt, making cement, ironworking, and other hard tasks. They also showed so much love to the children of Los Guido and La Carpio; Mark encouraged them, and the rest of us, to find unloved people in our own towns and demonstrate the love of Christ in ways we have been afraid to do.

Tuesday, April 6 - by Kevin

Yesterday we didn’t get any work accomplished because it was our FREE day. We did however experience some HUGE waves in the Pacific as we spent the day on a beautiful Costa Rican beach. I did take a chance at surfing and suffice it to say I will not be quitting my day job anytime soon. Ralph and Laura sampled the local fare at a nice little restaurant and we even walked a bit and checked out some of the local shopping. Oh yea, we all got a little bit too much sun but hopefully it will develop into a nice tan!! For dinner we had the pleasure of eating at a GREAT Brazilian pizza joint that featured authentic Brazilian pizza that was cooked in a real brick oven over hot coals.

Today was much different. The bulk of the Thomasville group spent the day digging a trench that will serve as the foundation for the new building. Laura was on a ladder for most of the morning caulking joints…..and I must say we were very impressed at her ability to balance and work on a ladder at the same time!! Her time was unfortunately cut short because she had to go to the airport with Mark to recover a piece of luggage we forgot to collect. Thankfully everything went fine and she got it back. Ralph continued his carpentry work on the building and I spent the day ironworking (with two hard working young men from Thomasville). I spent four years ironworking when I was going to school and I realize now that God was training me during that time for what I’ve been doing this week. God is so awesome!!

Today we also welcomed in the group of seven from Compass Church in Naperville and the group from Arizona is expected later this evening. We look forward to working along side them and getting to know them better.

Sunday, April 4 - by Ralph

Day 3 of our great adventure. Happy Easter...HE has risen!!!!!!!! Our day began by going to La Carpio; the area that we did our VBS in last year when I made my first visit. At that time they were new to this and the front page of the local paper told of murders 4 of the 7 days that we were there. Since then they have over 100 new converts and in the last month 5 of the local ladies have started their own discipleship groups under the direction of Melinda. We were joined by a wonderful group of Jr’s and Sr’s from Thomasville, GA, who are also working on La Finca with us. We handed out candy and gift bags to everyone that we came across. Sadly I did not get to see Rolando and his little sister Carolina from my previous visit.

Church at La Finca started at 3 p.m., however before it started I was able to finally present the leadership team the sweatshirts that so many of you contributed to with the “Hoody Project.” I received hugs from all of them. When they go out now as a team to these areas that they are ministering in they will be armed with an EWO “Hoody” knowing that our church is praying for them. One of the young ladies from Thomasville gave her testimony followed by a sermon from Mark and a skit from the leadership team.

After church they fed us yet again. They day ended with a bonfire and we helped the kids make there very first S’Mores…they loved them. Kevin and I were covered in marshmallow as evidence by the pictures that Laura took. Mark, Meg and Melinda continue to do an amazing job with this growing community of believers, especially the leadership team. They take responsibility for spreading the gospel seriously and are strong in their leadership. Please continue to pray for them as they are continually under attack.

Praise God for this beautiful 80 degree day!

Saturday, April 3 - by Laura

This was our second work day in Costa Rica, though it’s the third day of the trip. All three of us are learning new skills, and also utilizing ones we might have forgotten. Mark has put us in the capable hands of Rogelio, pastor of one of the churches who also has a vast array of construction skills. At Rogelio’s direction, Kevin has been assisting with ironwork, Ralph has been putting in the electrical system, and I have been painting. A lot of painting.

Mark wanted us, more than anything, to also spend time building relationships with his leadership team and the members of the church on La Finca. Every Saturday afternoon the church hosts a Children’s Club with games and crafts; every family that attends is made to feel welcome and loved. This was also a way for the teams that are here to reach out to the children of the church as well as their parents. Most Costa Ricans don’t speak English, so I felt challenged by God to put my halting Spanish to the test and start conversations with Rogelio and some of the church members.

Two highlights of the day included cracking eggs over Kevin's head in a traditional Costa Rican celebration of his birthday. The kids had a lot of fun with it and Kevin was a really good sport about it. Besides, how often do you get to crack on egg over someone's head? But the best part today was when a member of the leadership team, 14 year old Veronica, shared her testimony. She has memorized over 450 Bible verses, teaches Sunday school, and disciples others. Veronica is a witness to us all. It is very clear that God is working here and I am so humbled to be a part of it, if just for a short time.

Friday, April 2 - by Kevin

Day number one in Costa is under our (work) belt and we are anxiously awaiting number two. It’s truly amazing how God is working through Christian Light Foundation to touch the hearts of so many. Today we got a tour of the property where they are building a refuge, or safe haven, for area children. It’s going to be a place where they come and receive love and affection and spiritual growth. We were joined by a group of 23 from Thomasville, GA today and together we worked to advance this project further. We look forward to another 11 coming in from Naperville and Arizona on Tuesday. It’s wonderful to see the hands and feet of Christ working together in an effort to advance His body.

East White Oak Bible Church

Carlock, IL April 1-9, 2010