Praise!

I Just wanted to tell you a praise: today I went out to lunch with my friend Julia and I was telling her about a little anxiety I was having. You see, 6 years ago I flew down to Costa Rica for the very first time. I was going there to learn Spanish after I graduated from college. The Spanish school I chose had a big brother/big sister program. This program was to help the incoming students find a place to live, show them where things were, and to pick them up from the airport. Well, when I arrived in January 2005 there was nobody at the airport. I was in a foreign country with no ride and no idea where to go. I didn't even know how to call my family back home for help. To add to my stress, I was toting two 70 pound suitcases.(I was moving there for half a year) Therefore, I couldn't move to far. Thankfully after standing around for 2 hours or so and being haggled by the taxi drivers one of them offered me his cell phone. I called the school and by the fifth try someone picked up. It was a Sunday afternoon and the school is closed but this someone had forgotten something and returned to the office. I believe the Lord intervened to help me. So eventually I got to where I needed to be and for my big sister, I can't be upset with her, her father died and she went back to the US to go to his funeral.

Since this time, I have flown many times into Costa Rica and every time I have a little anxiety that my ride won't be there. So, just after telling this story to my friend Julia, I received an email from the missionaries assuring me that my ride would be there. The Lord is FAITHFUL in His timing!

I cant believe the time is finally here!

I finally finished packing my suitcase! What a relief that was. We spend the afternoon at the church packing up all of our supplies....6 suitcases! It is so wonderful to see the generosity of people! I am really excited to use arts, crafts, and hair cutting as a way to minister to other women. I'm so thankful to be a part of such an awesome team of women! I pray to God for strength and wisdom for all of us on this mission! 31 hours until departure!

The Devil's not going to Win

Wow, we have been all been handed trials this week. Spiritual warfare it does attack us all in different ways. From locking keys in your car, family in the hospital, and my daughter Elizabeth, breaking her arm. Yes, she broke her arm on Saturday @ a birthday party. Please, pray for her healing!!

Well we are packed we have 7 suitcases full of supplies to take weighing 50+lbs. Thank you, to all have given. Overflowing with thankfulness. I went last week to Michigan Beauty Supply to buy our bio-degradeable shampoo and in conversation. I mentioned our mission trip and what we were doing. That I was going to teach haircutting and manicures. How cool!! I get to teach something I do, everyday and use it as a ministry. They ended up donating some supplies to our trip.. Thank You!! The Devil is not going to win, we are putting on the armor of GOD. Trust in him and lean on him in all situations that we are faced with. Yes, I think we are all a little scared, nervous, excited about the adventure of the unknown!!

God is Good, Please Pray for us all!!

Sharilynn

Time is getting close

We are in the home stretch right now. I have my bag almost all packed! Just tying up some loose threads (pardon the quilting pun) making sure Rich can keep his trips to the grocery store to a minimum while I am gone. Sometimes, that is a challenge when you have to cook for 10 kids!

I have been so overwhelmingly blessed by everyone in preparing to go. People have volunteered to help Rich with daycare, people have been fervently praying, and people have dug very deeply into their pocket books. I have been so touched by every gift I have received, a mere "thank you" doesn't express my heart.

There have been so many opportunities to share the gospel with people before I have even left, from the WalMart girl helping me get a camera case, to the Fashion Bug clerk helping with zip line pants, to a group of ladies I get together with bringing sheets to me. It has already been a blessing, I can't wait to see what God has in store for us when we get there!

Thanks again to you all!
Maggie :)

A typical day in the jungle...

The following is a typical day that we may have while we are in the jungle.

6:30-7:00 a.m. - get up and ready for the day
7:00 a.m. - breakfast
7:45 a.m. - Saukeen Jones a missionary will give a devotion in the Cabecar language
8:15 a.m. - teach quilting classes until lunch
12:30 p.m. - eat lunch
2:00 p.m. - continue teaching quilting and teach teen girls other trade crafts
6:00 p.m. - eat dinner
7:00 p.m. - our hairdressers will be teaching a few women how to cut hair
8:00 p.m. - devotions
9:30 pm - off to bed

We shall see when we arrive what our days will actually look like. More on this later.
Michelle

God provides!

It is so awesome to see how God provides for the needs of His people and for the Cabecar women. I received a the card in the mail from a dear friend. It read, "You are getting this contribution earlier than I planned (this was around Christmas) because the Lord sent me a check for a settlement from Centurytel. (My phone I had when I lived in Caro 10 years ago.) I'd filled out the claim form and had completely forgotten about it. Our church is challenging us to give to people in need, so I am giving to the Cabecar women. I thank the Lord that He has enabled me to do this."

I am so blessed to serving on team with these wonderful women who love the Lord and desire to serve Him fully. It's been great getting to know each and everyone of you.
Blessings,
Teresa

My turn!!!

Ok, I guess it's my turn since I'm the last to hear from ;-) Things are falling into place for the trip - it's getting close!! Very exciting! It has been amazing to see the how well we have bonded as a group and the friendships we are forming before we even go on the trip. It's been heartwarming to listen to everyone share their testimony. I'm still working on my Spanish - please pray for me in this area. Thank you so much for partnering with me on this trip with the very generous financial and prayer support. It's overwhelming to me (in a good way :-) )!!
Blessings!
Tammy

generosity

Today Teresa and I (Michelle) did all of the supply shopping for our trip. We were awed by the amount of generosity we encountered. We shopped at the Joann's for the bulk of our supplies and the workers there, after hearing that we were going on a mission trip, were super helpful and trying to find ways for us to cut costs. Many of them took extra time with us by asking many questions about our trip and asking if they could come. What sweet dear women.

We then headed to Fabric Fair in Bay City to find some inexpensive fabric to be filler in our quilts. We told the sales lady about our trip and I asked her if she wanted to help us out in any way. She said, "definitely!" She was so enthusiastic about our trip. She gave us a great discount on bolts of fabric. She also asked us to make a small sign that she could put out for her customers to donate fabric to our trip as well. How sweet! When we were walking out the door another worker called behind us and said, "spread the Word!" What encouragement from a perfect stranger. Teresa and I just looked at each other and giggled with excitement and thanked the good Lord for these blessings.

Next we headed to lunch where Teresa asked our waitress if she had any prayer requests that we could pray for. She was taken back but in all seriousness asked for us to pray for guidance for her life. Teresa asked her more specific questions about her life and what kind of direction she was looking for. The waitress seemed grateful for someone to ask.

Lastly, we headed to Purple Sage, where we met Sarah. We told her about our mission trip and she was delighted to tell us that they would be happy to support our trip and donate all of the beads. Teresa and I couldn't believe it! Sarah picked out 9 strands of seed beads and told us to pick out 6 special decorative per strand. We cut each strand in half to make up 18 little kits for bracelets. She provided the little bags, the clasps, crimps, and loops to attach the bracelets. She even suggested and donated a charm of a vintage looking cross for each bracelet to go on each one. She taught us how to put them together and gave us printed instructions in case we forgot. What an amazing time we had there. She was very encouraging. As Teresa and I walked to the parking lot together we grabbed each other and in unison sent up our thanks to the Lord. We were so giddy!

Generous: the trait of being willing to give your money or time
A BIG THANK YOU!! to the stores listed below. You gave to our trip/cause today so generously.


Check them out at: http://www.purple-sage.net/

Check them out at: http://thefabricfair.com/shop/

Michelle

It's getting close!!

WOW!! How time has surely come upon us fast. I'm getting very excited about this trip, yet still nervous not really knowing what to really expect. But, God is in full control!!! We really had a great time bonding Sunday, as a group. It was like Christmas, going thru some of our supplies. We really could still use some cotton fabric for quilting, fabric cutting shears, thread and nail polish(new or used). We thank you, for all of the donations we have already received.. I think we have come up with a schedule, for my children while I'm gone. Please pray for Paul, Elizabeth and Matthew. I'll miss them.. Pancakes and McD's will keep them full, along with PB&J's.

God's Love to All!!

Sharilynn

Team Costa Rica

Here is our team: (starting from back left) Maggie Thompson, Julie Kreh, Teresa Yaeger, Tammy Weisbarth, (middle row left) Michelle Minnihan, Lindsey Galvas, and (front row) Sharilynn Peake

I'm finally posting!

Yesterday was a great time of fellowship - eating, talking, laughing and crafting (well... more like planning our crafting) - all things we ladies love to do! We heard great testimonies from Lindsey and Maggie and I am so thankful for every person that has been vulnerable and shared a piece of her heart and life with the group. Not always easy to do but well worth it for those of us listening. Thank you to all of you who have donated so generously with gifts of money, supplies, and prayers. I feel very humbled to be a part of the group and and to be "sent" out as a representative of Grace. Hard to believe that we're getting so close - my excitement quotient has definitely gone up a few notches!!!

Praise the Lord!

Thank you so much for all your prayers. We were given the great news today that we have hot water! We found this out because of a second praise - Michelle was able to talk to communicate with the missionaries there. We were busy finalizing details today, so we didn't have time to work on our quilt. Things are coming along very nicely!

Things are getting exciting!

I found quite a few crafts that will be easily duplicated for work with the children while we are there.
I am feeling pretty good about our Spanish lessons.
Now I am praying we will have hot water!