Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Christmas Appreciation-Rio Azul

At the end of November, we were invited to our sister church in Rio Azul.  This is a church that we have had many groups assist with.  It is in a very needy area and the church is mostly attended by children, as most of the parents of these kids are not Christian.  Pastor Gilbert is hoping to reach the families through the children.  

This dinner was an appreciation of the time, donations, hard work and love that has been poured into this church, community and members--no matter how little.

What was even better, it was for all of the volunteers that have helped that church.  We were able to meet other missionaries who are working/partnering with this church.  It was a really nice night and the kids did a wonderful job with their concert.  

They were so proud!



Just a singin' and a dancin'


The first song was "We wish You a Merry Christmas/Feliz Navidad"

The second song was the Gift Song.  Each child had presents with Gifts from God on them.

Here are all of the children!


It has been such a blessing for us to be part of the construction of this church.

In Him,
the crawfords

Monday, November 24, 2014

Humbled.....



Ok, so back in October, we made the decision to try to get back to the States for the holidays.  There were a lot of reasons to go back during the holiday season, but here are a few:

  1. Emme is in a Costa Rican Public school, so she follows the CR school calendar, February to December. 1 week off for Holy week; 2 weeks off in July for "half term" break (during our busy team season), and "summer" break, Dec-Feb., between school years.  This was our ONLY time to visit as a family
  2. My brother, Kevin, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor/ brain cancer.  I was unable to see him during all of this or even know what was going on, as I was finding out information second sometimes third hand (one of the down falls of living far, FAR away from family, but thank GOD for technology).  We/I really wanted to spend a holiday with all of the family.
  3. The kids really, REALLY wanted to see snow again.  This was the first time that they even mentioned about going back or wanting to see snow.
  4. We just really wanted to be with family this year and I miss a cold Christmas
So, God laid this on my heart to be with family this holiday, but our family funds were not there.  It was literally IMPOSSIBLE if we had to come up with the money ourselves.  I went back and forth about going or not; about being mad or sad; about thinking we could wait just one more year.....

Then God laid on my heart to try to ask people to help us with the funds.  I DID NOT WANT TO DO THIS!!!  I talked with our ministry partner, Georgianna, who has been on the mission field for more than 15 years; I prayed about it just about every waking moment; I talked about it with other ministry women; we prayer about it; I talked with friends; I talked with Bruce....I wanted to make sure that I wasn't asking out of selfish reasons (although they were selfish reasons).  I wanted to make sure that I wasn't crazy for thinking that raising funds, like this, was a GOOD reason, or a normal reason or anything that didn't seem like we are not being good stewards of the money God has provided us thus far or in the future.

Honestly, I just didn't want to do it.  I don't like asking for money....never have, never will.  But now that we are here in Costa Rica, we are under a religious visa, which means we can not work or earn income--so ya see, I couldn't do anything in my own power to "make fore funds" to be able to go.  Not only go, but during the holidays when it is SUPER expensive--and we have 4 people.

I decided to make a 'gofundme' web page and to write a personal e-letter to many of the people on our mailing list.  Many of these people are on our list for updates/newsletters/blog, etc.  There were people that I sent it to, and others that I didn't.  I was kind of letting the Holy Spirit lead me and several times we argued about it.  "This person is not a current financial supporter, I doubt they will." "Just send it" He said.  I did.  "This person has been supporting us financially since day 1--I can't ask for anything more." "There is a reason they support you, just send it" He said.  I did.

The reasons and the arguments continued for 2 days, with each email, each person and finally I heeded His voice and submitted and sent them.
I was scared of receiving nothing, I was embarrassed of what people would say, I was worried about what people would think, I was worried about telling my kids we wouldn't be able to go.....


But in the end, I was shocked, grateful and humbled in a way I never had been before.

What was the Holy Spirit trying to teach me?  Here is a list of a few things:
  1. I can't do it on my own.
  2. Don't even try to do it on my own.
  3. Search your heart for the REAL reasons you are doing something.
  4. Expect things from unexpected situations.
  5. Don't expect things from expected situations.
  6. People really do love us.
  7. We are ONE body of Christ.
  8. Not everyone can give, but they can PRAY and that helps a lot.
  9. Just ask.
  10. Pray and seek like you never have before and God will do BIG things.
  11. It isn't always about receiving monetary donations from people...people have offered driving us, a car, a place to stay, sight-seeing, dinners and fellowship--just as important.
  12. Could
  13. Go
  14. On
  15. Forever.....
The outpouring of donations, emails, messages were overwhelming.  People who have given and keep giving, people who have never been able to give but felt they could help in this specific way, people who barely know us and give to us.....It wasn't anything that I could have or would have expected.....It was all of the Holy Spirit--end of discussion. (If you would like to hear more testimonies....believe me, I have them.)

And in saying all of that, we have purchased our tickets!  We will be in the States from Dec 11-Jan 12.  We will be visiting supporters and churches as well as time with family!  Here is our outlined itinerary:

Dec 11-15- Fly into New Jersey.  Visit New York. Church at a partnering church and fellowship with awesome people in love with Jesus!
Dec 15 Fly from NJ to KY, Arrive in KY. Drive to Indiana.
Dec 15-Dec 29- Time in Indiana. Visiting friends. Visiting a supporting church. Time with family during Christmas...ahhhhh!
Dec 29-Drive to KY
Dec 29-Jan 8- In Danville/Harrodsburg, KY area.
Jan 9-Fly to Atlanta
Jan 9-Jan 12- Visit supporters. Sight-seeing. Fellowship with friends. Visit partnering church and company!
Jan 12- Fly back to Costa Rica.

We have some things on the calendar, but we also have some time open.  If you would like to get together with us while we are in Indiana or Ky, just shoot us a message on Facebook or send us an email at crawfords4him@me.com

We would love to talk with you about our ministry, Costa Rica or how you can be a part of our ministry here!

Again, thank you to everyone who donated, prayed or has offered us something while we are in the States! We are so grateful for each and every one of you!

In HIM,
the crawfords

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

She amazes me.....

I have to take a moment and just tell you how amazed I am at our daughter, Emme.

This year was her first year in an all Spanish speaking public school in Costa Rica.  She is the only American/English speaker.

She has grown so much this year, not only physically (which has been A LOT), but also socially, academically and spiritually.  She is an overcomer and is my social butterfly.

She is the one who has transitioned the best out of all of us.  I can not honestly think of one thing that she has really struggled with.  She inspires me....

This picture below is her exemption notice for her final exams.  She exempted out of ALL of her tests because she received higher than 90% on her previous test.  All classes are in Spanish (except English)--Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Music and English.

We are so proud of her--more than she will ever know!  But don't tell her that.....it might go to her head!  (just kidding, we tell her that all the time!)


Emme and her friend Maria Jose



 And yes, even when she looks like this, we are still proud of her!








She is working on her selfies......ugh! Growing up too fast!

I thank God for her everyday!  She is exactly like me in so many ways, but she is definitely finding herself during this time.  God is going to use her for GREAT things--more than He already is!


October Fun!!!!

Well, here is our most recent month.  Other than being the most rainy month of the year, it was a pretty good time.  Lots of stuff happening....check it out!

This has been a more frequent occurrence....bad part is that they CAN NOT move until insurance comes.  Makes for some backed up traffic.  Lord keep us safe!

Well, it's not everyday you see a dog STUCK in a gate....even here!  Bruce and Nix literally had to take 2 legs each and twist his opposite ways to get him out.  HE WAS STUCK!
 You ever wonder what it is like to talk to someone on Facetime when the internet is slooowwww?

Here is what happens when you talk to our youth pastor, Matthew Riley......






 Yes, the phone was frozen every time we took these pictures--CLASSIC faces...and that wasn't all of them!  You're welcome, Riley!


Played a "dress me like a snowman" game to burn off energy before bed

Bruce got crafty and made himself a welding hood....

Looks like something from Back to the Future....

THIS.  Grey poupon MADE this sub!! Thanks Dotys

That is chilero--another YUM!!!

After church we had a festival de maiz (Corn festival)  We got the elote loco--a Guatamalan treat

We had a surprise birthday cake with our Tico family for Bruce!

Trying to play Wii with a broken TV screen....FAIL!!!!

Our local stray horse...

Really a sweet horse. And of course Emme wanted to keep it.....hmmmm

Had a Coke with my brother as he was starting Chemo--Love ya Kev!

Why yes, this puppy is spoiled......Why do you ask?

Sub sandwiches with Eliel and Rode.  He is SUPER excited!
 Dia de las culturas (Culture Day)
Emme's class represented the Chinese culture and made a Chinese dragon

The older kids represented Costa Rica with typical dances


Emme and her class did a Christopher Columbus poem.  She memorized it!


I had the privilege of being part of a Ladies English Bible Study this year!  It was such a blessing for me as this was my first bible study since being in Costa Rica.  I just needed my heart language......

Had the privilege to hear Jerry Bridges speak at our Alma Mater, The Spanish Language Institute

Leyton helping Daddy with all the wood working. LOVE THAT BOY!

Leyton watching Roberto (one of our kids in the children's home) paint his masterpiece

If you look closely at the guy in the middle, why yes, he does have his shirt tucked into his Britain flag underwear! Uh, weird!

Look at that concentration!

Arroz con palmitos....yum!  From a great friend--Viviana

How we "cut" our grass....

When we forget about the "mower" for too long....FAIL!

Found a black widow in our back yard....YAY! (insert sarcasm)

My view when I go running....ahhhhh--HOT SUN!

Evening sunset--beautiful

Here is our new kitchen cabinet that Bruce built!

A place for the silverware--YAY!


The finished cabinet thanks to some generous donors who provided the money for this and to make Emme's bunk bed

Here is the rough of Emme's bed
And we make this a family affair!


He's a really good sander!


Why yes, this is Leyton's class room on October 24th--There is no other holiday in Costa Rica between Independence Day (Sept 15) and Christmas!

MMMMMM.....barbudos!

Emme approves!

Also made Cranberry Orange scones.  Thanks for the cranberries Doty family!

Bruce drove the Saturday Footcell (soccer ministry) to their game and got to stay and watch, even though they didn't win!


Found this in our office at the Project....What is it you ask? A dead, liquified, electrocuted rat!

Happy Halloween! Fur, stench and maggots! YUM!!  BTW, the office still stinks!


October was a super productive month on the roof--here is a little of what happened:

They tried to put the truss up in one whole piece--it broke, and the crane wasn't big enough to get it up high enough--change of plans....
 What's that? You were wondering how they got that big crane in the cancha?


Well with another crane and a fork lift, of course!

Yeah, like that!

Had to put trusses up by the half and weld it to the tall 3 inch tube....uh huh....

But once they figured it out, they couldn't slow down

second truss

completed second truss

Why yes, that is a man hanging from the truss....that's normal....right!?

Putting on all of the nailers

Looks awesome

October was super busy and we had a lot of fun!  Thank you for being part of our ministry here in Costa Rica! Hope you get a taste of what we do! We couldn't be here without you and your support!

Thank you!