JANUARY MISSION TRIP 2024 !!! Pt. 1

“For We have been brought into the world for such a time as this. We are compelled to share the message of repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ wherever we go. The end of all things is near. Let us not grow tired of doing good. Let us keep our focus on Jesus and the eternal, for the things of this world are passing away.”

Words from the Bible

MARLON-

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW MY STEP FATHER PASSED JANUARY 6, 2024.

LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT OUR TRIP TO GRIEVE HAD SO MANY BLESSINGS IN STORE. ALSO LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

I WAS ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR MINISTRY IN COSTA RICA IT WAS A SUPER NATURAL EXPERIENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF LOSS TO SEE GOD LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

HEALINGS, DELIVERING, ANGELIC MANIFESTATIONS IN THE CHURCH THE POWER OF JESUS WORKING ALL AROUND US.

JESSICA-

We knew this was not going to be a normal trip and we were willing to just do whatever Jesus wanted. Marlon left on Monday and Felicity and I joined him on Thursday. God was good and provided for everything and Thursday night we were at Juan SantaMaria airport getting picked up by Marlon and Leo. (The story of my life lol).

We walked around our house and looked at stuff, and we felt glad that it was there. We were blessed that our loved ones were using it. We saw our properties and we didn’t feel any type of nostalgia. Just a sense of gratitude and the awareness of what Paul mean’t when he said, “We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”(2Cor. 6:10 ) There is so much to do in Costa Rica aside from other countries and Hispanic outreach.

HELPING LEO'S FAMILY

PREACHING ON A NEW CREATION 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

Leo and Lilly were relieved to have more sets of hands pitch in at church. Marlon did most of the preaching. Felicity helped taking pictures and working with Joselyn to see how they can improve the lighting. Joselyn is the media person and has done a great job with the images for the “members only”

WhatsApp group. We got together with her and started a YouTube channel for the church and a Facebook page. That way they, and we, can share messages and news to a larger audience of people that have had to move to other parts of the country for work. I’m very impressed with her dedication she is constantly posting things on all the platforms. We helped them with a tripod and remote so they are able now to record every preaching. If you go to the church YouTube channel, there are quite a few services. We had to work out some bugs. Marlon kept walking off camera! (LOL)

A HOUSE OF JOY!

We were hosted in our big mountain house by Leo’s family. My last memory of the house was going to get Marlon in October 2022. Everything seemed empty and too quiet. What a joy it was to see our house full of a happy family going about their daily business. Our house has come alive! I loved hearing little doggie paws running around on the different levels above our heads. With 7 people, all those bedrooms are getting used! Sunrise is at 5 am. There is a symphony of chickens, geese, ducks, and tropical birds. Not to mention guard dogs and hunting dogs! Later, the boys just run all over the place without fear of snakes even though they have sent us pictures quite frequently of some very big scary ones! There is so much life, even the sloth is back! The family of Pastor Leo moved to our house in Las Nubes about a year ago, several months after we were robbed.

THIS WAS A TIME TO GET OUR FEET BACK IN THE WATER AND SET THINGS UP FOR OUR NEXT TRIP

I would say the trip was very eventful spiritually but we hardly did anything that was on our list. No visiting friends in La Selva and no coffee buying!! Mostly due to the fact that our car in Costa Rica has a broken engine and Leo’s car broke down after we arrived. We had to just submit to God’s design for this trip.We ended up spending most of the time up on the mountain away from town doing life and having Bible studies with Leo’s family. It was like a retreat for both families.

When we finally sold the tractor (we only got a small down payment) we bought another ministry vehicle. It is very beat up inside but, oh what a great suspension! Most of our Toyotas have been very uncomfortable on the crazy roads. But this 30 year old Isuzu Trooper feels nice. We acquired it 3 days before we left the country. Felicity is in

love with the car and says that it is hers. She can’t wait to go back and practice driving.

Which brings me to the news that the three of us will be returning in May to Costa Rica as soon as Felicity gets out of school. With the Isuzu waiting for us, we will be able to meet with the pastors from the radio. We will also visit pastors from the Caribbean side and pastors in San Jose that Leo has been in touch with.

Here is a picture of the ducks. They were checking out their new home they arrived the same day that Marlon did. They were in a loosley tied feed sack in te back of the car car on the ride home from San Jose.

PRAISE REPORTS

The Spirit of the Lord is moving strongly among His people. They are falling more in love with Jesus and are willing to let Him be Lord over every aspect of their lives.

SOME THINGS THAT WERE STOLEN WHEN OUR HOUSE WAS ROBBED WERE RESTORED TO US (I’ll tell you that story later!)

NEXT TRIP IN MAY!!! PASTORS ARE WAITING TO MEET MARLON DURING THE MAY TRIP. THE LORD IS PREPARINGTHE PATH FOR TFI AND MAPCR IN COSTA RICA.

PRAYER

Pray specifically for financial provision for our family and ministry, the things that need to be fixed and or maintained in Costa Rica. The Lord is more than able to supply but Jesus urges us to ask persistently of the

Father. We ask you to come alongside us in persistent prayer.

Pray for the hearts of the native pastors in Costa Rica that they would desire Jesus above all things and be willing to work together and let go of allegiances to doctrines that are harmful and unbiblical.

TO BE CONTINUED....