Work and a little play

 

    Today was a packed day. We were able to help start laying the floor of the foundation at the church. It was a lot of work and very hard, but God blessed us tremendously. We were able to finish laying the dirt for the floor and side walk for the new church building. It is all ready to be cemented and will no doubt look great. They’ll tile it later on but not until , Lord willing hopefully, later this year. After all the work, Curtis decided to take us on treat for a swim in a nearby river. It was beautiful and definitely a great time enjoying the Lord and His creation. It blows my mind every time how His creation produces awe. I see it and just say, “Wow God you are so good.” It’s a real challenge to be (as a new creation in Him) a life that produces that same kind of reaction in others, as His creation does to me. Oh that our lives would be seen and said of “Wow God you are so good.” He is good and worthy of all of our life. May He continually be shown through us, and may His desire of saving lives take place as we continue to strive for Him. Matthew 5:16….May the Lord bless you guys and all the opportunities He has for you to do unto His glory!

 

Fuegos de Polbora (Fireworks)

           Well this was from our Christmas Night dinner at Will and Yolanda's house. After the great food, we continued in the fun with a bunch of fireworks. Since everything is so green, fireworks are legal here and hard to resist. It was a bunch of fun! Gerry, Curtis, and I are the ones holding the Roman Candles(they're definitely an upgrade from the U.S. roman candles), and Gabo is recording...enjoy!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

        Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you so much for all your love and prayers, Christmas here in Costa Rica was great! Darwin and Annie (missionary family from Peru…Annie is a relative of Curtis and Chelly Schockey) came over and cooked for us an official Peruvian dinner. It was such a great time of sharing in food, fellowship, and love. Christmas Day was so peaceful and great as well. In the morning I woke up just so relaxed and with a peace that surpassed understanding in just awe of who He is. God is so good, and all three of us were just so blessed in remembering the gift of His Son. In the Evening of Christmas day, we continued celebrating Jesus’ birth with a big 25 people size dinner party at Will and Yolanda’s gorgeous hillside house. Will and Yolanda are another missionary couple out here serving at a different nearby church, but it was still a blast partaking as one body in the fellowship of His Son. Emmanuel God is with us! He humbled Himself in coming down to us, and continued to humble Himself even to the point of the torturous death on the cross. So that we might now because of His gift of love, may one day be raised with Him in His gory. We have such a beautiful no need to be ashamed gift. I pray that you guys were all extremely blessed on Christmas day, and pray that you will continue to share our gift with others. He is continually desiring to use us, but we need to continue to humble ourselves and choose to let Him. I love you guys, Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Christmas Gift Give Out Day

Today we were able to head up to the Salvation Army here in San Isidro, and help with a 4 hour Christmas gift handout event. It was such a blessed time. The event included songs, dancing, piñatas, take home goodies, Christmas gifts, and lunch! It was so cool to see God’s faithfulness come through. In the morning we were informed that the sponsor for the chicken, that was going to be for lunch, never showed. So since God gave us some extra from the church’s gift provisions, we were able to pay for the kids’ lunch. God is so good, and already had all His giftings for us and the children all planned out in His amazing sovereignty. He is so good and in the midst of it God brought to mind Matthew 10:42-"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." We were so blessed to be the apart of God using CC Hot Springs, in blessing His little children here in Costa Rica with a little bit more of love in action. Thank you guys for your hearts desiring to be used. The kids were so happy, and it was so beautiful to share with them that the gifts were from the church in CA but even more from their Savior Jesus Christ. I can’t believe how God desires to use us so much. He is so good, and we can minister confidently in all we do as Christians knowing we get to bring Him glory. He is Worthy!

Church Project Preview

 

 

 

 

 

 

                The Church here in San Isidro is continuing to grow. Pastor Curtis has had construction started at their house, and are now about half way done with the new church project. They’re adding a big church meeting room, restroom, and storage room to the back of their house to accommodate the vision God is giving.  We’re excited and prayerfully looking forward to the things God is going to use this household for. Join us in prayer as the construction continues.

Tamale Time

Tamales are a Christmas tradition here in Costa Rica, but they’re made a little different then the ones most people are used to in the states. Since Costa Rica is a more tropical orientated culture, the tamales are wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husk. It keeps the dough moist and makes more work for you to do in actually making the tamales. It was a long day of “kitchen” labor; taking turns constantly stirring the masa(tamale dough), preparing the banana leaves(cleaning, burning, and cutting), filling and wrapping the tamales, and last but not least boiling them. The process was long, but the product was great! We are planning to share the tamales with those being ministered to already by the church, and also use them to feed the homeless on Christmas day. We were so blessed on being able to learn and make the tamales, thanks again Curtis and Chelly!

Operation Christmas Gifts:)

Calvary Chapel Hot Springs was able to sponsor 25 gifts to give to the less fortunate Costa Rican children here in town. Gabo, Shelly, and Annie were able to head up the whole gift operation. They did a great job picking out the toys, bringing them from the center of town, and wrapping them up as well. They have now been delivered to the Salvation Army here in town, and we’ll be able to go and be apart of the 200 kid wide distribution later next week. We’re excited to see the kids and as He leads be able to share with them and their families God’s greatest gift. Keep in tune for the update next week!

Around the Town

 

 

 

 

 

   It’s been so cool to be able to walk around the town and be challenged by His creation to give Him a louder praise. The bus is only 25 cents each way, but walking has definitely been enjoyable. The views God has been blessing us with have been so amazing. The bottom two pictures are from out little barrio(neighborhood) we live in Villa Ligia, and the top two pictures are pictures from the center of the town we live in(San Isidro del General). Pray for us as we continue to seek the Lord in what He desires for us to do. It’s easy to try and make things happen in our own strength but way harder to sit…be still and know…wait for the Father to reveal His desires. We’re excited, everything so far is going great and we’re stoked to see what else God is going to do. Biggest prayer request; that He would fill us with His Spirit and give us the opportunities He desires for us to share in love and obedience of His glorious love!

Gerry’s Birthday!

 

      First full day in Costa Rica and it was already Gerry’s birthday. Gerry(Jerry) turned 39 yesterday. We took him out to the city famous restaurant here in San Isidro called Bazookas. It was a great time of eating and hearing the things from Pastor Curtis(man in the middle with the green shirt) of which God has been doing and is seeming like will do. The Lord is up to something great, and were excited to be apart of it.

New Chapter:)

Well, another chapter of my life is now beginning. Sunday Evening December 12th, four of us Spanish speaking men hopped into two cars and departed off for Costa Rica. The cars only got us as far as the airport, but I’m sure you knew that’s what I was talking about anyways. We are now here safe and sound with thankfulness to the Lord for His faithfulness. Already God is working in and through each one of us individually and as a whole. God is so faithful, and we are excited to see what He is going to do. By His grace, the blog will once again be up and updating regularly, so keep up with us. Continue to strive with us in prayer, the blessings of what God wants to do is definitely evident but so are the attacks of the enemy. Pray for us as we are moving into our new house, as we are seeking the Lord’s will in our schedules, and as we continue to catch vision for the things God is revealing here. I love you guys and am excited to see the things God will have me share with you, God bless!

Newsletter-Operation Costa Rica

The Vision (Matthew 28:18-20):

Well it seems like my time now in California is once again finished. Since returning back from the Israel missionary field, God has allowed me to graduate Calvary Chapel Bible College Murrieta and then also spend a semester interning there for the director. God has been continuing to do above and beyond all that I could have ever thought or imagined. It has been such a blessing to see His hand of direction in my life. With all the things God has been revealing, it seems now that God desires to send me out once again. Calvary Chapel Hot Springs is going to be sending out a team of four of us, Spanish speaking men, to San Isidro, Costa Rica. Our vision is to go and be Christians in Costa Rica, to help with a church plant there, and also in time start a Calvary Chapel Bible College there. We will be leaving December 13^th and are making a year commitment to the country. We don’t know all the details of God’s will for Costa Rica, but do know that He desires the people to be saved. With Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2:28-29 and Peter’s confirmation of it in Acts 2:14-18; we see that the Holy Spirit is now being poured out in these no doubt last days, and all we want to do is be a part of it!

Pray for Us (2 Thessalonians 3:1):

Please continue to labor with us in the work God is doing in Costa Rica. Honestly we are just four regular guys who God is directing to go. Please strive with us in seeing God’s desires for the country of Costa Rica come to pass. As of right now we are each trying to reach a support goal of $500 American dollars a month. I am still about $400 dollars short of that goal, but trust that God will provide. Please pray for us! We are eager see what God is going to do, but know that without power of the Holy Spirit nothing of any value will be done. Pray that we will be used to affect the area for His glory, that we will come alongside the saints there with His one vision, that the people’s eyes will be opened to His truth, and that we will not stand in the way of anything God might have us else do there. If you would like to be kept updated; you can check out my blog at sosimoavila.blogspot.com or email me for info at sosiavilajr@hotmail.com. Also, if you would like to help financially, you can email me for the tax deductible link, or send checks to 39407 Murrieta Hot Springs Road Murrieta, CA 92563, made payable to Calvary Chapel Hot Springs, with Sosimo Avila in the Memo. Thank you, and may the Lord bless you all.

CC Oceanside J.H. Winter Retreat

Last weekend was such a blessed time. The Lord allowed for some of us from the college to go out and help out at the Calvary Chapel Oceanside Junior High Winter Retreat. It was so great, the Lord was definitely just empowering His kids; it was a blessing to see. He rained down the Holy Spirit and blessed us also by raining down a foot of sparkling in the full moon frosted water while we were there. It was an amazing weekened being reminded of how He is not contained into a certain order or program of working. I was able to share twice and in both of the teaching God was just hitting me so much of how He works outside the box. Some times we have to put our traditions and pre-concieved notions down, and just let His Holy Spirit do His awesome beautiful work. We can't be so ignorant to think we have the way God always want to work figured out, "Who can search the mind of God?" We are not to be so caught up in trying to figure out how He does things and why. We are not always called to understand, but just believe. We are to just to be men and women chasing after His own heart. That's all that matters. Loving Him is to be our priority, letting Him change us into His image, and submitting to His will so HIs wonderful plans can be brought forward. Pr 16:1 ¶ The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

Soldiers in the school field

While I was in Israel I was able to meet up with the CC Oceanside Youth missionary team, and serve with them on their trip. This past Wednseday, it was such a blessing to be invited to go and share His word with the rest of the CC Oeanside youth group. Pastor Abel ended up recording it as well and put it on a podcast, here's the link if you would ike to listen http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewPodcast%253Fid%253D333145815%2526subMediaType%253DAudio. Friday as well, I was able to fill in for John and share at the youth group here in Corona. It's always a blessing to be able to share with those still in the missionary field of school. Please pray for His soldiers in the School field, to be strong in Him and to share His word.

Konos at CC Costa Mesa

Pictures by Halleluyah

This last Sunday, was the last Sundays of the Kono's(great family from Okinawa Japan) stay. They left bright and early Monday morning, but we were able to hang out Sunday for church service. We ended up going down to Costa Mesa for the third service Japanese translation service. Didn't get a picture of him, but Pastor Chuck was there, and was looking great. The Kono's stayed here, for I think, almost a month. They were fun to have, and pray that they will continue to grow even more now back in Oki. JaNe Konos, God bless you.