Costa Rica STM 2017 - His Plans are Greater

The view of Tirrases from the field.

The view of Tirrases from the field.

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

Our last week here, we had multiple plan changes, and not much time to prepare for those changes. Yet everything happened in such perfect timing (not by our own doing), that once again I was humbled to see that God's plans are always, always far better than our own. Below is just a snapshot of one of those moments we witnessed, a tiny glimpse of what God is doing in Costa Rica.


Originally, we had planned a sports and testimony sharing day the first week we were there, but because the rain was so heavy, we were unable to carry through. Fast forward to the second week, where we had been at the high school for more than a week and were familiar with many of the students. That Wednesday was a national holiday, so we held a sports day at the local park. Because we had befriended many of the students, they invited their friends as well. As the rain started in the early afternoon, it made sense to head back to the nearby church for some indoor sports games, which also allowed a space for us to share testimonies in a more intimate setting. The week prior we had also been scared that we would not have enough translators with us, but in this case we had three (!) of the local high schoolers who took turns translating for us. 

Some of our new friends!

Some of our new friends!


Though we have returned back to the states now (so bittersweet), my prayer is that you also would be encouraged to know that God's plans have never and will never fail despite the unknown, the seemingly unpleasant circumstances. 

As a final note, things to continue praying for:

1. For Gary, the local missionary: for wisdom + vision as he continues to minister to the students in Tirrases

2. For the team: that what was seen in Costa Rica would lead us to praise God more, lead us to step out in faith in our own respective cities (as well as next steps for those thinking of longer term missions)

3. For the students of Tirrases: that God would continue working in these students lives, that they would see God as personal, as a good Father, and their hope that will not fade