It’s official: we return to Costa Rica on June 22nd! We are grateful to God for the time back in the United States, as we got to spend it with our family, friends, and loved ones during our first few months as parents. Many people got to meet Eliana Grace, and while we will certainly miss everyone and it is bittersweet returning, we are ready to get back to what God has laid out for us in Costa Rica.
I (Christopher) am grateful for how my shoulder surgery went and how recovery has been going. The doctor said it was the right decision to perform the surgery, as the tearing was serious. It has been a process of learning humility, as I have been forced to slow down and rebuild my strength. God has been teaching me through this, and I am certainly more appreciative of the things that I took for granted before my surgery.
The first weekend of May I (Christopher) had the privilege to fly to Belleville, Illinois and share my testimony and about my book, The Truth About Porn, at Saint Matthew Church’s Celebrate Recovery (the link is attached in this month's email). It was truly a trip where this congregation and I mutually edified and blessed one another, and I am grateful to God for orchestrating things the way He did so that I was able to go and speak. I shared in front of both men and women, and the follow-up conversations were deeply encouraging, as different people opened up about their own struggle with porn, lust, and masturbation, along with expressing their yearning to live in freedom. One instance that sticks out in my mind is someone who thanked me and enthusiastically conveyed that they wish their spouse was present to have heard my testimony, as they believe it was something that would have benefited them in their marriage. This time reaffirmed to me a few things. Firstly, vulnerability is powerful, as strength is found in vulnerability. Secondly, Christians need to support one another in such a destructive problem that is surrounded with much condemnation, since pornography consumption is so common, yet too many people feel isolated and keep it a secret.
We continue to praise and pray over future ministry opportunities as God continues to open new doors and avenues for Christopher as he glorifies God in this new chapter. We never thought that writing and publishing this book could lead to such personal encounters and speaking engagements across the states. However, I feel as if God is always full of surprises and loves making His children stand and stare in awe of Him. All to the glory of God!
On Sunday, May 11th (Mothers' Day), we participated in Fellowship Church's baby dedication, as featured in this month's photo. As the church explained, Hannah and I, along with our family and the congregation, have committed ourselves to raising up Eliana Grace in the ways of the Lord, praying and eagerly expecting to see the day that she gives her life to Jesus of her own accord. The life verse we chose for Eliana's baby dedication was Psalm 23:6, "Surely goodness and covenantal love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." The Bible has a few stories of babies being dedicated to the Lord, from Hannah and her son, the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1-2), to Jesus being presented by his parents in the temple at eight days old (Luke 2). It was a special time celebrating Hannah's first Mothers' Day this way, as we partook in an ancient, biblical tradition alongside many loved ones.
As we stay in contact with our team in Costa Rica, they continue to affirm the newness of the youth ministry as a new group of middle schoolers have been consistently participating in services and building relationships with the leaders. Pray for this group, as some are being pulled toward worldly things that can do some serious harm to them long term such as gang involvement at such a young age. Our prayer for the ministry we will return to and continue serving with is Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in John 17: that we (the Christians in La Carpio) would be one. By this the world will know that the Father sent Jesus.
Lastly, I (Christopher) wrote something personal concerning our return to Costa Rica while wrestling with the question of “why are we returning?” It is not necessarily the most eloquent as I wrote it for personal reasons, not originally with the intent to share it. However, I came to realize it may be of encouragement, challenge, and edifying to others, so for that reason I share it with you all, attached in this month’s email as a PDF. May God bless you through it.
Praise reports:
- Returning to Costa Rica in a few weeks.
- The strength of the youth team.
- The consistency of the new middle school group.
- Christopher’s surgery and recovery.
- Christopher’s speaking engagement in Illinois.
Prayer requests:
- Unity among the Christians in La Carpio.
- Our return back to Costa Rica.
- Wisdom with the rest of our time here in Florida.