A life touching lives...

Twenty one months ago, and His enthusiasm and desire to know God, make Him known and serve Him have been contagious to those he encounters. 

His name is Chema, ( In the middle) 

Remembering the first conversation with Chema was almost two years ago when he arrived to School of Discipleship. He said," this is answered prayers, when I visited the states I heard about the School of Discipleship and Ministry and really hoped that I could have the same opportunity in Costa Rica, and this is such a prayer answered, God is so good to me."

Chema invited Victor and I over for dinner in which he prepared the whole meal, and served us with such love and appreciation. His friend that was there that night said, " I have heard so much about you Victor from Chema, and how you teach God's word with passion and truth, I want to encourage you that your work is not in vain and we see the fruit of your labor through Chema here at our church and in the lives he encounters, he teaches what he is learning. So I want you guys to be encouraged that maybe you don't see everything God is doing, but he is doing great things and Chema is one them."

The same go for many of you who pray for us, support financially, maybe you don't get to see everything God is doing but be encouraged that God is doing great thing's, a beautiful tapestry being woven together, lives being touched for the kingdom of God, touching other lives with the love of Jesus.

Thank You !!!!

In God's Love Victor , Nichol& Keila

Wagner Who??

His name is Wagner, and He loves the Lord! 

His wife Cindy and two children, Alejandro & Valeria began two years ago going to the classes.

Throughout those two years it has been so great to see what God is doing in their lives.

He is now pastoring a church, his wife and children also love serving in the church. This family has showed us Jesus love in action and we are so grateful for their lives.

Wagner did not imagine that he would ever pastor a church, but as God began to put everything in place, he told Victor, "I know that God does all things perfectly and in His timing, I want to be used by Him in any way and not let my fears get in the way." 

Shortly after that the doors opened for him to pastor a church and he commented on how he was so thankful to God for bringing Victor and I to Costa Rica for the bible classes, because God had  each class preparing him for such a time. 

WAGNER IN CLASSES

Visiting with some of the students and thier families

Wagner holding Keila

                                                                 

              There are not enough thank you's to say how just thankful we are for your support, prayers, and investment in God's Kingdom. Wagner is one life out of many that we see the fruit of God's work through the classes. Till next month, and ready for another of students lives being touched. To the praise and glory of the one and only who is worthy of praise Jesus!! 

Preach the Word!

           2 TIMOTHY 4:1-2
February 24, 2009 for some may be a birthday or maybe not even a important date, yet for many of you reading this right now is a date that you invested in God's Kingdom and continue to do so, by praying, supporting, and providing encouragement. It was the day 6 years ago that God brought us to Costa Rica. And because of your faithfulness and Trust in God's work we continue to see lives transformed by His word and doors wide open to preach and teach.
Last month Victor had the opportunity to preach at several Calvary Chapel church plants, two which are near to where we live and the other one about 4 to 5 hours away from us. We are thankful to God for His continual open doors and allowing us to be of support to other Calvary's here and other church plants and always encouraging times when we come together with our brother's and sister's in Christ.
                                                        School of Discipleship and Ministry
     
Besides obstacles and oppositions for teaching sound doctrine, especially in Costa Rica where there is lots of prosperity messages, and watered down bible teaching we have seen God bring people to the classes semester after semester not only come but be changed by His word. Humbling to be a part of our Saviour Jesus work! It is only Him in us and through us bringing glory to Himself.

                                                  On line project-  www.edmcr.org
Yeah so glad to announce that the online is now available and the first course is Spiritual formation, which you can find the video's of the class and the material. This has been a long process which consists of many hours of editing video for sound, downloading them. We are grateful for one of the students who is helping Victor. Please continue to pray for this!!

Thank you again for your many prayers and serving alongside with us here, to God be the glory!!
In God's love, Victor , Nichol & Keila
                                           


         
     

                                                                                                                            

 

    

Fruit that does not spoil.

 A few weeks ago we met with Pastor Rudy, a man of faith and the first Pastor here in Costa Rica to open his heart to the mission that God had called us to do in Costa Rica.

Pastor Rudy, Luisa his wife & son Santiago

Pastor Rudy opened his church to begin the School. After working together for 4 years, 30 students graduated from our School of Discipleship.

 Last year in December at our graduation he said," thank you, now we are motivated, and have people  prepared to start our own discipleship training."

For Victor and I this was great, a prayer answered, that the churches here would see the need
 and have people trained to fulfill that need.  

When we met with Pastor Rudy, he handed Victor this paper pamphlet and said,

"I'm thankful for your obedience to follow Christ and for your church that believes in the call that God has put on your lives. Because, I have seen the fruit of the people in my church and those that graduated from the School, how they love God's word and now serve. This September we had a group of  42 who graduated the program. And I see this as fruit of your labor."

                                                                  To God be the glory!!!
                                       Thank you for joining us in planting a piece of fruit that does not spoil.
                         By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.                 
                                                                         John 15:8

                                                MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Vic, Nic, & Keila

Open Hearts, transformed by God's word.

              
Ariel Zuniga Marin-( center) part of the worship team
 I have always wanted to know Jesus more! and understand what it is to truly be a disciple of His.
The school has been a real blessing for my life, being able to study with brothers and sisters in Christ who desire the same purpose, and good teachers who help me understand what it is to be a real son of God.
The school has helped me become a better Christian, and grow in many areas of my life. I'm sure that God is guiding this ministry, because it's focus is to put Jesus as the center of our lives daily.
It is a real blessing to be able to count on my teachers, to teach truth and not only teach, but demonstrate what real love is… the unity that we have in Christ as brothers.
I say goodbye with this verse: But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in Him. By this we know that we are in Him.1John 2:5

                            Jorge Hernandez- Missionary                   

            

The school is a blessing because they teach the word of God. Every class, I am challenged and motivated to become more like Jesus & thanks to the teachers who live by example.

                                                     Marychu Garcia-Teacher Children's ministry  

             

The School is a blessing for my life, and a huge help. Where I can better comprehend the word of God, grow spiritually, and confront me. Studying the word of God, is working in my life and putting it into practice. When for a moment I forget what it is to be a example of Christ there is always something in classes that exhort me and remind me of Who God is in my life!

As you can see the students have become so dear to us and they love Keila! and she smiles a bunch to when she sees them. After going to classes for 9 months and hearing them talk to her, and pray for her of course she will be all smiles. Thank you for your support and prayers!! Victor, Nichol & Keila

Above & beyond what we could ever imagine...

Different languages, distant countries, one unity through Jesus. The student dinner with the Mission group from  our home church CCEA, is a huge encouragement for the students. They prayed for the students and teachers, and the evening was filled with laughs, games, devotion, worship & the love of God that breaks down all barriers. 

We have seen that this event is not just a dinner, but a testimony of God's love that is always shown beyond what we could ever imagine. The students are explained that the mission group prepared for months with fundraising, and lots of hard work for it to be possible, and that because of  many people who support the mission here is why this School of Discipleship is able to happen. 

The students are so grateful to see the love for them, through people who have never even met them yet  believe in the work God is doing and support the mission in Costa Rica, so that they can grow in their walks with Jesus and know Him more. 

One student said, " This is definately God's love in action and I feel as though Jesus personally saying, "I love you and care that you know me more" she then said," this dinner has encouraged me to keep persevering, I pray that those who support this ministry will know that it is not in vain."

High School Mission Team pray, for the students

Game for the evening:Mission Team Vs. Students

Students and Families ( some unable to come)

Red eye flights perfectly fit the name because you really don't sleep it's like missing a day of sleep.

 But that did not stop the Mission Team from surprising us with a Baby Shower!

After hours of traveling and not much rest their hearts were to bless us and shower us with love. 

It was decorated so beautiful and they had wrapped all the gifts that family and friends had sent for our baby girl Keila. 

With smiles on their faces and enthusiasm as they played each baby shower game, We would have never known they had just flown in on a Red eye flight.

Our God has gone above and beyond what we could ever imagine, with His faithful provisions for our baby… It has been speechless, and many tears of joy to see so much love through so many of you who have blessed us in this new season of soon to be parents.

Thank you, Thank you, for so much love and support.

SURPRISE!!!!! Baby Shower

Drawing what will Keila look like 

 Delicious Cake

High School Mission Team 2014, Thank you for being hands and feet of our savior Jesus.

You touched many lives of those in Costa Rica.

 You fed the hungry, played with the unloved, shared hope to the lost, sweat while painting and got many dirty hands, some got sick. But you were used to show how great is God's love!!

To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever, and ever. Amen. ( Ephesians 3:19-21

WHAT IS POWER?

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

                                                     José Daniel Ulate Vega 27 Yrs. old

 During this first year as a student at School of Discipleship and Ministry, I have been able to see how God is working in my life through His word. Not by any human standpoint but by a biblical view, leading me to understand that what is written in the Bible is the truth and my guide as a son of God.

 Throughout this time, God has confirmed to me the calling on my life, to serve Him by teaching His word. I believe that this is where the school has influenced me. I understand that I am here to serve and not to be served, like Jesus taught throughout His life and the example of His Disciples.

  

                                                   Ernesto González Ruiz 28 Yrs

The School of Discipleship & Ministry, for me has been a wonderful gift of God, not only showing me how much that I am loved by Him day by day & His many blessings that daily fill my life. Yet it goes much more beyond this, It is a gift and opportunity given, to learn more about God’s word.

 It's gratifying to have the opportunity to go to a place where we are taught more than the word of God. Where the teachers show great concern and dedication.We are very blessed to attend these classes that are of excellent level at no cost.

Personally, I can say that thanks to the school I've learned and developed & understand biblical concepts and topics that before, I did not have very clear. Together with my wife, we have put into practice many of the God given counsel that we have received by the professors who  always teach biblical foundations.

There is no doubt that the hours dedicated in these classes are building us up to be better Christians and preparing us to be more effective, and getting out of these four walls to bring the word of God to more people.