Sunday, November 10, 2013

25 things that are not better or worse, just different in Costa Rica

I have been living in Costa Rica now for a little over 5 months! The time has flown by and I have learned (and still learning) so much about this country. We have a saying in SI Costa Rica. "It is not better or worse, just different." Meaning that there are somethings here are not better then the states, or worse, they are just different. Different from what we know, like and are used to. And honestly that is my new normal. Learning and understanding the differences of this country. So with that, here are 25 things that some of my co-workers/friends and I came up that are not better or worse, just different. :)

1. There are no refills on drinks at fast food places and some restaurants
2. You can pull over anywhere on the street just as long as you put your emergency lights on.
3. There several honks that people do. ( to let you pass, tell you to stop, say "hi", etc)
4. You can by medication without prescription. (there are pharmacy's everywhere and for most medications, you DO NOT need a doctors prescription.)
5. You don't flush toilet paper down the toilet. (the pipes are small here)
6. There are no such thing as "personal space" in a bus. (when there are no more seats available in the bus, you stand in the middle of the walk-way back to back with people)
7. Stopping at a stop sign is optional. (meaning that people do a lot of California roll here)
8. There are no street signs on streets. (so when explaining how to get to a place, you use landmarks and meters for directions.)
9. Pedestrians DON'T have a right away.
10. Everyone runs on tico time (which is late)
11. Tip is already included in the bill at a restaurant.
12. You don't pump your own gas. (every gas station is full service here)
13. An umbrella is a must whenever you leave your house. (it could and will rain sometime during the day)
14. If you need to see the doctor, you need to stand in line that morning (like at 5am) to get an appointment for that day.
15. When a person dies, you bury them within 24 hrs.
16. Expect to be hover over when shopping at  department store. (meaning that someone will be near you at all times, watching you as you look around)
17. You don't throw your trash away at a fast food restaurant. (they have people pick it up for you and clean your area when you leave)
18. Every house has metal bars on the windows and doors and double locks.
19. There are "watchy man" that keep an eye on your neighborhood. (they come around on a bike and honk to let you know they are there)
20. You can buy produce from a guy who comes down the street from the back of his truck.
21. Houses in the city and where I live and work dont have yards. 
22. Monthly bills are thrown in/put on your front gate.
23. Cafecito is a normal thing. ( just a midday coffee break with sweet bread or cookies)
24. Sunday is family day not "fun day" (people are not watching sport games on tv, there are usually at the park, BBQ at someones house and spending the day with family)
25. The money texture here is plastic, not paper like the states dollars.

Now you have a small idea of the culture here in Costa Rica.
Remember it is not better or worse, just different :)

Till next time!
R

Sunday, September 29, 2013

A Place to call Home....

Home.... I have often struggled with this word. Home. Is it a place? A house? people? community? a feeling? Fresno? Costa Rica? and the list could go on and on. I think those who have moved away to a place that is not familiar, wither that is a new country or state can relate to this question. Even those who have never had a great home situation can struggle with this question too.

What is HOME? 

I have come to realize that for me, home is a place that I can go find rest, peace and comfort. It is a place that I can paint, read or journal and not worry about things. It is a place with my favorite colors, pictures and items. It is a place to entertain, cook or just relax with a movie. It is a place where God meets me often. That is what my home looks like. 

What does this have to do with missions and Costa Rica??? 
Well one of the most important thing for anybody, wither you are living missionally in Fresno, Clovis, Kingsburg or another country, is having a place to go and relax. For me, living here in Costa Rica, finding a house that I can cook, have people over and have a room that could be a place where I could relax was huge. Since I am daily learning and translating here, I wanted a place to find peace and relax from the day's work or just from life here in Costa Rica.  And Praise God we (Kenzie and I) have found that here and now we are making it feel more like HOME! 
Our Home! 

 Here are a few pics of what we have done so far. 

Living Room

 More of the Living Room
(Found the windows here for $6.00 each! Dont worry they are not staying at that spot)


 Dinning Area


 Kitchen


 Laundry area
(which is outside)


 Guest Room
(My mom made me the T-shirt quilt)


 My Room
(Yes I still have stuff animals. They each have a special place in my heart)
 


Guest Restroom/My Restroom 
There is more that we want to do. We have another room that we want to put in a table so I can do some painting and other crafts. Plus maybe put in a twin size bad so we can have multiple guest here at a time or have interns stay with us for a few months or so. We also want some book shelves and a coffee table but those can get expensive here. So I am looking at making furniture here with pallet wood since those are free and i just need to put in the labor. But we are excited for the place that God has given us. 
  
THANK YOU!!! 
I want to thank all of my supports! Especially those who have given a one time gift or are monthly supporters! Your generosity is what has helped me to be able to live here, buy the furniture for the house and so much more!  When you rent here you have to buy everything!!! Meaning fridge, stove, washer, dryer, and the list could go on and on. And it can add up real quick! so thank you for your generous heart!


 I am excited to have a house but more excited to be able to make it a home. BUT I know that this is just a stopping place. For my permanent home is in heaven with my heavenly Father. And I look forward to that one day, but for now, I praise God for what He has given me here in Costa Rica! 


"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21

Sunday, August 25, 2013

And We Have A House...

"For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God" 
Hebrews 3:4 


Since the beginning of August, Kenzie and I have been looking for a house to rent here in Costa Rica. There were only a few things that we really wanted in a house. We wanted a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom, a space for a car and it be located near the office and friends. For some reason we thought it would be really easy to find and we would be out of our host homes with the week or 2. 

So we started our search with some help from our friends. The first house we saw was an amazing new modern place. The rent wasn't that bad, but as it is custom here, it would go up 10% every year. Since we are on a fix salary, we decided to take the day to figure out if we wanted it or not. So when we called the next day to tell the owner we wanted it, it had already been rented out! Yup, less then 24 hrs the place was rented. So we continued on with the search. 

After about the 4th house, we were starting to feel discourage. We weren't sure if we were going to find a house that we liked and as much as we love living with our host families, we were ready to live on our own and have a house. We knew that God had the perfect place for us but we just didn't know when He would reveal it to us. 

So last week, we went to look at another house. We tried not to be too excited about seeing it because we didn't want to be disappointed again. We walked to this cute little light maroon house and as we walked in, we fell in love with it! It is more then what we could ever ask for! It met all wants and needs and then some! 


We move in on Sept 1 :)

I feel so blessed to be able to have this house. God has truly blessed us with it! I am so excited to be able to decorate it, start making it my HOME, investing in my neighborhood and having people visit us!

Thank you for your prayers! God answered it in a BIG way and in HIS timing!


Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Ticolandia


Costa Rica also known as Ticolandia by my dad,  is where God has me, this is my new normal, this is my HOME. I have been here for 7 weeks now. That means that it has been 7 weeks since I have seen my family, friends and church family. I have lived, walked, talked and in these streets, in this country. And even though it is my new home, there are some things that I do miss from Fresno. 

I miss my family, Mexican food, my girlfriends, frozen yogurt, Flaming Hot Cheetos and many other things. But that is all apart of the transition process. Letting go of the things that were so common and easy to get and figuring out what my new favorite things to eat or make here is, finding a new community but not forgetting the one that I have in Fresno and trusting that God will continue to build the family that I need here. It has been a process and one that will continue for sometime and that brings me comfort knowing that I dont have to master it all right now.

This last month, I have had the joy of visiting some new places in Costa Rica. I got to go to Jaco, Doka Coffee Plantation, Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls and Manuel Antonio. Here are some pics from those trips :)

 










This last two weeks have been such a blessing to me. The Well CR team is here and it has been fun seeing friends :) It has been such a blessing to be able to share with them my heart and passion for missions, not to mention that they get to see what my life is like here in Costa Rica. PLUS they brought some amazing goodies!!!  So life has been busy the last two weeks with them being here but it has been amazing! 

Once they leave, Kenzie and I will start to look for a house and then we start language school. Please keep those two things in prayer, we want a house that is near our friends/co-workers but also safe for us, also that we will retain all that we need to learn in language school. 

Till next time!
 


Sunday, June 23, 2013

2 weeks down, going on 3!

It is hard to believe that I am starting my third week in Costa Rica. There are some days were it seems as though I have been here for months and other days  I realize that it is only been 3 weeks. But none the less, God is good and I am learning and being stretch in BIG ways.

The first night that I got here, I went straight to my host family's house. I am staying here till mid-August. That is when Kenzie and I are planning to get our place! :) Here are some pics of my room and my amazing back yard!

 My Bed and Window

My Closet
 

The view of the backyard from my window :)




We just said good-bye to my first summer team here as staff. They were an amazing bunch of high school kids from Indy and they were such a blessing. Now we have a 4 week gap with no teams till the end of July when The Well comes! I am excited to see friends that are going on the trip and have them see what I am doing here and why God called me to Costa Rica.




My second week here I got really sick. I had 102 fever for 2 days and then got bronchitis. I am currently on the mend but still not at 100%. Being here and sick was a new experience for me. I was able to go to the pharmacy and just get a Z-pack without an prescription and it only cost about $15.00. There is no way that would have happen back in Fresno.

That was a hard week for me mentally, defiantly physically but also spiritually. I was homesick mainly because I was sick and just wanted to be taken care of, which my host mom Martha did an amazing job, but there is something about having your own mom take care of you.  So I read or watch TV when I was awake. You see, before I left Fresno, I found a devotional that had a bunch of encouraging verse and I marked those in my bible knowing that one day (or many days) I would need to feel encouraged. And I started to read them and knew that God had placed those there for me to hear. I also realized that I need to be in fellowship with other believers and need to hear the word and be feed. So I am currently in the process of looking for a church where I can build relationship, be feed and worship. I was able to go to English speaking church today and it was awesome! It was great to worship in English and not have to translate the message in my head. I am not sure if I will call this church my home yet, but it was nice change of pace.

Now I am getting ready to start my 3rd week here. I have just touched the surface of emotions to come with this transition, but I cling to this verse,

"Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
 Is 41:10
 
And I feel a since of peace. God is good and HE will help me through the good, ugly, easy and hard times to come! 
 
Prayer Request! 
1. My Spanish. (it will improve everyday and not be frustrated with the process)
2. Health. (that my lungs will be back to 100% and that I will be back at 100%)
3. Transitions. (that I will take time to process it all and feel the feeling that come along with it)
4. Home Church (one I can build relationships but be feed as I serve here)

Love and miss you all! 
 



Thursday, May 30, 2013

Getting ready for the new normal...

 
I have a week and a half left in America! AH! I am currently writing this as I am driving back from LA.(don’t worry I am not driving).  I was able to get my temporary visa today. (It was my second trip in 1 week) BUT that means that I save $200 and a couple of bus tickets out of CR every 90 days. :)
It still hasn’t hit me that I am moving in 9 days. Maybe that is because I am trying to get all the little things done and I haven’t packed yet. But I know that will change. My room will be packed by the end of the week, I will decided what I will take with me to CR in the next two days, what I am going to leave in Fresno and what will be going to Neighborhood thrift because I just done have time to do a yard sale.

It is weird to know that in a few days my life will be packed up into suitcases, which will come with me to CR or come with The Well team at the end of July. That the places I have gotten used to will no longer be apart of my everyday life. That there will be a new normal for me in CR.

People have been asking me what I am excited for in CR? What or whom I am going to miss from Fresno? How I am feeling as the day to move gets closer? Is there anything they can pray for? So here are my answers in case you were wondering.

What I am excited for in CR?
            There are so many things that I am excited for. The newness of the country, even though I have been there a few times. Working with the girls and the Girls Group again. Being able to invest and use the talents that God has given me there.

What or whom I am going to miss from Fresno?
            I am going to miss my family and friends the most. I am super close to my family. We laugh, pick on each other and love each other dearly. It is going to be weird not having them around but I am thankful for skype and facetime! God has blessed me with such an amazing group of friends. These are friendships that will last a lifetime! There are definitely some places that I will miss. Di Bai Dang is one of them. It is the usually place my girlfriends and I go for dinner. We have celebrated many birthdays there, laughed and ate a lot. I will miss Monterey Bay Aquarium. For those who do not know, that is my favorite place to go! I have a season pass and do go several times a year. It never gets old to me and every time I go, I am amazed of the God I served and reminded on just how BIG and awesome God is!

How I am feeling as the day to move gets closer?
            Overwhelmed, nervous, tired, excited, ready, anxious and I am sure that there are other emotions that I have not mentioned. But I am just trying to not think to far ahead or I will get overwhelmed. I am in the chaos stage of transition so I am trying to just be PRESENT in what I need to get done today.

 " If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast" Ps 139:9-10

Prayer Request:
  1. That I will have good goodbyes with family, friends, places and things.
  2. That I will have safe travels on June 7th. That I will get to CR safely and that my luggage will arrive with me
  3. That I will transition well. Meaning that I wont get sick, get along with my host family and not rush the process.
P/S
Check out my contact info! I updated it with the lasted and greatest way to see what I am doing through social media!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

One Way Ticket.....

After a year and a half of praying, trusting, seeking, working, fund raising, crying, laughing, worrying,  doubting, delighting, calling, writing, asking, learning, heart ache, worshiping, making new friendships, feeling anxious and trusting in God's timing, it has all come down to this.... 


JUNE 7th! 

That is the day that I will be flying to Costa Rica and starting a new season!

I am at 97% and I am taking the step of faith that God will provide the remaining 3% and more before I leave. That means I need 3 more people to make monthly commitments of $20.00. (you can email me or send me a FB message) 

Thank you all for all you love, encouragement, prayers and unending support!  I am so grateful for my family, friends and church community who have walked along side me through this season! I am beyond blessed! 



Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Only 15% left to raise! (April Newsletter)


"You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades,you call forth songs of joy. You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.  The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing."  Psalm 65:5-13
 Lately I have been reminded of God's strength and joy that this world shows. From the blooming flowers, to seeing the furious ocean waves, to the sunset. I am reminded that I serve a God who created each and everyone of these things to remind us of Him. And He created us in His image so we can worship Him! I am so blessed to serve a God who took the time to create the mountains to my east and an ocean that is only 2 1/2 hrs to my west. That in one day I could be looking at Half Dome or see vineyards for miles. But more so, that He took the time to create me with a heart and a passion for youth ministries and for missions. Praise and Glory be to God! 
15% left to go!!!! 
I am currently at 85% fully funded! (1529.19 out of 1800.00) Praise GOD!!! With that I need 15% left (270.81) to raise for monthly support. That means I need about 14 people to donate $20.00 a month to reach my goal! I cant buy my plane ticket till I reach this goal. So I ask that you would pray about coming along side with me and being apart of my support team. If you want to be one on the 14, please email me at rose.e.torres@gmail.com. You can make ONE time donations online here!

Commissioning Date!
The Well will be commissioning (praying) my future roommate (Mackenzie Butler) and I on June 2! That is 1 month away. With that, I am praying and hoping to be fully funded by then so I can leave on a plane with Mackenzie on June 7 or 8th! BUT please know that I will not by my ticket till I am at 100%. CRAZY! This just became real for me. I have been praying and trusting God with his timing for Costa Rica. He has truly opened up so many doors for me over the last few weeks and it hasnt stop.
Now what???
Well now I continue to raise the last 15% with the goal and prayer of moving around June 7/8th. At the same time, I will be heading down to LA to get my visa paper work finalized. As well as doing a major spring cleaning to decide on what I need in Costa Rica and what I can sell. And then enjoying  time with friends and family. So if you want to hangout before I go, please let me know! 

Prayer Request::
1. The remaining 15% would come in and more! 
2. I am speaking at The Well Kingsburg this Sunday (May 5th), so pray that God would speak through me and that the people will have ears to hear and hearts to support. 
3. That I would not be overwhelmed with the list (I am about to created when I am done with this blog post) of things that I need to do before June. 

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support! It has been a journey and I am so glad that I have been able to share it with you all. I pray that my next post will be news of purchasing my plane ticket! 

Blessings! 
Rose

Friday, April 5, 2013

33 at 1%


What is 33 at 1%?

33 is the age that I just turned last week. It is the amount that I need left to raise for Costa Rica and 33 will be a significant year for me. 

Here is the challenge for this next month. :: 
I need 33 people to support me on a monthly basis at 1%. 

What is 1%???
1% is $20. That's it! I need 33 people to support me $20 a month to be able to move to Costa Rica! 
20.00 is not a lot, but when you get a group of people, it is enough to make a difference. 
It is enough for me to move and start the work that God has called me to do in CR. 

How can you be apart of the 33??
 The best way is to send me a email or FB message saying that you want to be one of the 33. I have already got 3 people!!! From there I will send you the form on how to go about it. OR you can send your first check to : 
Students International
PO Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279-2733
Account:: Rosa Torres (on the memo) 
with a note that you want to be a monthly supporter and need the paper work.
From there they will send you the form you will need. 

Will you be one of the 33?
I know that $20 could be a lot for some, but it could mean getting a tall instead of a venti at Starbucks, or not going to the movies once a month. It could be a simple as not eating out 2 times a week. Please know that your support will be tax deductible! 

So will you be one of the 33 and help me get to Costa Rica??


"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
2 Corinthians 9:7-9


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Another Year Older..... (March Newsletter)

March! 
I love this month! It is the beginning of Spring, the weather is warmer, the trees are blossoming and it is my BIRTHDAY month!!! 

I am reminded of Psalms 139:13-14
"For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well."
God has fearfully and wonderfully made me and chose for March to be the month for me to be born! My heart is in AWE of the God that I serve, that He would take the time to make me in HIS image and chose this month to celebrate the life He gave me! 



My Birthday Challenged for Costa Rica:::
I am turning 33 on March 27th! Here is my challenge to all my friends and family! 
Instead of giving me presents this year, I would rather have you donate the money and help me get to Costa Rica!!!! 
You can do by mailing a check to:
Students International
PO Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279-2733
Account:: Rosa Torres (on the memo) 
or
33 at 1%::
33 is the number that I need to be funded for monthly support it is also the age that I am turning. (I know, women are not supposed to tell their age, but oh well) To make this a special birthday, I am challenging 33 people to give 1% to me as monthly support. Well how much is the 1%? It is only $20.00! Yup you read that correct! If 33 people gave $20.00 a month I would reach my final goal and be funded! If you are wiling to be one of the 33 please email me at rose.e.torres@gmail.com or send me a FB message. From there I will send you the paper work :)

Prayer Request::
That God will continue to provide the resources for me to move to CR.
That I would enjoy my time with family and friends.


Thursday, February 28, 2013

Trust. Delight. Commit. Rest. (Febraury News Letter)


  " Trust in the LORD and do good ; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness Delight yourself in the LORD ; And He will give you the desires of your heart Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. "
 Psalms 37:3-7

 
This month, God has really been using these verses as encouragement but also as daily reminders to keep my eyes focus on him. To TRUST him completely (especially when I feel as though I am never going to get to Costa Rica), to DELIGHT myself in the Lord (in the little things such as seeing a shooting star or my favorite ice cream), to COMMIT my way to the Lord ( to daily commit Costa Rica to God and daily giving him control over timing and support raising), to REST in God. Not just sleep or relax by watching a good movie, but to really spend time in prayer, mediated in a few verses and listen.  I wished I could tell you that I am a pro at all of these things, but I am far from it and probably will never be a pro. But that is ok with me, because that means that I continue to depend on God more and more and depend on me less and less. And that is what I want, less of me and MORE of God!   
 
Costa Rica News:::

What's New??
I am 60% fully funded for monthly support!!! So with that, I need 40% more to be at 100% funded for monthly support BUT only 25% more to buy my one way ticket!!! 

For those who like numbers, I need $845.81 to be at 100% for monthly support. 
It breaks done like this:
9 people giving $100.00 a month
17 people giving $50.00 a month
35 people giving $25.00 a month. 

To be able to buy my ticket and raise the reminder 15% before I leave, I need $530.21. 
It breaks down like this:
5 people giving $100.00 a month
10 people giving $50.00 a month
20 people giving $25.00 a month. 

I ask that you prayer about being one of the people on this list. 

Next Steps::
Well this month I am going to work extra hard to reach the remaining amounts. I will continue to contact people and meet with varies life groups. If you would like to have coffee with me to talk more about Costa Rica, please email me rose.e.torres@gmail.com. I would LOVE to let you know how and why God is calling me there! 

Prayer Request:: 
1. Please be praying for my family and I. I cant go into details, but please be praying for strength and discernment. 
2. That God will continue to have his hand on the support raising for Costa Rica. 
3. That all the Visa papers will come back on time and that there will be no problems. 
  
NEWSLETTER! 
If you have not gotten a prayer card or newsletter please let me know. I am sending out one last paper news letter before I go completely via email. With that if you would like to be added to my email list, you can do it here!   

Blessings! 
Rose 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Hosanna in the Hightest

It is 2013 and I am still in Fresno. I would be lying if I said that I am not a little discourage or that I was hoping to be in Costa Rica by now, but I am and I was.

So there are few ways that I can handle this discouragement.
1. I can be angry at God
2. I can choose to keep asking God the "What am I doing wrong?" question.
3. I could just give up and throw in the towel on this journey.
4. I could choose to play the victim and "woos-is-me" card.

But you see I know the God that I serve and instead I choose to fight these lies with His word. 
1.  James 1:19-20:: "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to angerfor the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." 
2. Jeremiah 29:11-12::  "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."
3. Romans 10:13-15:: "for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed ? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard ? And how will they hear without a preacher ? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent ? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS !"
4. Hebrews 6:10:: "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints."

So where am at with my funding? 
For my monthly support, I am currently need $900.81 to be fully funded. That means I have 43% left to raise. Which is really not that much and I have heard that once you past the half way mark, it feels like it just comes in so quickly. That is what I hear and that is what I am praying for. 
For my one time amount, I am currently need 4,854.95 to reach my goal. That means I have 39% left to raise.  
With that, if you feel that God is calling you to be apart of my financial team, you can send a check to: Students International, PO Box 2733, Visalia, CA 93279-2733 account:: Rose Torres. You can donate online here or you can check out the NEW and IMPROVE website for more information.

So what is next? 
I am currently working on the process for my religious visa. So that means that I am filling out paper work and getting by background cleared. I will still be meeting with different life groups from The Well and letting them know how they can be about of the ministry that God has called me too. Once I have reached about 85% I will be able to buy my plane ticket and be commissioned off :) 

Top 3 prayer request:  
  • That I will continue to remember God's promises.
  • That God will continue to provide the resources for me to move to Costa Rica
  • That I will continue to be a good steward of my time here in Fresno.  
I know that I am exactly where God wants me to be at. And there are days where I am supper blessed to be in Fresno with friends and family and there are days where my heart longs to be in Costa Rica working with the girls groups and getting ready for when teams come. I know I will be there soon so until then, I will continue to praise Hosanna in the highest! 

Rose

P/S
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