Unexpected Turns

Practice loading an injured victim.

For a week in February instructors from the U.S. (law enforcement, EMT, and a doctor) came to do a TACTICA training for 100 people from various law enforcement and rescue services. Monday morning everyone arrived at the training site. The police classes began with instruction on how to secure a landing zone and communicate with the pilot using hand and arm signals, using a map and compass, and recovering a downed officer. Meanwhile the doctor and EMTs taught the Red Cross workers about safety at an incident scene, assessing victims, and methods of moving the injured. During the lunch break the instructors took the time to get to know the people being trained and shared about their work and families back in the U.S. After the last training session of the day everyone met in a large group. Then three instructors shared how they came to know Jesus as their personal savior and how that had changed their lives. This was the daily routine and as the week progressed many of the people being trained began to open up to the instructors about their own lives and 20 eventually made decisions for Christ.

Paul (yellow vest center) at the TACTICA training.

Some of the officers (from previous trainings) and their wives have become leaders in TACTICA. I (Bridget) went to a meeting of these wives. The ladies were so welcoming. After introductions and a time of praise they began to share about their struggles. One woman in particular was having a difficult time with her marriage, her new baby, and problems with finances since she had gone on maternity leave. The women were encouraging her and had a long time of prayer to intercede for her. They are following up with her and already there is a change for the better in her marriage as she seeks to daily walk closer with the Lord and obey His word.

Bridget serving at TACTICA event.

During most of the TACTICA training I (Bridget) was where I love to be, in the background, quietly cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning. Our group of missionary wives were able to go to the Police complex and serve the instructors lunch. On Monday I saw an officer sitting alone and went to chat with her. Mariam is a mom and also works at a prison. The second day over lunch she told me she was Catholic. So the next day I asked someone to translate for me and told her how I had grown up Catholic, but it wasn't until I had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that I found peace with God and the assurance of Him being with me always. The following day of the training Miriam gave her life to Jesus. Also during the training Michael and Janelle, co-workers of Paul's with AeroVital, became Christians. It has been an unexpected turn of events to be helping disciple Miriam.

Another unexpected event was an invitation from our mission, Association Project Emanuel, to help at our mission center in Paso Marcos for a week in March. One day Paul and I made lunch for the monthly Puentes de Vida (Bridges of Life) training. These health promoters help the pregnant women and infants on the Cabécar reservation. Paul spent many hours during the week updating donated computers for a computer lab they are planning to start at Centro Emanuel.

UTSA team at Centro Emanual with Walter and Maribel.

Besides the health promoters, and computer lab, another aspect of community development our mission is involved with is providing micro-loans to 30 partners (local farmers and small business owners) in the area. On Sunday a team led by Ron Sweet, a professor of finance, arrived from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Ron brought 7 students to follow up on a micro-economic project. The students interviewed some of the 30 partners in the project and taught classes to four women wanting to start a business. They also had some fun at the Santubal Elementary School and talked with the students about their fund raising projects, competed in their annual regional running races and a soccer match. Saturday morning they went to the high school English class. Six of the seven university students spoke English as a second language and were able to encourage the younger students to keep working on their English and set goals to accomplish their dreams for the future. All week Paul and I helped Maribel with the cooking for the team. She made authentic Costa Rican food for every meal and it was amazing! She lives just up the road in Santubal with her husband, Walter, and their 4 sons. We became friends in that week working together.

UTSA team with Santubal students.

When we returned to San Jose on Sunday Paul was exhausted and dehydrated. He ended up having some seizures and being put in the hospital for a few days. He is taking anti-seizure medicine now and it is working. The neurologist will see him again in a month to determine if this was a one time event or not. We do not know how this will effect his eligibility to have a pilot's license. We continue to pray for God's direction and timing.

Through all the twists and turns we have experienced in the last few months we have seen the hand of God caring for us in amazing ways. We have only been in Costa Rica a year and a half, but have already connected with a wonderful group of friends. We know God has a plan for us here and are trusting Him to show us one step at a time.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

Serving Christ,

Paul and Bridget