hey guys!!
been in Costarica two weeks now, it’s been packed full of laughs, manual labor, and picking up my cross daily.
Gosh, if you know me you know i’m not a fan of manual labor but the Lords been teaching me a lot through it. It’s definitely not what i would chose to do but the Lords shown me how to just have his joy in it even if it’s not the most fun thing. Now when i say manual labor i’m talking making a gravel road, dripping in sweat, hours in the hot sun. It’s all for a great purpose though! It’s going to be a house for pregnant mothers battling addiction. The ministry is called teen challenge but it’s takes all ages in! There is already a home for men, we’ve got the pleasure to visit a couple times a week. They’re all breaking the chains of addiction had on them and running to God. It’s been so so sweet to sit with them and hear their stories and make relationships with them. We also got to partner with another ministry called the nest. We got to bring building supplies across a river, and hike it up to the nest. We even made a bridge from a tree and never thought we could have moved the tree but we did!!! carrying planks of wood up the mountain at some points actually felt like we were picking up our crosses (which was a great reminder, and encouraging in a way).
The Lords been teaching me that I need to be willing to do the work he’s given me with a happy heart. At first it was really hard, i didn’t want to be building something that later someone would use to minister but rather i wanted to be out in the street ministering. So the Lord showed me He wanted my yes to be a yes no matter if it was how i thought it would be or not. Which ended up being very sweet, He refines who He loves, in the uncomfortableness He’s been so close. Giving me joy everyday and the strength i need for the day.
By learning this lesson and just sitting at His feet and saying yes to being His vessel for anything; He really blessed me and used me this Friday. We got to go out in town and pass out bibles. The first house we went to i got to tell the grandfather in the house the gospel story and asked if he would like to have a relationship with Jesus, and he said YES!!!! praise Jesus! I got the honor to lead him in prayer to except the Lord in His heart. His wife was crying tears of joy for him, I got to give his grandkids kids bibles.
When the Lord uses you, it just makes it so clear your where you need to be and it’s so sweet and humbling. I’m glad to be His vessel, and will continue to be Lord willing.
“For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.”
??Hebrews? ?12:10-13? ?
UPDATE ON KIMBERLY!!!
Construction on Kimberly’s and Elma’s house started last Monday! Sadly i don’t get to be there with them but the ministry there has been sending me pictures and updates! Wow, so uplifting and sweet to see! Can’t believe i get to be apart of it, y’all still keep Kimberly in your prayers and also the construction just goes smoothly! 
We are so proud of you Mercy!! I personally hate digging ditches and building dirt roads. You are doing a lot of character building and learning true obedience to God; those are the hard things to learn but they speak volumes to those watching because the observer knows how hard they are to learn. You rock Mercy!! We love you mightily!
Thank y’all so so much!! y’all are always so encouraging, love and miss y’all so very much!!
Wow Mercy!!! Hard work develops character and a faithful heart.
You are serving God with a joyful attitude, good job!!
We love you so much.
Thank you Mercy for your love and obedience to God. The work you are doing means a lot to me since Costa Rica is where I am from. Praying for you as you continue to to let God shine brighter and brighter through you!!!! ??
I love that i’ve gotten the chance to serve here! thank you so so much for the encouragement and prayers!!!
I am so grateful to God for you Mercy and I am really amazed at your words! That Bible verse from Hebrews 12 lift up the drooping hands and make straight paths for your feet so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed, was our family verse over 12 years ago! Now Jesus gave it to you! Amazing! I love you we have prayed for your team several times today as you are in the capital doing min among some lost folks. God’s speed to you all!