Testimonials
From South Side Christian Fellowship on Facebook
Michelle Mathews wrote at 22:08
hey terry . just wanted to say HI and wanted to check up on the bestest hotel in costa rica:) hope all is well , love you and miss you ’ô€
Thomas Schwendawg wrote at 21:01
listen, i cant wait till next year!
America juz doesnt do it for me, haha
hope all is well with you, i look forward to visiting again!
Hannah Campbell wrote at 21:15
Thank you soo much!!!
I hope everything in Costa is okay??
I miss you!
Lori S. PomnitzI wrote
I was invited to come to Villa Las Tecas by Terry (The owner) for a six week "internship." I was in search of the Lord's call on my life, specifically in the area of Missions work, and Terry opened up her heart, her home and her life here in Nosara to help me with "my mission."
Just two days after arriving here, Terry & I joined hands with Edge Outreach to help bring relief to those affected by the 6.2 earthquake that occurred in San Miguel on January 8th. The "mission field" was RIPE! We partnered with them for nine days in which we installed three water purification systems, sorted massive amounts of food at the Red Cross and played with the children at one of the shelters for those that lost everything. It was an amazing opportunity to be involved in helping those in need.
With that "mission accomplished," we headed home. On the drive back to San Jose, Terry's SUV overheated and broke down. The engine head was cracked in four places so we had to leave her vehicle in San Jose to be repaired and we returned to Nosara by bus.
It is at this point that I believe the "real mission" had begun. I began reflecting on the past four years of my life where I have been wandering through the wilderness with an addiction to crack-cocaine. I wrestled within my soul for answers and for freedom, for "my purpose" in life as well as dealing with the pain of unmet desires and longings EVER PRESENT but NO WHERE NEAR being fulfilled! My thoughts were leaving me feeling helpless and undone and I was SCARED! It felt like the walls of my heart were closing in and I was gasping for air...the air of hope!
The environment here in Nosara is a canvas of beauty in full display for all to see. It leaves you standing in awe...yet, you are able to breathe it in. From the still dusty roads with fallen flowers laid out like rose pedals on a Bride's runway, to soaring birds that swoop down in single file to "catch a wave" right before it crests, or the Hallelujah shout that comes from the spray of a wave crashing against the rocks, to the fiery amber filled horizon the sun leaves behind for it's grand finale as it makes it's final descent, it is all here to behold. Yes, the beauty of God is more than evident in this place. It was in one of these moments I heard Him say, "I feel the same way about you as I watch you...watching Me and I too say, "Wow, HOW BEAUTIFUL!" These simple but profound moments were a part of being lured back to the original design of God and man. To be in an intimate relationship and to enjoy one another. The ABC's if you will...Adoration expressed, Beauty beheld and Communion experienced! Sweet!!! With my eyes refocused ON HIM, my hope rekindled IN HIM, I found the big "I" (that's me), now repositioned, properly proportioned and my heart, once again, held securely...in the center of HiM!!!
"He reached down on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in my day of disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." Psalm 18:16-19
Because of my experience while here, I have a burning desire for others to have the opportunity to share in that experience first hand. In various conversations I have had with Terry while here I have posed the question, "Is it possible?" And she always replied, "We can make it happen." I admire her fortitude and her willingness to open doors for others that they may EXPERIENCE GOD! I have been blessed beyond measure because she has done just that FOR ME!
I am heading home with a few "personal missions." To take a Spanish course, to complete a credited counseling course and to renew my Passport! :o) I would also like to see women that go through the faith based program I went through, Daughters of Naomi, be able to broaden their hearts by helping them come to Nosara, Costa Rica.
A prayer from the heart of Jesus, God's one and only Son - "Righteous Father, though the world does not know You, I know You, and they know that you have sent me. I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17: 26
The "greatest co-mission!" "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39
I thank God for all the experiences I have had in the past six weeks and for all the hearts that He used to help me return to MY FIRST LOVE! And His name is...Je-SUS!!!
And together, we are on a LOVE MISSION!!!
To be continued...
Rosemary Vincent wrote
In Titus chapter 3 the word reads how
"when the time came for the kindness and love of GOD our savior to appear-
then HE saved us..not because we were good enough to be saved but because of HIS kindness and love, washing away our sins and giving us the new joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit..."
My times in Nosara were times to teach art in the schools there, allowing Father God to use me and the gifts He gave to me for Him. Going to the schools and sharing His joy, His art, and His talents, to the precious little ones He died for was His agenda not mine.
As we walk into the light things happen, As we submit to God the Holy Spirit rises with power and God brings sweetness to our soul.As we renounce our own ability and our capability Jesus then initiates within us His plan, His agenda, and His purpose.
Going to Nosara to walk into the schools and minister in the arena of the arts with His light shining forth was a joy and a pleasure and a blessing. It was all about just being as a child and following the one who leads being Jesus. With excitement in knowing that His purpose is great. God has given to me opportunites where I have been able to share Him in the talents He built into me and while doing so I have been filled with a joy that is almost indescribable. It is attached with a peace and a deep faith that causes me to once again be reminded that when we seek Him first and His ways He gives us the desires of our hearts which is always brought back to knowing Him more.
I hope to go back to Nosara again and look into the eyes of so many little ones in the schools and see Jesus bigger in them.
I recall one school off the road some distance
and I began to express to the teacher my desire to teach art to her students
the teacher just looked into my eyes and cried
because she said 'no one ever comes there.' I saw God in the that turn off the road and in those tears on this teachers face
as I was reminded...'whom He poured out upon us with wonderful fullness-
and all because of what Jesus Christ our savior did-
so that He could declare us good in God's eyes-
all because of HIS great kindness, and now we can share in the wealth of the eternal life HE gives us.'... Titus
Simply a testimony of Gods faithfulness as we humble ourselves to be used of Him as a vessel... moldable shapable pliable broken and emptied.
Rosemary
"The steps of good men are directed by the LORD. He delights in each step they take and if they fall it isn't fatal, for the LORD holds them with HIS hand". Ps.36
Michelle Mathews wrote
Mission Costa '08
On July 5, 2008 the Southside Fellowship High School Missions team from Greensville, South Carolina USA arrived in Nosara for 17 days with many projects and experiences to look forward to.
The team is called VAPOR. The term Vapor is a metaphor for our lives. In James 4:14, the Bible says "What is your life? You are but a Vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Our team knows that our lives are short and we have to live now, because we never know when we will draw our last breath.
God has blessed this team of 31 students with 9 great leaders: Pastor Chris, Pastor Josh, Nathan, Tommy, Jreushah, Jes, Ruthie, Lauren and Deanne.
We split our group into 4 teams: the VBS team held a total of 12 days of vacation classes in Nosara, Santa Marta, Esperanza, Santa Teresita and Ostinel. The first construction team paid for and built the pavilion on the Santa Teresita Esculita. The second construction team paid for and raised the roof for the Evangelical Church in Esperanza. The Art team painted the "Armistad" mural on the retaining wall at the collegio, along with painting the inside of all of the class rooms at the Esculita. Several septic drain fields were dug along with 2 bathrooms and a shower placed at the church in front of the surf break in Ostinal.
Tommy Schwendler said that his best experience was "hanging out with the kids."
Lauren Hawkins commented, "It has been so refreshing to see the joy and contentment the children find in things that we take for granted." The children are so gracious and have taught us things about ourselves that we had never seen before. It has been interesting to see how the language barrier has not been a big problem. Most of our team speaks minimal Spanish and some of the Ticos speak a little English, so they has made things a little easier. "God has provided a way." said Deanne Maederer. Jes Arellano said "I will miss the tranquility, God’Äôs creation, the rain, the beautiful landscape, and the people."
We would like to thank everyone that we met for your kindheartedness and amazing hospitality. We would especially like to thank Teresita DeAngelis of Pura Vida Ministries and owner of Villa Las Tecas for hosting us and taking care of all of our needs! And last, but not least... Dios te bendiga!
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