able to run five times down the miles of beaches, it felt so good, I love to run-did you know that? Our Costa Rica group-Heather K., J.D, Annie, Laura and I ate like kings, choked on water in restaurants, got sunburned (my Vermont skin had a nice awakening), J.D and I surfed like wild men and I got wicked hurt (flipped on a wave and the board wailed me in the face; there was blood everywhere), and God revealed himself to me in a very new way! I’m constantly learning new things about Jesus and the more I learn, the more I fall in love with my creator and learn just how lost I am, which is a good thing that I will explain later. God continues to raise the amazing bar with the 5k-race, more and more ideas seem to pour in and everything stems back to prayer. Without prayer, this race would go nowhere. So, I’ll share events in my life and then I will share what God has taught me through them. Ready? ¿Todos Listos?First off, Costa Rica was awesome but it was a spiritual struggle for me. Going from a missionary group where the girls wear one piece bathing suites to a giant beach where a combination of all the bathing suites on the beach would sew one shirt is hard for any guy-I don’t care if you are John Paul or Gandhi. I was attacked all week by my own sinful desires and it was very hard for me to control my eyes and mind. Amidst my failings, however, I felt Jesus beside me the whole way. I take comfort in knowing that Jesus came to earth, was tempted just like me, yet he succeeded beyond imagination. Jesus is the man, yet me, I take my comfort in knowing I am not perfect, I have freedom to fail, and Jesus understands everything I go through and seeks to save me every day. I lose my identity all the time to the things of this world. I sell out my identity: BUT: As soon as I turn back to Jesus and remember who I am, a child of God and someone who enjoys running because Jesus made me that way, holy schmokes, life is so much better. When I choose to sin, it reminds me whose righteousness I am really relying on in order to be saved-Jesus Christ’s. Charles Kaye, the head missionary that lives here, has been talking about the Parable of the Lost sheep and the Lost Coin and the Lost Son found in Luke: 15 for the past few Sundays. Do you know what? I am not ashamed or afraid to accept each identity, from the older brother who was, “Angry,” as it says in Luke 15:28, to the rebellious son to the lost sheep or coin. In fact, when I do so it gives me more confidence because it puts me in a place where I don’t have to rely on my own strength or wisdom because I am just ole Joe schmoe, I receive the strength and wisdom from God himself. Amen!
“We’ll come with you,” they cheer.
“Oh jeeze, I am backed into a corner now…” I think.
Then, they all excitedly yell, “Futbol, Futbol!” Ag, I reluctantly give in, and put on my excited face and get them all riled up to have a game in the street. One kid tears off and grabs a ball and before I know it, the sixteen ninos are gazing at me as their leader in organizing a game. “Okay,” I think, “First I need to have them choose two teams.” Again, before I knew it, it was Spain Vs. Real Madrid, a battle of 2-6 year olds. Blood spills, Louise falls and eats dirt but the champion holds it in and cries for just 30 seconds and another, Orlando has a similar fate. The ending score is 2-5 and I try to leave again but only get frowns. I decide to run these kids ragged, and we do a strength circuit. Jumping jacks, push-ups, running in place, and more races-the kids eat it all up! Finally, I am too tired for a workout and the kids are all dehydrated so I bring them water. What a great, unplanned gift from God!
eeded with three dollars to spare! This is something she had been praying for diligently! Wooo, yeeeeeeah, thank you to everyone who gave and who have been praying for me. It has such an impact on my life and I am so blessed to have this missions opportunity in Nicaragua. Take advantage and share the Gospel where you are too. Thank you all so much for the encouraging comments, they give me so much confidence to share the Gospel and lift me up whenever I read them. The prayer house video that Caleb and JD and Annie have been working on SO diligently, is hopefully on this blog, I hope you enjoy it~!Pray for the 5k Race! We have an official name, course, police, permission from the Mayor, schools will be involved, there is a 2.5k for walkers and youth, and many more things are happening! Many people from our team are with Vida Joven in Mategalpa at a soccer camp so pray that kids will come to know Jesus. Please pray that I will grow more and more confident in my identity with Jesus!
That is it for today, I thank Jesus for my Panton Community Baptist Church and friends and family back home that support me each day.
Keep rockin’ and rollin’
-Jose Cartier
Joe
What a blessing your blog is. i have missed it. I am so glad you had a good time in C.R. YOu look like a pro in that picture with the surf board. I also believe that the styruggles you expereinced where “good”. We had a great discussion today in Sunday School about that topic. Thru the “struggles” we learn to walk and grow with the Lord. They are the practice we need to do the Christian walk.
I am moved to tears of joy and excitement by that video of NHOP. To see all of you on fire for the Lord, with such passion and joy! wow, you are all an inspiration to live fully for and with the Lord. Keep on running Joe, the race is a marathon.
Thank you for sharing it.
Ligia
Joe-
My favorite line in your blog-“what a great, unplanned gift from God!” So many interuptions each day change our plans , but His plan is always better. I remember a little verse someone once told me ” disappointment …HISappointment, change one letter and you’ll see, that the thwarting of our pleasure was his perfect plan for me.
Keep you eyes always open for thirsty kids, and God might just bless you as you bring forth the “water that will quench all their thirsts.”
I know you are a little homesick, we miss you, too. -mom
joe –
I just watched the house of prayer video and I am so excited that you all are experiencing the power of Christ Jesus – I need more of that in my own life.
It reminded me of our day of prayer we had at the Panton church last May, and will have again this May 7th. it was only one day when people took a half hour out of their schedule to come to the sanctuary and pray by themselves. This year people are asking for a full hour. The presence of God was real that day – but what if we had it everyday? what if my own kitchen was a casa de oracion?
I read Psalm 19 this morning, and am working on memorizing the last verse: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer.
-Mrs. R.
Joe! I appreciate your frankness in your communication to us. It is a blessing to be witnessed to by you. God makes a way for each of us to have the opportunity to be used of God. Sometimes I need a reminder to get out of God’s way!
When you wrote of the mishap where your head came into abrupt contact with your surf board, it reminds me of the “tire tool upside the head” that I once asked the Father to consider in getting my attention whenever that narrow path began to feel like a single solid line. On a windy day.
It’s great to see how God is working in you with the children there; by your accounts it is clear that you have set for them a wonderful standard, an expectation of time, attention, and love. May each of them, in ever increasing numbers, aspire to be in a servant’s role amidst a culture that becomes increasingly sustainable in Christ.
I have no doubt that the impact on that community by you and your cohorts for Christ will be far reaching.
Bill O’
Yo Vermont Joe! Glad to hear of all that is happening in Granada – we can’t wait to get back there! I guess we are officially AIM staff members now. 🙂