Greetings!
All is well in Costa Rica! I'm getting used to the weather difference quite nicely! It is probably 80 by the time I get outside in the morning, and gets up to 85 or so until after lunch. The humidity is high, but I don't really notice anymore. Like clockwork, the clouds build around 1:00, and by mid-afternoon it is pouring. It rains like crazy for a few hours, then drizzles a little until the middle of the night. Apparently so goes the rainy season, and it has been like this each day we've been here. No such thing as a sunset! Also, the it gets dark around 7:30 here. Very odd. The latitude/time zone thing is messing with me.
I've gotten to go on campus twice now to share the Gospel! Our first day was just our team, and I went in a group with Abigail and Kerstyn. We had quite a few conversations, and got to share Christ with 7 students. The Ticos are very open to talking, and usually interested in learning about what we have to say. Today we joined the Stint team for sharing. I went with Jesse Schlender, who is ironically from Bozeman, and I had no idea until I got here! He and I got to share with 6 students, some in Spanish, and some in English. Later, Riley and I talked to an agnostic young man, and got to share the Gospel with him, and what it means to be loved and forgiven by God! Agnosticism is very common here, from my short experience, as students leave their Catholic homes to go to college. Please pray for our wisdom and words, as many students know OF Christ, but we must explain ABOUT Him, and pray for open hearts. Many students express doubt because of hypocrisy in the church, so pray for our sincerity and loving actions.
I think the biggest blessing for me so far has been the new friends! I have become friends with several Tico students, including Fede, David, Sergio, and Marisol. They love learning about our culture and language, and vice versa. We have a lot in common really, and the more I meet them, the more I see that. It's so fun, and I can't wait to grow closer in friendship and the Lord! The more I understand their culture, the better witness I can be, and the more effectively I can relate to their ideas, values, and struggles. Pray for softness in my heart as I try to assimilate!
Much love!
I Corinthians 9:19-22
p.s. For those who are interested, yes I am seeing lots of birds too
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
¡Hola Americanos!
Life in Costa Rica is settling in, and I love it! I am learning to navigate a little with traffic and unmarked streets, but the buses are still a huge mystery to me. I just try to stay away from taxis. Hopefully by the end of the week, I will be able to fend for myself a little bit outside of our block. Unlikely.
Today was wonderful! Our group joined the Stint team, a few college students, and some older Ticos as well for church this morning at the Cru House. (The place where the men Stinters live) That was an awesome experience, and quite a bit like the home church environment I grew up in. All 30 (or so) of us sat in a circle, sang some bilingual worship songs, and shared stories of God´s work in our past week. After an hour or so of sharing and translating, we split into groups of four and prayed for each other. I was struck by the simple love of the Gospel within the group, and the genuine love for one another that each person had. The congregation was a strong encouragement to our team, and me personally.
Tomorrow we head to UCR for our first day of sharing on campus! I am a little nervous, but I know that I can speak the truth in love, and God´s hand will be on me, His Spirit guiding my steps and my words! Please pray for open-hearted Ticos, and for boldness and love to pour from our team! Pray that God leads us to the right conversations, and that we handle ourselves well! The language barrier may hold us up personally a little, but the Gospel is not contained into one tongue! We will proclaim Christ crucified and risen again, and entrust the rest to the able hands of the Father! I can´t wait to tell you all how it goes!
¡Buenas noches!
I Corinthians 2:1-2
Life in Costa Rica is settling in, and I love it! I am learning to navigate a little with traffic and unmarked streets, but the buses are still a huge mystery to me. I just try to stay away from taxis. Hopefully by the end of the week, I will be able to fend for myself a little bit outside of our block. Unlikely.
Today was wonderful! Our group joined the Stint team, a few college students, and some older Ticos as well for church this morning at the Cru House. (The place where the men Stinters live) That was an awesome experience, and quite a bit like the home church environment I grew up in. All 30 (or so) of us sat in a circle, sang some bilingual worship songs, and shared stories of God´s work in our past week. After an hour or so of sharing and translating, we split into groups of four and prayed for each other. I was struck by the simple love of the Gospel within the group, and the genuine love for one another that each person had. The congregation was a strong encouragement to our team, and me personally.
Tomorrow we head to UCR for our first day of sharing on campus! I am a little nervous, but I know that I can speak the truth in love, and God´s hand will be on me, His Spirit guiding my steps and my words! Please pray for open-hearted Ticos, and for boldness and love to pour from our team! Pray that God leads us to the right conversations, and that we handle ourselves well! The language barrier may hold us up personally a little, but the Gospel is not contained into one tongue! We will proclaim Christ crucified and risen again, and entrust the rest to the able hands of the Father! I can´t wait to tell you all how it goes!
¡Buenas noches!
I Corinthians 2:1-2
Friday, May 25, 2012
Hola a los Estados Unidos!
We are here in Hostel Bekuo in downtown San Jose. Our first day was a whirlwind, starting with pancakes, and a meeting with the STINT (Short term International) team that is staying here in San Jose. They gave us some basic info for our time on campus and around town, and welcomed us and encouraged us in our commission. We got to meet Carlos, the director of Cruzada Estudiantil over all Central America. The Stinters are wonderful people, and I can´t wait to get to know them better, and get some of their street sense!
Our team did a photo scavenger hunt around campus to get acquainted with the people and landmarks, and we could only ask students for directions. It was challenging being immersed, but rewarding! Speaking began to feel a teeeeeeny bit natural by the end of the day. Plus I got to meet Sergio and David, two education majors from UCR. David and I are about equal in our knowledge of the other´s language, and we hit it off well. Nothing breeds friendship like sharing an umbrella with another guy for 2 hours!
For our evening entertainment, we joined the STINT team at the National Stadium for a futbol match between Costa Rica and Guatemala! It was the first home game for the CR national team in several months, so the fans were excited, and I had no choice but to join them! We had to leave a few minutes before the end of the game, but we were up 3-2 with 10 minutes to go. I missed a goal because I was watching a cool moth in the stadium lights. I have a long ways to go as a soccer fan.
The streets are interesting at night, and I don´t really like them haha. I don´t reckon I´ll be out much after 8.30. I think my first adjustment to the culture will be in this area. I have taken the security of Montana for granted!
I love you all!
Luke 10:19-20
p.s. When Paul says to greet the brethren with a holy kiss, they actually do that here.
We are here in Hostel Bekuo in downtown San Jose. Our first day was a whirlwind, starting with pancakes, and a meeting with the STINT (Short term International) team that is staying here in San Jose. They gave us some basic info for our time on campus and around town, and welcomed us and encouraged us in our commission. We got to meet Carlos, the director of Cruzada Estudiantil over all Central America. The Stinters are wonderful people, and I can´t wait to get to know them better, and get some of their street sense!
Our team did a photo scavenger hunt around campus to get acquainted with the people and landmarks, and we could only ask students for directions. It was challenging being immersed, but rewarding! Speaking began to feel a teeeeeeny bit natural by the end of the day. Plus I got to meet Sergio and David, two education majors from UCR. David and I are about equal in our knowledge of the other´s language, and we hit it off well. Nothing breeds friendship like sharing an umbrella with another guy for 2 hours!
For our evening entertainment, we joined the STINT team at the National Stadium for a futbol match between Costa Rica and Guatemala! It was the first home game for the CR national team in several months, so the fans were excited, and I had no choice but to join them! We had to leave a few minutes before the end of the game, but we were up 3-2 with 10 minutes to go. I missed a goal because I was watching a cool moth in the stadium lights. I have a long ways to go as a soccer fan.
The streets are interesting at night, and I don´t really like them haha. I don´t reckon I´ll be out much after 8.30. I think my first adjustment to the culture will be in this area. I have taken the security of Montana for granted!
I love you all!
Luke 10:19-20
p.s. When Paul says to greet the brethren with a holy kiss, they actually do that here.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Greetings from sunny LA!
I have been here for 1.5 days now, and it feels like I've done enough to fill a week! There are 5 other project teams from around the western US here too, so I've been surrounded by many many new friends, as well as 10 other students from MSU who are going to other places around the globe. My team has been a joy to meet! A quick rundown of who I will be serving with:
Project Director: Nathan McIndoo, Boise State
Co-leader: Kerstyn Haupt, Boise State
Students: Riley Johnson, University of Idaho
Hannah Visscher, Washington State
Abigail Metcalf, Oregon State
Meliah Mead, George Mason
Andrew Guttenberg, Montana State
As you can see, we come from many different schools, states, and backgrounds! Please pray for our quickly growing friendships, that we would be a unified body, and that we would always push each other on towards our heavenly calling! Also, Meliah has not been able to join us yet, because of a back injury and doctor visits. She flies to LA today, so please pray for her continued healing!
We will have one more day of briefing, where we go more in depth with evangelism, then we leave for San Jose, Costa Rica at 7:00 tomorrow morning! Pray for the Lord's hand on our journey, that we would have no complications. Our time in CR is short, and we need to get to work right away!
I love you all, and thank you for your continued prayers!
Andrew
Ephesians 6:19-20
p.s. Sorry I have taken no pictures so far! I'm saving all my memory cards for Costa Rica! =)
I have been here for 1.5 days now, and it feels like I've done enough to fill a week! There are 5 other project teams from around the western US here too, so I've been surrounded by many many new friends, as well as 10 other students from MSU who are going to other places around the globe. My team has been a joy to meet! A quick rundown of who I will be serving with:
Project Director: Nathan McIndoo, Boise State
Co-leader: Kerstyn Haupt, Boise State
Students: Riley Johnson, University of Idaho
Hannah Visscher, Washington State
Abigail Metcalf, Oregon State
Meliah Mead, George Mason
Andrew Guttenberg, Montana State
As you can see, we come from many different schools, states, and backgrounds! Please pray for our quickly growing friendships, that we would be a unified body, and that we would always push each other on towards our heavenly calling! Also, Meliah has not been able to join us yet, because of a back injury and doctor visits. She flies to LA today, so please pray for her continued healing!
We will have one more day of briefing, where we go more in depth with evangelism, then we leave for San Jose, Costa Rica at 7:00 tomorrow morning! Pray for the Lord's hand on our journey, that we would have no complications. Our time in CR is short, and we need to get to work right away!
I love you all, and thank you for your continued prayers!
Andrew
Ephesians 6:19-20
p.s. Sorry I have taken no pictures so far! I'm saving all my memory cards for Costa Rica! =)
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Hello friends!
I will be leaving Bozeman tonight, flying out of Billings tomorrow, and staying in Los Angeles through Wednesday for briefing. Briefing will prepare me and my team for Costa Rican evangelism, and help us get to know each other and seek the Lord together. Please pray for us, that we would bond quickly, and be sensitive to the Spirit, and be bold in our action! Pray that our time will be well spent, with deep personal time with God. He is our shield and strength, and we will need Him every step of this process!
I am praising God for His provision in support raising, and I am fully supported as of today! Hallelujah! Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed. I pray that your investment will reap much fruit in the hearts of many Ticos! I love all of you, goodbye to those to whom I have not said so, and God bless you all!
In Christ,
Andrew Guttenberg
II Timothy 1:6-10
I will be leaving Bozeman tonight, flying out of Billings tomorrow, and staying in Los Angeles through Wednesday for briefing. Briefing will prepare me and my team for Costa Rican evangelism, and help us get to know each other and seek the Lord together. Please pray for us, that we would bond quickly, and be sensitive to the Spirit, and be bold in our action! Pray that our time will be well spent, with deep personal time with God. He is our shield and strength, and we will need Him every step of this process!
I am praising God for His provision in support raising, and I am fully supported as of today! Hallelujah! Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed. I pray that your investment will reap much fruit in the hearts of many Ticos! I love all of you, goodbye to those to whom I have not said so, and God bless you all!
In Christ,
Andrew Guttenberg
II Timothy 1:6-10
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Welcome!
Hi friends!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support that are helping make this mission a reality! God is working powerfully and He has a radical plan for this summer in Costa Rica! On this blog, I will keep you updated about me and my team during our five weeks in Costa Rica. I will share our praises, our struggles, our travels, and our stories of God's goodness! We will be doing ministry on the campus at Universidad de Costa Rica in San Jose with their student ministry Cruzada Estudiantil. I can't wait to meet these students and share with them the life-changing Gospel of Christ!
God bless!
Matthew 28:18-20
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support that are helping make this mission a reality! God is working powerfully and He has a radical plan for this summer in Costa Rica! On this blog, I will keep you updated about me and my team during our five weeks in Costa Rica. I will share our praises, our struggles, our travels, and our stories of God's goodness! We will be doing ministry on the campus at Universidad de Costa Rica in San Jose with their student ministry Cruzada Estudiantil. I can't wait to meet these students and share with them the life-changing Gospel of Christ!
God bless!
Matthew 28:18-20
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