Yesterday, September 15, we celebrated Independence Day here in Costa Rica - also in Guatemala. As we celebrated we reflected on the liberty that we continue to have to proclaim out loud that there is one Savior, one way to the Father, his name is Jesus. We talked about the gift of freedom and independence but the caution not to be independent of God; so often a natural tendency. We are absolutely nothing (even our good works are as filthy rags) without Jesus. And, through the complete sacrifice of Jesus, we are and have everything we need for life. Amos 5:4 "Seek Me (inquire for and of Me and require Me as you require food) and you shall live!" (Amp)

 

This year Tim and I celebrated 20 years here in Costa Rica and 27 since we started our lives as missionaries outside of the U.S. Life has been an adventure for sure and we have experienced many, many things. A constant thread evident in all these life experiences, whether good, bad, difficult, easy, certain, uncertain, painful, abundant, barely enough, when we missed the mark and when we hit a homerun, has been the faithfulness of God. He remains faithful even when we are faithless.

 

Through this adventure of ours the Lord has gifted us with Ben, Josh and Maria. What treasures they are, each with unique giftings, yet all with a Divine calling on their lives. Ben and Josh are experiencing life in Pensacola, FL with all the responsibilities of job, bills, establishing a community around them, etc. We don't see them enough but are thankful for the technology of today allowing us to have much more frequent communication than would have been possible when we began in 1988. Maria is finishing her degree in industrial engineering here in Costa Rica. She is an excellent student and does well. She is facing an uncertainty of what her next step will be after she graduates in December. She has several options and interests in other areas of study, so she is seeking God for what He wills.

 

Tim and I have been blessed with parents that have always been encouragers of our life in missions. I can't begin to express what a blessing that has been. Thank you Ray and Marvie, Mom and Dad (Dave and Joan.) Recently Tim, Maria and I were able to enjoy two weeks on the farm in MN. Tim's two sisters and their entire families and brother, Todd, also joined us. It was a time of refreshing, fun, laughter, fellowship, regrouping and great food! What impacted me most was the silence. I didn't realize how noisy life is at Hogar de Vida. Ray and Marvie and the actual farm provided a safe haven for us.

 

We closed a chapter here in Hogar de Vida in August of this year. For several years there was a group of older children that got "Stuck" in the legal process. All of them were desiring a family and it seemed that is would never happen. I have come to understand more how difficult it is to manage uncertainty. When there is a decision to be made, favorable or not, one must deal with all the responses, reactions and emotions that come with that decision. Indecision creates uncertainty and a space through which it is much more difficult to maneuver. We heard many times, "I don't believe in God because He isn't bringing me a family," or something of that nature. But God in His faithfulness and timing brought a family for all of the children. Not one of them had to go to another institution because of age. Every single one of them is now in a nuclear family. Placing the last child in the hands of its new family, I wept as I experienced separation, but much more for the faithfulness of our God and how He cares for each one. His timing and mine are almost never the same, but He is the only One able to see the beginning from the end. I can trust Him.

 

We so appreciate all of you who pray for us; some very regularly  I know. That is the biggest gift you can give to us. There are many of you who are a part of our financial support team and we are very grateful. God, indeed, manifests his faithfulness through all of you. We continue to fix our eyes on Him, Who knows our needs, knows the future and is faithful. He will be faithful for you, too. Blessing on each of you today.

 

Dena

 

The day begins. Its tapestry is seamlessly woven. Trodden paths to home one, home two, and home three comes naturally as the rubber literally meets the road. Hearts connect here, hearts for Him. Tim, hailing from northern Minnesota, and Dena from Missouri, paired up to do His will. They serve in Atenas, Costa Rica as the founders and overseers of Hogar de Vida, Homes of Life...a children's home which brings life.

 

A life of service is to what they've been called, a life which brings restoration to many, through Him. Serving is what they do. Serving food, serving His Word, serving teams, serving Tias (pseudo aunties for the children), serving children who have nowhere to call home, and serving one another is what they do. They've lived this calling within a marriage which remains sacred...founded on holy ground thirty three years strong as it is in Him they put their trust.

 

His blood poured out allows their sweat to do likewise. Hot humid air slows but as it does, they do so only for the moment...until the heat passes and then they continue their call to serve. Transparency allows all who enter to see more of Him than them, and that's how they like it served up. All is well...no matter the pace. It is His hands and feet moving like a current beneath them...leading in ways everlasting.

 

To the right, to the left they do not look, but straight ahead into the eyes of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This allows them to align their hearts with His, thus creating a stronghold, a fortress in the midst of a chaotic world so those who enter may be refreshed and renewed.

 

"Each child here is a miracle," says Dena as she breathes life, His life, into those all around. Mama to many is this wise woman of strength serving as a vessel of His love poured out.

 

"Not self sufficient, but He is sufficient," can be heard as Tim speaks his heart.

 

"It's a bridge, this home. The children cross it and we help them to the other side of this difficult transition," speaks Helen, a staff member working on behalf of the home. She is equally yoked as one with them in heart, mind, and Spirit. She breathes life, His life into all she touches.

 

Tim says it's simple. "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him." Matthew 16:24.

 

Ephesians 2:19-22 crafts a visual of how they see all who pass through the gates of Hogar de Vida. "You are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God...Christ Jesus being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple...In Him you are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

 

Thank you, Tim and Dena for birthing a sanctuary for Him. Thank you for seeing the children as worthily precious. Thank you for seeing them as His. Amen.

 

Submitted by Kathleen Kjolhaug, volunteer passing through the gates.