Please...forgive me?

One of the hardest parts of Friday night's robbery for me was the fact that the 30 year old man ratted on one of the youth that was involved in the robbery. He was then set free for giving information. It wasn't that he ratted on someone, as much as who he said it was. When Ken told me the name of the youth, my heart sank and I cried in our home. We know of this youth very well. In fact, we often pass him on the road to the camp and are greeted with warm words, the usual hug and a kiss on the cheek. It wasn't any different on Friday afternoon when Katherine and I were leaving the camp. The youth walked up on us, greeted us both and gave us each a kiss on the cheek. But, Friday night he then robbed the camp. He comes from a family with a very long history of difficulties; stealing, drugs, prostitution, alcohol abuse. We came to Costa Rica with no judgment upon this family, but knowing what may lie ahead for us with working at the camp from the previous administrators. Over the past year and a half even with language barriers we have tried to extend the love of Jesus to this family giving them the benefit of the doubt. We have loaned out ladders, tools, soccer balls and have received them back from the father and his boys. Despite suggestions from others, we have invited this family into the camp and to church to receive ministry. In some small way, it might have seemed that we even earned the "trust" of the family. I have to say, it hurt on Friday night to receive word that one of the boys was involved. Tonight, that boy came to our home with the Youth Pastor requesting that he be allowed to talk to Ken and I. We allowed him in our home and I sat next to him on the couch. Before my eyes, I saw a broken youngster, crying, shaking, admitting that he had been in the camp, that what we heard was true, it was him, and asking for forgiveness. I didn't expect that tonight. We spoke with him for a few minutes and then I asked him if I could pray with him. I have always believed that there was something good in this kid. I still believe that tonight and I told him so! God has a plan and a purpose for his life, but he has choices to make. He has attended church and Youth Group long enough to know the ways of the Lord. Only God can do a miracle in his life. He is still working in our lives too. Molding us to see people as only He does and asking us to love in ways that only He can! I am only capable of forgiving him because of what the Lord has done in and for me.

Eph. 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you".

How time flies...

when you are busy! Lynae got off last Sunday morning, early, to return home. On Monday morning at 3 a.m. we took the other four interns to the beach. We wanted to take Lynae also, but it just didn't work into the schedule before she left. On Thursday morning, the Delamonts returned to the States. Yesterday and today there have been people in and out of the camp as the Youth Group's annual soccer tournament fundraiser is tomorrow all day. Katherine is taking the two interns, Amy & Kelly with her very early tomorrow morning, 2 or 3 a.m. to serve with God Festival (see previous posts to understand this partnership) at Jaco Beach. David is actually gone from the neighborhood serving with another team here in Costa Rica from North Carolina as their interpreter with Pastor Jose & Pastor Tony. Ken & I will be at the camp all day tomorrow keeping an eye on things as various Youth Groups will be coming in to play during the tournament. Heather & Kyle will be working during the tournament with other youth group members cooking food, etc. Jordan signed up to play on this year's Youth Group team! On Monday morning our last two missionary interns leave to head back to the States. Things will certainly seem very quiet and strange around the camp with no guests. And if all of this weren't exciting in itself, someone in our little family has misplaced the camera AGAIN. So, I am off to see if I can find it! Hopefully, over the weekend I can post some pictures of the much anticipated Tournament de Futbol! Until then, thanks for reading, thanks for praying!

Youth Groups...American and Tico

For the next week and a half we are hosting a short-term American Youth Group at the camp from Michigan. Some of the kids are pictured here, granted their backs are to you. Standing up in the foreground is Heather translating into English for the American Youth Group the directions to a game that she will be leading. There are 14 kids from States and the rest of the kids are from our church Youth Group. The groups met for the first time tonight and next weekend the American Youth Group will be hosting a Youth Retreat in which they have invited four area church Youth Groups to attend at the campground.

Here's a picture of "almost" the entire group together. There was a total of about 60 kids in attendance tonight. Afterwards, the Tico Youth Group treated the American Youth Group to fireworks since they wanted to honor their Independence Day in the United States. After Bible Study, games and dessert the two groups hung out together until about 10:30 p.m. playing indoor tag, indoor hockey and just talking. We all had a lot of fun! Happy 4th of July!