December 2015

 

Cornelio finished his 5^th year degree at the University. He graduated with honors. He will continue teaching English at the university a few evenings next semester.  College students are seeking to find who they are and challenge everything they have been taught and see what it is they want to believe for themselves. So many questions and few to take time to listen.  Cornelio is good at asking questions that require a deeper meaningful answer. He is bold about his faith and encourages developing a relationship with Jesus and not getting hung up on “religion”     Jesus > religion

 

 

 

 

Cailene asked her girls group this month if they wanted to invite more girls to join them so the group would be bigger or if they wanted to concentrate on personal growth and challenging each other weekly with goals and being accountable to each other. Unanimously they wanted to keep the group as it is because they have built a trust and it was a new closeness they have not had before. These girls come from different economical and religious backgrounds but all go to the same school. Setting goals and helping each other achieve their goals is one of this year’s focus.

 

 

 

 

 

Bonnie has been in the states and had an opportunity to help with an ESL program (English as a Second Language) developed by an instructor at Moody Bible College. This program introduces a vocabulary needed to understand some of the foundational Bible stories.  It is a hands on interactive course with lots of involvement and activities. After the vocabulary is developed the Bible stories are introduced. The instructor gave Bonnie the Teachers manual, all his person lesson plans and the student book. He also gave her laminated teaching props. This book is out of print but he called the author at Moody and got his permission for the student book to be printed and used in Costa Rica. They are excited to add this material to what they are already using. Sharing the love of Jesus and being open to share their strong faith and hope in Jesus is an important part of the school.

 

 

As the New Year approaches we are excited to share with you two new members of the executive board for our ministry.  These two faithful servants of God have agreed to share their wisdom and expertise to keep our ministry lifted in prayer and updated.  Please welcome Russ and Debbie Waddel.

 

 

 

Russell Waddel – Technical Director for Blog and Communications

Russell is involved in drama ministry outreach at his local church.  He has been involved in several short-term domestic mission trips, but felt his calling elsewhere within the ministry.  Russell felt the need to start writing for God, and in 2012 started writing short books and movie reviews on Facebook.  He has been writing a book on Christian ministry and several novels recently as well as working for Farmers Insurance.  He has known Bonnie since 2014.

 

 

 

 

Debbie Waddel – Cross Culture Advisor & Outreach Promoter

Debbie has been on several short term mission trips to several areas in Mexico.  She also felt a calling in her life to be a fulltime missionary.  In 2008, Debbie moved to Mexico for an unknown amount of time to serve in Baja Mexico.  She became very involved with the community and local church as well as the migrant work camps.  She organized work projects and VBS and helped with film ministries and bible studies with the adults in the work camps.  Debbie has had to work with government officials and local political figures during her time in Mexico and understands that all cultures are different and have different needs.  Debbie has known Bonnie and Cailene since 2006.

 

 

 

 

If there is any way we can be praying for you please e-mail us at:

CGCCostaRica7@gmail.com

 

 

ONE TIME DONATION 

                                                                

MONTHLY SUPPORT

Option 1 : $10.00 USD - monthly  Option 2 : $25.00 USD - monthly  Option 3 : $50.00 USD - monthly  Option 4 : $100.00 USD - monthly  Option 5 : $200.00 USD - monthly

 

 

November 2015

November is a month of reflection on the many things God has done in our lives over the last year. This is a season of praise and thanksgiving.  We all have so much to be thankful for.

  

 

Mekhi turned one years old on October 25, 2015 He continues to be a daily joy.  He can crawl as fast as Cailene can walk. He is a delightful bundle of energy and full of smiles and surprises.

 

Rain or shine Cornelio’s soccer team continues to practice hard.  These young men are working on arriving to practice on time and competing with good sportsmanship attitudes.  But they are all smiles, even in the rain.

 

 

 

 Cailene’s lesson for her girls this months was, “Attitude changes the way you think; which changes the way you act.”  For example when it’s raining outside you have two choices.  “Oh, no it’s raining, I am getting wet and the bus will be late.” verses, ”It’s raining, good the plants need water, I love how it smells when it rains, and since the bus will be late I’ll text a few friends.”

Retraining and Making your mind think positive is an intentional daily process.

Each girl was challenged to try and keep a positive outlook throughout the week and to encourage each other to keep a positive outlook as well.  The next week, one girl shared, “I did not get in trouble with my mom last week because I kept focusing on the good things, not complaining or talking back. “ Both her attitude and her moms’ changed and there was less tension in the home.

This month’s challenge…are you a Tigger or an Eeyore….a positive person or a negative person. Who will your friends say you are this week?  Look for opportunities for you to be a Tigger to those around you.  

 

If there is any way we can be praying for you please e-mail us at:

CGCCostaRica7@gmail.com

 

 

ONE TIME DONATION 

                                                                

MONTHLY SUPPORT

Option 1 : $10.00 USD - monthly  Option 2 : $25.00 USD - monthly  Option 3 : $50.00 USD - monthly  Option 4 : $100.00 USD - monthly  Option 5 : $200.00 USD - monthly

 

 

October 2015

We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest Advisory Board member, Patty Marcum. She has been the founder, director, and teacher at Gateway Preschool in Richland, WA for the last 28 years. She wrote and developed her own curriculum and has a passion for early childhood development. She loves to involve the parents and teaches them to come alongside their children to create a rich learning environment at home. Patty and Bonnie both love the quote, "Life is a Classroom." As our Educational Consultant, Patty is committed to keeping us updated with the latest early childhood development ideas and curriculum, and we couldn't be more excited to have her on board.

One of the ways Patty contributes to CGC Costa Rica is through a fun activity called the
"Bonnie Box". She encourages her staff to share their favorite lesson plans, stories, games, crafts, and other ideas in this special box. At the end of the school year, Patty gives the contents of the box to Bonnie to share with the school in Costa Rica.

Speaking of boxes....

Can you connect these 9 dots using only 4 lines and not lifting up your pencil?

If you can't figure it out, go ahead and Google "9 dots" to see how it's done. You'll find that you must go outside the box twice to connect all of the dots. As a whole, Costa Rican students aren't typically encouraged to leave their comfort zones and discover that there are choices beyond what their parents had or know. We encourage our students to step outside of their boxes in order to use their God-given gifts to the fullest extent. This dot activity is just one of the many warm-ups we use to encourage conversation in our classrooms. It not only stimulates their minds, but also increases their English vocabulary.


Soccer is Costa Rica's favorite sport. Anytime a game is happening, people look for a place to watch. Last week, the top two Costa Rican soccer teams competed and the game was televised. Several friends came over to Cornelio and Cailene's house to watch the game. There was lots of laughter, fun food, and cheering. Cornelio uses soccer as a way to build relationships and provide opportunities to share his faith. Through this outlet, he's able to offer words of encouragement to some of the young men in the community.


This month in Cailene's girls group, she gave them a challenge. They were discussing how media can influence us and can consume too much of our time if we aren't careful. Even though media can be a good tool, it can also become an addiction. Cailene first asked the girls to note how many hours per week they really spent using technology. She then challenged them to go without any form of technology for 24 hours. The girls were completely shocked that they spent an average of 30-40 hours of their week using technology! During their 24 hour fast, they discovered how much time they actually had in a day to accomplish things when they weren't distracted by their phones, computers, or television. Cailene would also like to challenge all of you to do the same and discover how much extra time you could gain in your day.

 

Cailene, Cornelo, Bonnie and Mekhi

Thank you for your prayers and support

 

 

 

 



September 2015

September 2015

 Praise God that the back hoe work for the school has started!

 We have an architect who is in the process of drawing up plans for the school. After years of prayer, preparation and planning we are launching our building project. The land and permit papers are paid for. We remain debt free, to God be the glory! We plan to  build the school step by step as funds come in. We have a team from the United States excited to come and help build as soon as the funding is available.

We are thanking God for His faithful protection and provision. 

Remote and Rural....What does that mean?

We are often asked about where we live. We are 3 hours from the beach in the rural central part of Costa Rica. There are no gas stations, major grocery stores or even a post office. There is one meat store,  one fruit stand and three general stores. The general stores will sale an individual Band-Aid or cough drop at a time.  Many homes have small stands in their house for buying basic things like rice, beans , sugar, cooking oil, chips and candy. It is a 45 minute drive to the nearest gas station and large super market. Most people walk, ride the bus or get a taxi to get from place to place. Gasoline is about $6 a gallon so even if you have a car public transportation is often used.

Our challenge to you is to turn up the heat!

At 211 degrees water is just hot. Turn up it up one degree and it explodes into steam. Steam can move an entire locmotive!! That same power is ours if we choose to turn it up in our life one degree. Ask God what in your life you can turn up one degree and be that energy and encouragement in someone's life.

What action plan can you put in motion for the kingdom of God?

Cailene, Cornelo, Bonnie and Mekhi

Thank you for your prayers and support



August

Baby MEKHI  is 10 months old.  Watching him go from milk to solid foods and now from rolling over to crawling everywhere has been fun.  We all know once he starts walking there is no turning back. His curiosity and wonderment of the world around him reminds us of that youthful zeal to learn and be more aware of everything in our surroundings. We marvel at how he has changed our lives forever.

When you ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life, your life is forever changed. There is a fresh inner peace and joy.  Choosing to live a life of love and forgiveness brings hope and happiness. There is no turning back. Jesus changes lives forever.  We are available to all ages to help continue their education, assist parents in parenting their kids, tutor as needed and encourage the setting of personal goals.  We enjoy providing a safe environment to promote friendships and a place that everyone feels welcome. We feel blessed to get to share the love of Jesus here in Costa Rica.

When we were in the States we were able to buy several things for the school that we can not get in Costa Rica.  We are so grateful for the love and support and generous donations. The students will certainly appreciate these too as one of our ministry goals is to make learning fun!

There is a soccer team that Cornelio started for the young men who were not allowed to play on the town team because they spent lots of time in the bars and smoking pot.  These “less” sought after young men are so excited to be asked to be part of  a real team, to have uniforms and to play against  rotating teams from other towns. Cornelio expects good sportsmanship, coming on time to practices, and learning not to be a ball hog but a team player. Everyone gets to play and everyone has a chance to improve their game. We bought 3 soccer balls, goalie gloves, and some practice cones to take back with us. All of these items are much cheaper in the States and are essential to effective team practices.

 

Remember Cailene’s “BECAUSE” challenge?

Add the word  “BECAUSE” to your sentences and risk being more intentional and relational in your everyday life.

We have received a lot of positive feedback from that challenge.  “You are an amazing friend  BECAUSE you encourage me, hold me accountable and you are a good listener.” Do the same with GOD. “ I love you God BECAUSE you see my heart and overlook my shortcomings. You give me each day to start fresh. I am so grateful for Your grace.”

 

The Because challenge can be a new way of life. Press into the heart of thankfulness Because it opens the heart of heaven.

Please know that we are a faith mission, meaning that we live and impart this ministry based on what God provides. If you feel led to give financially to support this work, thank you! Please know that 100% of your donation will go to CGC Costa Rica. 

ONE TIME DONATION 

                                                                

MONTHLY SUPPORT

Option 1 : $10.00 USD - monthly  Option 2 : $25.00 USD - monthly  Option 3 : $50.00 USD - monthly  Option 4 : $100.00 USD - monthly  Option 5 : $200.00 USD - monthly