A Call to Repentance

The missionary sisters and I passing out invitations to the Reconciliation Service.

 


My last trip to Costa Rica was a mission inspired by Luke 13.  I was in church asking the Lord what he wanted me to do on this mission to Costa Rica.  He impressed strongly in my heart that it was not going to be primarily about corporal works of mercy, but rather spiritual works of mercy.  I opened my Bible to Luke 13, which was entitled A Call to Repentance.  I knew then what my mission was about.  I confirmed the mission idea with the local priest, and he was 100% on board.  We scheduled a date for a day of Reconciliation out in Coopevega, our mission post, and then the local Missionary Sisters and I got busy.  We spent the next couple of weeks going door to door bringing Gospel passages on the importance of repenting.  One of the Gospel passages we used was Luke 12:35-40 which is about the Vigilant and Faithful Servants. In this passage it says, "You also must be prepared for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."  From this we encouraged people to keep their eyes focused on Heaven and to reflect on their thoughts and actions.  We then invited them to the amazing gift of reconciliation where they will be forgiven of their sins and given the grace to pursue a life of virtue.  We were well received into peoples homes where the Holy Spirit was present and moving in many hearts.  It was a beautiful mission, and such a joyful experience to have the Sisters, the local priests, and the local missionaries all working together as a team to spread the message of repentance.

Sister Vanessa and I visiting a local home.


Three local missionaries and I bringing the Gospel message into the home of a local family.


All of us gathered together to pray.

For the secondary mission of the corporal works of mercy, I asked Sister Vanessa to give me her opinion of what material need was the most pressing.  She said there are many, but if there was one she could help it would be a single mother in need of a secure place to live.  This mother is a hard worker and a faith filled woman who has been knocked down by a lot of difficult circumstances.  She first had the courage to leave an abusive relationship, then after working hard to find a place to live for her young daughter found she was scammed and her hard earned money was basically stolen.  They have no running water, no toilet, no security, and yet have beautiful smiles and hope in the Lord.  We are working together with the Sisters, and the other FMC missionaries in Costa Rica to raise money to purchase land for AnaMaria and her daughter, Idalia.  Once they own this piece of land, they will qualify for a house with water and electricity, which would be an amazing blessing that would help get them get beyond just survival.  

We are so grateful to have this mission post where we have the privilege of exercising both the Spiritual and Corporal works of mercy in such a tangible way.  Thank you to our mission supporters for making all of this possible!  



Visiting AnaMaria and her daughter.


AnaMaria's current home.

Bridget doing a craft with Idalia.


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