Proddings of the Spirit

I had a grand week at home! Costa Rica is a great place to be, but it’s still nice to spend some time in my own casa with my familia. Caught up on the local news, visited with good friends, and spent a lot of time bonding with Nigel, our new dachshund. He’s three years old, long-haired and a real cutie.

Sunday morning I presented the plans for the new Hogar Escuela and Cristo Resucitado building to the  St. Alban’s congregation during adult education. We received many helpful comments and good questions, and these will be passed along to the architect and engineer. Once the plans are finalized, the permit process will begin. We’re hoping to begin construction as soon as the permits are received. Then St. Alban’s can begin sending mission groups to Heredia to help with building, yard work, and whatever else needs to be done.

Please begin checking your 2010 schedules to plan some time to share with us in Costa Rica. Mission trips usually last one week, including a day or two for recreation. The individual cost for a trip is about $1500, which includes air fare, lodging, meals, ground transportation, and tours. Work projects include carpentry, plastering, painting, yard planting, depending on when you arrive. Once the building is completed, we will work with the Heredia congregation to furnish the school and chapel, and ready everything for the first students.

I’ve returned to a busy schedule! Holy Comforter, Charlotte, arrives on October 17th for a week of work on a parish hall at San Lucas Church in Germania. Several other North Carolina congregations are planning winter mission trips, and I’ve received requests from a couple more to explore ways in which they can begin Costa Rican ministries. St. Alban’s new associate rector, the Rev. Elizabeth Marie Melchionna, will visit us soon to acquaint herself with our work here in preparation for mission trip planning.

The Holy Spirit is busy poking and prodding, encouraging all of us to look and listen for new ways to serve our sisters and brothers.  She also gives us the strength to respond with our skills and resources to make a difference while we help make disciples. Keep awake, be aware, and join us.