Future Plans

Greetings to all in Jesus' name,

On August 3rd I returned to the US and on to Canada where I worked out of the Canadian office of GOM. I did some repairs and helped plan and prepare projects for El Jardin construction teams. Although I am very sad to have left Coast Rica and the beautiful work that God is doing at El Jardin Sagrado, I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve there for a time and see some fruit in the labors. I am also very excited to see in what area the Lord would have me serve next.

At this time I feel it is necessary for me to step down from my position with Global Outreach Mission and take some time to grow in the lessons the Lord has been teaching me over this past year. I plan to take some training and grow closer to Him as I consider His will for my future. For those of you, who are financial supporters, please prayerfully consider where Christ would have you direct your gifts as October will be my final month to draw support.

Thanks to all of you who have supported this ministry in so many ways and who also share in the blessings of knowing the Lord is building His kingdom through your efforts.

Canadian GOM Office

Hello to everyone from St. Catharines, ON Canada!

As you can imagine, adjusting to another culture is not necessarily easy, even to a familiar one. But I am so thankful to the GOM staff for their support and wisdom. Most of them have made similar adjustments at times in their lives so they have much to offer.

My week days are usually spent in the office here in St Catharines although sometimes I travel to the international office in Buffalo, NY.




This is the office space where I work (when I'm not moving electrical outlets and light switches, changing ballasts, hanging light fixtures or whatever other type of handyman chores there may need to be done). So what kind of work do I do at the desk? Lately I've been helping short term teams prepare for mission trips to El Jardin. Part of my responsibility is to evaluate the team's construction skills and gifts and match them with appropriate projects at the camp. Then I make and price the material lists for those projects.




I have the privilege of working with the GOM Vice President of Candidates and Personnel, Len Lane,




his wife Carol (standing) and Gwen. Both are awesome office staff.




This is the back room which we hope to have remodeled for more office and training space. We are currently waiting on a bid from a local builder.




There has been some time for fellowship. Last weekend we had a very nice cookout with several of the mission team who went to El Jardin from Canada last January. What a good time and several of them would like to return in January, 2008!



So there is never a dull moment and I have the unique opportunity to learn about all of the work that goes into short term teams from the administrative side. Wow! Until next time, may we continue to serve Him with pure hearts.

Ken

Changes

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,


Well, the winds of change are blowing. In fact, they are blowing me from El Jardin, Costa Rica to the Global Outreach Mission offices in Buffalo, NY and ST. Cathrine's, Canada. GOM has asked me to help them with some of their priority projects and with the roof on the multi purpose building, there is time to focus other construction concerns. I plan to spend most of my time reviewing plans for remodeling and expansion of the Canadian office. There is also the possibility of traveling to Sierra Leon, Africa to help with a school renovation.


So, I ask for your prayers during this time of change and planning. It is difficult to leave leave my home, team, friends and Church family in Costa Rica and help with these other projects. Please pray for Nathan and Amber as they continue with the administration of El Jardin; for Pastor Jose and the new Church plant in La Alagria (currently meeting at El Jardin); for the Araya family (Hugo, Leonor, Brainer, Victor, & Dari) and other new Christians as they continue to grow in love, grace and faith. Thank the Lord for Jose Dani, another of Victor's friends, who accepted Christ as his Savior last week! All heaven is celebrating!

Jose Dani is the youth right of center wearing the white shirt with the red stripe.



Hasta luego and may we continue to allow Him to light our paths,
Ken.

Arizona Construction Team

Mathew 10:8 says "Freely you have received, freely give". The construction team from Arizona came to give freely from what they have received in the Lord. El Jardin is extremely blessed by their servant hearts.



The bulk of the corrugated roofing went up very quickly and right over the temporary roof. Here you see the new roof is in place and the temporary roof is being removed.




An awesome job by the "roofing crew". Here they are setting the last piece of tin.




All of the doors and windows were blocked in to the proper rough in openings.




Cement was mixed for the block work, two concrete slabs and a job we didn't even plan for: stuccoing the outside of the multi purpose building.

The women on this team were real troopers and excellent workers. They not only painted the inside of one cabin, but we had to buy more paint so that they could paint the inside of both cabins!!! They also kept the roof crew loaded with supplies, helped prepare and pour the cement slabs, built the new entry path, washed and cleaned and generally kept the men on track. Thanks gals!

The two slabs were 10' X 20' patio/entrance areas. It is great to have these covered areas protected from the rain.

In this photo you can see the finished roof, one of the covered entrances with a completed concrete floor and the beautiful new walkway.

The team was happy to help with whatever jobs needed to be done and they all worked very well together and all for God's glory.

I also have a miracle to share with you. Hugo, Victor's dad, accepted the Lord as his personal savior a few weeks ago and it has been a joy to see the Christ change this man's life. He is becoming the husband and father God intended him to be. Hugo was a familiar face and helped with several projects while the team was here. We also had a last minute baptism service in the pool where three members of the team, one visitor, Hugo and Victor were all baptised. Praise Jesus!

After all the work was complete (more than we had planned), the team enjoyed a day of hiking in the rain forest and fishing at the trout farm.

Thanks to all who served on this team and the blessings they brought to El Jardin. This includes the families, prayer partners, financial partners and Church families who sent this team to Costa Rica.

The Roof System is Done!

Hello all!

The roof structure on the multi purpose building is finally ready for the corrugated roof material and just in time because the construction team from Arizona will be here on the 21st of July! Members of Grace Church in Mesa and Mountain Bible Church in Payson have joined together to make up the 17-person team. They have raised the funds for the corrugated roofing, two concrete slabs, blocking for the doors and windows, and painting inside of one of the cabins.






I also want to give special thanks to Ben Hopf who spent two weeks at El Jardin volunteering his time and energy. He helped finish up the camp fire area, planted two banana groves, developed a composting area which will produce fertilizer for the fruit trees, helped with the Frisbee golf course and made some signs for the camp. We kept him busy......



but we also took some time to explore. We found this awesome waterfall and enjoyed an afternoon swimming and hiking.



I'm off to order materials for the construction team. More soon.

Roof system is under construction!

I arrived back at El Jardin from may trip to Arizona just in time to see the materials for the roof system come in. And what a mountain of steel! Everything from the 6"x6" main supports to the 2"x2" nailers. It sure is exciting to to finally see a roof going up on the Celebration Center.



Marvin's crew is hard at work.All the metal has to be washed so that the anti corrosive paint will stick. Here also you can see the footers being dug for the main supports.




They have also started measuring, cutting and welding the rafters.




In addition to the roof being started, several smaller projects have been completed including the gate on the North end of the camp. We now have access on three sides.




Nathan's family came from the US for two weeks. Check out what they did to the camp fire area while they were here. (No more rotten logs to sit on.)




Victor and Gravin chose their own project and have now finished the Frisbee golf course. We've been playing on the course during construction......uh.....testing it...yea.



So we continue to stay very busy here at El Jardin. Many projects to go, but all in His time and for His glory.

Trip to Arizona

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

I am actually writing this update from my home church in Mesa, Arizona. What a drastic change from the Orosi Valley of Costa Rica! In addition to the intense sun, lack of humidity and green plants, I was surprised at how much I had to readjust to the fast-paced American lifestyle. And the roads are very wide here!


So what brings me to the US? Many things actually, including a window of time between teams and groups at El Jardin. But mostly God's timing and His awesome ability to connect us with the things we need, when we need them and all for His purpose and glory. Since arriving in AZ on May 16, I've taken some time to rest and be spiritually fed by some great sermons, fellowship with the saints, time in the Word and time with "Dad". I have also been fed a lot of food! To be honest, I cannot eat a full serving at a restaurant. I'm not used to the amount of food, especially meat.

I have met with the construction team which is planning to travel to El Jardin July 21-29 this summer and we have been able to cover much ground in preparation for that trip. I am excited to have brothers and sisters from Grace Church in Mesa and Mt.Bible Church in Payson partnering with us on this team.

I've renewed my driver's license, purchased a wireless router for the camp, pulled a few items out of storage to take back with me, and added some books and music to my bags. I will return to Costa Rica on June 5.


I will back up a bit to show you some little, tiny photos of the finished "bodega" or storage room on the multi purpose building. This was finished the day I left. The "Celebration Center" is now ready for a permanent roof! Which brings me to some very exciting news. Yup, we now have the funds for the roof structure!!! In fact, Marvin's crew should start construction on the roof this week while I am still in AZ. How cool is that???








Okay, here are some pics from my time so far in AZ.



"Resting" by the Jensen's pool.





Spent some time in Payson with my buddy, Ajo. He's doing well and we connected like I had never left.





Visited with the Clark and Barker families up north in one of the national forests.







Can't remember the last time I drove one of these - everyone look out!





Stan's graduation party was a real "killer". (One of those mystery dinner things, and we had a blast!)



And I even squeezed in some time on the rocks. I hope to have my climbing equipment at El Jardin soon to use for the outdoor club we plan to start.



That's all for now. I have less than a week left here in AZ, and I'm anxious to get back....home.
Dios le bendiga.

From Managua

I am in a Ticabus bus line hotel in Managua, Nicaragua as I write this update. It is hot and humid here with lots of pollution so I'm thankful to have a small air conditioned room at a reasonable price. I was hoping to spend this time out of Costa Rica with the missionaries a "Christ for the City" but they are very busy with a short term team this week. God knows what I need most right now and He has provided a time of rest, prayer and meditation to help me get ready for the next three months at El Jardin. Thanks Dad!


Reflecting over the past few weeks I am reminded of some spiritual and physical changes at the camp. This month we hosted an awesome children's ministry team from Crossroads Church in California. They spent three full days conducting a children's vacation bible camp for the local youth. To but it briefly, many families in the Orosi valley were impacted by the good news this program provided.


Gathering in the multi purpose building for some drama and singing.





On the final day the parents joined us for more singing, a cook out and lots of family fun.



Then the team did a one-day abbreviated program at a precario near San Jose. What a privilege to see God touch so many youths and to see Him use Victor and Gravin in their first "missionary outreach"!


Victor and Gravin on top of the bus helping teach the hand motions for the songs in the program.




There have been a few physical changes as well. Nathan, Robert and I have not been very patient waiting for the final master plan from eMi (which will be finished shortly). We've been busy lining new trails with rocks, realigning and leveling old trails, cutting out dead trees, and reclaiming overgrown sections of the camp. For the first time I can stand at one end of the camp and clearly see the other.






Nate has had a set back with a recent double knee surgry. He is healing well and anxious to do some of the research, pricing and gathering for projects and daily maintenance chores.

The multi purpose building now has a new floor for the storage room including preparations for the walls and roof system. Little by little God is providing what we need to continue with phase one of the Master's plan. Soon we will be read for the roof! I am excited to see how He provides the $14,000.00 biggest, most important part of the "Celebration Center".



I continue to live and work in awe of how God's love and grace touch so many people in so many ways, like a ripple effect going out from a seemingly small ministry at El Jardin Sagrado.

El Jardin Sagrado's futrure might look something like this.

Remember the eMi (Engineering Ministries International) team I told you about in my last post? They came to help us put God's vision for El Jardin Sagrado on paper with realistic, team size projects. This is not the final draft but it will give you an idea of what the camp could look like in the next few years. Presently we have a kitchen, caretaker's cabin, the "white house" which will be the future office building and two cabins. We have also started the multipurpose building.

As far as the projects, we have several phases with priorities in each. Due to the nature of the ministry of El Jardin, the phases will overlap somewhat. Also, there are many miscellaneous projects which can be tackled anytime, mainly located in the lower part of the camp.

The first phase and main priority of the camp is to finish the multipurpose building, or "Celebration Center", which will provide dining and worship space for short term teams and the Tico Church groups. The next stage of the multi purpose building is the construction of the roof system which will cost about $14,000.00. If you think God is calling you or a short term team from your Church to sponsor and/or construct one of these projects, please feel free to contact us. Or contact us anyway, we'd love to hear from you.

God's vision for El Jardin on paper

Okay, I know, I'm taking way too much time in between my blog updates and you guys are getting tired of waiting for me to write something. With that in mind I have set aside one day each week to work on my communications including the bolg. I find it hard to put down my other responsibilities and keep up with all the forms of communication, but I realize it is necessary and I really do want all of you to know what God is doing here in Costa Rica and at El Jardin.

Last time I wrote I was on my way to Managua, Nicaragua for my three days out of country. I had a blessed time there with the staff from "Christ for the City". I stayed with Alcides and Sileny Fuentes, Directors. I had time for some much needed rest, had a tour of the City, had some great fellowship with fellow missionaries and even had time to do some repairs around their office.

Alcides overlooking the City of Managua.




Not far from the overlook we encountered this young boy who was looking for his "Papa" (father). We didn't have any idea where his father was nor how long he had been gone, but he had left his son at some ruined houses and told him to wait for his return. The boy did not ask us for money or food, just water. "I'm thirsty" he said. We bought him some juice and sweet bread and as we handed it to him he took the cool bottle of juice, held it to his face and closed his eyes. Then he ran across the road, sat down and began to eat his bread.

We attended and international service in Sunday morning. What a blessing to be able to go most anywhere in the world and fellowship with the true body of Christ!

Not long after my return to El Jardin, the truck we'd been waiting for was ready. Man, what a truck. I can say it is a blessing to have a powerful vehicle to help with the work load.

For any of you on the January Canadian team who may be reading this, here is a photo of a full size commercial bus pulling out of El Jardin. Thanks for the great job and helping us enlarge the main entrance!

Then arrived the eMi Team (Engineering Ministries International) - a team of architects and engineers who's ministry is to help develop physical plans for ministries around the world. They did a great job of capturing God's vision for El Jardin and putting it on paper in small, realistic, construction team size chunks. We have enough projects to last us a few years but we are so excited to have a progressive plan to follow. I will be sharing more info about this soon.

Phase one of the master plan is to finish the "Celebration Center" or multi purpose building. After the floor was completed, we put up another temporary roof in order to have a place for team and Church groups to meet. We are currently trying to raise funding for the permanent roof system.

The eMi team spent two weeks surveying, measuring, meeting, drawing, digging, more measuring and surveying and meeting. But the awesome thing is they took some time off from all this to reach out to several communities. One day they went to several schools and cleaned.....toilets! Talk about a "foot washing"!!!!! Then we went to a Precario to do some "bridge building", literally and spiritually.

So, it's been a very productive month. I am looking forward to working with many construction teams, (we have about one each month this year) as we continue building God's Kingdom physically and spiritually here in Costa Rica.

P.S. Late breaking news: As many of you know Victor and I get together for a bible study once a week. Well, last night Victor invited one of his former "thief" buddies. After a great study, lots of tears and prayer and witnessing on Victor's part, we now have a new bro in the Lord!!!!!!!! Please pray for Gravin as he begins his new walk with Jesus.