A Day of Life-changing Decisions

February 10th was a very special day in our ministry here in Costa Rica. On that day we had the honor of baptizing 6 young people. The congregation traveled by bus to a small river near the town of Cachi where Sunday morning service was held followed by the baptism. Those baptized were Ricardo (14), Rodrigo (13), Isaac (13), Marcos (13), Arturo (11), and Mirca (8).

Sunday morning service.

Samuel preaching before the baptism.

The six young people that were baptized.

Samuel baptizing Mirca (age 8).

Baptizing Ricardo (age 14).

Baptizing Isaac (age 13).

Baptizing Rodrigo (age 13)

Baptizing Marcos (age 13).

Baptizing Arturo (age 11).

We hope that you will rejoice with us in the decision of these 6 to serve God in their church and in their community. We also hope that you will pray for them, that God will strengthen them as they take a stand for Christ.

Baptism is an important step in the life of a Christian. Although not necessary for salvation, it is an act of obedience in our new life in Christ. Many here are baptized as infants and have some difficulty understanding being "re-baptized" as they call it. However, when the meaning of baptism is explained they willingly seek it. When one is baptized as an infant, the decision is made by the parents, not the individual (infant). As a Christian, we each must make the decision personally. Do I love Christ? Do I want Him to have control of my life? Do I want to fully trust and follow Him?

Baptism represents the spiritual change that has taken place in us. The submersion in water is the symbol of our death to "the old man"; our death to who we were without Christ. The rising from the water is the symbol of our resurrection to a new life in Christ. We have been buried, washed clean, and risen "a new creature" in Christ’s service. Baptism is a beautiful representation of our death to the sins of the past, our acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and a new beginning to life with Christ as our Savior. It is a public demonstration that we are not ashamed to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.

These 6 precious young people have begun a new life, trusting Christ as they strive to live for Him from day to day.

May God greatly bless you.

Recipes from around the World #3

It seems I am stuck in the British Isles. Of course, I love recipes from there. Especially from Scotland and Ireland. Here is a great on for you. It takes alittle extra time and planning ahead, but believe me, it is worth it. These are great right out of the oven or even the next day. They freeze well for later use also.

IRISH OATMEAL MUFFINST
hese are best if you allow the oats to soak in the buttermilk overnight.
2 c. Buttermilk
1 c. Oats (NOT the quick cook ones)
2 eggs
3/4 c. dark brown sugar
1 2/3 all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 T. vegetable oil
cinnamon (optional)
Combine the buttermilk and oats, stir well, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease muffin tin. Put eggs in a bowl and beat until just blended. Add sugar and beat until smooth. Stir in buttermilk/oat mixture. Add flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, and oil. Beat well. Fill muffin tin about 3/4 full and bake for approxiamately 20 minutes. Start testing for doneness after 15 minutes. Makes 24 muffins.

AND WE HAVE A WINNER........

Just wanted to take a moment to thank Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer for the great Bloggy Giveaway. What fun!!!! I also want to thank each and every one of you for visiting my blog and for your wonderful comments. As one of you said in your comment....I teach these ladies to fish. In other words, rather than giving them a free hand-out, I teach them a skill with which they can better their lives and gives them a sense of self-worth (which many of them greatly need). Again thank you so much. I had 117 comments! What a blessing.

Now, without further ado, the winner of the apron is.....................................






Fresh Girl

A round of applause, please.
Fresh Girl has been contacted by email and the apron is in the mail.

Once, again...... Thanks for participating and I hope you will visit my blog again. I will be posting more about the work we do here with the ladies, as well as recipes from around the world, and photos of beautiful Costa Rica and its people.

Blessings to you all,
Kathie

Bloggy Giveaway

Shannon, over at Rocks in my Dryer is hosting the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival. Be sure to visit Shannon for the list of participating blogs who are giving something away! Happy Winnings!

I am giving away the pictured bibbed apron with applique hearts on the pocket.

This is one of the project/crafts I do with the women's groups that I work with here in Costa Rica. Most of the women live in the precarios (slums) in extreme poverty and are often victims of domestic violence. I teach them crafts which they can make and sale, thereby improving their living conditions. If you would like the opportunity to win the apron, please leave a comment. I will draw a winner on Sunday evening, Feb. 3rd. The winner can be from anywhere in the world. Thanks for participating.

"Chill Out, Josey" Blog Tour

Russia? Not again. Josey's finally living the good life - she's got the man, the (almost-perfect) wedding, the two-story Cape-Cod house of her dreams. That is until her man drags her back to Moscow! Josey knows she has the guts to follow her own dreams across the world, but she's not so sure she can play the perfect wife while her husband chases after his. Josey's
set on having the perfect life…even in a world without hot water, decent take-out and size-two leather fashion. But can she find the courage to tell her man the secret that will change their lives forever?

Susan’s Bio: I can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful
husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him. I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life. Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience startedwhen I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed
our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
I grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband,
honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first
series, The Deep Haven series. Based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I
have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful
town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and
allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.

Here are some links:
Buy the book: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1028342&item_no=785852
Read the first Chapter: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/c1_chillOutJosey.html
Susan’s website: www.susanmaywarren.com
Susan’s blog: http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/
Susan’s other books: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/novels.html

Okay…information about the contest! The contest is open to all you bloggers and your readers! Details: Submit your funniest/craziest/most embarrassing PREGNANCY STORY and be entered to win a Super Fabulous, Ultra Deluxe Chill Out, Mom SPA BASKET! Here is the link to the Contest page on Susan’s website:http://www.susanmaywarren.com/contest.html (**note, this contest is exclusively for her blog tour, chances are there will be another contest going on for her general audience…feel free to enter both contests. By submitting your story, Susan will know which contest you are entering!)

My Review
I laughed and cried my way through this book. It was wonderful. Being a missionary wife and mother on the field for over 20 years made this book a special treat for me. I had two of our children in Honduras and it was different. With the first one I wandered from doctor to doctor until I found someone who would take the time to understand my poor Spanish and did not treat me like livestock. It was quite an experience which is why I can truly relate to Josey. This was a fun, heart-filling read. I have already shared my copy with several of my missionary wife friends here in Costa Rica and they have greatly enjoyed it also. We are all looking forward to more stories from Susan about Josey and her adventures.

A Christmas of Blessings

The Christmas celebrations are drawing to an end here in Costa Rica as the people look forward to a new year. The sounds of fireworks fill the air from dark until well after midnight every night. Sadly, many have no interest in the true reason for remembering and celebrating. This is why it is so important to reach the children now with the truth.

Our celebrations with the children and the church were hectic, but wonderfully blessed. With help from old friends and new friends we were privileged to make this Christmas a special time for 77 children. Saying thank you to all those who made this possible seems inadequate to express the gratitude and appreciation we feel! Making these young ones feel special and loved was possible because of all of you who cared and prayed and gave. Bless you!!!! Because not all 77 children are in the same location, we actually had 3 different parties. Thanks to you we were able to provide the children not only with a toy, but with some much needed clothing, shoes, and other personal items. We want to share a few photos with you of some happy, smiling faces as well as some shots of the gifts and food and the Christmas drama. Thank you so much for making this possible. We pray that God will greatly bless you in this coming year.

Share the Blessings - second update

Just to keep those of you who are praying about the Christmas gift situation up-to-date......God is blessing greatly. We have only 12 children left who are without a gift. Please continue to pray about this need and share it with others. We want to thank those of you who have helped in this. We cannot begin to tell you how much it means to us and to these children.