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Dream Job

Pc: Abby Shaw
Hello everyone!

 It has been a little over a month since I arrived in Costa Rica to serve as the Female Student Life Director for the GAP program.

In some ways being here is still surprising because I never imagined I would have the chance to come live here again. In other ways, living in Costa Rica and in the Villa feels absolutely natural; it feels like I am home. In many ways this is my dream job. Starting from 10th grade when I first traveled to Costa Rica I knew I wanted to spend my life traveling and mentoring students. I had no idea what that would look like or that I would end up in Costa Rica. Then not only am I working at GAP, but, I am also continuing to work for Lancaster Bible College as their International Admissions Counselor. God has been so generous. 
Our Leadership Team

GAP Students 2018-2019
Pictured above is this year's GAP class. The students have been here for three weeks. In those three weeks they have begun Spanish classes which go from 8:45am- 12:00pm. They also are taking Bible classes, which so far have included Hermeneutics, Old Testament Survey, and New Testament Survey. Bible class is from 1:00pm- 4:00pm Tuesday through Friday. Every year students are challenged to think through their assumptions about Christianity and what it means to truly make their faith their own.

Team Building 
When students arrived, we jumped right into getting to know each other. In this photo the students were literally jumping as they figured out a way to turn a tarp over that 24 of them were standing on. Jeff Hacket, our US GAP Director, was here to visit and he led the students through a few team building activities. 

Exploring Downtown
Within a few days of being here we took the students downtown to explore San Jose. We split into small groups so the students could learn how to take the bus, navigate downtown, and find some of our favorite places to go shopping and eat some snacks!  

Ministry Crew: Los Guido Forever
The students were also all split into ministry teams. This year, I am leading the Los Guido team. I had been in the Los Guido ministry my student year and now get to lead our group in ministry there! We will be going to Los Guido every Saturday to teach English classes and help with youth group. Every other Sunday we will go to Bible study there, and on the other week we will go to church with our ministry leader Salva and his family. 


Dodgeball at youth group 
Our first Saturday in Los Guido we had a lesson and played a few games with the students.



Students Leading Youth Group

I am also praising God to see how much the students in Los Guido have grown. When I first went to Los Guido my student year, we were having group in a small, one-room building. There were around 10-15 students who would come to group consistently. In the last few years the group has doubled in size, and the students who were merely attending when I was there before are now leading their group. The student leaders plan and lead the games and worship. Also, while Salva, their leader, was away visiting family, a student in the ministry led the Bible study portion of the youth group. They were very excited to have Salva back, but, I am so impressed and I am praising God to see the work He has been doing in the students' lives.

I am excited to continue my ministry in the Villa with the GAP students and in Los Guido. God is at work; I am just honored to be part of that.

Continue to pray for us! You can pray that the students grow in confidence in their Spanish as they do outreach in their perspective ministries. Pray that Los Guido ministry continues to grow and that leadership would have wisdom to see the ministry through potential growth and changes. Pray for the GAP students as they are challenged in their Bible classes that they would study God's Word for themselves and let their knowledge transform their lives.

 Also I am praising God that I am fully funded for this year! HUGE thank you to everyone who supported me. If you were interested in supporting me but are now finding out that I am fully-funded I know of some incredible students here in Costa Rica who could use your support. Please ask me about how you could donate if you are interested! Also be praying for the students as they raise the rest of their support. Thank you! 

Love has no borders,

 Rachel Martha 


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