Hace Mucho Tiempo!

It has been quite some time since I have last written, and to everyone, I send my apologies. So much has happened since my last blog entry, and yet it feels like very little time has passed. I am now within a month of returning to Texas, which means that I have been with EMI for over 3 months. 

On a random side note, you will notice from my pictures this time around that I and the other male interns in the office are growing beards so that come this December 1st we can have ridiculous mustaches. I know that is very juvenile, however, this is one of my last times that I can do it without seeming too unprofessional.

This week has been a special one for me, because both sets of parents finally “met” and talked and saw each other via Skype. I had to translate the whole time, but it was still really fun to hear them interact; though a bit strange talking about myself to each of them.

Also, my mentor and I are making great progress on his rancho. We have been pouring a lot of concrete this week, but should finish tomorrow with our pour of the pizza oven. The hope for me is that I can enjoy an oven-baked pizza before I leave.

Work is work is work, yet I enjoy doing all of it, because I know the benefit that it bring for hundreds or thousands of people who will eventually use it. With regards to our work in the office, it was encouraging this past week to find out about the successes of past projects that the EMI office in Central America has completed. I am not gong to lie, there are some days were I don’t always know if the work I complete will come to pass, because who knows (Well, God does.) if the ministry that we are serving can raise the necessary money and that construction goes well. However, we work by faith unto the Lord and leave the rest up to Him. He has control over everything and is intimately involved in each of our lives. So really there is never any reason to worry.

 

Now on to praises, prayer requests, realizations, and pictures from my recent travels.

 

Praises & Prayer Requests:

• The EMI Costa Rica projects, both past and present, are progressing at a good rate, but we still have much to do for the YWAM Gonaives project, before I leave in the next few weeks.
• Everyone in the office is in good health and good spirits. Some times we can all get beat down, however, recently this has not been the case. I have noticed that things seem to be amplified when you live in a foreign country. Little annoyances can become larger problems if you let your circumstances get to you.
• As I mentioned earlier, my parents all were able to met each other, and I hope that they can talk more in the coming days. As well as when I return to the States.
• Time with my Tico family is just like I was actually born into the family. I absolutely love my family and enjoy our mornings, evenings, and weekends of conversations, joking around, and enjoying life together.
• I need the mental tenacity for my re-entry to Texas, especially at Christmas. I have a feeling it might be a bit hard for me.

 

Realizations:

In my time here I have realized several things:

• First, gallo-pinto with natilla and a fried egg are much more filling than cereal, oatmeal, or fruit, but much less healthy.
• Second, consistently going to before 9pm is not difficult when you wake up an hour before dawn.
• Third, taking public transportation is fun. Never have I ever been more dependent on buses and taxis in my life.
• Fourth, every time I travel to a touristy place, I get embarrassed at just how “American” gringos can be.
• Fifth, people are people; which means that regardless where in the world you are, people have similar wants and desires. For example, my Tico family and friends have some of the exact same wants and desires as my family and friends back in the States. The only difference is that the vast majority of my friends here only speak Spanish.
• Sixth, you can thoroughly enjoy life with much, much less than you realize. There are many things that I have not had with regularity here, and yet I have cannot remember a period of time that I have enjoyed more than being here in Costa Rica.
• Seventh, God knew that I needed to be in Costa Rica right now. He knew that He needed to pluck me out of my life in Texas and remove things and people of value from my life in order to bring me back to Him.
• Eighth, I forget too easily the true magnitude of God’s grace, and the level of love and devotion that our Savior deserves. We must daily preach the gospel to ourselves.
• Finally, faith is a pivotal and integral to our development as followers of Jesus Christ. It grows as we grow in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, and step out more and more in lovingly obedience towards Him.

Our Travels:

Manuel Antonio:

Over Halloween weekend I and the other interns went to visit Manuel Antonio, a very famous and beautiful national park on the Pacific Ocean side of the country. I always feel like such a gringo/tourist when I go on paseos during the weekend, but you know what… I am!

 

It was fun taking a tour through Manuel Antonio. We had a really good guide and asked him to speak mostly in Spanish. I don’t know exactly what it is, but there is just something about taking a tour listening to a “foreign” language in a foreign country!

 

 

Jaco:

The weekend before last most everyone from the office went to Jaco to savor a relaxing day at the beach. While there, we also celebrated a couple birthdays!

 

 

Volcan Arenal & San José:

This past weekend we spent time near Volcan Arenal and in the capital city of San José. In La Fortuna – the city at the base of the volcano – we enjoyed our time at Baldi Hot Springs and Resort. We ended up getting a really good deal there and enjoyed our afternoon and evening relaxing in the different hot springs. The only two unfortunate things about that day were first, that Baldi was basically all married couples on their honeymoon or anniversary, and second, that it was cloudy the entire time we were there and could not see the volcano. Maybe next time I will get to see it.  We stayed at a very, very inexpensive hostel and hotel.

The next day we rode a bus back to San José, to go exploring a bit more downtown. We walked around the older part of town and spied out the different theaters and museums that we would like to visit before leaving Costa Rica. The weather was absolutely perfect in San José; it felt just like fall!

 

¿Qué es exactamente EMI?

Yesterday I went up to the barrio where my bus friend lives, because I didn't know that neighborhood and also you can see both the ocean and the Central Valley. It was a nice pause in the day and a wonderful day to start out the week! The picture above shows the cross that we climbed up to to savor the view.

It has now been two weeks since I have returned from Haiti, and it feels different being back. I have found myself a little bit more tired and some what grumpy since returning. Praise God, that things are getting better and more back to normal! I am realizing now that the trip took more out of me - both physically and spiritually - than I had thought. God is always faithful, and as I continue to seek Him right now, He is bringing me back to feeling normal once again!

Praises:

• Everyone - EMI staff, interns, and volunteers - is back safely from both Haiti trips, and it sounds as though the Lord is doing some amazing work in both places!
• I don't think I mentioned this in my last blog, but the intern that went with me to Haiti ended up getting dengue fever the last day we were in Haiti. However, after two weeks rest he is basically back to normal!
• We - the interns - had a wonderful first trip down to the Hogar de Vida - an orphanage here in Atenas! It was a blast getting to play with the kids! At one point in the afternoon I was chased by three girls on bikes. It was a close call, but I got away. =)

Prayer Requests:

• Re-entry of everyone from the trips, and our ability to process the trips and adjust our lives accordingly. Especially the volunteers, since most returned to the United States, and it is very easy to get caught up in "life" there.
• I am really desiring to spend much more time each day in prayer. I really want more frequency and focus in my prayer life. Please let me know how I can be praying for you, and I really do mean this! Please email or Facebook me with your requests.
• That we as interns can use our time here to continue to effectively minister to the community of Atenas - our Tico families, the English class, our churches, the orphanage, & those we interact with on a consistent basis.

EMI in a Nutshell:
After talking with several people these past couple weeks, I am realizing that I have not done a fantastic job describing how exactly the ministry of EMI really works, especially how the office operates. Let me take just a few moments to give you a brief synopsis. The ministry has offices located throughout the world to effectively help ministries globally. Since I am here in the Costa Rican office, I really can only say how our office does things. However, I think that the other offices operate in a similiar fashion.

EMI is a Christian ministry whose mission is to come along side other Christian ministries to provide free engineering and architectural design work. Each fall, spring, and summer each EMI regional office takes trips to different countries for 1 to 1.5 weeks to work onsite in order to complete survey work and initial designs for the water & wastewater systems, the building's architectural design, electrical system, structural design, etc. The project trip includes an EMI project team leader, two or more EMI interns, as well as mas o menos 6 to 10 volunteers who provide their time, money, and expertise. The volunteers are normally professional engineers, surveyors, architects, landscape architects, etc. from all over the world who work with EMI to complete the design for the specific project they volunteer to go on.

The volunteers are the ones who do the majority of the design work, and the regional EMI office is the interface between all the volunteers, and between the volunteers and the Christian ministry. The project leader and the interns are the ones that take the designs of the volunteers and compile them into one construction document. At times, we have to draft the volunteer's design into AutoCAD, because all we received where sketches. Other times, we receive an AutoCAD drawing from the volunteer, and all we have to do is clean up the drawing to make it consistent with EMI AutoCAD standards. The job of EMI is also to review all designs and do any suplimental design that is needed. In general, a project takes 4 to 6 months from start to finish.

To be honest, the office feels just like an office in the States, because engineering is engineering is engineering. However, our design is slightly different, because we are working with much different labor talent and materials available. What I love about the office is that we have prayer every morning and once a week do praise and worship. Also, we will stop what we are doing to pray if anything comes up that needs immediate prayer. This is an office, but it really does feel like a family.

Thank you all for your prayers and support! Tal luego!

Nuestro Tiempo en Haiti...

Let me start out by saying, “THANK YOU!” to everyone who prayed for our trip to Haiti. In short it was a difficult, yet amazing trip. I will warn you all that this is probably going to be a pretty long blog entry, because there is so much that happened on the trip, and the project trip is the heartbeat of my mission work with EMI. However, for those of you that don’t have time to read it all, I will put my praises and prayer requests first, but the pictures will be intermixed throughout it all.

Also, to all my fellow engineers, architects, landscape planners, and surveyors, I must say that every one of you should go on an EMI project trip some time in your life! It is my desire, Lord willing, that I go on a trip every year, because I never want to be complacent and fall into the routine of working in corporate America – that is if God has me work in corporate America. Vamos a ver!

Praises:

• We were all safe throughout the entire trip! We all had a few bumps and bruises, but nothing major.
• We were able to finish the schematic design for the ministry, and have a good basis for the rest of our design work.
• It seems that we were more of a blessing than a burden to Pastor Maula and his family.
• The Lord is teaching everyone who went on the trip many, many things. Some of which I will share with you in a bit.
• I felt fine on the trip and was not sick during any of it!

Prayer Requests:

• That we now finish the construction documents that we started for the YWAM Gonaives ministry.
• Pray that Pastor Maula is able to raise the money necessary to build the facility. He has an amazing vision from the Lord! I know that God is faithful!
• That all the volunteers and EMI staff and interns do not forget what God has revealed to us. I NEVER want to go back to my old routines. Pray that God continues to create new lasting routines that transform me more into His image!
• Pray for the other EMI team that is Haiti this week on their project trip. Pray that they may be effectively used to bring God glory and that they are changed drastically.

Overview:

Let me start out by giving you a little background about the ministry we went to support in Gonaives, Haiti. The organization is called YWAM (Youth With A Mission). YWAM is focused on Evangelism, Mercy Ministry – the “hands and feet” of making God known, and Training and Discipleship. In regards to evangelism, YWAM seeks to present the Gospel in such a manner that the unreached group they are ministering to will understand. They also engage in church planting among unreached people groups. The mercy ministry annually meets some of the practical and physical needs to approximately 400,000 people annually. The training and discipleship aspect of the ministry aims to better equip Christians to serve in effective and needed ways.

Now let me give you a very brief synopsis of the city. Gonaives has a population of more than 200,000 people. It is the sixth largest city in the country and has been ravaged by two severe floods, one in 2004 and the other in 2008. Also in 2004, there was a rebellion in the city with substantial rioting and violence that was rooted in opposition to the President at the time.

With both the mission of YWAM and the state of the city in mind, allow me to give you a bit of the focus that Pastor Maula has with YWAM Gonaives. The focus of YWAM Gonaives is to minister to the children of the city and to give them a sense of purpose and hope. All the destruction and upheaval that has occurred within the last few years has left the city in a very impoverished state, and unfortunately much of that translates to the youth. Pastor Maula’s vision is to expand his ministry to offer a campus for children to come to live, learn, play, and here about the love of the Lord. He ever so slowly purchased an 11.41 acre tract of land approximately 30 minutes outside the center of town.

Our ministry to Pastor Maula and YWAM Gonaives is to take his vision and create a master plan for the project site as well as produce construction documents for the dormitory, kitchen, and dining facilities to serve 50 students and 10 staff.

Doug and I showing our survey of the site.

The interns!

The master plan for the site.

The architectural elevations.

The skematic of the dormitory.

Our Week:

I woke up relatively early on Saturday (September 19^th) morning – at 4am – to shower, breakfast, and leave for the airport. We had a 7:25am flight out of Costa Rica to Miami International, and then from Miami to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I know what you are thinking, we basically flew over Haiti to get to Miami, however, these where the cheapest tickets and in actuality there are only three places that fly into Haiti – Miami, France, and some city in South America. We left Costa Rica without any problems and arrived to Miami, where we met up with most of the rest of the team at the terminal. While in the airport, I took advantage of having a cell phone again and made a few phone calls. I apologize to anyone who I did not call during my time in Miami. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me! =) Random side note… it was fun traveling, because twice in one week I was in three countries that speak three different languages in one day. Okay, okay back to the story… Miami was where the adventure really began!

In Miami, our plane was delayed for 4 hours due to delays in its arrival to Miami from Dallas, Crew issues, mechanical problems, and thunderstorms. In addition to the delay, when we finally did taxi away from the terminal we were short one volunteer. He had gone to check on his bag that did not arrive to Miami, and never made it back to the plane in time. Hence, he was left behind, but we had taken all his carryon bags. Then, when we finally arrived to Port-au-Prince there was a thunderstorm over the airport, so we circled for about an hour and a half. This worked out fine, because you step off the plane right on to the runway. If we had landed while it was raining, we would have still been stuck inside the plain anyway. Due to all the delays, we decided to spend the night in a hotel just outside of Port-au-Prince, which was a huge blessing in disguise, because our trip to Gonaives was much longer than we had anticipated. So when it was all said and done, I fell asleep around 12:30am Haitian time or 11:30pm Costa Rican time. From my journal I wrote, “Heaven Father! Thank you for a day full of adventures and flexibility! Things did not seem to go according to our planes, but you worked them out as needed. … Praise you Lord for your providence and for our safety here. May we continually find our rest and strength in you, and may there be unity among the team. It is so encouraging to see a group of men, who are believers, from all different countries come together to serve you and the people of Haiti! Amen!”

The next morning we rose early to breakfast and then leave the hotel to pick up our straggling volunteer. On the way to the airport we were stopped by the police and kept for over a half hour. The police were checking that the truck wasn’t stolen. During our time of waiting, we prayed for the situation as well as for the trip in general, and then we started to praise and worship our Heavenly Father through song. No sooner had we started singing when the police let us go! I think God just wanted us to focus in a pleasing and correct manner. After picking up the last guy, we began the trek from Port-au-Prince to Gonaives. Below are a few pictures to give you an idea of our travel arrangements. We rode in the back of a covered truck with wooden benches on each side. The trip in total took a little over 6 hours. To give you perspective on our speed; Port-au-Prince to Gonaives is 110 kilometers or just under 70 miles. So, we averaged just over 10mph. The road was very bumpy, dusty, and most was gravel.

The hotel we stayed at

From another view.

Some of us in the back of the truck heading to the airport to get our last volunteer.

Praising and worshiping the Lord while waiting for the police to let us go.

Our drive to Gonaives.

Driving along the coast.

Pastor Maula's house!

Unloading the truck

Our restroom!

Eating a meal.

To best summarize my week of work, let me simply transpose some of my journal entries.

“Tuesday, September 21, 2009 6:10am

Lord,

Thank you Father for our time of work and ministry yesterday at the job site! It seems that yesterday I woke up with a grumpy and selfish spirit that was honoring to no one. However, that spirit was broken during our devotional, praise, and prayer time. During that time, my heart began to hurt for the Haitians, and realizing the level of both physical and spiritual poverty they face. I couldn’t help but cry during our time of prayer.

On the site, thank you for the children! I am sorry Lord that I was selfish and ate lunch in front of them. I should never have done that! Today, please give me discretion on whom I should give my lunch to! Thank you for the afternoon rain yesterday, because it gave me a chance to play with the kids. It was fun playing out in the rain and then huddling under the thatch roof to try and stay dry and warm. The kids are so affectionate and always want to hold your hand or be in close proximity to you. Also, it was fun how the kids and adults both wanted to look at my sunscreen and look and touch my hair. It is an amazing experience to see the similarities and differences in how you have created us!

Keep me broken today, and use me with this EMI team and with the Haitians to YOUR glory! Also, thank you for giving me the boldness and strength to give my testimony with honesty and sincerity and to not water it down or lessen the work you are, and have done, in my life. Amen!”

Devotional time in the morning.

Praise and worship time with the guys.

Going out to the project site.

Surveying with the kids!

The survey crew, plus a few!

The kids and adults feeling my hair. =)

Singing and dancing with the kids.

Some of the kids that kept me company out on the site.

Gonaives at night.

Water and waste water conversations.

The team hard at work!

“Wednesday, September 23, 2009 6:30am

Galatians 2:19-21 ‘For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!’

Lord,

Where I have cratered to other men and their influence rather than living my life for you. Strengthen me as I fight against my desire to please men so that I can please you with what I do. This life is not my own; it is YOURS! Use me as you will, and especially with whatever faith has been given me.

…

The children have tattered clothing and get excited when they can eat a handful of powdered milk. They constantly desire love, recognition, acceptance, and just desire a hand to hold or an accepting smile directed at them or someone to take interest in their lives. Keep my heart from ever being hardened to them or to the poverty I see here in Haiti.

I give my mind, my words, my heart, my attitudes, my eyes, and my actions over to you today to use as you desire! Amen!”

“Sunday, September 27, 2009 12:30pm

Lord,

What do I make of our trip to Haiti? There are many thoughts that go through my mind right now. First, is that I do not want to forget our time in Gonaives, because you will use that experience to further shape my character. I know too that I desire to remain changed, and if I forget what you have taught me and what you are currently teaching me, then I will simply revert back to who I once was. If I come back unchanged, then how can you effectively use me? How should I go about remembering your truth?

Second, it was heart-breaking for me to see those children in such poverty. Some were naked, others were barely clothed, and some had adequate clothing. They asked often for water and at time for food, yet they always had a smile and enjoyed that which the Lord had provided them. I absolutely loved seeing them waving, smiling, shouting, and running after our truck as we would drive up to the project site. They always wanted to help, and to be close and to hold my hand. We were able to play games, laugh, sing songs, and just enjoy each other’s company. My prayer will be that Pastor Maula can minister to them and that each child comes to a saving faith and vibrant relationship with you. I wish that I could have better communicated with them about the love of Christ and His salvation, but now I can fervently pray for them!

Third, I was surprised to see the name of Jesus everywhere. His name was on most tap-taps, taxi trucks common to Haiti, on buildings, and on signs; it just felt like he was everywhere. However, at the same time He didn’t seem to be truly found in many places. I find this especially true in the United States as well. The name of Jesus can be found everywhere, but He is truly found in so few places. However, in both Haiti and the United States, but especially in Haiti, where He is found, there is deep reverence, love, devotion, worship, prayer, praise, and dependence. For example, every morning at 4:30am a church just a block away from where we stayed would come together to worship the Lord and read scripture. The service would last for an hour and a half, and then they would go to work, back to their homes, to the market, or wherever else they needed to go. Also, that same church had started 50 days of prayer, and the people in the church were praying continuously for that time. God give me the same faith, or really, get me to use the faith you give me to its fullest capacity! How can I more fervently and continually worship you Father? Where in my life am I trying to maintain control? My life is not designed to please man and my actions and decisions are not to make me look good to others. May everything about me be a pleasing offering to you! May I live by your Spirit and not by the sinful nature.

Fourth, I desire that my brother Ben and sister Christy are as deeply affected as Nick and I were. This is a perfect time to continue to grow them and touch them in a real and lasting way. May they be slow to forget as well. Please protect them during their time in Haiti, but more importantly, use them to glorify your name to the town where they are.

Fifth, what is my time back in Costa Rica as well as back in Texas going to look like? Will I really live a life wholly devoted to you, or will I only give you what is comfortable? I also desire and am choosing that all my relationships are ones that are blameless in your eyes. …

Finally, I lift up my fellow Christian brothers and sisters, and, Lord, please make them discontent until they have a real and fervent relationship with you! Have none of us fake our relationship with you through “good” activities just to get church members praises and approval. What really matters is Your approval! My prayer, Father, is that they choose to serve you faithfully regardless of how difficult it is! All of that goes for me too! Amen!”

So I have rambled on for quite some time, and I am not sure if any of what I have written makes sense, but you take away nothing else, Put yourself in such a state that God can move in your life and change you in a real and lasting way!

Thank you all for your prayers and support! I love and miss you all, and I am so thankful to the Lord that He has put me here for this time!