Theater Presentation: Broken Hearts

This past Wednesday the students organized an event called, "Story of the Soul." It is an outreach using various forms of art--such as drama, poetry, short films, and music--all related to a particular theme, in order to gather and engage students in meaningful conversation, and have opportunities to share Christ. The theme for this event was "Broken Hearts."

The students performed a song, read poetry, and performed a short drama. After each segment, we projected discussion questions related to the presentation. It was great to see the students engaging in discussion. At each table, one of our students joined to facilitate discussion, and get to know the visiting students. We served coffee and "pan de canela" -- cinnamon rolls and pastry from a local bakery.

To close the event, Yoksan (below right) shared his testimony of how he came to know the Lord. He shared about his process of coming to understand God's unconditional love, and learning to like himself--instead of always looking to others to fill the voids in his life--referring to a long but unhealthy relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

Thirty-two new students came to the event, and from the comments they left, they had a great time. Several students said they wanted to join the group. Our next step will be to contact the students and invite them to talk more, perhaps using the Soularium photo survey, and look for an opportunity to talk to them about their relationship with the Lord.

It has been exciting to see the students taking initiative and wanting to reach out to their peers on campus. Please join in prayer continued growth in the students and that we could see a movement on spiritual multiplication at the Tec!

To see more photos of the event, click here.

July Update -- Never a Dull Moment!

Back in Costa Rica -- Kids' school delayed

Thank you so much for your prayers and many personal emails and cards over this past month since my mom passed away. You have been a source of encouragement, and we appreciate you very much.

We arrived back in Costa Rica last Thursday, and have been getting settled in. We are in the rainy season, but our days have actually been very nice. We have had sun in the morning, and our afternoons have been overcast, but most of the rain has come during the night.
Philip and John were supposed to begin school this past Monday, but due to the fact that the swine flu has been peaking in this part of the hemisphere, school was delayed for a week across the country. It is not affecting the universities, though. This was a welcome break for them, and quite honestly it has allowed us to get a bit more on top of things, as well!

Mexico -- Costa Rica Campus Crusade Project

Tomorrow we will be receiving a group of 19 students and staff from Campus Crusade Mexico. They will be doing a 10-day project with us at the Tec--doing evangelism and other activities to involve our current students as well as identify new students. Rigo and I met with Maria Felix, from the social work department who oversees the dorms, and she invited us to meet with and plan some activities with her student leaders on Monday.

Since we have returned, we have met again with Isaac and Carol, and they continue to sense the Lord's leading to join our staff full time to work here in Cartago at the Tec. We are excited by this possibility and continue to pray for the Lord's will regarding their call. The process of making a mid-career change to enter the ministry will not be easy, but we trust that the Lord will confirm and provide according to his will!

Health Update for Phil & Shirley . . .

The results of my kidney scan showed that my kidney is functioning normally. The cyst does not seem to be causing any obstruction; but there is a large kidney stone low in the kidney, which at some point we may need to treat. The doctor does not think it is likely to cause any problem soon, but I will get another x-ray in 6 months as follow up.

Shirley's blood work came back good regarding the cyst she has on her thyroid. The cyst seems to have gotten smaller, and she will get an ultrasound to verify this--and in light of this our doctor feels like there is nothing to do at this point but continue to monitor it.

The really big news, though, is that Shirley is pregnant! We found out just before arriving in the US. Everything seems to be going well, though the pregnancy will be considered higher risk because of her three previous c-sections. The kids are very excited . . . and so, Lord willing, we will be welcoming a fourth DeCicco baby in December!

Thanks so much, again, for your partnership with us! Some points to keep in prayer:

Prayer

• That we might see students coming to Christ during the Mexico project, that we would be students with open hearts
• For protection for Shirley and the kids with the flu epidemic here
• For our family, that we would trust the Lord day by day--with all that we have had going on, that we would know his peace and presence
• For Isaac and Carol, for the Lord to continue to lead and provide, and call more laborers into the harvest
  
• That we might see a student-led movement of evangelism and discipleship spreading not only in the Tec, but throughout Cartago
• Continued growth for students, Iván, Raúl, Juan Elías, Rigo, Mirna, Juan, Sulin . . .
  

Praise & Thanks

• For all things, both blessings and struggles, for we know the Lord is with us
• For Isaac and Carol, and their call to ministry
• For the fruit we have seen and students who are growing in Christ

Please let us know how you are doing, and how we can pray for you!

in Christ,

Phil, Shirley, Philip, John and Anna Maria

Soularium

Today we started the Soularium surveys on campus. One group of students that came over were from the school of Industrial Design--and they loved the photos and wondered what we were doing. I spoke with a girl name Dalia. As she chose pictures to talk about, I would share with her some of my own impressions.

Afterward I asked, "Would you allow us to share with you this booklet which talks you could have a personal relationship with God?"

Without hesitation, said, "No."

"Could you tell me why?"

"Because it is something very personal," she said.

"Well, would you mind if I shared with you a bit of my story?"

"Sure, that would be fine."

I then pointed to one of the pictures and began to tell her how I had come to know the Lord. As I shared my story, how that I had always viewed God as abstract and distant, but had come to know Him in a personal way, she listened intently.

Although Dalia responed with a resounding "No" when I asked her if we could share a booklet about how to know God personally, she did not hesitate to let me tell her my "story" using the images. I was struck by the fact that by beginning a dialogue of story-telling with the help of these images led to an opportunity to share the Good News.

Join us in praying for the seed that was sown in hearts today!