Rain, Rain Go Away!

Good afternoon from rainy Costa Rica!

We are in the middle of the 6 month rainy season, so each day we scurry about trying to get here and there without getting rained on or at least, not too much.  Almost daily, the rain pours down as if it were dumped from buckets.  I have never gone through so many umbrellas in my life!

My final trimester of classes began a couple of weeks ago and now we are in full swing.  As ever, my teachers are amazing people and because of them, we are learning so much Spanish.  As it should be, each class is challenging and stretches me to my limits so that I might learn as much as possible.  I am thankful for the opportunity to be here and I realize that each day here will help me better communicate the gospel to the people of Latin America.  Thank you for your support and prayers so I am able to study.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be taking two necessary trips.  First, all of the students are heading to Panama because we must renew our visas by leaving the country.  Please pray for our safety in traveling and that we will not have any issues at the border crossings.  Secondly, Daniel and I will be traveling to the Assemblies of God headquarters in Springfield, Missouri for one week.  Because we are getting married and my missionary status is changing, part of the approval process is that we will be interviewed by the Executive committee and attending training.  Please pray that we are able to articulate our dreams for ministry well during the interviews and that God helps us to absorb all of the information we are going to be learning during the various training sessions.

On a personal note…

This trimester has been especially challenging for me spiritually and emotionally.  I have felt daily attacks as the pressure of wanting to become completely fluent before I leave pushes on me each day.  I am almost constantly fighting against the lies of satan that “I will never learn this language” or that “The people are not going to understand me”, etc.  I have been putting on the armor of God daily and I am leaning on the Holy Spirit to help me redirect my thoughts as soon as the doubts creep in, but I could really use your prayers in this battle.  Thank you.

You are all so important to me.  I need you.  Your prayers, encouragement and support keep me going.  Thank you so much for the HUGE role you play in this ministry.  Without you, I would not be able to fulfill the calling God has placed on my life.  Thank you!

God bless you,

Janene Snyder

MA to Mexico (currently in Costa Rica at language school)

Beautiful Worship

One woman’s voice rises above the others.  She sings with all of her heart and often kneels to give praise to God.  Another is nearly coming out of her skin to dance and jump before the Lord in worship.  One gentleman on the end of the row turns slightly to the wall and simply stands with his head bowed in reverence.  Others raise their hands or sway as they join in the beautiful songs.  Several play instruments as their part in helping us enter the throne room of our God.  The Word is read and an application is presented.  Prayers of thanksgiving as well as supplication are put at the feet of the cross.  Money is given to further the work of the kingdom.  Many worship the Lord through acts of service by teaching the children, cleaning, cooking or welcoming all who enter. 

Worship—it comes in many forms.  It looks different in every country, church and person.  Yet when one’s heart is sincere, God is glorified.  May we all become beautiful worshippers.

1 Chronicles 16:27-34

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him.  Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Tremble before him, all the earth!  The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
 

Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
 

Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Dancing Missionaries??

One of the perks of being a missionary is that we get to experience a culture different from our home culture.  Yesterday, in school, we celebrated Costa Rica’s Independence Day.  Our teachers explained the history behind the day with pictures and music, including the national anthem.  The little MKs (missionary kids) played a part in the program with their teacher and we witnessed a flag processional.  The staff graciously served arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) and we even got to be a part of a traditional Costa Rican dance.

As part of the event, Daniel and I were chosen along with another couple, to demonstrate the dance for the students.  It was fun to wear the beautiful clothing and flip the gigantic skirt around during the dance.  The skirt actually weighs about 10 pounds and has multiple layers and ruffles, all in different colors, so I could pull the sides of it up to my ears without anyone seeing anything inappropriate.  In fact, the skirt is made so that the wearer can flip and spin it as a part of the visual beauty of the dances in Costa Rica.

Our dance included a broom and the idea was that during a part of the dance, the couples paired off to dance together and the one remaining single person was to pick up the broom and dance with it in the middle.  It was a game and a dance combined together.  We also got to select “volunteers” from the audience to teach them the dance.

Learning the history and culture of a people group is essential in order to minister to them effectively.  While it is interesting and enjoyable to learn about the food, holidays, dances, etc., it is also vitally important because it is WHO the people are.  Paul explained that he became what others needed him to be, so that by all possible means some might be saved.  (I Corinthians 9:22)  He did not change the Truth of the Gospel, but he made it culturally relevant to the people.  Learning the customs of the people here in Costa Rica and also in Mexico will help Daniel and I proclaim the message of Jesus in a culturally relevant way.  

It’s also really fun!!

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.”   

Isaiah 12:4