This is a combo requests and praise report this month.

We have been blessed with a wonderful Christian warden at the women's prison where we work.  He has just received a well deserved promotion, so we have requests that whomever takes his place will have favor for our Celebrate Recovery Classes and we will be able to continue them with this new leadership.

Also with the prison, the current warden has offered us the availability to start Celebrate Recovery Classes in other prisons around Costa Rica.  Our classes are taught in English and there is an impressive amount of foreigners inside the prisons that do not know Spanish and wish to have an English Christian class.  We are not sure that God is wanting this for us, as we cannot see an opening in our schedules.

We have received a few teams this year and have more on the way. These teams are a HUGE blessing to the Costa Rican's they serve.  We offer thanksgiving to Christ for making the path clear and also ask for prayers to continue doing His work, His way.

A family that partners with us increased their giving this year.  They heard our schooling costs had risen, so they gave us a one-time donation to help cover the costs of this increase.  We are so grateful for them, their faithfulness to God and them remembering our family.  Our prayer requests is that God will continue to bless us with sufficient finances and bless those that remember us and other missionaries through their prayers and partnerships.

April 2012 Prayer Requests and Praises:

                      Prayer Requests:                                                                   

April 20-21 we will help lead 45 of our youth, as they work alongside another youth group to serve children and families in a rural area of Costa Rica.  Please pray for the leadership (there are only 4 of us), for unity in the youth groups and for God's Word to be alive in this community.

April 24-26 Bryan will be serving at a Pastors Conference. Prayers for discernment and wisdom for him, the pastors and other leaders would be appreciated.

April 27-29 Our family will be working in Liberia with a small church to bring the Bible messages to this community.  We will also offer free medical and dental care, a children's program and an evening of Praise and Worship. These weekend events are very rewarding, and can be very tiring.  Please pray for health of the staff, safe travels and strong discipleship in this community.

Every Monday- Please pray for Beth as she participates in a Celebrate Recovery Leadership Program.  All of the ladies covet your prayers as they learn and work on themselves,  through what God reveals, and how to lead others in this ministry.

Every Tuesday- We have 15 women in an English speaking Celebrate Recovery Program in Buen Pastor, a woman's prison.  These women are facing depression, denial and isolation.  Please remember them in your prayers.  It would be wonderful if there is a Tuesday morning Bible study class that could commit to praying for these ladies at the beginning of their class.

Every Wednesday- Beth is teaching English to children in grades 1-6 in a public school, which is primarily children of immigrant workers.  These children need prayers in so many areas- spiritual, economically, mentally, family life and discipline, to name a few.  The teachers and principle also can use prayers as they work with and want the best for these children.

Every Thursday- as we plan and develop a curriculum for the children in public schools to teach them values, worth of living right and following Christ                                

Praises: 

---We work with some fantastic people and are so blessed that God put them into our lives.  There are too many to mention, but God knows. 

---Our children are doing well in school.  This year is their hardest, but they are understanding and applying themselves.

---We have made friends!  It took a few years, but our friends are true through and through.

---For the challenges we have faced and the opportunities in front of us.  God allows things to happen for us to grow.  We are thankful for His faithfulness and love.

May 2012 Praises and Prayer Requests:

Praises:

--April 20-21, the work from the two youth groups was an eye-opening and difficult mission trip for our youth, but God shined! 

--April 27-29 Our weekend in the rainforest was Incredible!!!  Thanks be to God for good weather, for changed lives! 

--Work inside the prison has been good.  We are fortunate to work with strong Christian women that can see through the masks of the prisoners.  God is moving as the ladies are more open to talk about their situations and see their denial.

Prayer Requests:

--May 4 and 5- We are having a Celebrate Recovery Leaders Retreat.  Prayers for strength and unity as a team while we discover how God wants us to be used to touch the lives of these women.

--Teaching English to a group of 6th grade children that do not want to learn English is difficult and humbling.  Especially in a school where discipline is not expected-- please pray for us to figure out the best way to reach these children. 

--This month, May 13th,  we are hosting the Conexion team meeting at our home.  Last month was great and we had new volunteers.  Please pray for more to come-- we can always use more!

--One Saturday this month, 12th or 19th- we are having a prayer labyrinth called "Date with God" at our house.  It will be for the youth of the church and for the next Conexion team meeting.  Prayers are needed for  getting concrete ideas, acquiring the supplies, and executing!

--May 25- 27-- Our family will be traveling again to serve another community in need.  Prayers for travel safety, for the church and the community we will be working.

--Prayers as we continue to work inside the public schools.  For the children's ears to be tuned in to God's work.

--Please pray for the women in the prison and those whose lives they have affected.  We will start our study on Sanity this next week.