I pray this finds you all blessed as God works in your lives. It has been awhile since my last up date, and a lot has happened. God is blessing me and His children here abundantly through the Holy Spirit. This past month has been a time of change in my mission priorities.
I have taken over Directorship and moved to the men’s rehab center, “God in Action Ministry” for men in Coronado, which is 40 minutes in the hills above San Jose, Costa Rica. I am amazed how God takes the seemingly unqualified and uses them in mighty ways for His purpose. At first I was unsure if I was to do this, and yet I had no other choice, as the previous Director resigned with short notice, but in good grace. So I had two choices: close the center or run it myself. I really didn’t need a pencil for this quiz, as God had already opened the door for me, and as I have found out He had also prepared the way.
It’s unusually cold here from what I have experienced in the last 5 years in Costa Rica. It’s more like San Francisco, Calif. with less sunshine, but fresh and beautiful, and we over look the whole valley of San Jose -- perfect for rehab.
However, as I left to go to the Center, I was wondering how I was going to keep my room with the Tica (Costa Rica) family I have lived with for the past 5 1/2 years, but God had already planed that. I had been talking with a woman missionary in the Dominican Republic (Sue) for a few months on the internet. She had shared that she was possibly looking for another mission to help, but wasn’t sure where to go. OK, a long story short, Sue arrived April 29th to began working with me here.
She will be living with my Tica family in my old room…so I keep my office and storage area and my Tica family. She will be overseeing all my paperwork, reports and computer stuff as needed. Here’s the kicker: she teaches English. Yahoo -- as I can now teach the men a skill that can help them get a better job when they leave the center.. YES, I am excited, and so are the 4 men here at the center. On other news, the new bathroom we’re building is almost complete and will make life easier for the men (now sharing 1 bathroom)!
Here’s blessing straight from God. Last Sunday I spoke briefly at church in San Pedro where Steve (he teaches a Tuesday night study at the center) is the teaching Pastor. After the service a woman asked me how much money was needed to finish the bathroom at the center. I told her and she blessed us with the enough to finish it.
But the real blessing is, that the men are responding to God’s teaching. I have been able to disarm arguments and badmouthing of one another through verses in the Bible. God has given me wisdom to led and teach the men in the Word of God. I was able to discipline the men by reading Proverbs 6:16-19. This was after I had heard murmuring among them.
So, here’s “God in Action”: Monday I told them, that if they memorized those verses by Friday, I’d show a them a movie (DVD). The next day I was gone all day on errands. When I returned that night for supper, I asked if they had memorized any part of them. To my surprise and joy, they all recited all the verses as a team. This was the first time they had done anything as a family in Christ! They were like children as they recited the verses to me, smiling and laughing in joy in their accomplishment. (ages 22 to 49)..
Haha, I guess I made the right decision in keeping the center open, even though it is a financial stretch. But what are four lives worth to God?? EVERYTHING.!! If you’d like to help with funds to buy (clothes, shoes, medical, always food, building material, bedding, mattresses office/school supply) , but above all prayer. Please send all donations to me through CTEN. (see below)
Los Guizaros (where we feed the children 6 days a week) is still going strong even though the cost of food and cooking gas has skyrocketed, we’re making ends meet through the grace of God, by cutting a few corners. The weekly Saturday youth Bible Study has grown from 8 or 10 to 16 youths between 8 and 14 yrs old. We have been blessed with more people welling to help every Sat. Rose (from Costa Rica) comes with her grandchild every week and helps teach the younger children the Bible along with Jessica and Kari who are both young missionaries here on short term mission from the USA. Rebecca and Stephanie, both from Costa Rica, and have been with me for 3 years now. Rebecca usually leads the older children’s Bible Study.
Also, please keep Cecelia in prayer as she started feeding the children 5 years ago out of her own pocket. She usually does all the cooking 6 days a week and more. Also pray for more support for food, cooking gas and other Bible study supplies needed.
Los Guido is always on top of my heart to help. The children and families who live there are like a second family to me. I help many with special needs as they just don’t have the means. One of the families needs help sending their autistic daughter to a special school where she is learning to interact with other children with the same handicap. Another I help with funds to pay for government-supplied milk for children in need. And the list goes on. Please understand that they are not depending on me for their needs but a blessing that is provided to them from “God in Action Ministry”. And, even though their needs are great, they do not ask for more.
The stairs I repaired there a few months ago are doing great, however there is a need for more repairs as the climate is hard on everything man-made. This month I will be delivering photos I took of the families, some newborn children, and others of special events in their lives. This is a part of the ministry here that really helps me stay in touch with all the families as they never could afford a camera or printed photos. I think you all can understand the joy a photo brings. I will also be checking the youths’ report cards to see how they are doing in school. I can help motivate them with a promise of school supplies for next year if they have passing grades this year. It seems to work:>)
I pray God blesses you with His Peace,
Bruddah Keith
http://keithbritton.blogspot.com/
May our Father bless you as you pray for his children, young and old, in Costa Rica. As He puts it on your hearts, please send your support to, Commission To Every Nation, = "CTEN, P.O . Box 291307, Kerrville, TX 78029"...please send in all support by the 24th for that months disbursement. Make your check out to CTEN with a side note with my name, Keith Britton, on it (not on the check). Dios te ama
