Thursday, November 27, 2008

¡Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias!


A Prayer for Thanksgiving

from “The Valley of Vision - A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions” compiled by Arthur Bennett


O MY GOD,

Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,

my heart admires, adores, loves Thee,

for my little vessel is as full as it can be,

and I would pour out all that fullness before Thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with Thee

ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,

ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,

ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,

crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless Thee for the soul Thou hast created,

for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;

for the body Thou hast given me,

for preserving its strength and vigor,

for providing senses to enjoy delights,

for the ease and freedom of my limbs,

for hands, eyes, ears that do Thy bidding;

for Thy royal bounty providing my daily support,

for a full table and overflowing cup,

for appetite, taste, sweetness,

for social joys of relatives and friends,

for ability to serve others,

for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,

for a mind to care for my fellow-men,

for opportunities of spreading happiness around,

for loved ones in the joys of heaven,

for my own expectation of seeing Thee clearly.

I love Thee above the powers of language to express,

for what Thou art to Thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity. Amen

Monday, November 24, 2008

One Month Update

It hard to believe that I've been here for a whole month now. Things seem to be going well. I've gotten used to the rutine. I'm still taking the barefoot language class. Last week, we went to several field trips as a part of the class. We went to the basilica, an art museum, and a hospital. We have also sampled various fruits and vegetables that are popular in Costa Rica. It has been really exciting.

My Spanish is coming along. I can read in Spanish pretty well (i.e. accompanied by a dictionary). Using it in conversation is more difficult. Hearing it is even more difficult, especially outside of class (Spanish teachers tend to speak more slowly). But I am beginning to hear more words and make out more sentences. Poco a poco.

At the basilica, we were able to see firsthandthe overwhelming darkness of Catholicism and the stronghold it has on the people. It is indeed a Christless religion of works and traditions mixed with paganism which Satan is using it to deceive many. It is close to truth yet so far away at the same time. Please pray that the light of the true gospel of Christ would shine this dark place, that dead bones would be quickened, and that blind eyes would see and deaf ears would hear the Truth!

This past weekend, all of the IMB missionaries had a conference on Bible-storying. It was interesting, but had a lot of repition from orientaion in Virginia. I was able to meet more of the IMB missionaries that are here.

On Thursday, we are having a Thanksgiving Day Supper at the Institute—a time for food, fellowship, and giving thanks to God. I am looking forward to it.

For the Glory of His Name and the Furtherance of His Kingdom,
Kenan