My wife and I are pleased to support Megan Crow, sent by God to work in Costa Rica.  I'll let Megan tell her story - this came from her first update of the year this year. 

I asked Megan if I could post her letters, and she graciously agreed to allow me to share her work with you, so that you could know how God is working through His people around the world.  Look for more of Megan's letters (and even some pictures) in the near future as I catch up on her year.  Pray for her as you read, and for the children with whom she is working.  There is even an address at the bottom should you care to contribute to God's work in La Carpio.
Queridos (dear ones),

It has been an amazing six months in Costa Rica...God has pushed me beyond my own limits, blessed me exceedingly, and brought me deeper into His presence.  I am so thankful for His constant guidance and encouragement.  I am also so appreciative of your role in this journey of mine.  Thank you for listening!

Let me review for you...

2006 seems years ago....I have been through so many lessons and adventures in the past 2 years!  Jan 2006 I applied for and was accepted to serve as a short-term missionary with Christ For the City International.  I quit my job at the end of March and scattered my belongings across the city with wonderful friends who offered free storage.  I left Grand Rapids, Michigan (I had been living there 6 years), my friends and church and my beloved sister and spunky niece Jenna.  I headed to Costa Rica. 

Really, it was a bit of a homegoing for me, since God had already captured my heart through serving in the poor community of La Carpio years earlier.  In fact, the story began in 1984 when my parents brought us down to live in Costa Rica for 6 months....

But I am getting off track and you are getting bored! From April 2006 through December 2006 I worked with the amazing team of missionaries and volunteers who devote their resources to the La Carpio neighborhood.  I worked almost exclusively with the teen girls, helping them study for their high school equivalency test and just spending quality time with them and their families.  I also got to tutor the younger children in the afternoons---my favorite part!  I wondered why God had so clearly placed me in a teen program, when I did not feel it was my strength.  But He was teaching me so many things along the way...

I returned home, and stayed 6 months while I prepared to serve on a long-term basis.  Though I didn't want to be away from Costa Rica so long, God was still teaching me how to let go of my life and let Him work perfectly.....

The landscape had changed by the time I returned to La Carpio July 2007.  Praise God, He provided new teachers for the girls' institute, and I was needed elsewhere.  While I was gone, Christ For the City began a kindergarten program--a kind of HeadStart class for 5 year olds to prepare them for 1st grade.  My focus shifted completely to the younger children.  I am so thankful to serve a God who knows the desires of my heart....the little ones are my greatest passion!!

I had a class of 15 wiggly children....by the end of the year, our kinder kids knew their numbers, shapes, colors, opposites.  Some even advanced to addition and subtraction.  They played Memory Games and Duck Duck Goose and learned how to work together, and to keep trying until you get it right.  They were encouraged to exercise their creativity through art, movement and verbal games.  They learned discipline and self-control (misbehavior put them on the red light!) .  They went on 3 major outings:  the zoo, the fire station, and a pizza place with an indoor playground.  They loved singing songs about God and bickered over who was going to pray (and reminded me if I forgot to open in prayer!)  They learned of God's faithfulness to Moses and the Israelites, and heard the stories of Jesus' life and ministry...

On Saturdays, I was given charge over a group of 8-12 year old preteen girls.  The group grew from 4-6 girls, to over 30 girls in a few short months!  The girls bonded with their small group leaders, made various crafts, baked cookies, learned teamwork through obstacle courses, studied characters of the Old Testament, won a trivia challenge and went to McD's for Happy Meals (what a treat!) and improved their acting abilities through small dramas. 

For all this, I do not take credit myself...other than to participate in God's work.  It has been a good year, and I am excited to continue serving long-term with Christ For the City.  After a month rest/vacation in the USA, I return to Costa Rica (I'm going home...) to work. Thank you for all your prayers and ongoing support. 

Megan Crow

Donations can be sent to:
Christ for the City International
PO Box 390395
Omaha, NE 68139
(Please include my name)