Outreach Begins

The time has almost come……the one, the only, NIKO jungle camping boot-camp!!! We leave in just a few days and we are definitely anxiously awaiting our departure. If I haven’t told you about NIKO, let me explain: I know nothing! It’s top secret, meant to build our character. The word NIKO is Greek and means ‘to overcome, conquer, or gain the victory’. All we know is that we will come out of the week very changed, if we go into it with the right attitude. Word has it that nearly everyone cries during the experience. Unfortunately I won’t even be able to tell you about it afterward because we are sworn to secrecy but I’ll be sure to let you know what happens with my character!

Before beginning NIKO we will be helping with a youth event in Talamanca, Costa Rica, which is the first stop for our official outreach. Once NIKO is over we will travel to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica for a couple of days to rest and recover from our week in the jungle but we’ll also be doing some ministry during that time. After that we will make our way down to Panama, I believe we will be in Bocas del Toro. I’m not sure yet what type of ministry will take place there. After leaving Panama we will return to San Jose for a day and then head out to Nicoya, Costa Rica. There we will help with a Bible distribution project and also do some youth ministry. After Nicoya we will debrief in Tamarindo, Costa Rica then we’ll begin the second phase of our outreach which will mainly take place in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The majority of our time there will be spent partnering with a bi-lingual youth group who is already doing so much ministry in their area. I look forward to how God is going to use us there! We should be in Honduras about three weeks then possibly go to El Salvador for a week to debrief again before returning to San Jose for graduation.

It’s hard to believe that it is already time for outreach! I know the next two months will go by so fast. They will be both challenging and exciting months, full of surprises and growth I’m sure. Please pray for us in the coming months if you think about it. If you’re not sure how to pray, here are some keywords: unity, Spirit-led, effective, safety (in locations and while traveling), willingness/boldness, growth, creativity, wisdom, strength/rest/energy, health, etc…. Also, below is a tentative schedule for October if you’re interested in knowing when we will be in certain areas. Thanks for your prayers and support and I will update again when I have a chance.

God bless,
Leah

OCTOBER:
2- Travel to Talamanca, Costa Rica
3- Youth event
4-8 NIKO camping
9- Travel to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
11- Travel to Panama
18-19 Work with Indigenous people
20- Travel to San Jose, Costa Rica
21- Work with Salvation Army
22- Travel to Nicoya, Costa Rica
25-28 Bible distribution/Youth ministry
29- Travel to Tamarindo, Costa Rica (debrief Panama/Nicoya)
31- Travel to Honduras

Also, here are the names of everyone on my team should you desire to pray specifically:
Morgan (boy)- leader
Elena- leader
Kim- leader
Leah (me)
Heidi
Jonathan
Kristin
Jason
Rachael
Dash
Morgan (girl)
Debbie
Amanda
Nina
Katie
Veronica
Laura