Our Family in California

Our Family in California

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (minus the trains)


It’s not every day that you get a hug from the lady behind the ticket counter of an airport, but that’s what happened to us!  Here is that story as well as a few others to let you in on the latest happenings on our crazy journey.

It took a full minivan and a loaded truck to get there, but we arrived safely at the Latrobe Airport on June 21.  There we stood at the ticket counter with enough luggage to fill the available cargo space on any normal jet as well as most of the overhead bins.  (I recommend that all of you try this sometime just to see the looks on people’s faces!)  We had prepaid for all the extra luggage, but had not paid for the overweight fees as this could only be determined at the airport, so we were expecting to pay an extra $400 to $500 in fees.  
While checking in, and after praying that God would use us to glorify himself on this trip, we explained to Tina (the lady behind the counter) that in one tote there was what may have looked like a bomb as we were bringing a water filter to Costa Rica, but that she need not worry.  Upon hearing this I expected to be involved in some sort of intrusive cavity search, but instead she said, “You guys are on a mission trip aren’t you?”  We told her that we were, and she proceeded to put “Heavy!” stickers on all the bags and not charge us anything for the added weight!  
After the bags had all been loaded on the conveyor belt she simply said, “God bless you guys!”  We all got a little teared up and I told her that if she were on our side of the counter I would give her a hug, so she stepped over and hugged me!  We were on our way!  

Making the best of a very long layover!

The rest of our day was not quite so good with a 10 hour delay on the layover which ended up being a cancelled flight in the end.  So, at 4:00 am on June 22 we arrived at the Holiday Inn in Fort Lauderdale rather than our rented house in Bahia, Costa Rica.  All in all we were in no hurry and the kids got an unexpected day of swimming in between flights, and we arrived safely on June 23 in the afternoon.  

Our luggage had gotten to San Jose a day before we did, but God even had a guy there, (who spoke no english) who found us looking lost.  He knew where our bags were and helped us move our stuff all the way to our shuttle!  

Starting a life here in Costa Rica has been fun and challenging at the same time.  I wish I could report that after a good nights sleep I woke up on Monday morning and God told me why we are here and what we are to be doing.  It seems however, that he will either show us his plan bit by bit or in his own time, so we are trying to spend each day looking for ways to help take part in ministries that are already here.  

Faith was able to help some ladies from our church here (Inglesia De la Costa) with a weekend that had been planned for some older girls from an orphanage.  The purpose of the weekend was to help them get away, hear about God’s plan for their futures, and have a good time.  The kids and I got to join in a little and meet the girls on a trip to the beach.  Faith learned about how the girls are turned out of the orphanages here at 18 and how some end up on the streets as they have no means to start out.  Please keep these young ladies in your prayers as this is really heavy on most of their hearts!

We also got to help out at a VBS this past week where over 100 kids came and heard about God’s love and plan for their lives.  Our kids were able to join in and Faith and I got to help out with serving lunch.  I even got to play a little extreme dodge ball! 

Tomorrow we get to take the whole family to the orphanage that we visited last time we were here and see our friends there!  Our kids were so excited when they found out, you would have thought that we had just announced that we were heading to Disney World!

Hanging out with some old friends.

We feel very blessed to be here and to have the opportunity to look for ways each day to bring glory to our God.  At the same time, Satan uses our weaknesses to cause doubts.  When I am trying to talk to kids at VBS and can’t convey a thought in their language he says, “This was a mistake.”  When we look for a car and can’t find one in our price range that will be reliable he says, “You are a fool to be here at all.  What about the future?”  I would be lying if I said that I never let it get to me, but then I read these verses.

“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.  Instead, God chose things the world considered foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.  And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.  As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God........Therefore, as the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.’”  1 Cor. 1:26-29 & 31

I know that we are not powerful or wealthy and I know that the world looks at us and these latest decisions and sees foolishness, and that’s cool!  It’s cool because when God does something through us, no one will be able to say that it was because of our power or wealth or our well thought out plan.  It’s cool because it will be understood that God did something in spite of us, in spite of the language barrier, and in spite of no organized funding and that he did it for HIS glory!  I hope you can see that we are boasting in the Lord, and my prayer is that you are as well!

Please keep the prayers coming!  I had several people say that they had been praying for peace that passes understanding, and that is exactly what we had during our travels!  Please continue to pray for peace, for direction, and that God provides a vehicle for our family!

We love and miss you guys!,
The Costa Rica Ridderings

P.S.  A big thank you to those of you who have sent some gifts our way!  You’ll never know how much these have meant to us and how God has used these gifts as answers to prayer!  If you want to support our ministry, the easiest way to do it is via www.WorldOutreach.org/donations -  you can select Aaron and Faith Riddering from the list under the donate tab.  You can also set up automatic monthly Gifts with your credit card if you choose the "Monthly" option.  Or, simply mail your check to:  World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate for Aaron & Faith Riddering #239.

5 comments:

  1. I had an interesting thought as I read this post: You guys are way-the-heck down there in Costa Rica, but you are missionaries not only to them, but also to us back here (living our comfortable lives). You are reminding me to step out of my comfort, and look for the ministry opportunities God has for me every day. Thanks! Know that you are in our prayers. --Ben

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  2. Great blog you guys. I enjoyed hearing the stories of your trip there and the many ways God worked things out. It is so...fun to look back and see all the many ways God provides for our needs. I agree with Ben, you are reminding us to look for the ministry opportunities every day in our lives. We don't have to be far away as missionaries, we just have to be open to the Lord's plan. Love you guys so much. Blessings Mom

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  3. Dear Aaron and Faith, You definitely have the gift of writing and we thank you for using that to inspire us all. The fact that you are willing to share your struggles of faith is beautiful. You are not painting a perfect picture but an honest picture. That's why it is easy to see that God is sustaining you and not your own intellect or emotions. Everything that's happened is to get you to depend completely on Him and by sharing your story you are helping all of us do the same. Jesus is more than enough! Love, hugs and prayers Dad

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  4. Taking Jesus at His word is NOT crazy! You guys are an encouragement to me and I love you all!! Prayers!

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  5. Thank you all for your encouraging words! We love and miss you all!

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