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Overholt Newsletter

Clay pots ministry

A few weeks ago I was reflecting upon some of the things that we have experienced so far in
our missionary journey here in Costa Rica. On the surface it looks pretty rustic. All of our
church plants are attached to someones home. Most of the floors are dirt or at the best a
concrete slab. We don't have walls which means we are open for all kinds of visitors:
chickens, dogs, and even the occasional snake. We don't have bulletins or use power point.
We transport plactic folding chairs, a music stand, and a mic stand from one service to the
other. One of our children's church classrooms is under a Guanacaste tree while the other is
behind the house.

and technology, I was reminded of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure
in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." This refers to
us individually because we are the temples of Holy Spirit but I believe, as well, it can apply to
our corporate gatherings. Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My
name, I am there in the midst of them." I am
discovering in a practical way that, regardless of the
structure of our clay pot, we all have the same treasure.
We have the same Holy Spirit in our midst, the same promises
of God in the Bible, and the same worship songs to sing.
Another thing we have in common is people who love to
worship together, pray for one another, and who enjoy
fellowship after the service over a cup of Costa Rican coffee.
Some of our clay pots might be fancier and bigger than
others but, whether you have two projector screens or one, it is the treasure within that
changes and impacts lives.
I am learning that the significance of what I do will depend more upon how I value the
treasure within than the earthen vessel that holds it. I believe the key is to have a healthy
perspective on the things we have, compared to the treasure we host. One day, in the light of
His glory, the clay pots won't seem that significant.
One blessing for us is that all of our clay pots(churches) are paid for and so we have no
mortgage or rent expenses. A lot of this has been because of teams coming down to partner
with us. We are very thankful for the groups who have visited so far this year: Anne & Cheryl
from the Maritimes, a team of 9 from Cranbrook,

and our latest team from Vancouver Island: Dave,
Christine and Jordan.
Each group brings their own special flavor and
giftings to share with the people down here. The
Ashcrofts helped out in many practical ways. With
the help of their church "River Heights" they were
able to raise money to put a much needed new roof
on one of our church facilities in La Guinea, plus
bringing down children's church materials, flags for
worship, a portable printer that we can take with us
for photo shoots, toothbrushes, bibles, reading
glasses and much more.

Dave had an opportunity to teach and Christine to
share, for the first time, her testimony in church.
Both of them did an excellent job.

Debbie's Corner

Yes this has been a year of
celebrating anniversaries for 4
church plants, weddings,
birthdays, baby dedications, and
were only into May. It is very
exciting to see all that has
happened - and we are so very
thankful to those groups and folks
who come all the way from Canada
and the States to work with us. It

Street Ministry
"Without Walls"

Dave, Christine and Jordan also helped us to celebrate the first year anniversary of our
church plant in Martina Bustos. They visited the year before when Juan and Sandra first
moved to the area. Not only did we have an anniversary celebration but also a wedding.
One thing that we have discovered is that Costa Rican's love to celebrate birthdays,
anniversaries and weddings.

is encouraging and a huge blessing to the pastors and people
in the churches here. Thank you - to all who come and to all
who give and to all who pray. God is doing amazing things and
we hope that you feel a part of it as we share the photos and
stories with you.
The team that we are working with is fabulous: Juan and Sandra,
Juan Carlos and Alejandra, Pillar and Juan, Lucy and Gerardo,
and Rosa. They are all servant leaders, wonderful teachers and
very pastoral to their flocks. Our Foursquare pastors here in
Guanacaste are beginning to know them as well - they travel
with us to monthly meetings and take part in the Zone activities.
And we do have activities: ladies meetings, leadership meetings,
special encounter weekends, fellowship times. There is never a
lack of things to attend but we also know we cannot go to them
all, as well as the regular church services. Mother's Day was
yesterday and I was able to talk to my kids and grandkids on
Skype so that was a great blessing. Everyone is well and doing
good so that is comforting to me. Here, mother's day is in August
and it also is a big day of honoring the moms and grandmas who
give and serve there family.
Tomorrow we are leaving for Nicaragua with Juan and
Sandra(who are from Nicaraqua) and Jose y Fabiana(mission
directors here in Costa Rica) on an exploratory trip - we hope to
meet with and talk with the national Foursquare President and
the Supervisor and hear what their needs might be and how we
might come alongside them to partner together in Nicaragua.
We have set up a time to do this as well as visit some of the
churches and meet the pastors. We will be there for 3 days so
would appreciate your prayers as we travel and get a feel for the
land and the people. Our Foursquare President here in Costa
Rica - Pastor Rafael is fully behind this and is looking forward to
moving forward in this area and working together with Nicaragua
and possibly other countries here in Central America.
I feel like we are on a speed boat going down a fast moving
river and as we travel along more people are jumping in the boat
and traveling with us on the journey. We surely need to stay
focused and close to the Lord so that we don't become weary in
well doing. That is a good prayer for sure.
Thanks for keeping in touch with us and for standing with us.
Please continue to pray for health for us, wisdom, strength and
direction.
This month we will be celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary
and taking a few weeks vacation - time to relax, refresh and
recharge the batteries. Where has the time gone - 1973 - whew -
hopefully we have learned a few things over the years.
Your turn now - write and tell us what is happening up your way
and with your family and church. Love to get mail.