Annie, Simons and Nesbitts hiking to waterfalls near Quepos.
We are well into our fifth month of living in the tiny fishing village of Pilon, tucked away in the southwestern corner of Costa Rica. Believe it or not, we’re beginning to feel a bit conflicted about our pending return to the States in a few weeks. There are many things we’ve come to appreciate and even prefer about living in Costa Rica, even while we miss much about being home. Still, we are confident that the Lord is leading us back to the US for this next season and have a great excitement to be soon reunited with our dear friends and loved ones!
Jeffrey and Chris in their broken down truck in a creek during a rainstorm. At night.
Due to El Nino / La Nina, Costa Rica has experienced some incredibly unusual weather patterns this year. December 2015 through April 2016 was the hottest and driest “summer” in 7 years, but the drought was abruptly ended by one of the wettest Mays ever experienced. As we mentioned last month, the rain is welcomed for the cooler temperatures it brings but is also blamed for a massive increase in insects. The frequent application of chemical insect repellent may well cause brain damage, but we’re pretty sure that insanity has likely claimed a few folks from incessant itching due to constant bites!
We are grateful to share that, once again, the Lord has blessed us with two very effective outreaches during which we saw numerous signs and wonders! In what was our second away-from-home outreach, we answered a call to minister for the first time in the tourist town of Quepos, about 3 hours north of us. Reminiscent of old-time revival tent meetings, we ministered 2 consecutive nights at one church and Sunday morning in another. We were thrilled to observe many healings: a tumor which disappeared, vocal cords, backs, knees and stomachs healed, legs lengthened, cataracts cleared up and migraine headaches which ceased. We also experienced an increased specificity in words of knowledge and prophecy and were excited to see many people baptized in the Holy Spirit! For greater details as well as photos, check out CRSSM’s Facebook page. (www.facebook.com/crssm.org)
As a team, we at CRSSM are still convinced that the Lord is calling us to pastoral/leadership training in supernatural ministry here in Costa Rica. Although we had hoped to hold our first training event before our family’s return to the States, the timing was unfavorable. We are now planning to host such a conference at some point in the next six months or so. Please continue to pray for the Lord to bring all of the details together so that we might launch this much-needed and highly anticipated ministry.
We’re just a few days away from our largest outreach of the year as Toby Ray leads a small team of young adults from Heritage Christian Fellowship in San Clemente for 10 days of service. Please intercede for continued signs and wonders as we pour out the love of Jesus in schools, in churches and in the streets. Pray also for this group to be drawn closer to the King and for breakthrough in the heart and mind of each student.
Click to see video of Landon’s jump. Muy valiente!
A brief update on our daughters: Alyssa left two weeks ago to take a summer job. She’s living and working with her grandparents in Phoenix and has readily adjusted to life back in the States. We, on the other hand, are greatly missing her presence in our home and in the ministry. She has been an amazing help to us and an integral team member. Kylene, as we shared last month, had plans to spend the next year in Redding after having graduated from her third year at BSSM. Since that time the Lord has specifically changed her trajectory and has prepared her heart to live and serve elsewhere. We would so appreciate your intercession for open doors for Kylene as she seeks the Father in her next steps.
Once again, we covet your prayers for guidance as we make our transition back to the United States. In spite of our joy in returning home, the reverse culture shock and challenges which accompany it can be intense. We are also continuing to pray for an open door as we look for a home to rent beginning July 5.
We are fully convinced that it is you, our beloved friends and family, who have made this season of ministry possible through your continued love, encouragement and prayers. Thank you for being such an amazing source of joy in the journey!
I tell ya: it brings us such happiness to see God bring the Nesbitts this new season of ministry! Talking with you all years ago, how God had you in a season of waiting…and now this? Just miraculous and wonderful and the Stutlers are so happy for you. Praying all the way and please keep the updates coming. Love, Steve, Shan, Jake, Jane, Jude.
Thanks Steve, that means a lot. And, likewise, so happy for you guys in this unexpected but fruitful season in the marketplace. Miss you guys!
Hi Chris ~ Thanks so much for these updates. We really enjoy them and it keeps us in touch with you so that we can pray most effectively for you and your family and your ministry.
Question: What size accommodations are you looking to obtain in the US? With your family members dispersing abroad, exactly what do you need? And where?
Hey Gregg, thanks so much for your prayers! Great question. We’re looking for a three bedroom, as it’ll be just four of us for awhile. If it were a matter of just making a practical decision, we’d probably move to PoDunk Indiana, or wherever the cheapest rent is. We’re truly open to living anywhere, but are asking the Lord for a SoCal miracle in order to be near my folks.