A Reflection from Sue Hegarty, Our Missionary in Costa Rica

Next week, we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. It´s a good moment to go over the year and
remember reasons to be thankful; I personally have many!

First, I am thankful that God has permitted me to witness God´s work here in Costa Rica and for allowing us (you and me together) to even participate in it. I hope that you are following my journals on the International Ministries website and Sue´s News for specific ways God is working.

Second, I am thankful to God for each one of you!

Do you know how much your prayers make a difference? Earlier this year, my MPT held a tea and gave out names of Costa Rican women involved in the Pastoral Care for Women program to pray for. When I announced this during a graduation celebration, one woman came to me in tears. Since a tea attendee had written who she was praying for, I had specifically mentioned the woman´s name in the announcement as an example. The Costa Rican woman felt so blessed and was encouraged to continue to wait on the Lord, feeling reassured that God was with her despite her difficult circumstances.

Another example of the difference made by partnerships was the León XIII Baptist Church building dedication held Sunday, November 10. ABC of the Great Rivers Region work teams, the Baptist Federation and the church members had worked together to complete the construction project, to make a viable building for ministry. Your financial support has permitted me to be part of this process and to widen our partnership in the area of leadership development and spiritual growth.

God continues to work. This past weekend (November 16-17) the pastor of the León XIII church and another member attended the Pastoral Care for Women retreat against domestic violence, for personal growth and to prepare themselves for ministry. We count on your prayers for those who attended this retreat, since the participants this year are mostly from marginal areas.

Thank you so much for partnering in ministry with me, both in prayer and in financial support. Not only does it make a difference in individual lives, but also in entire communities. Thanks be to God!

Sue Hegarty

(Apologies for the delay in publishing this letter. The blog writer has been quite busy with some personal matters of late and is just now catching up! J.S.)