"Hotel" Del Rey

This blog post is about a "Hotel" del Rey. This is the largest brothel in Central America which is here in San Jose Costa Rica. This blog post not only talks about what it is like, but what people like you and me can do to help these broken people involved. This post is written by four current GAP students named Christy Altman, Lisa Brockmeyer, Kelsey Gold, and Ellen Auer. Please share this with others so awareness can be raised about what is not only going on here in Costa Rica, but around the world. God is good! The link to the post is below.

http://mylifegotflipped.blogspot.com/2014/03/hotel-del-rey.html

Here are some of the comments people had about this post below.

"Kelsey, Lisa, Ellen and Christy are some friends of mine who have been studying and serving a year abroad here in Costa Rica. They wrote about the injustice of exploitation and prostitution happening here. Their perspective of what they have seen and how God has spoken to them is amazing! It is lengthy but worth the read!!! You girls are a huge blessing to all of us at LightForce International Ministries! #endit #shininglightintodarkness" -Anna Carrol, founder of LightForce International

"Four of my friends Kelsey, Lisa, Christy, and Ellen have written an eye opening post about Hotel del Rey, a broken brothel masqueraded by a hotel, here in San Jose. Prostitution and human trafficking is such a heart breaking battlefield here in Costa Rica and all over the world. Please pray for redemption, and if you're interested in giving much needed support, LightForce International Ministries is an awesome ministry that works closely with this issue in Costa Rica." -Savannah Holsten, current student in GAP

"This blog was made by Lisa Brockmeyer, Christy Altman, Kelsey Gold, and Ellen Auer. It's really long but worth every second of your time. It describes the reality of some of the darkness and the battles that are going on everyday here in Costa Rica. Please join in prayer and help fight against this evil darkness." -Danita Sheard, current student in GAP

"Tonight I am posting something very near and dear to my heart. A few of my friends here and I collectively wrote a blog post about some of the sex trafficking. If you don't read anything else I have written, please read this, but be forewarned. Somethings in this post are not for children. Also, it is pretty long." Christy Altman, current GAP student

"Please take the time to read this post...Ellen, Kelsey, Lisa & Christy share their hearts about the world-wide epidemic of legal prostitution, trafficking & what we can do to help." Beth Parlato, mom of current GAP sutdent

The is how Costa Rica really is..

I wrote this a little while a ago. It is not important like my last post, but I thought people might want to know about the place I live in. It's just a post about what I see, taste and smell here. Different than what it is stereotyped as. -Christy 

This post is about what Costa Rica is really like written by my roommates Christy. I think you will enjoy this read.

http://christysgapyear.blogspot.com/2014/04/demystifying-my-costa-rica.html

Girls World Cup

I had the opportunity to go to the teenage girls world cup in San Jose two weeks ago. I went for only $12. Spain and New Zealand were playing and Spain ending up winning!

Blogs you should check out!

These are blogs from people in GAP year

Ellen Auer
http://mylifegotflipped.blogspot.com/

Lisa Brockmeyer
http://sendmelmb.blogspot.com/

Kelsey Gold
http://kelseygold.blogspot.com/

Allysa Rayburn
http://avoicetobreakthesilence.blogspot.com/

Marissa Storkman
http://gapyearcostaricamarissa.blogspot.com/

Myra Vance
http://myramayvance.blogspot.com/

LeAnn Rendleman
http://www.missionsgirlforgod.blogspot.com/

Savanna Horne
http://savannahorne.blogspot.com/

Brielle Deardorff
http://brielledeardorffcr.blogspot.com/

Sonya Lantz (our student director)
http://sjoylantz.blogspot.com/

Hope Lewis (intern)
http://sendmeoutforyourglory.blogspot.com/

Zach Darrow
http://transformed122zach.blogspot.com/

Christy Altman
http://christysgapyear.blogspot.com/2014/02/trusting-jesus.html

Stacy Beller
http://trustwithoutborder.blogspot.com/o

Tina Gordley (directors wife)
http://hidingplaceblog.blogspot.com/

Maryellen Crist
http://crazyabbachild.blogspot.com/

Other blogs

This is a blog is about Metro from Sabine a leader of Metro ministries in Costa Rica that I work with every Saturday.
http://sabinezimmermann74.blogspot.com/

Ephesians 6:10-13

Ephesians 6:10-13

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

I can not stress enough how important it is for us as Christians to remember people are not our enemy, the devil is our enemy. Satan wants us to think people are our enemy so we don't live in unity, there is division, and we don't reach out to all people. We need to attack and rebuke Satan not others. Let us remember that as we try to build relationships with others and keep them.

Nicaragua

These are pictures of when we went to Nicaragua for a week. We stayed at a campsite and kids would come everyday that we would play games with and teach them about Jesus and give testimonies. It was a great time very hot and dry, but so beautiful.

Lake with volcanos in the background.

Old Catholic church in downtown.

Christy modeling for me. 

The camp we were staying at. 

Kiddos playing games in the hot sun. 

Myra giving her testimony. 

Monkeys we saw while having a boat ride.

We got to ride in buggies around downtown. 

Fun in the pool.

John & Bekah

John is our Bible teacher and preacher at GGP (our English church in Guadeloupe) and Bekah is his wife. John and Bekah just recently left Costa Rica after 4 years of ministry here to go back to the states. While John and Bekah were here they helped start GGP, John taught Bible for the GAP students, they lead small groups, and discipled us students along with ticos (Costa Ricans). I could never accurately explain the impact these two people have had on my life. They cared so much about each one of us. They let us be a part of their lives by tellings us stories, answering our questions, praying with us, and inviting us over to their house. They showed us what a Christ centered marriage should look like. They did exactly what Jesus has called us to do, make disciples. John is passionate about the Bible, a great example of what a husband should be like, and has so much knowledge that he loves to share with others. Bekah is a wonderful woman of God, a great mother and wife, and is a delight to be around. John and Bekah were a huge blessing in my life that I will never be able to thank God enough for. Please pray for them as they transition to life back in the states, their two kids John Lucas (2) and Judah (3 months), that they find a house quickly, and for John's new job. 

Prayer for future

I have found myself very stressed lately about the next step I will be taking after GAP year. My time here in Costa Rica ends May 5th. After that I plan on going to college. Where? I'm not sure. What will I study? I'm not sure. How will I pay for it? Not sure. There are so many options I could choose right now and frankly I'm just not sure which one is right. God continues to remind me to trust in Him and that He will gives me peace that passes all understanding. I ask that you pray for me as I make these decisions and that it will be what God wants me to do not what I think is best or a good idea. He knows what is best for my life not me! 

Girls dinner

At the end of February us girls in GAP were shocked to see on the white board on a Monday morning an invitation to dinner that evening that told to dress nice and that there would be an escort at our door at 6pm. This invitation was from all the guys in GAP. This made us girls quite excited as we talked and laughed with one another about what we thought might happen that night. Some thought it was a joke and we shouldn't even dress up. Some thought they were just going to serve us pizza, which would be fine I thought. We all did end up getting dressed up and really enjoyed it actually. We don't dress super nice here so it's fun to get dressed up every once in a while. As 6 o'clock rolled around we were in our nicest clothes anticipating what was going to happen next. Then we got a knock at our door and 2 guys stood in front of our door with flowers for each of my roommates and I. Then they escorted us like gentlemen to the cafeteria. I was already surprised because of the flowers and they were dressed in ties and nice shirts and pants. As we walked in the cafeteria I couldn't believe my eyes. They guys had put all the tables together then covered them in table cloths, the lights were off and it was only lit my candles, there was sweet music being played in the background with a guitarist and violinist, and the table was set. It was good that we ended up dressing nicely I thought to myself. Then the guys prayed over us which brought me to tears. Then they served us salad and soup with chocolate covered strawberries and apple crisp. The meal was delicious and it was all beautiful. I cannot express how these guys in GAP shock me with their kindness and godly manner. God has really been working on my heart in a lot of ways and one of them is the feminist tendencies I have. My heart is softer than ever and I am forever grateful for these young men I have around me here and teachers that godly men exist. I praise God for all of this!

Psalm 21

Psalm 21[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
    How great is his joy in the victories you give!

2 You have granted him his heart’s desire
    and have not withheld the request of his lips.[b]
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings
    and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
    length of days, for ever and ever.
5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
    you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings
    and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord;
    through the unfailing love of the Most High
    he will not be shaken.

8 Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies;
    your right hand will seize your foes.
9 When you appear for battle,
    you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
    and his fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
    their posterity from mankind.
11 Though they plot evil against you
    and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.
12 You will make them turn their backs
    when you aim at them with drawn bow.

13 Be exalted in your strength, Lord;
    we will sing and praise your might.