April 29, 2006 Update Julie
Images included on Pictures Page!

Hello Friends and Family! Wow, Edgar and I are so grateful for your prayers and support. We feel it even though we're miles away! We are so humbled and blessed to have such a huge team of brothers and sisters lovin' on us and praying us through!

These past two months have been action packed. We wanted to get you updated on everything from the wedding and our new home to the doors of ministry the Lord has opened for us.

Through much prayer, God made the way for Edgar's parents to come to Costa Rica for the wedding. At 74 years of age, it was their first trip out of the country and on a plane. During their five-week stay, we learned so much from each other. Edgar's mother had never used a washing machine or a microwave. She couldn't get over how fast they worked! She taught me how to cook everything from scratch. I didn't know you could prepare food without a microwave!

However, we learned many more lessons not related to appliances and food preparation. It broke my heart as I listened to Edgar's parents give testimony to the realities of the gorilla warfare in Columbia. They told stories of family, friends, and neighbors that have been killed, robbed, and kidnapped. I understood a little more why Edgar's mom prayed so fervently for God's protection when we left our house, and why she never stopped giving Him thanks for His care when we returned safely. Trusting in God looks so different when every breath and every meal depends on Him.

On March 18th, I arrived two hours late to the equivalent of a Latin Country Club to marry Edgar Jose Zuluaga. I knew punctuality wasn't the highest of priorities for Latinos, but I thought for sure all our guests would be leaving. It was so normal, so one even mentioned the wait!

It was an absolute joy to have my family, my best friend, and his parents at the wedding!

Our new home was a furnished, 2 bedroom apartment, however the Lord has blessed us with an enormous upgrade!

While I was at home in Indiana, I had the opportunity to meet with Edge Outreach, a ministry in Louisville that works to install water purification systems in Costa Rica. I began to share with them our dream to one day have a large facility for mission teams, discipleship, retreats, etc. I was blown away when the leaders of Edge said that their dream was to have a mission house of the same capacity to house their mission teams. While we were praying for the facility, they were praying for a couple to be the "house parents!" We signed the contract today! This house has the capacity to house a team of 25! This month, Edgar and I will be preparing the house for the June mission team! Praise God for answering prayers!

This month we took our first trip to Guanacaste, where we will be working in social outreach and evangelism with a ministry called A Smile of Hope and Love. With each visit we will make home visits, building relationships with the people in these poverty-stricken areas, as well as laying the ground work for future mission teams. This year we will be analyzing the needs, determining specific sites to bring mission teams, and forming ministry plans. Each time we leave feeling overwhelmed by the generosity, hospitality, and gratitude of these people with such great need.

Edgar and I are serving in a 2 ½ year old church plant called Amistad Internacional (International Friendship). Our primary responsibility will be in the area of evangelism and discipleship. We are developing a curriculum and will organize small groups with the purpose of equipping Christ followers with the knowledge of the gospel and evangelism tools, so that they would in turn teach others and make disciples. We will also be leading a small group, serving on the Praise Team, and loving on newcomers through home visits and follow-up.

Each ministry opportunity, from the mission house, to the discipleship and social outreach, has been a desire of our heart and an answer to our prayers. We want to say thanks again for your support as well as ask again for your continual prayers! God hears your prayers. We feel them! And many lives are touched by them. God bless you!

Julie and Edgar Zuluaga

Prayer Requests: " Direction and Wisdom in defining ministry plans " God's grace over our marriage and ministry " God's Provision in the mission's finances " The Mission House " Edgar as he learns English

Monday, May 01, 2006 Update Tuesday, March 28, 2006 Update Wednesday, March 8, 2006 Update Saturday, January 10, 2006 Update