One Month In: God’s Goodness So Far! (9/20/25)

Hey Support Family!

Just over a month ago, we stepped into a new chapter of life and ministry. In that short time, God’s goodness has met us in unexpected ways.

He has shown up through small answered prayers, moments of encouragement,

and the joy of beginning to settle into a new rhythm.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23 )

The Lord has blessed us with the opportunity to study Spanish, and we are so grateful! Our days have been full and sometimes long, but the school has been an incredible place of growth. The teachers are not only skilled but also so kind and encouraging. In just one month, it’s been amazing to see how far we’ve come.

Originally, we thought one intensive month would be enough, but now that we’re settling into the rhythm of language learning, we realize we may need more time. Would you join us in prayer as we consider extending through the full trimester, which runs until December? We believe those extra months would strengthen our ability to serve alongside the ministries here in Costa Rica.

Already, we’ve been blessed with wonderful relationships with Ticos who patiently let us practice with them. But with deeper language ability, we know we’ll be able to build even stronger connections and share life and faith more fully in this community.

Life In Costa Rica

After a huge transition, we’re now in a place where we’re beginning to settle in. God has provided not only safe housing but also an amazing community that has welcomed us with open arms. It’s such a gift to feel at home.

We’re also enjoying the pace of daily life here. The calm atmosphere, the slower lifestyle, and even the weekly joy of exploring the farmers’ market (Feria). These simple moments have been helping us adjust, giving us space to breathe and to appreciate the beauty of Costa Rican culture.

Through it all, we’ve been reminded that God cares for every detail, from where we live to the friendships that surround us. He is a God who provides for all our needs and more.

Independence Day in Costa Rica

September 15 marked Costa Rica’s Independence Day, celebrating 204 years of freedom since 1821. We were so thankful to experience this special holiday alongside some of our ministry partners, who invited us to spend the day with them.

Together, we joined in the local celebrations, including a parade filled with music, dancing, and the joy of community.

Afterwards, they welcomed us with incredible hospitality by preparing a traditional Costa Rican dish called Chifijo, a delicious mix of rice, beans, pork, and fresh toppings.

Sharing this meal together made the day even more meaningful.

It was a beautiful reminder of the warmth of Costa Rican culture and the gift of friendships God is already giving us here.

Fundraising Update

We are grateful to share that we’ve currently raised about 50% of our needed support, which will carry us through the next six months of this year. We thank God for His provision so far and for each of you who have prayed, encouraged, and given so generously to help us reach this point.

Would you continue to join us in prayer as we seek the remaining support?

Specifically, please pray:

-For potential new donors and opportunities to share our vision, even here in Costa Rica.

-That we would not grow discouraged, but instead keep our eyes on God as our daily Provider.

-For faith to rely on Him each day for our “daily bread,” trusting that He will continue to be faithful.

God has already shown His provision in so many ways, and we are confident He will continue to lead and supply all that is needed for the ministry ahead.

Support us

Prayer requests

-Discernment on whether or not we should extend our language learning to the full trimester.

-Continued energy and strength through language learning.

-Ongoing provision and new partners to join our support team.

-Praise God for His provision and finally settling into a lovely home!

-Praise God for the opportunities He has opened and the meaningful relationships we are building here in Costa Rica.

-Praise God for the progress in learning Spanish and the joy of already seeing some fruit from it.

We are deeply grateful for your prayers, encouragement, and generosity. Your partnership makes it possible for us to be here, learning, growing, and preparing to serve.

With love and gratitude, Joshua & Rachel Swift