6th months...

This weekend we have to leave Costa Rica, crossing the border into Nicaragua to get our passports stamped. We do this every 90 days. This weekend also marks a ministry milestone, in that we have now been here for six months. One thing hasn't changed in the time that I have been here. That is, the understanding that we ALL have natural and spiritual gifts that God has equipped each of us with. God won't use those who are unwilling and fight against Him. He cannot and He will not force us to serve Him. But, He did promise that He would empower us to do His work and He would prepare us for it. I think there is a misconception that missionaries are spiritual Super Hero's. I can promise you that we have been tested over the past six months in our faith. I can promise you that there have been days when we have really struggled with wanting to come home. There have been frustrating days because of language barriers. But, I can also tell you that on those particular days God was present with us! He has used many different ways to meet our spiritual needs and to encourage us in our ministry; emails, an opportunity to have some free time and check our mail and not ironically find that we had received something from home, specifically a letter from our parents, or from our church, phone calls that we "out of the blue" received from friends at home and the list can go on. I guess, what I am trying to say, is that we are ALL "called"! Faithfulness and availability is all that HE needs because He can, and is able, to fill in the gaps. And while I wish I was "Mrs. Incredible", I realize that these times of hardship and frustration are intended to continue to mold me; my attitude, my actions and my heart so that I might be more like Him.

Important: Prayer Request

This picture was taken in January when our house was placed on the market in N.C. (thus, no green grass, blooming trees, etc.) A couple of weeks ago we lowered the price of our home...again. I am still working my full-time N.C. job to pay for the mortgage on the home. It means that I have to cut back on my ministry plate (which is full) down here in order to do the work or sometimes "burn the candle at both ends" to help get what needs to be done here. At this time, we just want to bring this situation before you and ask you to join us in prayer over this matter. It is impacting our ability to minister in Costa Rica physically and financially.

Typical Costa Rican dress

With permission, this is a picture of Siday (the Youth Pastor's wife) holding Alianna (David & Katherine's daughter) after church yesterday. This is the typical dress that you would see children and women wear for celebrations such as Independence Day and at Christmas. Yesterday, Siday (who heads up Children's Ministry) at our church dedicated the entire service to the children. Last week, we celebrated "Children's Day" and this week was of course their national holiday, Independence Day. She did a small sermon on Samuel, but also incorporated children's day dancing and the typical dance that is done in celebration of Independence Day with the help of the Youth from the church. Of course, no children's celebration in Costa Rica is complete without a cake or a pinata! Jordan was chosen to whack at the pinata a few times which was special for him since he has never had a pinata at a party before. We had a lot of fun attending the parade today and together with David & Katherine we had a family picnic!

Happy Independence Day Costa Rica!

Today, is Independence Day in Costa Rica. Right now, there is a truck just a few feet from our house blocking our small road and blaring pre-recorded Marachi band music (it's good stuff). There are two ponies outside our gate chewing on grass and the neighbors are beginning to line the street on this Sunday morning. I expect that in a few minutes the neighborhood school will be having their parade and that is what everyone is waiting for. Tomorrow is the "BIG" festivities, parades all over the country. We hope to be able to attend one with David & Katherine for the cultural experience. Today in church most people will wear traditional clothing in the colors of red, white and blue. Not sure that my red "Carolina Hurricanes" pajama pants meets the standard. Well, I guess it's time to step outside and enjoy the celebration!

Extreme Make-Over in Costa Rica!

The Celebration Center got an upgrade to its roof...insulation! Back in July we had ordered all the supplies for insulating the roof due to changes in Costa Rican building codes, and this week a Costa Rican company arrived to do the installation. This picture is the men removing the sheeting. You wouldn't get away with this in the States! No harnesses, no safety lines, no OSHA!

Taken from inside of the building, you can see the layer of insulation.

Again, from inside the building, this picture is the roof now completely insulated.

Here's also a picture from the inside, the old, uninsulated roof. Just for kicks, Katherine and I went into the building last night and had a little shouting session, (not at each other, of course) to test it out! It is amazing; the improvement in sound in the building! And it looks really, really nice too!

What you don't know, won't kill you...

That's Ken. This was the white water rafting excursion. It was all just explained to me today that there are different levels of difficulty in white water rafting, the highest level being a 5. This river had 4's and 4+'s, and the 5's were just up river a little bit further! It was explained in the "oh, so familiar" Man-jibberish with grunts and groans of satifaction and delight, similar to when he sees new Craftsman tools with that infamous "glazed over look". This is crazy!

White Water Rafting and Packing Up

Well, today was the Threshold team's free-day. Ken accompanied them to Turrialba to do some white water rafting...um, better him than me! Tonight they will begin packing up since they need to leave the camp at around 11 a.m. so that we can get them to the airport on time! To their families I'd like to say thank you for the sacrifice that you have made this past week without them at home. We have truly enjoyed getting to know each of your loved ones while they were here. They are a GREAT bunch of guys! Thanks for loaning them to Costa Rica if only for one week. Our prayer is that in some way they were blessed as they served, and as we served them! Our prayers go with you as you travel..