How time flies...

when you are busy! Lynae got off last Sunday morning, early, to return home. On Monday morning at 3 a.m. we took the other four interns to the beach. We wanted to take Lynae also, but it just didn't work into the schedule before she left. On Thursday morning, the Delamonts returned to the States. Yesterday and today there have been people in and out of the camp as the Youth Group's annual soccer tournament fundraiser is tomorrow all day. Katherine is taking the two interns, Amy & Kelly with her very early tomorrow morning, 2 or 3 a.m. to serve with God Festival (see previous posts to understand this partnership) at Jaco Beach. David is actually gone from the neighborhood serving with another team here in Costa Rica from North Carolina as their interpreter with Pastor Jose & Pastor Tony. Ken & I will be at the camp all day tomorrow keeping an eye on things as various Youth Groups will be coming in to play during the tournament. Heather & Kyle will be working during the tournament with other youth group members cooking food, etc. Jordan signed up to play on this year's Youth Group team! On Monday morning our last two missionary interns leave to head back to the States. Things will certainly seem very quiet and strange around the camp with no guests. And if all of this weren't exciting in itself, someone in our little family has misplaced the camera AGAIN. So, I am off to see if I can find it! Hopefully, over the weekend I can post some pictures of the much anticipated Tournament de Futbol! Until then, thanks for reading, thanks for praying!

Family Outreach Tonight

It's already been a busy last couple of days here at the camp since returning from the U.S. On Friday, we began the preparations for the Family Outreach in the Celebration Center. Here the tables are set up, though not covered, balloons are being blown up and string tied to the ceiling to suspend the balloons from.

Tonight, I snapped this picture of Ken and Heather serving of "second" helpings of rice and chili, coleslaw and brownies that we had for dinner. In the background during dinner another missionary, but a dear friend, Pastor Cameron Woolford is delivering a message on the role of parents in the family unit!

Soon after people began to trickle in, I happened to see this woman sitting at the table reading the Book of Luke in Spanish. We handed these out when people came in and it was exciting to see someone reading.

This is the whole group who attended tonight, 81 people...Praise the Lord! We started off the evening with "family-type" games, bobbing for apples, musical chairs, etc. We then served dinner and had live worship music, a guest speaker, who addressed the importance of spending time together as a family too, and then finished the evening with pinatas, of course. We had a lot of families thank us for opening up the camp for this outreach! Please continue to pray that "seeds" were planted this evening.

Safe and Sound, but needing prayer

I arrived back in Costa Rica safe and sound yesterday afternoon. It was fun to come home and have "Kooky" the stray dog waiting at the door of the house for me! She was so happy to see me and I was just as happy to see her too! Today, I made a special trip into the grocery store in Orosi to load up on some dog food for her. This morning we were at the camp by 9 a.m. blowing up balloons and preparing for an outreach that we will be doing tomorrow evening at the camp. It will include dinner and is geared to minister to families. Right now we have received reservations for 50 people to attend. Please keep our team in your prayers tomorrow. On Sunday in church, our ministry partner, Katherine, will be speaking and myself, Heather and the missionary interns will be doing a mime routine during the service. Lynae, see previous posts, will be leaving on Sunday morning to return to the States after being here serving with us for two months. Please pray for her safe travels back to Canada and her family. Well, after being away from the blog for three weeks, I'm back, so check in and I will be posting new ministry pictures soon! God bless and thank you for your prayers!

The waves

I guess I feel like I am riding a wave. My sister described it to me as most of the time you are fine, but then someone says something or a memory pops into your head and you start to cry. Most of the time, I don't feel particularly sad over my Mom, and in fact, I know that she is no longer struggling; no longer confused, disoriented, no loss of memory. Her Alzheimer's disease and its progression was an ugly thing. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. Then, there are times when I am just sad. I just plain miss her! Today, our family will be gathering together for the first time since her passing. We are having dinner at my sister's home, and reviewing the memorial service and receiving our last instructions before the service tomorrow. I am feeling a little anxious about tomorrow's service, not having ever had to do this before, and I am not a fan of crowds. With no calling hours, there will be a reception immediately following the memorial service in the church's fellowship hall to greet family members. I am really not looking forward to that. Yesterday, Ken, Brad and Danielle helped me order flowers for my Mom's memorial from our family. It was nice to have their personal inputs and not do it alone. I know that ALL things work together for good, that God's timing is always perfect. I believe this will all my heart. I just miss her touch and wish I could have had one more hug. It's early and I am praying that people's advice is true...that time does heal.

In the States

My Mom passed away last Friday night at 7:55 p.m. I was with Brad and Danielle heading back to our home in N.C. when I got the news from my family. Since I couldn't make it home to NY to say good bye to my Mom in time, I decided to stay in N.C. over the weekend and go to our home church, Hickory Grove, to get some "LOVE" before making the trip up North to be with my family. I'm glad I did that! We arrived safely at my Mom and Dad's home on Monday night. It has been very hard to be at home, but not have my Mom with us in the house. Yesterday, my oldest brother, Dick and his wife, Susan, arrived home safely from the mission field of Scotland. Today, I went to the airport to get Ken, Heather, Kyle and Jordan when they arrived home from Costa Rica. More family is arriving tonight and tomorrow leading up to my Mom's memorial service on Saturday, though I believe it would better be called a "Celebration of Life" service. I sat with my Dad, sister and brother today as they discussed the service and made final plans. We were interrupted so many times with condolence phone calls it was amazing to me, and a real blessing to be reminded of how many people care for our family! Tonight, we are just a couple miles down the road from my Mom and Dad's home, staying at Ken's sister's home so that other family members can stay with my Dad. Ken's parents are also here at his sister's for the summer, so that is nice for us to be able to be with them too. Please continue to pray for our family, as members continue to travel, but pray for the service on Saturday at 1 p.m. that God would be glorified and my Mom honored.