Back in the U.S.A.

We've been back a week and one day! So many amazing things have happened that I want to share here, but today I've only got time to post a couple of lines. It might have someone to do with having a brand new grandson sitting in my livingroom :O)

Today is Kyle's birthday and our family is getting together over at Brad & Danielle's house with them and Ken's Mom is coming there also. We are bringing everything over there for dinner. We are all excited to be celebrating together as a family; first time in four years!

I have pictures I want to share, pictures before we left, pictures since we've arrived home! It's all GOD news and about how He works without us even asking! Please come back and read more over the weekend! You'll be blessed at seeing how His hand has moved in our behalf!

Until later...

Have you been checking back?

I'm sorry! I know I said I'd post pictures of the cabin, but I've not gotten around to it yet. It's 7:34 p.m. and I could go to bed for the night! I'm tired physically. I never sleep well in the bed by myself, though I don't mind stretching out and "hogging" the entire mattress :) I've been busy with the four kids; driving Heather back and forth to college, though because of the distance from the house and the need to conserve gas in our vehicle, that means I am on the college campus in the parking lot from 7:45 a.m. until 12:20 p.m. most days. Kyle is chipping away at homeschooling and when I return with Heather that beckons for my time as well. There's also administrative duties for our ministry that I have needed to get caught up on and got some mailing done this week which makes me happy to have it off my desk. I am ready for next Thursday when Ken comes home! Ready to have him home! Ready to be in a sleep-induced coma, at least for one good night!

I've been working on the "Furlough Bucket List" and this weekend with much cooler temperatures than we are used too, I will be inside and hopefully be able to get caught up on some thoughts and sharing on this blog!

Thanks for checking back in.

Children's Ministry at Hickory Grove

Last week was our first Wednesday night of sharing to the children of our home church over the next four weeks. Our evening began with me speaking in Spanish and Heather interpreting my Spanish into English for the kids to understand. It was heart-warming to have some of the kids so eagerly share how they could count to 10 in Spanish. In preparing for our first meeting, the Lord made it clear to me not to show slides or talk about Costa Rica at all, but rather to focus on talking about what a Missionary is and what Message they share with people. I also shared the shell of the Wordless Book presentation, adding in some other verses and thoughts as well. I shared about the elements of growth in our relationship with God and about telling others that we have a relationship with him! Three kids raised their hands at the end of the salvation prayer that they had accepted Jesus, though at least two of them I was pretty sure already had. I found out later that one of those kids raised their hand because they had accepted Jesus before, but learned that he was supposed to tell someone else, and previous to that night, never had. Praise the Lord!

We began learning the first verse and chorus of a Spanish worship song and when asked after we sang how many kids in the room could speak Spanish, they all had big smiles when I informed them that they all could (because they all sang)! While we had a craft prepared, we ran short of time with it being the first night, so we'll plan on beginning our Wordless Book bracelets next week. And of course, we had to have a snack...so Ken & Kyle cooked the kids some tortilla chips and made salsa rosada (a mayonnaise and ketchup dip) for the kids. ALL of the older kids enjoyed that and some of the younger kids too.

Below are some pictures; us being introduced, speaking to the kids, sharing a snack and answering some questions.

The "Furlough Bucket List"

Yep, the "Furlough Bucket List" is a no-brainer. This past week I drew a line through one of my "Wanna-do's" on my list and while it was very time consuming, it was for me, rewarding. I present to you my photo's of my pork butt that was dry rubbed, smoked and cooked on our daughter's grill for 7-8 hours. I forgot to take a picture of the slathering sauce that was made homemade and poured over pulled pork sandwiches (we are native NY'ers and this is how we eat our barbecue up there, but we mostly consume and heartily enjoy NC barbecue)!

You might be asking why I went to all the trouble? Pork is expensive in Costa Rica and considered a very high end piece of meat, usually only bought and eaten at Christmas. We don't eat pork in Costa Rica, can't afford it! Another reason is, a childhood memory of my Dad taking our family to a small town near our home in NY to support the Volunteer Firemen's annual barbecue dinner. There, they cooked the meat underground which has always fascinated me, in fact, on my recent visit with my Dad, I asked him tons of questions on this process, which probably drove him nuts like I did when I was a kid! It's always been a "dream" of mine to cook a beef brisket underground, but even though Dad answered all the questions, bless his heart, I'm still a chicken to try it. I haven't been able to find a beef brisket on sale big enough to feed our family while on furlough, but I did find this pork butt, and so following the recipes (for the rub, slathering sauce, and cooking instructions) from my "Dinosaur Barbecue" cookbook, a well known restaurant in our home town up North made famous for their barbecue and now Food Network Famous as featured on the hit show, "Diner's, Drive-In's and Dives"; I dare say, it was delicious!

I may or may not be looking for that brisket on sale. Maybe I'll cook one for the family when we visit up North in October, but mostly I'm happy that I got to finally try it!

Back in N.C. and preparing for ministry, how you can pray!

We arrived home safely to North Carolina yesterday morning at 4 a.m. after spending two weeks in New York visiting our family and friends. This visit was especially enjoyable and it seemed as though God multiplied our time there as the two weeks felt more like four. We got to see everyone we wanted too and didn't feel rushed in our visitations. The last two times that we have been up to New York have been because of one of our parent's funerals. This time, there were more smiles, jokes and laughing. I had a wonderful time at a long anticipated family reunion getting to see my Aunt's and Uncle's, and cousins. When we moved to North Carolina in 1997 the family always happened to schedule the reunion in August when school was starting for our kids in N.C., and we were never able to make the trip up North. I saw family members that I hadn't seen in 14 years! We also had reunions on Ken's side of the family in that Aunt's and Uncle's came to meet us for meals on the road as we traveled through States; so much fun! ALL six of us kids got to be together in NY again as well. I did get to win one Parchessi game, but of course, with no mercy being shown, I lost more than I won! Perhaps, I will have a better round of games in October when we return!


We have been invited to minister to children over the next four weeks at Hickory Grove Church during their Wednesday night program. We will be discussing Missions and it's Message, teaching the kids a Worship Song in Spanish, doing crafts, discussing and showing pictures of our ministries in Costa Rica, and introducing them to Costa Rican foods and snacks! Your prayers are much appreciated and needed...Thank You!

Happy 4th of July

Our family is so excited to be home for the 4th of July! Tonight, we will go to a park and watch fireworks and celebrate our homeland's Independence Day! Yesterday, was an emotional day in church as some of us sang through the traditional Independence Day hymns and watched a video honoring our servicemen with the song "Proud to be an American" playing in the background; I wrote "some of us" because I cried through the patriotic songs and was not able to sing, neither was Ken as he fought back tears.

One thing we have learned through this missionary experience is a deeper understanding of freedom while we've been gone and what that truly means. We have much in this country! May we not take it for granted and certainly not the people who fought for us to have it!

God, may this country turn back to you!

Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"

One thing my mother taught me at a young age was that God was not some kind of distant being. She, in fact, used the illustration one time that it was almost like we could carry Him in our pocket, or in other words, He could see what we were doing, He could hear what we were saying and that He was available to us just like any other normal "friend" we had in our lives. I would have to say that this is probably the springboard for the lack of eloquence that I have in my prayer life. I wish, sometimes, that like the scripture above, words were spoken eloquently to my Heavenly Father in prayer, but rather, I do pray like I am having a conversation with a friend in the room beside me probably because I've always sensed that He's not that far away. Sometimes I pray in broken sentences interjecting not spiritual "words", but modern day jargon like, for example, this week was a particularly trying week for our family here in Costa Rica and I murmured the words during a time when I was praying, "you know, Lord, I am really sick of this crap and I cannot possibly take any more"!

You see, Ken's mother was having a lung biopsy yesterday for what was thought to possibly be cancer on PET scans. Losing Ken's Dad just this past July, and my mother a year ago also in July; the thought of my mother-in-law even "possibly" having cancer made my stomach churn and I found myself unable to deal with the emotions of that. Thankfully, the biopsy of the lung as well as all her lymph nodes came back cancer-free. They believe that she has some form of tuberculosis, though they are culturing the biopsies to identify a type.

All this to say, I am so glad He doesn't turn His back on my raw speech when I pray. Sometimes I almost imagine Him rolling his eyes when my mouth opens! Thank you, Lord, for letting me continually "Come...." and "Just As I Am"!

Prayer Requests

WE,

1. Have family visiting until the end of December and had a wonderful Thanksgiving with them and some guests that we invited in an effort to bless them.
2. With having extra bodies here (family) who are willing to help out, we have been able to spend some time "sprucing up" our mission home. The livingroom and diningroom have new paint and curtains. The diningroom now has chair covers which match the curtains. Our bedroom has a new coat of paint, new sound and light blocking curtains as well. Things are looking mighty spiffy around here! What a blessing to our family!
3. Have three teams coming back-to-back in December and January, and are busy doing logistics and having meetings with churches that will be hosting our medical clinics for those teams. Please begin praying for these teams and their ministry that they will be doing in Costa Rica!
4. Are working on obtaining building permits for a new cabin to be started at the camp in 2011. Please pray for this process, it is often frustrating and is always time consuming!
5. Just finished our Christmas letter that will be sent out through Global Outreach Mission to our prayer and financial supporters. We were happy to report that 255 people (children and adults) came to the know the Lord through this ministry in 2010 and are being followed up in local churches...Praise the Lord!
6. Are having heavy rains for the last two days and are having internet connection problems, thus, the short sentences, but some communication is better than none...right?
7. Appreciate all of you who pray for us, who think about us, who leave comments of encouragement, who financially support us, who love us, who care about us. We could not be here without EACH of you!
8. Often times don't understand why we have been allowed to be here. We are reminded that God does not need us to do His work and so, we are grateful!

Hopefully, another day when the connection will last longer I can post more, but until then, thanks for reading!

As simple as water

Yesterday afternoon the town crier informed us that the water would be turned off today for line repairs. It's always nice to have advance notice! So, this morning Ken and I were up early to fill the necessary containers to be able to do today's chores; filling pots to be able to boil water to do the dishes later (we only have cold water here and always boil water to ensure the dishes are clean) and for cooking. Of course, taking a shower was high on the list of priorities as well before the 7:30 or 8 a.m. "turn off".

It's not so hard to recall how much easier things "appear" back in the States having just returned back to Costa Rica a little over six weeks ago. What is more amazing is how God has allowed us to adapt back and forth between our two homelands. It's odd how the mission field "changes" you. Most people come here and can't believe how long it takes to do the dishes for a family of five, boiling the pots of water. I go home to the States and struggle with remembering how to load and operate our dishwasher, and my daughter or son-in-law have to hold a "reminder session".

Simplicity, it's not as bad as it sounds, and later today, I will be reminded of how nice it is just to be able to turn on the tap and watch the cold water flow.

Not "Big Steve's"

One place we love to go to when we are at home in NC is actually only about three miles from our home. The name of the restaurant is "Big Steve's" and he's located in the Food Lion Plaza at Hwy. 210 and I-40, Exit 319. He specializes in bagels and I really do mean "specializes". They also make The Best chicken salad..."evah"! I love to go there for breakfast and especially when my son-in-law, Brad, takes care of ordering for me. I guess he knows me, probably more because he is married to my daughter, Danielle, and we have similar tastes in food. I always order the croissant sandwich, bacon, egg and cheese and wonder how in the world I am going to finish that! And Brad always adds in a cinnamon-raisin bagel with plain cream cheese for me knowing that's really what I want too. (He did it to me last time I was home too and when we sat down to eat at the breakfast table and I questioned the bagel in addition to the croissant, Brad rolled his eyes, and we both busted out laughing!)

Needless to say, we don't ever get to eat bagels here in Costa Rica because we can't afford them at over more than $1 per bagel, frozen, Lender's bagels. There is a restaurant called, "Bagelman's" here, but it is so far away, about 45 minutes from the house, that we can't justify driving to get a breakfast sandwich there. The other day when reading another missionary blog, I found that she had made some bagels from a recipe she found and posted a link.

Well, they are NOT "Big Steve's", but they are whole wheat and cinnamon-raisin, and they are easy and taste so good! Some days on the mission field, we just thank the Lord for being able to eat something that comes somewhat close to familiar from home.

My father-in-law & Psalm 73:26

A couple of days ago Heather and I were in the house standing and talking in the kitchen when Heather came to me and nuzzled her head into my shoulder and began to sob. It took a few minutes to be able to understand what she was trying to tell me, but while we had been talking in the kitchen, someone had come to the house (a homeless man, who we have been ministering too for a while now); and he had been at the camp when Grandpa Dundon was here visiting in April. This triggered a memory of her Grandpa, and she became overwhelmed with emotion and missing him. We are now just realizing that when we were back in the States we went through the "motions" of grieving. Ken's plane ticket was for the day of his father's burial and he actually left without attending the graveside service for Costa Rica. The kids and I continued in NY for another whole week to do a week-long VBS, and then return to NC for a speaking engagement, and then returned to Costa Rica. It seems now like one day we were surrounded with our family and a week or so later we were back in Costa Rica by ourselves. On a recent phone call with Ken's Mom when we were checking in with her, I never could regain composure enough to talk to her as I didn't want to upset her anymore than she was already. She was sharing some of the difficulties she was experiencing as she adjusts to her new life as a widow.

I was reading in Psalms the other night and came across Psalm 73:26 which says, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever". I highlighted the verse in a neon yellow Sharpie marker and then wrote, "Dad Dundon" in ink next to it. For me, it embodies all that he believed.

One day, I hope that my children can highlight a verse and remember me. I pray that it is a verse as strong as this one; testifying that God is all that I need and that He is everything to me!

We ate....a lot...while in the States

A 12-lb. turkey in Costa Rica costs $80. Needless to say, we don't eat turkey at Thanksgiving or any other time of the year for that matter. Actually, Costa Ricans don't celebrate Thanksgiving Day and so the turkeys are imported from the States. Most Costa Ricans have never eaten turkey! When we do get to come home, a turkey dinner is something we very much look forward too. We spotted frozen Butterball turkeys in the Wal-Mart freezer for 86 cents per pound! Danielle, our oldest daughter, is at the end of the table and her husband, Brad, is to the right of her. They come to Costa Rica and spend every Christmas with us, but we make it a point when we are home to celebrate Thanksgiving with them as a family. So, here we are around the kitchen table at our home in N.C. enjoying 100 degree temperatures and our Thanksgiving meal...TOGETHER!! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, a little early!

Ken's Dad

Ken's father passed away this morning. We are sad because he is no longer with us, but we are grateful that he is no longer suffering! Please keep the entire Dundon family in your prayers as arrangements are being made. We will be traveling to NY for his funeral after a memorial service here in N.C.

Traveling

Ken did get in the U.S. safely on Sunday, not Saturday night due to a three hour delay in take-off from the airport in San Jose. This made it impossible for him to make his connecting flight in Dallas and he spent the night there. On Friday night his father had been admitted to a hospital in Atlanta, so on Monday morning we headed out early for there. We arrived in the afternoon, went to his sister's house, and then to the hospital with his Mom to see his Dad. Before we left his Dad's doctor came by to see his Mom and to talk with her. We were told that his father's condition is now terminal and yesterday he was placed in a Hospice Hospital. We have been told that his father has a few days to a few weeks to live.

Tonight, we are back in our home in N.C. and this weekend Ken will return to his sister's home in Atlanta. His brother and sister from New York will be coming down to Atlanta this weekend as well. Heather, Kyle, Jordan and I will try and keep the speaking engagements that we has committed to here in N.C. regarding our ministry in such places as churches, camps and the first week in August a VBS program in New York.

While Ken was a little surprised that his father has so little time left, we want you to know that it does not come as a total shock to our family. His father has been fighting this cancer for a very long time! One day soon his body will be free from pain and while we will miss him dearly here on earth, we rejoice because we know where he is going! God's timing is always perfect and we are thankful to be home during this time to support his Mom and to spend with his father.

You can pray for our family as we travel and as we go through the process of letting go of his father. Thank you!

A comedy of errors, as of late

We got back home later last night than we expected from Panama because we were not even halfway home to Costa Rica and our van broke down. Fortunately, our insurance covers towing and a taxi ride home! Our 90 days were up in Costa Rica and we had to go to Panama to have our VISA's stamped. For the second time, we had a difficult time getting back into Costa Rica, and thought we were going to be stuck at the border between the two countries. This time, we had to produce documentation (a flight schedule) that within the next 90 days we would be leaving the country and returning to the U.S. Fortunately, with our grandson due to be born in three weeks, we had just made flight arrangements last week and were able to go to an internet cafe and pull those confirmations up out of our email. Otherwise, the fine would have been $1,000 and we would not have gotten back home into Costa Rica. We have done everything by the book here, and as our Costa Rican lawyer has recommended, as far as leaving even before our time is up and we are still having to jump through hoops it seems. On Tuesday morning before we even left the hotel we got a phone call that our house back in Costa Rica had been broken into. When we got home, it was obvious that some things were moved around, but it doesn't appear that anything was stolen. The door had been left halfway open, maybe for someone to come back, but we got back home before they could. Tonight, we got a phone call from the mechanic that we need a new motor to be placed in the van. This mechanic is one that we trust and he does good work. The cost will be about $2,600. Please keep us in your prayers. I wish that I could say we weren't discouraged. I'm off to bed to have a good scream into my pillow....ahahahahahaha!

Man Down!!

The team left on Tuesday morning, but because of mechanical problems with their plane, they got out of San Jose and had to spend Tuesday night in Atlanta. We have received various messages, that they did get back to Florida safely on Wednesday morning, so that is an answer to prayer! I've been dealing with an upper respiratory tract infection and am now on medication for that as prescribed by Dr. Ferrell which was a blessing. I'm feeling better, still coughing some, but on the mend which I am very thankful for. I realized yesterday that almost after every single medical clinic, I have gotten sick. I guess that the alternative would be not to hug on the sick people at the clinics, but that ain't happening! I need to remember to boost up my vitamin C before a medical team arrives.

Jeff Lewis and Pastor Jeff Gardner from Threshold Church in Charlotte, N.C. are in Costa Rica just for the weekend and asked to meet with Ken and I; so we just finished that meeting this morning. Kyle has just left with them now and is translating some other meetings for them this afternoon.

Yesterday, after a couple of days of rest from having the team here we took the Maycroft Family to the amusement park for a day of fun with our kids! They all seemed to enjoy the park and the kids had a great time riding rides together. The rain held off and we sent their family home in a taxi, and our family proceeded to the airport to pick up a three-week missionary intern to work alongside of us! His name is Fred Smith and I am sure that he would greatly appreciate your prayers while he is here ministering. Fred is considering full-time missionary service. You never know what God is going to do in a person's heart while they are here. We do the best we can to educate them about "missionary life" by showing them a window into ours.

May the Lord continue to bless our work together with the Maycroft Family and with Fred. May they clearly hear His voice and His direction in the upcoming decisions that they need to make!

I tried to post pictures on here the other day, but they just weren't uploading, so I am off to find the camera and try it again. Hopefully, there may be another post later of last week's team activities!

Thank You Hickory Grove Church/Grandma & Grandpa Dundon are here!

Grandma & Grandpa Dundon arrived safely on last Friday around noon.

We were more than overwhelmed with the ministry supplies that our home church (Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church, in Four Oaks, N.C.) sent down for a very needy church here. There was so much that we gave some of the items to our home church here, and they were so grateful to receive items that they cannot even buy here! We even still had enough to restock our children's ministry closet, that is after Grandma and Heather spent two days reorganizing it so there was enough space for items to be put away!

On last Sunday evening, we drove about an hour from here to go to the church that we knew needed the supplies for their evening service. I presented the Pastor with the supplies before the church service began. I imagine she wondered why I was hauling around a suitcase! To Hickory Grove she said toward the end of the service in front of her congregation, "Thank you so much to this church in the United States who cared so much about our church. We have been praying for a long time about our children's church program and the lack of supplies that we have. Tonight, through your church, our prayers were answered".

Now that's what it's all about! Thank you Hickory Grove. What you sent helped two churches and the campground ministry!

While Grandma & Grandpa have been here the kids have enjoyed showing them around the campground, introducing them to favorite fruits and foods to eat. The boys have been sleeping at the white house on the campground with them which reminds them of when we used to live in the States and they would get to spend the night at the Grandparents! I've already heard Kyle and Jordan comment to them that "time is going too fast" and "how they wish they could stay here with us". That's the kind of "low" side of being a missionary and having to watch your kids go through those growing pains of not having enough family around. We keep reminding them that in just about three months we will be home in N.C. again with so many people who are waiting to see them! By the way, while we are home in July, if you would like to have us come to your church, or you're an individual who would like to host a small group in your home to hear what we've been doing in Costa Rica and have your questions answered, we would love to hear from you at: sherri.dundon@yahoo.com. We would love to set up a date to do a missionary presentation in your church or home.

We've been enjoying the last couple of weekends off as Global Outreach recommended taht we close the camp from rental groups in the entire month of April. More details will come in another post about how you can be specifically praying for us! We have a lot of work coming in the next few months and are in need of your prayers!

Holy Week: Bread, bread and Buns!

I feel like we've all gained at least five pounds this week! It seems like every day, someone has stopped over with bread which is the custom here in Costa Rica in celebrating Holy Week! My neighbors have been busy all week baking all different types of breads for this weekend, beginning tomorrow, Good Friday, when family members and friends will stop over to visit and celebrate the resurrection! We've been given bread with coconut, dried fruits, and with figs. So good, but so fattening! Even though we've had a group here all week renting the camp; missionaries from all over Central and Latin America; the boys jumped in to help me crank out some "sticky buns" to give as gifts back to the neighbors!

Here's a picture of my handsome helpers! I make the dough from scratch and they know how to do the rest!

Our buns rising!

All done, gooey and warm! The neighbors were so excited to receive these, but more importanly, we (the boys and myself) had a great time together making them!

And when a team leaves???

Well, the team left Sunday, January 31 and we headed back to the airport on Monday, February 1 to pick up a two-month missionary intern. Four members of this team also stayed an extra week in Costa Rica...AND...well, someone had to take them to the beach!! Here's how Heather finally found some peace & quiet after translating in Children's Ministry for two weeks. More photo's tomorrow on our day off, and how we ministered with those who stayed behind!

"I can do all things though Christ who STRENGTHENS me". Phil 4:13

The downside of being on the mission field was a reality again today. Danielle & Brad left to return to the States this morning after a two-week long visit. It was a tearful good-bye. The house is a bit quieter except for some gentle sobbing in the background as Heather and Jordan hug each other. Kyle has regained his composure enough to return to playing new Play Station games he received for Christmas. While saying good-bye is never easy, we are quickly reminded of how much we treasure our time as a family together. Truly, it is a very precious gift and it allows you to appreciate each other more! Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to have this time as a family, and thank you for being our strength when we are apart!