Tying up loose ends!

Since the team left, we've been trying desperately to tie up loose ends and leave things in good order for the Mission. These are some pictures of what we've been working on this month!

In just about three and a half hours the camp will be opened up to the surrounding communities of Orosi, Palomo, La Alegria and Cachi for the free showing of the movie, "Courageous". After watching this movie ourselves at home on furlough in the States, I felt an urgency and a burden to show this as an Outreach at the camp. A lot of the issues in the movie are issues that we see lived out here. I mentioned it to Ken and he agreed! Ken in turn mentioned it to Len & Carol Lane from the GOM, Canadian office! We want to say a special thanks to the Lane's for making this Outreach possible for us by supplying the movie for the camp's use. We have spent the last week walking, riding, delivering other flyers and speaking to people about this movie. Church Youth Groups are coming to the movie as well. And another special thanks to Scipio Community Church who provided the industrial popcorn popper that we will again be using for Outreach tonight! Who knew that a popcorn popper would get so much use? What a blessing!

Please pray that God would use this movie in a mighty way!

No joke, "manana" can mean tomorrow, or the next day, or a week or so later, but four weeks after the team left...really? Ken had ordered special board to place in the soffits of the new cabin before the team arrived so that they could close in the structure to the roof. Well, that never arrived in the entire two weeks the team was here even with Ken making various phone calls, nearly begging, and then almost demanding our delivery! We went back to the place where we ordered it to buy what they had in-stock of a different type. They looked at us confused and said, "but what about the stuff you ordered back in January, you don't want that anymore"? So, we bought what they had which was enough to get the job done before any bats or critters could make a new home in the new cabin!

After spending the week after the team left sanding sheet rock mud, painting, cleaning and hiring someone to do the tiling, the first group got to use the new cabin. The Missionary group from Central America with Campus Crusade for Christ were thrilled to be the first occupants. Oddly, as we've been working at the camp over the last four weeks, some neighborhood people have stopped in to ask us, "who is the V.I.P. cabin for", and that makes us chuckle. Well, we found out from the first occupants that we had sprung a leak behind the bathroom tiling in the wall when they showed us the water all over the bathroom floors. So, Ken worked on that a couple of days to get that repaired.

The camp has been booked up every weekend for the month of February with rental groups which is normal since it is dry season. One Saturday morning our phone rang and the leader of the group confirmed that they had arrived outside the camp gate. This was the site as you rounded the corner from our house to the camp! Since we've been on furlough back in the States, we've had to have someone else handling our rental dates for us. He wasn't "quite sure" how big the group for this weekend was going to be. Turns out it was 100 people overnight! God has been so faithful over the last four years to keep everyone on Jardin Sagrado's property safe!

Another Saturday morning as I was doing some house chores in the morning, I happened to step outside and snap this picture of our camp gardener and neighbor, Coqui, witnessing to some of the neighborhood Youth. I stopped and prayed for Coqui! You can't see his Bible in his hand, but I watched as he showed them and had them read verse after verse. He usually spends a good portion of his days off, Saturday and Sunday, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in the surrounding area.

About a week and a half ago a huge truck pulled in front of our house. Our neighbor, Norberto, is out of work and has been picking coffee. I snapped this picture knowing that this would be the last of the harvest. I was right because now as I am writing this, the coffee plants already have next harvest's flower blooms on them. I just asked if I could hop up on the truck as they were weighing what Norberto had picked in beans to take this picture. The colors of the coffee beans, the greens (not ripe) and different shades of reds (the darkest being ripe) will always fascinate me. I had to get one more picture!

Off to finish getting the camp ready for "Courageous"!

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!

Sporadic Internet

Due to having sporadic internet in our home due to the storm, and being very behind in work as well and trying to play catch-up; I realized that I am also behind in updating my blog.

We arrived home Sunday evening around 5:30 p.m. from our hotel hold up with the team of architects in the camp and working along. We left Palmar Norte before noon when we got a tip from the Transit Police that they would be opening one of the highways at 2 p.m. We decided that we would wait in line for the road to open up as many of the truckers were loading up and heading out. We drove about 35 km. and sat for very long periods of time watching dump trucks and back hoes in the distance up ahead in one lane continue to clear debris and large mounds of dirt. When I just about thought I couldn't handle the heat anymore and sweat was pouring off Ken's brow, a policeman came and shouted to us, "pase pequenos vehiculos" meaning that small vehicles were allowed to pull around the 18-wheelers and pass through. What we found up ahead that was holding up traffic was easily a two-story pile of dirt in the oncoming lane with the back hoe driven up the side of it removing dirt and loading it into the dump trucks. We saw roads, power lines and bridges (which were now somewhat repaired for usage) washed out into rivers. Travel was slow at 10 m.p.h. We had to drive through one of the hardest hit areas, Parrita, and as I looked from side to side of house-lined roads I began to tear up. It seemed as though everything that anyone owned was up at the road for the trash men to pick up; clothing, furniture, refrigerators, baby equipment. There were several water trucks and people lined up with any kind of clean container that they could find to fill. There were TV crews interviewing and photographing the devastation. The people looked dazed, tired and frustrated. As we entered the center of town where there was an obvious business district, store owners were sweeping water and mud from their buildings and we heard the sound of cans shaking from the middle and sides of the street before us begging for monetary donations.

Traveling home was emotional. We were saddened, but happy. Before us was an obvious reminder; He is coming again. Lord, let it be soon!

Stranded, but Safe in Costa Rica!

We left Orosi on Monday morning and drove to Panama; our 90 days were up and we needed to renew our VISA's. We noticed that halfway through the trip it was very cool and raining which is unlike our previous trips to Panama. Usually, the AC in the van is running wide open as Panama is usually uncomfortably humid! We didn't know that a tropical storm had begun, but noticed that the travel was slower and it took 8 hours to get to the border rather than the usual 6. On Wednesday morning, we received our re-entry stamp to head back into Costa Rica. We got to the two-hour marker into the trip and the Pan American highway which we were traveling on was closed down ahead and we found ourselves at a "Y" in the road; meaning the only other way home was to the left, but that road too was barracaded off. Initially, we thought perhaps there was a bad accident ahead, but upon further questioning of the truck drivers around us, we found out that the roads had been closed since the day before, Tuesday, due to landslides and sink holes. 16" of rain had fallen in this area on Wednesday alone! At about 5 p.m. we decided to begin looking for a room and Ken came back to the van having received the LAST two rooms in a nearby hotel. We didn't have AC, hot water or a TV, but were thankful for the beds and ceiling fans! It is now Friday and it is still raining with only short breaks to lighter rains. We have since moved within the same hotel to a family room which is much larger and we are all together. For $5 more we now have TV and AC, but we have freed up the previous two rooms for others as well. We can now see landslides on the mountains surrounding this town as well.

It would be easy to complain, I reckon. The kids are tired of each other and we are tired of the kids....LOL!!! We could have been on a road or a bridge driving back home that suddenly washed out as so many continue to do each day. We could be at the side of the road sleeping in our van with our three kids with no bathroom, running water, AC or TV; not that we "need" those things, but it sure feels more comfortable, and there's a grocery store behind the hotel!

Three homes have washed into the river in Orosi, where we are from in Costa Rica, the driving bridge is impassable in our town.

We have had sporadic internet service, power and cell phone service here at the hotel, but His timing is perfect in that we have a team arriving in Costa Rica tomorrow to spend a week at the camp and every time we have needed to "connect" with someone regarding finishing the logistics for this team, He has provided a way, a connection!

We don't know when we will get to go home. We have the transit police office not far from the hotel we are stranded in and they give us updates. It is still raining and they tell us they will not begin clearing the roads of the mudslides until it stops raining due to the instability in the mountains and the danger to the workers. We planned on two days away, but it's been five so far. We know the team will and can go on without us because we know whose team it is as the Lord continues to provide for Global Outreach Mission and the campground expansion projects!

It would be so easy to gripe, but when I look at this picture all I can say is "Thank You, Lord" for having us in your protective Hands!

http://www.ticotimes.net/News/Daily-News/Escazu-Landslide-Leaves-at-Least-20-Dead-10-Missing-Costa-Rica-on-Red-Alert_Thursday-November-04-2010

Housecleaning...in more ways than one!

I enjoy cleaning at the camp for the most part. Of course, there are always the not-so-fun cleaning jobs that need to get done. Mostly, I enjoy the times that I get to work by myself without interruption; I take in the sights and the sounds of the camp, the small animals, hummingbirds and birds or just enjoy spying different flowers and trees in full bloom as I walk the paths between cabins and buildings. Today, I wished our camera wasn't broken. I caught a glimpse of a flowering bush that for some reason hit me in a comical way; the plumes of bright yellow flowers reminded me of the hair on some of Dr. Seuss' characters! I noticed an orange tree that I couldn't ever remember so many oranges on at one single time!

I also like to spend my cleaning times talking to God. These are often "self-evaluation" times for me. Times when I feel God is revealing changes that need to be made in my life, and then there are times when I recognize I need to change, but I need to ask for His help!

Today, as I saw the oranges and the guava falling to the ground and onto a walking path I was reminded of "The Fruit of the Spirit". Galatians 5:22 & 23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control". As I looked at the display of God's handiwork in the campground today, I questioned myself about what my personal, every day life display looks like to the community in which we live. Am I displaying something that is attractive and what others might want? Is God able to appeal to people in this community through me?

Housecleaning, not always fun, but necessary!

"Taps" - Sing with us!

Yes, we are singing Taps AGAIN as we throw away another camera here in Costa Rica! This one was pronounced DOA (dead on arrival) when pulled from Ken's back pocket at the orphan home after three or four of the kids climbed on his back and he heard a very generous "crunch" sound! And our daughter's response back home when asked to please shop for another camera to bring down with her in November when she visits? Something to the effect of "we go through as many cameras as she does diapers for our grandson ...LOL"! That makes three cameras in two and a half years. Others have had more miserable deaths; like the last one going through a wash cycle in Heather's jeans pocket. In other words, our daughter does not arrive in Costa Rica until November 13th and there won't be any pictures posted to our blog before then....sorry! But please, don't let that be the only reason you follow us here.

Well, our visitors have returned to the States, sadly. It's a little lonely now around here. Yesterday after Spanish lessons I cleaned the camp kitchen, doing dishes, cleaning out the refrigerator, sanitizing the countertops and mopping the floor. Ken cleaned the peach cabin, stripping bedding from the Meyer's family visit and cleaning the cabin, doing laundry.

Today, I have been doing laundry in our home after not finding time to do much of any with company. We have an abundance of bananas ripening at the camp, so today I made two loaves of banana bread and two banana cakes; one for us and one for Amy & Alex. This afternoon, I have a new English student; one of Isa's relatives (the camp cook) that I am beginning lessons with. She is studying English in Orosi and paying for her lessons. I won't be charging anyone who wants to learn English because here it means the difference of a better job and pay, and I consider this a means of ministry. I am not sure if this student is a Christian, but my focus will be on building our relationship and earning the right to share my faith with her. Please keep me and my English student in your prayers!

Well, there is always enough to do here whether for ministry purposes or just the care of our family. I need to check over the last two weeks of school work the three kids have done as they progress in their homeschooling. It all keeps me out of trouble!

Thank you for reading and for praying for our family. We certainly need it as we endeavor to serve here in Costa Rica, bringing the Light of Jesus to the Orosi Valley!

Ministering at the Orphan Home

We ministered at the orphan home for two days; last Friday and also this past Tuesday. These pictures are from last Friday while the previous post was from this week on Tuesday.

Since the kids in the orphan home go to school for a half day it gave us the opportunity to fit a lunch break into our schedule. We thought that Candace might enjoy having lunch at the Mirador in Orosi (the look-out) to give her the opportunity to take some photo's and also to just enjoy the beauty of the valley in which we are allowed to minister.

This photo is taken from one side of the Mirador, a cleared field overlooking some of the opposite mountains and valleys.

This photo is overlooking Cachi, a town past Orosi. This is the same river that flows behind the campground.

On both Friday and Tuesday we packed a picnic lunch, kind of a "make-your-own" sub-type lunch with baguettes, lunch meat and toppings as well as chips, soda and cookies. Everyone seemed to enjoy this and the team fellowship as well! This is taken from the Orosi Mirador and on Tuesday we went to the Ujarras Mirador, across the valley on another mountain.

And the parachute, a gift from Global Outreach Mission, is still a big hit in children's ministry!

One of the really fun things that Amy & Alex prepared in the hygiene teaching was a video entitled, "The Batman". Amy had found it online and it demonstrates the proper way to protect a sneeze from spreading germs. Of course, Amy didn't have too much problem finding a volunteer on the team to demonstrate "The Batman" following the video, live to the kids! Here's our Batman, Jordan!

Thank the Lord for Heather, always willing to lead music and with Becca & Tate's help, we were well prepared to minister through music with beautifully decorated posterboards!

Keep us in your prayers as tonight we go to minister at the homeless shelter. Candace and Emil & his family will be joining us in that as we prepare in the campground kitchen this afternoon a spaghetti dinner for 90 people. Tomorrow, sadly Emil and his family will begin their trip back home in the late afternoon, so please keep them in your prayers for traveling mercies. Candace will leave on Saturday as well and would appreciate the same prayers. It will be kind of lonely around here, that's for sure!

Independence Day!

Feliz Dia de Independencia, Costa Rica!!

Sharing about Costa Rica

One of the first presentations we did was to this group of kids during our second week at home in N.C. These pictures were taken at Kids Faith Camp outside of Smithfield, N.C. We were invited to share about our missionary lives and our ministry in Costa Rica. The kids were really inquisitive and asked some great questions! Of course, we came armed with the "cream of the crop" photos for kids that they all want to see; the tarantulas we have photographed at the camp, monkeys at the beach, the Macaw's, etc. Heather, Kyle and Jordan are dressed in "sort of" the national costume (the boys should have been wearing white long-sleeved shirts rolled up, but we needed to get back home to purchase those, and hadn't yet at the time of this presentation, but red is a national color). They performed a typical Costa Rican dance that you would see here at a parade particularly on Independence Day! And of course, we talked about "spiritual" things too. I explained that we don't have to really go far to be a "missionary" if we open are eyes wide enough! Seems even in the States there are plenty of people in need. You never know, maybe one day, one of these kids will be a missionary, if not at home, than another country. Thank you Kids Faith for the opportunity and the blessing of being asked to share with your kids!

M.I.A. - Not really!

Some might think we have been missing in action! I have been in a "writing funk" as of late, I think, because I have had so many other things on my mind like, confirmation last evening from the main office that a medical team is coming down at the end of October and the urgent need to begin the team's logistics, the need to write to our supporters and give them an update on the ministry in Costa Rica through the main office, a camp schedule that needs to be prepared for the main office, a financial statement that is complete in a "rough" copy, but now needs to be typed and sent in to the main office, homeschooling the three kids here in Costa Rica and a mound of papers to be corrected for them, painting the other mission house for another missionary arriving one week from today to stay for a year and help us, a mound of thank you cards from our stay in the States and the funeral services; oh...I could go on! Somedays, it feels like I am working "backwards" instead of moving forwards! Ever have that feeling?

We did make it safely back to Costa Rica from the States. After being there for five and a half weeks it was a difficult readjustment to the time changes alone. Costa Rica has no daylight savings time. The States is two hours ahead of us. So, the first two weeks we were home in Costa Rica, I was dragging by 8 or 8:30 p.m. which felt like 10 or 10:30 p.m. I would go to bed around 8:30, but then wake up for a few hours around 2 or 3 a.m. here in Costa Rica. Of course, our little section of the world here wakes up beginning at 4 a.m. and everyone is up at about 5 a.m. So, just about when I would fall back asleep, it was actually time to get back up for the beginning of the day! Needless to say, that torture is over and I am now back on my usual Costa Rican schedule.

There are, of course, dietary adjustments to be made as well. Gone are the Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts, but on the other hand, we have been consuming more smoothies again made with natural fruit from the camp; bananas, oranges and we add a little bit of liquid strawberry yogurt, and of course, ice. Nothing tastes sweeter or better than one of Ken's homemade smoothies on a hot day! Now, if he could just figure out how to make a Bojangles biscuit :) No, that's a bad idea! We all could stand to drop a few pounds from our visit in the States!

Because our "busy" season here is January through July, and I do mean pretty busy with short-term teams, missionary interns; the house stays pretty clean, but sometimes things don't quite get put away in their proper places in between having people here to do ministry with. This past week I have been doing some "spring" cleaning, even though it is September, of the house. Doing the "low priority, I don't want to do this, somebody shoot-me" type-jobs, like cleaning out and scrubbing the refrigerator and freezer, although I gotta say the end result is pretty nice! With the newest member of the team arriving next Thursday, Amy and her son, Alex, we will hit the ground running when she arrives with getting her set up here in Costa Rica; bank accounts, driver's license, home furnishings to purchase and that will consume a good bit of our time in the coming weeks.

To all of you who prayed for our trip and our safe return. Thank You! Just know we are home here and as you have read, well, we've got plenty to do! I've sorted through some pictures and will begin posts of what we did while in the States in the days ahead since I know inquiring minds want to know! Thanks for praying and for reading, well, I know of at least one person who reads this blog...Love you, Gary (my favorite brother-in-law)

Internet...FINALLY!

Wow...this weekend has been crazy with the rain. So many of the Costa Ricans keep telling us, "this is like October" which is the height of the rainy season! It has been raining here torrentially over the weekend. The first year that we were here I remember that the rains "built up" from May until October. It just seems like we are wide open already! We have had "in" and "out" internet service all weekend in our home (more "out" than "in") which has been irritating with Ken's father still in the hospital. Last week as you probably know from the news, we had an earthquake in Costa Rica which is to blame for a lot of the telecommunication problems that the country as a whole is experiencing. Today, we needed to do some last minute running around to pick up just a few things for the team and noticed a large water pipe that was broken on our way past the camp. I called the kids on the cell phone and told them to stock up on water from the tap, filling the washing machine and plastic buckets, so we could flush toilets; thinking that they will be turning off the water tonight or very early tomorrow morning to make the repairs. Well, I better run. I have to get up early in the morning to post the schedule at the camp, clean the bathrooms from the church being at the camp this afternoon and make sure everything's in place for Team PBA to arrive! Please keep us (the Team and our family) all in your prayers as we minister to bodies that seek healing both physically and spiritually.

Much needed prayer!

Tonight we found out that Ken's Dad, Richard, is in the hospital back in the States. He has been home from being in Costa Rica here with us just over a week now. What we know is that they have found a large mass on one of his lungs. (About six months ago he began treatment for bone marrow cancer). At this time, we do not know what the lung mass is. What we do know is that my father-in-law is in the Lord's hands, the Great Physician. We also know from the experience last year of my mother's illness, that the Lord truly does not give you more than you can handle and He is Faithful! Please join us in prayer for Dad!

R.I.P. - "Kooky"

We've been looking for Kooky for the past week and a half. A couple of times a week, she could be found here in the picture, on our front porch, and we would always give her a little something to eat. Whenever there was a group over at the camp, you could always count on her to find her way to camp, and indulge our guests with her "charm" which would then result in her receiving hand-outs of leftovers! This dog has even had photo albums on-line with her name used as the password by groups! One of Kooky's "addictions" was always chasing cars. She had been hit one time, but with every ounce of spunk that embodied her, she bounced back to good health in a relatively short amount of time, well, and of course, a little doctoring from our family :) Whenever we walked with her down the road from our house to the camp, she would know not to chase a car when she was with us; I guess because she would get scolded! With our family dog, Cassie, left back in the States, we quickly became attached to Miss Kooky, though she was never fully our dog, as her owner lives just down the road, but was willing to share! (Cassie has since passed on)

We recently found out from the owner, that Kooky was chasing a car and was hit and killed.

It is funny how animals make you feel like you have a sense of "home" when you are away from your home. We miss our porch friend and our campground companion! Thanks for being our buddy, "Kook-Kook-A-Choo"! You are missed!

Bananas, homeschooling, RA, rain...

I believe rainy season has arrived! It's been hot and sunny during the morning hours with the almost "like clock-work" 2 p.m. cloud cover and then cool breezes and rain! I love this time of year because it is so nice to sleep during the rainy season at night! Of course, by Oct. and Nov. I will be sick of the rains! It is a rather long season! Also, the last couple of days we have been having thunder which we rarely hear that often. So, that has been a nice addition to the rain showers! The camp is loaded with bananas and even the gardener is wondering what we are going to do with them all once they fully ripen from green to yellow! Today, a tree of bananas fell over in the camp before the Hand of bananas (as it is called) was even harvested! I did some calling around today to a friend in Orosi who is a Christian. She usually knows of families who are in "need" and bananas go a long way nutritionally as well as making belly's feel full! Today, I made four loaves of banana bread out of bananas we had left over from my in-laws visiting last week. I still have more to make tomorrow as I have a hard time throwing them out! Our schooling year is almost over, ending May 28th and the kids and I are working away; them on school work and me on year-end reporting. Ken has had a bout of his rheumatoid arthritis. The two and a half month remission was a welcome change, but due to pain, he returned to the doctor to find out that he is in a flare state again. This time the doctor did some joint injections with anti-inflammatory medicines because his knee was swelling up. The doctor changed his medicines and one of them costs $150 U.S. for a one month supply. This was a bit of a shock since we don't have prescription coverage! Seems the new medicine is helping, though, as today Ken is out of bed and feeling much better. His flair is in both wrists, and there is a lot of fatigue associated with this disease. Last night, I ACE bandaged his one wrist which was most painful, and thankfully today, he said he felt that it helped alot.

May through July is going to be quite busy around here! I will post more on that later. Right now, the campground is booked into September!

Please continue to pray for our family and for this ministry that God has entrusted to us!

Amazing Love

Sometimes we sing songs and that's all we do, just sing, the words. They hold no significant meaning to us probably because if you grew up in the church, well, you've been singing them it seems like forever. There's a worship song, that everytime I sing it, I start to cry. It's a song I've noticed of "opposites" and when I focus on the words I get emotional, every time. Being the mother of two boys, I cannot comprehend the sacrifice of even one of my sons for the human race. Which one would I choose? Today, as I reflect on the events in Christ's life, I am reminded of all that He went through for my sake. I find that I don't understand fully His love for me, for I know that if it was up to me to lay one of my sons down on a cross for you, it wouldn't happen. I wish that I could love like Him. For His love is perfect.

"I'm forgiven, because You were forsaken. I'm accepted, You were condemned. I'm alive and well, Your spirit is within me, because You died and rose again. Amazing love, how can it be? That you, my King, would die for me? Amazing love, I know it's true. It's my joy to honor You. In all I do, I honor You".

Getting caught up!

I just realized it has been a little while since I have posted on here. What have I been doing? Well, getting caught up on some things. We are supposed to send an update letter to our supporters every four months through Global Outreach Mission. I am a little behind (sarcastically). Like, a year behind! Our last letter went out last March when I wrote it from my Mom's hospital room and sent it into the Mission. As most of you know, my Mom then passed away in July. We also had the wedding last May, and I guess I just lost my "groove" much to the dismay of Global. Some of you may have already received our March 2010 update. Then, there's tax "season" back in the States and so, of course I had to prepare those in order to get them back in time. And, we are in the process of working on the logistics for a medical team coming for one week in May. Then, there's camp business to assist Ken with, homeschooling, Spanish lessons with homework, and the household "stuff" too. It all helps to keep us busy and more importantly, out of trouble!

"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!

We "SURVIVED"

We're feeling a little like "Rocky" this week! We've survived the year-long process of red tape, waiting, changing of appointments, surgical recommendations (jaw realignments....ummm, gracias, but "No"), teeth pulling, molding to get to this picture of Heather with braces on her teeth! Kind of makes you want to run up some steps and throw your hands up in the air in true Rocky-style, but all I have around me are highly elevated mountains and while I should for health reasons, it's already raining here. I was really beginning to wonder if this day would ever happen!

On behalf of Heather, Ken & I; thank you to an anonymous donor who 11 months ago sent money to Global Outreach Mission, not because we asked, but out of love for Heather that she might have her teeth straightened. They are about half the price here as in the States. We are very excited and thankful for this dental work and for your sacrifical giving! I never thought I would witness the day when a teenager would be so happy to have this much work done on their teeth, but she truly is. We can't wait to see the end result of an already beautiful smile made even more confident! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for blessing us in this way!

The height of rainy season

We have internet back up and running! Right now, there is thunder rolling in over the moutains and 1:48 p.m. in the afternoon is moving toward looking like 8 p.m. at night as the skies are beginning to darken. I am not sure how long the internet will continue to operate. This is the height of the rainy season, so we frequently have internet and electricity that comes and goes which always makes life exciting. Just want everyone to know that we are doing well and we are busy. Right now, I think I need to dig up some spare candles just "in case"! Try to update tomorrow in the morning with better "details". And, another missionary friend from a nearby town just called and said on the afternoon news just a few minutes ago, our town is expected to have very severe weather this afternoon and evening. Off the internet I go!

You pick apples, we pick...

Coffee! It's that time of year! While we read Facebook entries about you picking apples, here it is harvest time for the coffee beans! I had Kyle take this picture across the road from the entrance to the camp. The coffee beans are called "cherries" and the red ones are now ready to be picked. As you can see there are still many cherries which are green. Picking coffee beans will last through January and IF the weather cooperates in that the harvest is good, picking can last as late as February. Picking here in our area is still done by hand; almost exactly the same way apples were picked while I was growing up as a child. Right now there are many new people walking the streets in our area, immigrant workers who reside in the area only during harvesting time. The air here in Orosi often times smells of a pungent, bitter odor; okay to be totally honest, everyone in our family says, "it stinks like cow poop"! Thankfully, there is no coffee processing plant on this side of the river. The smell comes from the plants drying out the coffee beans. Honestly, I drink coffee and if I had to smell that in my neighborhood all day I wouldn't be drinking any longer! What does a person earn for picking coffee? 800 colones for what amounts to about a gallon container OR in American $1.50 for the container. That's a lot of picking and a lot of teeny-tiny coffee beans! In Costa Rica, every single coffee plantation grows the same exact plant or type of coffee bean. It is the law! Seems to make things pretty fair. Hope this post makes your cup of Joe today even more enjoyable :)