Well, we're moving!

I am a little late this week in posting this and for that I apologize. It has been w worldwind at my house...and the dust has yet to settle.

Yes, the title is right. We are moving in about 11 days or so!

We have been praying for sometime about the next step in ministry God has for us...after months of prayer, we know without a doubt that God is leading us to an area in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica called Villareal. It is a small village that is surrounded by other villages and small towns and near a large beach city called Tamarindo.

We went on a vision trip to the area at the first of the month having just a few contacts- that God had lead us to over the course of about a week. We were literally hearing about Tamarindo every other day or so for about a week. It was truly amazing the way God has guided us and opened doors for us and also has provided for us the past month.

Here is the most recent prayer letter we sent out Monday. You will find specific prayer requests that God is already amswering! More about that at the end of the post:

Dear friends,

We are attempting to communicate more often with our faithful supporters. In an effort to do that, we will be sending out more than just our monthly prayer letter. It is our intention to send weekly or bi-weekly prayer request emails. If you would like to be removed from our prayer letter list and/or the weekly prayer request emails, please respond to this email with a short message asking to be left off the next mailing.Thanks so much for standing in the gap for our family!


Please pray this week for our family in these ways:

1. We will be moving to a new area of ministry very soon. This is something very exciting for our family as well as something that brings with it a long list of things to do. Please pray for the packing that needs to be done, securing of a moving company, and the process of downsizing that needs to take place for this move. Pray for Brooke as she tries to do all of this as well as continue with homeschool.


2. Please pray this week for Matt as he travels to the province of Guanacaste, more specifically, Villa Real, to look for and hopefully secure housing for our family. The largest nearest city is a beach town that is touristy. Therefore, prices for most things are not any less expensive than what we are used to in the city, specifically to rent a house. Please pray that God would lead Matt to the best house for us for what we can afford. Pray that the acquaintances we've met there will be able to have plenty of places lined up for Matt to look at during the few days he is there. Pray for safety as he travels.


3. Please pray for the much needed funds to purchase a suitable vehicle for our family. We have had the wonderful blessing of having the use of a ministry vehicle for the time we've been in the city. This move will require a vehicle more suited to the area we'll be serving, more specifically something with 4-wheel drive. We have begun the process of looking for a vehicle and have some funds raised already, however, still fall significantly short of the approximate $10,000 needed to purchase a reliable vehicle. Along with purchasing a vehicle, we will incur expenses due to the nature of a move. The new location is 6 hours away and we are anticipating a hefty bill from a moving company. Please pray for these funds as well. Please pray that God would provide in a mighty way and soon, as we are looking to move within the next month.


4. Please pray for our hearts not to be heavy as we leave the people, churches and team we love here in the city. God has given us a wonderful privilege to take discipleship to this area of Costa Rica and we desire to leave filled with joy at the opportunity ahead of us and not sorrow for what we are leaving behind. This is a time for us that is very similar to when we first left the states to come to Costa Rica.


Please contact us with any questions you may have about the new area, ministry, or how to you can help in a greater way.


Thank you in advance for praying!


In Christ,

Matt, Brooke and kiddos :)

Matt has been in Villareal since Wednesday morning. He has spent most of his time with Pastor Nelson of one of the churches will be working with. It has been so wonderful because Nelson has went practically everywhere with Matt, introducing him to people and showing him houses. Matt has probably looked at 15-20 houses since Wednesday morning! He found one that will work and even found a computer and sent me pictures of it! He talked to the landlord today and told him we'd be back the last week of October to move in! Then, without Matt even asking, he LOWERED the rent $100! How does that happen? Well, God is truly paving the way for us! That is how! We were willing to pay the rent because it was less than we had expected and less than we are paying now, but Matt was going to ask if the landlord would come down, but he didn't have to! the landlord (I didn't get his name...) OFFERED! (BIG smile on my face!)

Matt has also spent time with the second pastor we will be working with and they both expressed their joy the we will be coming soon!

Please join us in praying for God's provision for moving expenses as well as a vehicle. We are in the process of looking for a vehicle, trusting God to provide even though we are still significantly short of the estimated amount we'll need for a vehicle, plates and taxes. We have had plenty come to our attention, but not quite what we are looking for. It is hard to be patient and wait for the BEST that God has for us, but we are waiting on Him.

Please pray for safety for Matt as he comes back home tomorrow. We all miss him!

Thank you for praying! I will try to keep the updates more current. Sorry about falling behind.