Thanksgiving

This year Thanksgiving held many first for our family. It was the first year that Matt and I had been separated since we've been married. He and I had been separated from the kids in 2006 when we came on our vision trip to Costa Rica, but we've never been separated from each other. Matt and Ethan spent the day traveling back from Nicaragua, where they had been for a few days to renew their visas.

The girls and I were actually invited to two separate dinners this year, which was a very nice welcome to the area. We accepted the first invitation to spend the day with the family that we spent time with on our vision trip here back in September, the Akin family. So, we got a ride to their house midday and the girls ran off to play while I found my place in the kitchen and began helping with the last minute things to be done.

The Akin's children attend a private school here in Costa Rica where children from literally all over world attend. Their children have a wide variety of culture in their day-to-day lives. The family extended the invitation to several families of friends from their school who had never before experienced Thanksgiving. Also invited were several young women who are here in the area studying Spanish for various lengths of time.

So there were people in attendance from the states, London, Holland, Italy, Venezuela, as well as Costa Rica. It was very interesting to talk with many of the people and hear there stories and learn about their countries and lives.

The story of the first Thanksgiving Day was shared, along with a few tears, when it was discussed how now, for their family as well as for Christians this is a day to give thanks, glory and honor to God for all we have in our lives and most importantly for the sacrifice of His life for ours.

It was a joy to me to be able to help out in the kitchen, discover this family's favorite Thanksgiving foods and learn how to make them, see how they all pitched in to make the day happen, down to the youngest in the family, and to make new memories in the new place God has lead us.

I learned a lot about Venezuela, Holland and Italy. Some of the stories I heard were quite amazing to me. Many that were there do not know the Lord and so this day was a chance to share Christ and His love with them.

So, the day for us was a first also to meet people from Holland, and share the special day with people from there as well as from Italy. there were two girls I never got the chance to talk with and I'm sad I didn't get to hear their stories or where they were from...Maybe we'll meet again...

Thankfully, we brought home a plate of leftovers for Matt and Ethan, so they got to enjoy a few yummy Thanksgiving favorites as well! :)

Here is a picture of all those present, except Audrey and the youngest Akin, Rebecca. They must have ran off somewhere right before the picture was snapped.

House pictures

I finally can put some pictures of the house up. I'll post more later, but here are just a few :)

The one of the hill (yep- it is considered a hill, not a mountian) and the trees is the view from our front door- beautiful, eh?

There are also three of the girls room- finally unpacked the last box of theirs!

Then one of Ethan outside in the front yard playing catch with Matt.

Que Calor! (It's stinking HOT!!!!)

"Stinking": doesn't exactly translate from English to Spanish but the point to the title of this post is that it is super hot here! (In case I haven't mentioned it before....)

The heat is wearing on all of us physically and mentally. We've been noticing the effects of it this week in particular. All three of the kids at different times have fallen asleep before it was "bedtime." I've caught a couple of those moments on camera. Jus because there are no pictures of Mom and Dad on here doesn't mean that matt and I haven't succumb to falling asleep either. There have not been many nights when I'm not asleep at 9:30. And once I'm in bed I just begin drifting off -even if in the middle of a conversation with Matt...it just wears on you. (the heat, that is...not talking with Matt :] )

We are fully confident that we will, one day, get used to it. We've been told it may take a minimum of 6 months and not sure the maximum...One day... :)

About thirty minutes after Matt and Ethan left on Monday, our best fan broke and I being completely incompetent at anything electrical other than to hit it a few times could do nothing for it. So, that made the week a little more unbearable. Thankfully today Matt got the fan working again temporarily and we also were able to borrow one from friends.

Anyway, on to the pictures. I am having trouble getting comments to correspond with the correct photo so I'll just comment on them here.

One day last week, Matt had been working on putting shelves up for Ethan. It wasn't going as planned, so he took a break form it and then got back to it after supper. Apparently Ethan was so tired he couldn't stay awake any longer and he fell asleep with his bean bag on his bed and his feet near his pillow. He may be nine, but he will always be my baby boy :)

One night when Matt and Ethan were gone, the girls and I were in our room enjoying the air conditioner we have in our room. I was reading them a story before bed. Both had their babies so "they could listen, too." :) Isabelle fell asleep before I was finished with the first page! Doesn't she look so sweet? The other of Isabelle is from tonight. I did not stage the photo, I promise! She actually fell asleep while eating her supper. I have never seen her do this that I can remember!

The other night, the girls were so tired. They had played outside all day long and so we ate early and got ready for bed early. Audrey was done first with her bedtime preparations and so I asked her to go get in bed. When I got into her room, she was fast asleep! It is these moments that she is simply angelic :) {ie: the rest of the time is another story!)

"You might be a missionary if..."

I have heard stories form my friends from language school about "you might be a missionary if..." I think I've got my own collection of stories to be told about that now.

This week my neighbor asked me if I'd like some fruit called a "pipa" that is like a coconut. She said "Just take your machete and chop it open, drain the milk and then eat the meat." I looked at her blankly, thinking "she really expects me to have a machete laying around." Then, obviously seeing my blank stare, she says, "Do you have a machete?" to which I say, "Uhhh...nope..." Just when you think you are starting to fit in! :)

Then, yesterday, one of the pastors wives was giving me a lesson on scorpions: how to recognize them, that they play dead, where they hide, and how to kill a scorpion- which of course, you use your machete for! Guess I'll be buying a machete soon!

Not to mention the you might be a missionary if you:
- have howler monkeys in your backyard
- randomly see wild pigs roaming the neighborhood
-co-habitate with about twenty geckos and picking up gecko...err...excrement...is part of your daily cleaning routine
-have iguanas in your backyard
-have to check your wet towels that are hanging up to dry for scorpions
-have to check your dirty clothes pile for scorpions
-everything imaginable comes to you ready to buy on a truck of some form: vegetables, fruits, bread, meat, chicken, bags of milk, tortillas, sour cream and cream cheese...
-you randomly find cockroaches the size of your daughter's flip flop roaming your front porch (that is
-it is so hot where you live that when you take your shower, which is a cold water shower mind you, you dry yourself and then realize that you are already sweating again!
-your "laundry room" is the back porch and your dryer is the clothesline!
-at least once daily, your dog goes nuts because of the horses trotting by
(dog thought: "Dude- that's one big dog! Will I ever get that big?")


I am sure there are many more things bound to happen and I will be able to update this fine list...keep checking back for more stories of our Great Adventure! :)


incognito iguana in the backyard



same iguana scaling the neighbor's house



our cat, "Gatita", pretending she is a lion, prowling the chickens and roosters



cockroah (almost) the size of Audrey's flip-flop



gecko lizard hiding out in the oven drawer

pictures

playin in he leaves

Here is our weekly prayer and praise update that was just sent out to our email newsletter list.

Would you join us in praising God with us and also praying for the following requests?


Hello to all of you!
We'd first like to apologize for the amount of time that has passed since our last weekly update. We've been trying to get settled and acclimated to our new home and life, Brooke and the girls took a quick trip to the states to visit her parents and to renew their visas, Matt has been getting started in ministry, and we are just now beginning to feel somewhat settled.

May I share with you today what I read in my study of Philippians today:

"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the LORD! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." Philippians 3:1

Paul writes this to brothers and sisters in Christ, the family of God. Paul knows that sometimes we can become troubled, worried, anxious or even depressed by the circumstances of life. But Paul's reminder to these brothers and sisters, and to us as well, is that God never lets us down- He is always with us and never leaves us. So, whatever your situation today, REJOICE in the LORD Jesus, to Him be all glory and praise!

We'd like to ask you to join us this week in praising God for all that He has given us, and that includes YOU! If you are reading this email, it is because God has brought you into our lives for a very specific purpose. Maybe we only knew each other for a brief time, maybe we only know each other through the internet,or maybe we've been friends for years, or maybe you are a part of our extended family. Whatever way our lives have been woven together, you are special to us and a blessing to our lives. This week as we approach Thanksgiving, we want you to know that we are thankful for YOU! You may pray for us each month, you may support us financially, you may encourage us, you may be encouraged by us...for all of this we give glory to God and REJOICE! in Christ who is our HOPE!

Please pray this week for Matt and Ethan as they travel to Managua, Nicaragua to renew their visas. They left early this morning and will be returning to Costa Rica Thursday. Please pray for their safety on the trip their, while there, and their return trip.

Please pray for the discipleship groups that Matt has started. Pray for the leaders of First Baptist church and Pastor Nelson and the leaders of Calvary Chapel church and Pastor Phil. Praise God with us for two pastors who are eager to see their people discipled and then begin discipling others. Pray for scheduling throughout the weeks and that Matt can organize his days in the most effective way possible.

Praise God for Filedelfia (Philadelphia) a small barrio about an hour away where Matt has started discipleship. Thirteen people began discipleship two weeks ago and ten came back the following week with their lesson completed and their verse memorized. This is an area where many have not heard the gospel, there is no apparent evangelical presence, and many are hungry for the Word of God.

Pray for these new disciples from First Baptist, Calvary Chapel and Filadelfia to grow in the Word and become disciple-makers.

As a side note, there are many new and er...interesting...creatures here in this part of Costa Rica. I (Brooke) praise God for His continued grace. I am not a "bug-person" or a "critter-person" by nature but Praise be to God, I am handling all these new "neighbors" quite well. I am affected, I will not lie, and there have been some shrieks heard from time to time, but I am quickly learning to live amongst nature, in all forms, whether scaly, eight-legged, hairy, winged, or slimy. Please continue to pray that God grants me grace in this and I can learn to appreciate God's creation in this new way! Most really are quite interesting and amazing, once you get past the initial reaction of "Oh My gracious, WHAT IS THAT?" :)

Praise God today with us!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

In Christ,
The McClain's :)

Matt, Brooke, Ethan, Isabelle and Audrey

Home again...home again...jiggety jig...

The girls and I left Indiana on Tuesday morning around 9 am...headed to Chicago for our 3:10 flight. All went well on the trip and we boarded our flight without incident, with supper stored away for the last flight :) I was most nervous about the connection in Atlanta because we had less than an hour to catch the connecting flight. I was assurred and reasurred that we had plenty of time, just not to stop for anything :) and kindly NOT offered any help...eerrgghh...but, we did in fact make flight- we made it through Atlanta airport from concourses A to concourse E and then to gate E 18, all the way at the end...of course...we had to run- literally- to make it and as politely as possible excuse ourselves as we made our way pass people on both escalators...and took a flying jump on the tram just seconds before the doors closed! We were almost the last to board the plane, but made it :) - all of that in 15 minutes - none-the-less!

We arrived in San Jose on time and our friend was waiting patiently to pick us up...too bad our luggage was still in Atlanta! So, home- well- home for the night- to our friend's house in San Francisco de dos Rios, sans toothbrushes (the ONE time I didn't pack them in the carry-on!), but tired enough not to really care...talked to Matt before I went to bed and let him know we'd been assured that the bags would be there at the airport by 1:30 the next day...and found out his plan to pick us up.

As I lay in bed that night, listening to the sounds of the city (that I do NOT miss), I thought about our trip, that precious time with just family, early Thanksgiving dinner, no agenda, no appointments, the blessings of new friends who sacrificed their time to drive 5 hours to the San Jose airport to drop us off last week, then old friends who sacrificed their time and opened their home to us for the night, fed us, fellowshiped with us, then again, the same new friends making the trek back to the city to pick us up...all of those things, and the many new blessings we have discovered living in a new area. I rejoiced at the time with my family, but I discovered the pang in my heart to be back "home." Not in Indiana, which will always be "home," but back in Villareal, which is my new home. I uncovered that desire to see Dinora, my neighbor, be back in church, walk the dirt road, pet my dog. How I missed the rooster crowing in the morning (way better any day than the random car alarms heard through the city night), the green, green trees, the freshness in the air...how I longed for my new home. And to be near my husband again and hold my baby boy!

It was only a week, and splendid time of laughter, fun and special memories with my parents and brother and niece, I longed for the comforts of my new home, the familiarity that Costa Rica brings me, the warmth of m husband's embrace. <3

So, now back home two days, I still am uncovering more and more the depth of my gratitude to Jesus. he gave so so much for me...and He still gives- amazing wonderful blessings reign down on us from God the Father, Maker of heaven and earth.

Financially, this is a hard season for everyone, including missionaries, including us...But our God is good and He will provide...He does provide...He IS providing! Daily, in the midst of increasing tight budgets...he is providing!

I am thankful for a new job for my mom that allows her so much less stress and the opportunity to spend quality time with elderly. A new job in times where most are without. I praise God for less stress for my mom and for the health of my parents. Sure, they are aging (I hate to think about that) and they have their ailments, but they are relatively healthy. I praise God for the gift of getting to see my dad in person to see he is okay and doing well, for moments to challenge him in his faith and to just listen to his soft gravely voice, to see his smile, to watch as the girls sat and played with him. I thank God for the memories we have and will hold dear for many, many years from this trip...to precious to share here, but will hold forever in my heart.

Join me today in praising God for all He's done for you!

visit with my parents

The girls and I made it safely to my parents in the wee hours of the morning, Tuesday November 10th. We left the house at about 6:30 in the morning Monday 11/9 and drove 5 hours to the airport (actually our friend, Pastor Nelson drove us- what a great guy!) and then waited a few hours for our flight. Flew to Atlanta and had a two hour layover. then landed in Chicago around 10:00 PM. My mom and our good friend Jenny were waiting for us at the bottom of the baggage claim escalator- what an awesome sight!!! :) Then made the drive from Chicago back to Indiana and got to be about 4 am! What a LONG day!

We came back to visit my dad who had open heart surgery back in September. We are here only for a few more days, but it has been a wonderful blessing to see how well he is doing with my own eyes and to hug him and just sit and talk. I thank God for the discovery of cheap tickets!

We've skyped Matt and Ethan who remained in Costa Rica, a few times,. It seems all the fun happens when the girls leave! The first night we ewre gone, they found a million yucky cockroaches in the bathroom and a four inch scorpion (with the tailed curled!) in our bedroom! the next morning the howler monkeys came out and tried giving Matt a shower with their bodily excretions! EEEEWWW! Fun times for the guys!

Pictures to come another day...tomorrow morning off to pick a few Christmas presents with my Dad!

Looking forward to seeing Jenkins tomorrow, Thanksgiving dinner Saturday- YEAH - PUMPKIN PIE and TURKEY!!! I haven't had turkey in two years! Church on Sunday and seeing Pappy and Mimi and then preparing to leave on Monday.

Getting settled

WOW! Almost two weeks have gone by since my last post. I do apologize for that. We made the move from the city of San Jose to the rural area of Villareal in the province of Guanacaste Costa Rica last Tuesday, October 27th. On Monday, 10/26 we picked up our cute new puppy, Reina ("queen"). She is so sweet and loving and fits in just right with our family. So, Tuesday morning 10/27, the moving truck arrived at about 6 am and began loading up everything. It was quite the process. We were very pleased at how professional they were and how well they worked as a team. The kids and walked around the neighborhood as they were packing the truck and said our good-byes to Jerry, the pulperia owner, Nudia, the bread store owner and a few of our neighbors.

We then loaded up the van with a few things for the trip for us along with Wally, the hamster, Gatita, the cat, and Reina the dog! The cat had been anxious for three days, sensing that something was going on. She was so upset that morning and even more so when we put her in the cat carrier. Reina was calm and relaxed, amazing really when you think we had just gotten her the afternoon before. She slept on my lap for about 5 of the 6 hours it took to get to our new home! We could not have asked for anything better from her! The cat didn't like the trip much to begin with and must have been feeling sick and suffering a reaction from her nerves, because she somehow escaped from the cat carrier about 2 hours into the trip and had vomited all over. She finally settled herself in Audrey's lap, but then had an accident that necessitated pulling over to clean up Audrey, the cat and the van! The dog got out and walked around for a few minutes and went to the bathroom and in the meantime we got everything and everyone cleaned up. then we loaded back up and the rest of the trip was mostly uneventful! Praise God!

The excitement kept building the closer we got to Villareal. As we pulled in to the city, we all began pondering which house was ours. Matt was the only one who had seen it, if you remember. The rest of us had only seen pictures. Finally we pulled up and the landlord's family was there cleaning and had painted and it was just a wonderful surprise. I had anticipated having to clean and paint and was not quite sure how that was all going to work itself out...but PRAISE GOD! They had done it for us! What a blessing!

The movers arrived and began unpacking and setting things up for us. They were really wonderful. What a blessing God gave us in finding them! If anyone needs to move anywhere in Latin America or internationally we would whole-heartily recommend A and T movers!

The first night, we of course couldn't find anything and it was SO hot. We all looked at each other and thought (without saying so) what did we just do? But now after almost two weeks here, we have begun to feel settled, are making friends and learning how to live life here. Things are very different and sometimes not very easy, but God has truly blessed us in that we now have a community to live in and minister in. We've invited neighbors to church and they have come! We share in "over-the-fence" conversations that quickly lead to things of the Lord. Everyone knows we're the new family on the block and why we are here, even before we say it...and that's ok! We walk everywhere because we do not have a vehicle, which puts us on the same level as most. God, in his goodness, knows all and sees all. If not for the necessity of walking, we would surely miss out on the opportunities we've had to connect with many of the neighbors just because we are walking the same way at the same time. Wonderful conversations have been had just because we are walking along together. I do miss the convenience of a vehicle - and it does make getting groceries a bit of a process, but I will endure the time without one joyfully as we continue to meet more and more people "as we go." I am thankful for the neighbors who have vehicles and have offered to take me to get groceries and praise God for how he provides for our needs.

We have most of the house organized and settled. Still a few areas in the bedrooms that need to be figured out but for the most part living quarters are set up. My biggest task is the school room. It is a mass of boxes and I am waiting on a bookshelf to be made to organize the books. We've been doing what we can, much shorter days but enough until everything gets unpacked and settled. The girls and I leave on Monday to renew our visas and will be gone a week. Then Matt and Ethan will travel to Nicaragua for a few days after we get back. I hope to have the bookshelf by then and can get everything in order,. We school year round and for that I am thankful when we have interruptions like this. It helps to even everything out!

I will try to post pictures soon of the house, Reina, the neighborhood and everything. Today, Pastor Nelson and his family are coming over for lunch and fellowship. We are looking forward to getting to know them better.

Please continue to pray for our adjustment to the heat, although we praise God for several cool days and much needed rain in a row.

Please pray as we travel to renew our visas this month: the girls and I (11/9-11/17) and then Matt and Ethan (11/23-11/26).

Please pray as we build relation ships in the community, as Matt lays the groundwork for the ministry in the churches and with the pastors, and for God to prepare the hearts of those he will be discipling.

Pray for our kids as they learn how to play and have friends again. It may seem funny to say, but they have had to learn how to live with neighborhood kids again. they've been without this kind of daily interaction for two years and apparently it takes some getting used to again because I have seen a few issues springing up. They have made some good friends and we are thankful. Pray for them as they minister to them, learn about their lives, good and bad, and learn how to be kind, loving, patient, self-controlled with them.

Thanks for praying for our family!

Moving Day!

Wanted to post this weeks prayer requests. Please continue to life our family in prayer during our transition.


Hi! All is quiet in the McClain house tonight...but if we speak loudly, there is an echo...because everything is packed and ready to go!

We are thankful for the privilege to pray with you. It is with gratitude in our hearts that we write each week to share praises and prayer requests with you, for we are thankful to be blessed with wonderful caring ministry partners.

Tuesday, October 27th (tomorrow) we'll be moving to Guanacaste. Please pray for safety as we travel for us and the movers. Please pray for a smooth trip, as well. The trip is about 6 hours.

Please pray as Brooke works to get the house cleaned and in order in the following days. Matt received the invitation to be part of a pastor's conference put on by CLF starting Wednesday, so Brooke will be with the kids getting the house in order and Matt will be pursuing new connections and ministry opportunities with the pastors at the conference.

The month of November will be very unusual for our family due to several weeks of being separated due to traveling to and from San Jose as well as traveling to renew our Visas. We are not used to being apart from each other for lengths of time like this. Please pray for us as we transition to a new home and work through being separated physically from each other.

We will not have internet access or phone service in our home for most likely several weeks. We do believe we will be able to access the internet in town, however, it just won't be very frequently. We will try to update as much as possible, but please understand if we do not respond to emails right away. Thank you for praying!

Love,
Matt and Brooke :)

Also- PRAISE GOD! We got a dog today! (Nothing like a new dog the day before you move 6 hours away, huh?) She is super sweet (very much like Mac, just wrapped up in a little girl mixed breed) and her name is Reina ("queen"). She is Isabelle's dog and she is not afraid to tell you that. Isabelle told Matt tonight that now that she has her own dog we all could share Wally, her hamster, since she had her hands full with Reina ;) So cute!

more prayer updates

Well, the vehicle does not look like it will work out, so please keep praying for that.

We did secure movers that have been very professional so far. We praise God for how he lead us to this company.

We are going to get a dog! Well, most likely two! :) We decided that two is just more fun :) and we'll bringing one with us when we move and the second one we'll get when we come through San Jose in November :) Everyone is HAPPY HAPPY in our family today! :)

Thank you for praying, faithful friends!

Prayer updates

Here is an update on the power of your prayers:

We went to immigration Monday to get permission for me to leave Costa Rica with the girls and for Matt to leave with Ethan next month to renew our tourist visas. We were told that, in fact, we do not need any special permission to leave. This was unexpected and a huge blessing! It was hard to believe actually. I called the Us State Dept. to check with them, as well. They agreed, but strongly suggested that we write letters for each of us, stating the spouse has permission to leave with children and get it notarized. So, we were able to do that yesterday, Praise God!

Also, we are going to look at a vehicle today that may (or may not) work for our family. The price is right and it seems that it would be a great vehicle for the ministry and our family. Please pray that we would be given wisdom and that this would be the answer to our prayers. The vehicle is owned by a couple who we went to language school with, who are good friends of ours.

And finally, as if packing and preparing to move 6 hours away is not enough...we may have found a dog :) We saw a few numbers yesterday for dogs up for adoption (which means FREE). I called and we went and looked at a young Lab mix. He was sweet, but very hyper and had not been trained well. We knew he wasn't the dog that would be "our" dog even though he was cute. So, we went to look at a couple more. The woman who has the dogs is a vet and she takes in strays, gets them well and then gives them up for adoption. We looked at a super cute, calm and medium sized dog who is about 5 months old. She is very sweet, appears to be very loyal. She gives kisses, which the girls loved! She also has an adult Lab that Ethan loved. We are trying to decide as a family.

Join us in praising God for the ways he is providing for our family!

I just sent out this week's prayer requests by email to our ministry partners. Please join us in praying this week.

Dear friends and family,

We'd like to share with you a few ways you can pray this week for our family this week.


1. Tomorrow, Monday, October 19th, please pray as we travel to immigration. In November, we need to renew our tourist visas. For various reasons, we do not feel it would be best to leave the house alone right after we move in. So, Matt and I will be traveling separately to renew our visas. Because of this, we need to obtain special papers stating that Matt has given me permission to leave the country with the girls without him and I have given Matt permission to leave with Ethan without me. The process is a bit more complicated than we first anticipated (why should this surprise us anymore? :] ). So, we need to go to the immigration office, obtain notarized birth certificates for all three children, then proceed to prepare and obtain these permission forms.

We ask that you please pray for this whole process to go smoothly and only take us one trip to the office. Often times, things like this take two or more trips. We really need to be able to accomplish this Monday in order to have the rest of the week to prepare for our move. Please pray for short lines, understanding and patient Costa Rican workers, clear language from both the workers and from us, as well as an overall short process. We all 5 have to be there for the entire process.


2. Please pray also for all the things that need to be finished this week for the move. It is crunch time, so to speak, and this is a really big move. Please pray for each of us, particularly Matt and I, to be slow to anger, to be patient with each other and with our kids, and for the kids as the deal with all the emotions of moving.


3. We ask that you continue to pray for our transportation needs. We are trusting God to provide for this real need for our family. Will you please join us in praying?


4. Pray also that we can secure trustworthy, reliable movers this week. Please pray for this expense as well.


We thank you for praying with us.


In Christ,

Brooke :)

(for Matt and the kids)

Update on my Dad

I wanted to ask for prayer for my dad and my mom. Dad is still doing well, but things have been tough this week. He is struggling to do the therapy, exercise and seems a little down in the dumps. My mom does, too. Please just keep praying for them as they continue to walk this new path in their lives. Thanks so much! They have both recovered from the respiratory infections- PTL!

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.

Give Back

Below is a recent post from a blog of our friends, Don and Heather, who are serving Jesus in Guatemala. Check it out here. It really impacted me and has caused me to give significant thought to how I spend the money God gives to me and my family. It doesn't matter that we serve God as missionaries in a foreign country, what we have in our bank account is NOT ours. It doesn't matter, as some say, that we have sacrificed so much, time, family, lifestyle...what we have is NOT ours.

May you reflect on your own life today as you read our friend's words and thoughts and ponder on the book of Nehemiah. How will you give back today?



I have been preaching out of the Book of Nehemiah for the last several weeks, and it has been encouraging to me as well as the missionary community. We have learned about passion for God's glory, leadership, planning and defense of a vision and mission, social and economic fairness, as well as the ways in which Satan tries to ensnare us and get us disconnected from our calling. And we have only covered the first 6 chapters!

Wow! What an amazing section of scripture. I have been exceptionally influenced by the 5th chapter. I just can't ignore or push aside these scriptures anymore when it speaks so thoroughly to our responsibility to those who are struggling.
I think many of us want our financial decisions to be separate from our relationship with God....but they just are not.

God's glory is wrapped up in how we use our money.

There are over 800 scriptures that reference finances in the Bible. Over 25% of Jesus' teachings was dedicated to money. He taught more about money than he did about the Kingdom of God.

And the deal in Nehemiah 5 was that there were some larger families who didn't have enough money to feed themselves. They had to mortgage their homes, lands, even daughters to pay for food. Interest rates were so high they couldn't get out from under their debt.
(And this is what the people of God were doing to the people of God!)
So, Nehemiah steps in and reminds the people that it wasn't right. It wasn't right that the rich were getting richer and the poor, poorer. It wasn't right that some Jewish leaders were eating leg of lamb with asparagus and lemon sauce while others were starving to death.

And Nehemiah's passion was greater than just for the people who were poor. In fact, Jesus said the poor will always be with us. No, Nehemiah's passion was for God's glory, because the world outside the walls were looking inside the walls, and saying, "they are no different from us. They just care about financial gain and bigger homes, and better gadgets just like we do. Their religion is no different from ours. We care about those things as well."

And so, Nehemiah convinced his people to stop and care better for one another because the world was watching. It did make a difference and God hated it. God cared about this.

So, they stopped. They returned all the money made on interest. They returned the deeds to houses they had acquired through deals. They gave back lands to poor people.

And this wasn't socialism or communism. This wasn't about everybody having the same amount.
This was about taking care of the poor, and not blaming the poor. This was about calling rich people to never make a dime off the backs of a poor person.

A good message for all of us.

And how can any of us read Leviticus 25:35-40 and not be affected deeply about how we should treat those who are below us on the economic scale?

I was reading the other day a study about how the very rich spend their money. Interesting.
Hannah Shaw Grove and Russ Alan Prince did a paper about people who were rich enough to own a private jet. (John Travolta has 5)
Anyway, this is what they discovered these people spend money on YEARLY...on average.

1. $30,000 a year on alcohol
2. $98,000 a year on experiential guided tours
3. $107,000 at spas
4. $117,000 on clothes
5. $147,000 on watches (I don't get it???)
6. $157,000 on resorts
7. $168,000 on chalet rentals
8. $226,000 on cars (remember...per year)
9. $248,000 on jewelry
10. $404,000 on yachts
11. $542,00 on home improvements
12. $1.75 million a year on art

I know this is going to sound really snide and ugly.....

But I wonder if any of these people have ever seen a little baby die because of lack of food? A little boy with crooked and bloody feet because of not having shoes? A young father reeking of feces and alcohol because there is no work and there's nothing else to do with his time, and living has become hopeless?

We, the church should demand more of ourselves. The world is watching. The world has heard us defend these actions way too many times because of our political slant or on the grounds of stimulation of the economy.

And this isn't about Us vs. Them. Whoever We think They are.
This is about all of us looking at our financial decisions and asking the simple question: Is this what God would do with this money? Because it is His money to begin with. Isn't it?

And I want you to know that as we talked about this as a missionary community, we were (and are) asking the same questions of ourselves. Many, if not most of the people who give to us have very little in terms of worldly value. I'm not sure how some people continue to support us, and with such sacrifice.
And God is glorified. We are thankful. And we just happen to be your hands and feet here in Guatemala. We are here because of you getting this.

But we need to be consistent with this message in the workplace and among our friends. We need to stop being Republicans and Democrats and start being God's people, taking care of the people who are truly without...because the world is watching.

And so is our God.

Si (Rudyard Kipling)

Para los amigos que hablan espanol...aqui esta el poema se llama "Si" por Rudyard Kipling.

Si (Rudyard Kipling)
--------------------


Si puedes conservar la cabeza cuando a tu alrededor
todos la pierden y te echan la culpa;
si puedes confiar en tí mismo cuando los demás dudan de tí,
pero al mismo tiempo tienes en cuenta su duda;
si puedes esperar y no cansarte de la espera,
o siendo engañado por los que te rodean, no pagar con mentiras,
o siendo odiado no dar cabida al odio,
y no obstante no parecer demasiado bueno, ni hablar con demasiada sabiduria...

Si puedes soñar y no dejar que los sueños te dominen;
si puedes pensar y no hacer de los pensamientos tu objetivo;
si puedes encontrarte con el triunfo y el fracaso (desastre)
y tratar a estos dos impostores de la misma manera;
si puedes soportar el escuchar la verdad que has dicho:
tergiversada por bribones para hacer una trampa para los necios,
o contemplar destrozadas las cosas a las que habías dedicado tu vida
y agacharte y reconstruirlas con las herramientas desgastadas...

Si puedes hacer un hato con todos tus triunfos
y arriesgarlo todo de una vez a una sola carta,
y perder, y comenzar de nuevo por el principio
y no dejar de escapar nunca una palabra sobre tu pérdida;
y si puedes obligar a tu corazón, a tus nervios y a tus músculos
a servirte en tu camino mucho después de que hayan perdido su fuerza,
excepto La Voluntad que les dice "!Continuad!".

Si puedes hablar con la multitud y perseverar en la virtud
o caminar entre Reyes y no cambiar tu manera de ser;
si ni los enemigos ni los buenos amigos pueden dañarte,
si todos los hombres cuentan contigo pero ninguno demasiado;
si puedes emplear el inexorable minuto
recorriendo una distancia que valga los sesenta segundos
tuya es la Tierra y todo lo que hay en ella,
y lo que es más, serás un hombre, hijo mío.

Update on my Dad

I wanted to give a little update on my Dad. He is doing well, recovery and physical therapy both going well. He and my mom both have caught a little bug though and I would like to ask for your prayers for both of them. My mom has COPD and any little thing like this can set her off on the slope to pneumonia. Please also pray for my Dad because he is experiencing some trouble breathing and does not know why. Thanks you for continuing to pray.

October Prayer Letter

In an effort to keep you all more informed, I will be posting the text of our monthly prayer letters on our blog. If you'd like to see them in PDF form click here

Here is our October letter. Please continue to pray for our family and the ministry God has graciously allowed us to be a part of.

The Great Adventure
There is a Steven Curtis Chapman song called The Great Adventure. We remembered this song recently and we thank God that our lives are not boring, dull or monotonous. We thank God that He has given us an adventure to partake in; the choice to pursue or decline a journey designed specifically for us. We have chosen to joyfully pursue this adventure.

We’d like to share with you that God has given us a new adventure here in Costa Rica. God, in His great glory, revealed to us that it was time for a change of scenery. We have always felt that we are to follow the example of the apostle Paul as it pertains to being a missionary. Paul never spent much time in one area. In fact, he spent as little as a matter of days to a maximum of about two years before he moved on to the next place. (Read more about Paul’s time in different ministries in Acts 16:12,40; 17:2,10; 18:11,18; 19:10; 20:1). Paul generally taught pagans all about Jesus, from birth to death and then taught them what God expected from them and how to carry it out (which is the commandment given to all of us in Matthew 28:19-20). Then, Paul would leave a very young, immature church in the hands of God and under the authority of the Holy Spirit and he would move on to another area to share the gospel.

For some time now, we’ve felt that it was time to let the church in Tejarcillos, under the leadership of Pastor Rogelio and the authority of the Holy Spirit, learn to grow and mature on their own. God confirmed this and Matt shared this decision with Mark and Pastor Rogelio this past June. We officially ended our time with the Tejarcillos church last month.

We spent the months of August and September praying and seeking God’s leading about what our next step was to be. We’ve been praying for God to show us what He wants for our family for some time now. We feel He is leading us clearly to take the discipleship process to churches that are in desperate need of it, desire to see their members growing in the Lord, but do not know how to get them there. We are convinced without a doubt that the key to spiritual growth is, in part, the discipleship process. If the Body of Christ is not daily studying God’s Word, not daily applying it to their life, not daily praying and listening to God’s will for their lives, they simply will not grow spiritually. We desire to go where we believe God has gone before us and prepared the way to take the discipleship process (teaching a man to fish so that he can teach others and they in turn teach others) to willing churches and pastors. In this, we fully expect God to lead us to the next place before we’ve even finished, just as Paul was lead from city to city, we anticipate being lead in the same manner. Most likely in this process we will encounter areas with no evangelic presence and will be able to share the gospel and disciple there as well. Above all, we desire to share the gospel and make disciples– we just love to disciple others! We also desire to equip existing churches with the tools to teach their members this process.

You can pray for us as we are praying for where to begin. We have had contacts with several pastors over the past few months from many different areas of Costa Rica, all outside of San Jose. This new journey will involve a move for our family. We have already begun making vision trips to a few places where we have felt God leading us. Please pray for:
-Clarity, wisdom and guidance from the Lord
-Safety as we travel as some places we are praying about are many hours away and that we would find people of peace
-Clear communication with pastors about doctrine, theology and the vision God has given us
-Funds needed as these vision trips are extra expenses above and beyond our monthly expenses.
-Funds needed to purchase a vehicle for our family
-Minimal interruptions in our homeschooling routine while on the road

If by Rudyard Kipling

Found this today on a blog I follow. Pause at the puncuation as you read, not the end of the lines. Think about your life today and the way you take each turn in the road that God has given you to follow.


If

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man my son!