tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62865599631180101132024-03-06T01:08:27.773-08:00Macias in MissionsTony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-87784320142880610252014-05-10T18:09:00.000-07:002014-05-10T18:09:02.958-07:00Three Special Moms<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Her children arise and call her blessed;</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
Her husband also, and he praises her:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
"Many women do noble things, but</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
You surpass them all" <i>Proverbs 31:28</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<br />
I would like to dedicate this featured article from Mission Frontiers magazine to Juanita, Griselda, and Yolanda. May their praise and worship to the Living God permeate every mountain top.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
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<i>Making Room for Music and Dance by Laura Macias</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<a href="http://www.missionfrontiers.org/issue/current">http://www.missionfrontiers.org/issue/current</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
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Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-18321128711951910742014-04-11T15:31:00.000-07:002014-04-11T15:31:41.597-07:00Call upon him while he is near<div class="MsoNormal">
Victor’s voice over the phone was more subdued than usual.
“Our friend, Marvin, won’t be reporting to work today. He passed away last night;
he had a heart attack,” said our watchman with a somber tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently his wife found him unresponsive in
their small home and called his boss right away. Marvin was only fifty-three
years old. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Victor if Marvin was
a follower of Christ and he went on to tell me Marvin’s struggle with
alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t believe he was but I
do know he was an alcoholic,” replied Victor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Nicaraguan national was a likeable guard who always
greeted you every morning and bid you a warm, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vaya con Dios</i>, at anytime of the day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood at the corner of our block and did
his job faithfully for twelve hours, six days a week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, he was one watchman I did not give an audio
Bible to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last month, I wrote about
having the privilege of passing audio Bibles to various neighborhood watchmen.
For some reason, he was one guard I missed. After hearing the devastating news,
I felt terrible. Why had I missed giving <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">him</b>
an audio Bible? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like most days that followed, I went for an early morning
stroll around the neighborhood and bumped into a young watchman I had never
seen before. He introduced himself as Elmer and said he was filling in for a
guard on vacation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the sudden death
of Marvin on my mind, I asked Elmer if he had heard of the watchman who had
passed away recently. His remark surprised me. “Yes, all the guards are talking
about it. The news of his death frightened me,” confessed the guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued sharing about his fears and the
brevity of life, which weighed heavy on his heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Elmer, have you considered going to church
and talking to a pastor about your fears?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I asked, hesitating a negative response or better yet, rejection. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shared his own faith walk and even admitted
to veering off from the faith that once was his “first love.” Before we ended
our conversation that early morning hour, I asked him if he was interested in
talking to a dear pastor I knew in the area. Elmer expressed his desire to do
so and I am happy to share that both the pastor and Elmer have talked. Although
I don’t know if Elmer’s fears have dissipated, I am grateful God used Marvin’s
death to stir me to reach out to Elmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Furthermore, God also used Marvin’s death to remind Elmer of his current
spiritual condition and the peace that can be his as he seeks restoration with our Heavenly Father. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">-Seek the Lord while
He may be found; call upon him while he is near.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 55:6</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgAA33VCt4CpcTrDPnPlWHaps81GE6TaN3LvRfVHjzKcxK6QjkQgv5Wl14QfpAZjij9nIZj3DhC2CUd3V89_zNDjztN6E9lA9rB_AaShFlZxGBAJ6zj760XVR6FRyMXgEyxYCC9-jCoc/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgAA33VCt4CpcTrDPnPlWHaps81GE6TaN3LvRfVHjzKcxK6QjkQgv5Wl14QfpAZjij9nIZj3DhC2CUd3V89_zNDjztN6E9lA9rB_AaShFlZxGBAJ6zj760XVR6FRyMXgEyxYCC9-jCoc/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" height="275" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvin and Tony - 2013</td></tr>
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</o:p></div>
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Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-55200275934725445692014-02-14T07:43:00.000-08:002014-02-14T07:43:20.718-08:00A loving remark….<div class="MsoNormal">
In the last twelve months, Tony and I have gotten to know
many of “los guachis” or neighborhood watchmen during our daily strolls. No
matter where you live in the city, you’ll see a watchman patrolling
neighborhood streets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Costa
Rica is a fairly peaceful country, petty crimes, mugging, and shoplifting are
prevalent in the greater metropolitan cities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These watchmen typically earn minimum wage and
work close to 12 hours a day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the highlights for Tony and I has been in getting to
know these men who guard our local streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At times we have bought them a cold soft drink, served them a light
meal, or just talked about whatever is on their mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time we’ve invested recently opened up an
opportunity to loan them a few Spanish audio Bibles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After listening to the content on the solar
powered tool, I will ask them a few questions about the functionality of the
device. In addition, I will ask them which Bible story they liked most and what
impressed them the most from the stories. Some of the guards really enjoyed
having the Bible on audio and some politely returned it after only listening a
few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the different
responses, I am glad they gave me an occasion from which to share the Word of
God right where they work. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One guard in particular came up to me this week and said
something that really struck me. “You and Tony are really special to me. You
are always together and I bet you really care for one another,” said Victor
with a grin. Somewhere between listening to the parables of Jesus and our
leisurely nighttime walk, Victor had been watching us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without us noticing, our Christian witness
had ministered to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My reply to the
guard was simple, “Yes, you are right. We care for each other. But we are not perfect, just perfect for each other.” And with that response, Victor laughed and
shook our hands and told us how pleased he was to call us his friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, my thoughts turn toward 1 Corinthians 13,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May the LOVE of God dwell richly in our hearts on this Valentine's Day.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony and I posing with Victor on a warm afternoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quintero standing by his guardhouse with the audio Bible by his side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKOMmobeORa9IZyVqafX8cB007G60usRRlL8dUEmJJ-4DFql_Od1rNG8PVStckE-Igy1TghpdeZfgKT5tFVb4OvipYbJN6ZgYLdCzj5UU6GdKLBsmOVZqftjze-EekIJuTEFsYef0XjY/s1600/IMG_7278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKOMmobeORa9IZyVqafX8cB007G60usRRlL8dUEmJJ-4DFql_Od1rNG8PVStckE-Igy1TghpdeZfgKT5tFVb4OvipYbJN6ZgYLdCzj5UU6GdKLBsmOVZqftjze-EekIJuTEFsYef0XjY/s1600/IMG_7278.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another watchman ready to assume his 12 hour shift </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-79905159464145418022013-12-31T15:00:00.000-08:002013-12-31T15:00:56.553-08:00Promises Fulfilled<div class="MsoNormal">
On this last day of 2013, I am reminded of the Scripture
verse, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not one of all of the Lord’s good
promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled</i>.” (Joshua
21:45, NIV) I can only bring thanks to the Lord for the many promises he has
fulfilled in our lives this year. We, like you, experienced many peaks and
valleys throughout 2013. However, the Lord was with us at every step and we have
continued to trust Him in all circumstances.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we look to 2014, we are confident that our Heavenly
Father knows the future and will be faithful as He has been in the past to
bring about His purposes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
May the Lord continue to shape us and mold us as we look to
Him to fulfill all His promises in the New Year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcYuKaQjHL627UAMg6KcNUqetCqwUIVNrp9VRkH69WhaGUHcIN8_9ahApG8is28cNuiQ8OI-1Xd_6ICPAnfcYFYR8UCGnZ26BTxp9UpxXXi8KLWG46LH4XXIW_4mDPA5Z2WdmBwzL49U/s1600/IMG_6793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcYuKaQjHL627UAMg6KcNUqetCqwUIVNrp9VRkH69WhaGUHcIN8_9ahApG8is28cNuiQ8OI-1Xd_6ICPAnfcYFYR8UCGnZ26BTxp9UpxXXi8KLWG46LH4XXIW_4mDPA5Z2WdmBwzL49U/s400/IMG_6793.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greetings from San Jose, Costa Rica</td></tr>
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Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-22948445482377775552013-11-15T13:50:00.000-08:002013-11-15T13:50:15.517-08:00Random Photo Album-Year 1 in Costa Rica
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy6baXfCHZ13hyM3p6kjI14DVhkk9hCDqmNOQNP2qPmXE1FKT1IofPK_gTULZHqRTgAea3JJYCbm9Pe_jCGag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">It's hard to believe it's been 12 months since we begin serving overseas
with MAF in San Jose, Costa Rica. In order to celebrate this special occasion,
we wanted to share this light-hearted video with our friends and loved ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Thank you so much for making this first year such a blessed one.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Tony and Laura</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-87305431054586393282013-09-29T16:51:00.000-07:002013-10-03T11:41:19.157-07:00A Notable Surprise<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The second half of year one serving overseas has brought about
many wonderful surprises. One of those surprises has come in the form of
training nationals to expand the work of Bible storytelling among those in our
region that have little or no access to the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Lord has brought to our ministry, three talented people
with different backgrounds and expertise. These new members are from Colombia,
Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. One member is
single and the other two are a married couple. Two of the three teach Sunday
school and the third is a nondenominational pastor. Each of them has been a
blessing in my life as they have given me new filters in which to teach in
Latin America. They have impressed upon
me the need to make our oral inductive Bible study training as fun and
interactive as possible. “As Latinos, we
learn best when we are laughing and participating together,” said my colleague,
Tatiana. “We also don’t like to be rushed or hurried when gaining new
understanding; going fast in life is just not our thing “ added Rita to the discussion
on contextualized learning styles. Pastor Elgin has been a pillar of strength to
our team as he leads us in prayer for those we will minister to through the
inspired Word of God. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Our expanding team will travel to a remote area of Costa Rica in mid-October to teach 30 indigenous church leaders from 3 different Central American countries how to disciple their church communities through Bible stories. Please pray that the presence of the Holy Spirit will manifest itself with power and might during our time together.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My desire is that the four of us will not only grow in our
service to the Lord but in our service to each other. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God
for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is
growing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdLaf58skyzkSkEH16nrWu6ht42N7_samHRlUbmuVupklUPfGxL7xfMUXvvkYHEObb-T76lWf5nySOgQaofiv1tv3WiNzVZbqb2hzT5iZypVrKcCq58VjnMzqi7E_yHyQLRhUcvRzFc0/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdLaf58skyzkSkEH16nrWu6ht42N7_samHRlUbmuVupklUPfGxL7xfMUXvvkYHEObb-T76lWf5nySOgQaofiv1tv3WiNzVZbqb2hzT5iZypVrKcCq58VjnMzqi7E_yHyQLRhUcvRzFc0/s400/IMG_1227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Elgin Estrada, Rita Estrada, Laura Macias, and Tatiana Noriega</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lKpbzyTwmlqTdRXPNI2NfC8muyxSaMLp0-tGRDX7jAx8OFmrVSvHGatUck35Dgy9h235Khwy29MBraQkfMv4_ODah1o20jU6MWT2zCp1lMyOpR_hbpZfQwj0rFghT_5u2Wvdfc3DVfU/s1600/IMG_6672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lKpbzyTwmlqTdRXPNI2NfC8muyxSaMLp0-tGRDX7jAx8OFmrVSvHGatUck35Dgy9h235Khwy29MBraQkfMv4_ODah1o20jU6MWT2zCp1lMyOpR_hbpZfQwj0rFghT_5u2Wvdfc3DVfU/s400/IMG_6672.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Estradas in front of our MAF-Learning Technologies office</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsGHA8JWy4LUSZCB8PsrdY_cCuesiU5lt3inLwSpYPuXWmq9LsfdOoA6bLYvwtX9G0b0zRfG9ZBQlZfWMuhnr5D95GG-xjL6wGx7WQIq64H1oIhhbccJ1GyaH7c7LutGEGl_0pOqnOog/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsGHA8JWy4LUSZCB8PsrdY_cCuesiU5lt3inLwSpYPuXWmq9LsfdOoA6bLYvwtX9G0b0zRfG9ZBQlZfWMuhnr5D95GG-xjL6wGx7WQIq64H1oIhhbccJ1GyaH7c7LutGEGl_0pOqnOog/s400/IMG_1235.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our youngest but most talented member, Tatiana.</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-42774816079162915572013-08-27T11:36:00.000-07:002013-08-27T11:36:15.553-07:00When getting directions, it may help to know where the cemetery is located
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When you live in Costa Rica, one of the first things that
strike you as odd is the fact that there is no standardized system of address. What
does exist is what locals affectionately call, “Tico directions” aka “Costa
Rican directions”. In other words, directions that will involve an oriented
distance (e.g. 200 meters west, 100 meters south) from a local landmark
(cemetery) or business (gasoline station) rather than your typical 123 N. Main
St. Unfortunately, a recent study pointed out that almost a quarter of all mail
in Costa Rica is returned undeliverable. According to one mail carrier, a
typical envelope addressed to a family could read something like: From the west
side of (city name) cemetery, 100 meters north, 50 meters east, cross the train
tracks, yellow two-story house with a guard house in the front. As one can
imagine, being a mail carrier in Costa Rica can be an exhausting and
frustrating job.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I should not have been amused when a funeral service clogged
up traffic near our home a few weeks ago. Just as I was returning home after a
long walk with our dog, a taxi pulled over to the side of the road and asked me
if I knew where the neighborhood Catholic Church was located. I told him he
needed to go 400 meters south and then head left at the stop sign. A few
minutes passed and another car also pulled to the side of the road and asked me
the <i>same</i> question. Each driver was
kind and courteous in their questioning but I was beginning to sense an
important event was taking place at the local parish. Low and behold, less than
five minutes passed and a third driver rolled down his window and before he
could ask me the proverbial question, I told the driver how to locate the
church. The passengers in the vehicle laughed and suggested I should charge for
helping the family and friends of the deceased with finding the funeral site.
But what happened next really made me chuckle and understand I had come far along
in accepting a culture where streets aren’t named and buildings don’t have
numbers. What did I do? Well, I stood at the corner of the street and pointed
south while yelling 400 meters and head left at the stop sign. The response of the
drivers that followed was hilarious. Passengers
yelled, “Gracias” and I waved as I smiled back. My walk with Pierre was longer than usual but
in the end, I was relieved most folks that passed by the neighborhood that day
where able to attend a special ceremony even when street signs don’t exist and Google
Maps can’t help you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZO8pJaqWM-JF_zLMb-mmP6xWC4EU8WFrob5YRwoKqpYTHxlXFKVsLzGdGRTgLOP2LC5N72FDux9og3WZqjyXB13yMWr5r-x5yMXAo0qHHzFDyP0DKeYKU1XZykCmjwR8TKTXqtQjtCg/s1600/IMG_6658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZO8pJaqWM-JF_zLMb-mmP6xWC4EU8WFrob5YRwoKqpYTHxlXFKVsLzGdGRTgLOP2LC5N72FDux9og3WZqjyXB13yMWr5r-x5yMXAo0qHHzFDyP0DKeYKU1XZykCmjwR8TKTXqtQjtCg/s400/IMG_6658.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierre and I on our routine walk around the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vSHi-DPY25exPZ6UtdJ9nUO8bix9VWfAMolaNamP9HQo9ZybS4j0xkmBgdz5fAaLhYNji0rEOI036x43MvaXOXPehZX_YTZ3H9a5Kefpy2GyPlBgrD0mOj7ucYTU-U4sUxjeB0FqNO0/s1600/IMG_6655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vSHi-DPY25exPZ6UtdJ9nUO8bix9VWfAMolaNamP9HQo9ZybS4j0xkmBgdz5fAaLhYNji0rEOI036x43MvaXOXPehZX_YTZ3H9a5Kefpy2GyPlBgrD0mOj7ucYTU-U4sUxjeB0FqNO0/s400/IMG_6655.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taxis waiting to make their right turn onto the neighborhood</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-60337717782035030372013-07-31T22:38:00.000-07:002013-07-31T22:38:10.341-07:00Unity of the Spirit
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<br />
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When I first shared Bible stories in the indigenous
community of Alto Rio Peje near Turrialba, Costa Rica a few months ago, I
sensed Kenneth and his bride, Maye, would be taking Bible storytelling to a
whole new level. The Cabécar couple did not only learn Old and New Testament
stories easily but they also framed sets of questions flawlessly, drawing rich
and poignant answers from the audience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The pair naturally came to my mind when the Director of
Missions for the Assemblies of God in San Jose, Costa Rica asked us to train
their denominational leaders with the skill of Bible storytelling for the
purpose of discipleship among indigenous people groups.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Although Kenneth and Maye could not recall the last time
they were in the “big city” of San Jose, they were awestruck by the sight of
tall buildings and loud traffic horns. Once the training began, they swiftly presented
a story from the Gospel of Matthew to the pastors, missionaries and seminary
professors in attendance. Maye told the story of the calling of Matthew from
Matthew 9 and Kenneth solicited questions from the listeners as it related to
the Gospel story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When the first day of training ended, many of the leaders came
and congratulated them for their ability to concisely and convincingly tell the
story. “You never once used note cards nor reference notes while sharing your
story tonight; thank you for teaching us this incredible tool,” said the head
of the missions department to the Cabécar couple. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What many leaders also learned that night was that Kenneth
and Maye had been leading other Cabécars to Christ through Bible stories in
nearby villages in Turrialba. A six-member
group led by Kenneth and Maye, under the supervision of their church pastor, diligently practiced telling Bible stories for weeks before
sharing them in other remote villages. Even though the group speaks Spanish and
Cabécar, the stories are told in Cabécar because it draws a bigger audience.
According to Kenneth and Maye, not only do the Cabécar listen more attentively
when they hear a story in their own language, but they also participate more
freely when they are invited to give their insights and spiritual observations
in a large group.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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By the end of the training, I stepped to the side and allowed Kenneth and Maye to teach directly
to the group. To have the couple instruct on the how-to skill of Bible
storytelling with the men and women was very rewarding. What a marvelous sight it was to see the unity of the Spirit displayed for all
to see.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">- <i>Let the
Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all
wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your
hearts to God</i>. - <b><i>Colossians 3:16</i></b></span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgJE4hyphenhyphenTSZ3pr_cXyvajMHAh6kh_QdTDt98L2L8btuePQuPnGqNflWsgT-laKZH3lbpufYb3qk91iiraCVcTbWcqOXqnSxd7sSiCWbMzs3_PoyzqsREtXKCpxv2CrO9t8lELKeSL807E/s1600/IMG_1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgJE4hyphenhyphenTSZ3pr_cXyvajMHAh6kh_QdTDt98L2L8btuePQuPnGqNflWsgT-laKZH3lbpufYb3qk91iiraCVcTbWcqOXqnSxd7sSiCWbMzs3_PoyzqsREtXKCpxv2CrO9t8lELKeSL807E/s400/IMG_1046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenneth and Maye at Instituto Biblico de las Asambleas de Dios (IBAD)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghA0hwqYrAzGY9KI_uZPlP8KvLwE6uqly4DKelfr2EEaEVe0Sz6nDXXUk61zztEiJW7s2k48j87tqUzOjk9p0olIjJMi2EpAez6cxMvANC3UeQuVZI8o-2H4cOQ1oi8j3arUfhyvLMn8/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghA0hwqYrAzGY9KI_uZPlP8KvLwE6uqly4DKelfr2EEaEVe0Sz6nDXXUk61zztEiJW7s2k48j87tqUzOjk9p0olIjJMi2EpAez6cxMvANC3UeQuVZI8o-2H4cOQ1oi8j3arUfhyvLMn8/s400/IMG_6382.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenneth instructing the leaders on how to present Bible stories </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqA3pq6xK-3ClNkYPr7OOz2G0Qh7NIfEON-X9jdhZdcu8mkFtrB62RQDo2sOQN6OK4vGhhhX7zL8zVgdGhu9Nz_bgPirlhWiRJwvqM51TFJ4OiEedfOjTsx3QbC-Rmdyp1WiJsnIAvth4/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqA3pq6xK-3ClNkYPr7OOz2G0Qh7NIfEON-X9jdhZdcu8mkFtrB62RQDo2sOQN6OK4vGhhhX7zL8zVgdGhu9Nz_bgPirlhWiRJwvqM51TFJ4OiEedfOjTsx3QbC-Rmdyp1WiJsnIAvth4/s400/IMG_6386.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenneth and Maye coaching the participants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsjzFbZ_cdSyaZnq0EtkGdEWvVRUHaA4F3KcbEEASWA63YOxabei5q1ukZwhlSlgHm8HfjfQlMPM-9VKDvLc-x0ALIaR-q8uS9mYR4HSBDzc5IYpeV-akIG8D5MSIg4vhkwasvfEKAwI/s1600/AoG+group+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsjzFbZ_cdSyaZnq0EtkGdEWvVRUHaA4F3KcbEEASWA63YOxabei5q1ukZwhlSlgHm8HfjfQlMPM-9VKDvLc-x0ALIaR-q8uS9mYR4HSBDzc5IYpeV-akIG8D5MSIg4vhkwasvfEKAwI/s400/AoG+group+photo+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than two dozen leaders came to the training </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-9793921282364189752013-06-12T07:26:00.001-07:002013-06-12T08:02:11.287-07:00A fateful reunion in El Salvador<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I was in the second grade when I left my native country of
Cuba. Although it’s been nearly forty years since I set foot on the island, I have very fond memories of my early years and the cousins and aunts that remain in the renowned
capital of Havana.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Last month, memories flooded my mind after meeting three leaders from Cuba while sharing oral strategies to pastors and
ministry leaders in El Salvador. The men were invited by COMCA (Cooperación Misionera de
Centro America) to be better equipped to teach and serve in their respected
seminaries.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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After I introduced myself and shared the ministry the Lord
has called our family to do in Latin America, they opened up and shared their
calling as well. It was a blessing to speak to brothers in Christ who not only
share my ethnicity but a love for the Gospel of Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the pastors wanted insight and understanding
regarding the ministry of Bible storytelling. As I explained to him how Bible stories serve
as the platform for small group discussions through the power of the Holy
Spirit, he spoke of his love of dialogue and interactive Bible study. “We have lots of time in Cuba; talking is our
favorite past time, “ said the heavyset pastor with a grin. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Our time in El Salvador came to an end and there’s a good
possibility I’ll see these men again. But whether we shall see each other or not, there’s one
thing I am sure of: Jesus’ ascension into heaven provides all of us the
certainty that our citizenship is in heaven where Jesus is. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>But according to his promise we are
waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWkFrFr8PcNca7zb0KEnoChCiXqSUD_q83Vr2wg05vmtjL5C3LksPpHSHAEyxioXeGxki58zTUIU3Obx3GE1K-wU0cheR2_Ry-vrUIR0PTDHTP-5xNcec0jqu1oUaPnHLy9XXbGJOlg0/s1600/IMG_5492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWkFrFr8PcNca7zb0KEnoChCiXqSUD_q83Vr2wg05vmtjL5C3LksPpHSHAEyxioXeGxki58zTUIU3Obx3GE1K-wU0cheR2_Ry-vrUIR0PTDHTP-5xNcec0jqu1oUaPnHLy9XXbGJOlg0/s400/IMG_5492.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faithful men of Cuba</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVC0MMRvjX6sdY-0CiFAnAML5-8pWPiQYshXgvqtvUURIjHQoMaFYTSeWHI9P0iJscSjsPr0TPMlE44pidVoB9th3XHFGLwm7uqvMovwRqN2uqS9kzyXq7IennM6cOhziikTEveXKVNA/s1600/Cubapic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVC0MMRvjX6sdY-0CiFAnAML5-8pWPiQYshXgvqtvUURIjHQoMaFYTSeWHI9P0iJscSjsPr0TPMlE44pidVoB9th3XHFGLwm7uqvMovwRqN2uqS9kzyXq7IennM6cOhziikTEveXKVNA/s320/Cubapic.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura at 7 years old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-22282351981582540282013-05-10T14:20:00.000-07:002013-05-10T14:20:11.110-07:00The snake and the rooster
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“Laura, would you happen to have a Bible story about
superstition that you could share tomorrow?” asked Manuel. His invitation to present a story to the Cabécar
men and women of Alto Rio Peje regarding a recent incident he had witnessed was
eye- opening. Manuel and Yorlenny Porras is a missionary couple that has been
serving the indigenous community for the past two years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Manuel had observed how a rooster had been tied up to a tree
and not allowed to roam around like most other roosters in the community. When
he asked a member of the community why the rooster was tied to a tree, he was
told that the rooster had been picking on chickens and chicks in recent days.
If allowed to go on, that would mean a snake would soon bite someone in the
community. As a result, the rooster needed to be tied up otherwise someone
would be injured and die. According to Manuel, his observation necessitated an
opportunity to cast light on a false practice that the Cabécar people had long
believed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The story of Paul on the island of Malta in Acts 28 came to
mind although it was not in the original agenda. After telling and retelling
the story, questions about the story followed. When we began asking questions
on how the inhabitants of the island viewed Paul as the snake fastened itself
to Paul’s hand, there was silence. Pastor Marcelo Mora, the senior pastor of the
community, turned quietly to Manuel and told him he did not understand the
question. I explained that the islanders of Malta had acted superstitiously
when they declared that Paul must have been a murderer, ‘for though he escaped
from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live’ (v4). As we looked for ways to
define and explain superstition from the group that assembled that morning, Manuel
asked Pastor Marcelo if he had his permission to share his observation about
the rooster being tied to a tree. Pastor Marcelo allowed him to use it as an
example and Manuel then commented on the similarities of the two. While the
group listened attentively to his reference, I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting
me to return to the story and ask how the islanders felt about Paul after a
snake gripped his hand. It was obvious that <i>fear
</i>was what drove them to accuse Paul of being a murderer and it was also <i>fear</i> that caused the community to tie up
the rooster to a tree. Irrational belief in Acts 28 as well as in this modern
misconception practiced by the Cabécar has <i>fear</i>
at its roots. As the story continues in verse 5, Paul shook the snake off into
the fire and suffered no ill effects. The contrast of Paul’s reaction led to
open discussion among the Cabécar. Paul’s display of confidence and faith as he
shrugged off the snake spoke volumes to the men and women who were present that
day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Later that night, several of us were asked to pray for a
young couple expecting their third child. The father had been battling
nightmares and strange visions at night. When he told us his burden, the story
of Acts 28 came up in the conversation. “Don’t forget, fear is not from God. It
makes us weak but God makes us strong,” said the pastor to the young man before
we closed in prayer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The amazing insights and profound observations that are
found inside a Bible story can shape and mold the mind of any and every
believer, as the Holy Spirit is allowed to be the great teacher.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZgy9k8IIIv6cWCSrU2r2ZnnkLsWFncQLGeSjTVswgAfwu4ooKbwz-Me9QGoDNfY57OSIZw1JTFTE-kggcqxIpyzUk84V7jcyjaOgJv5sFYvISmzBAEQwRcX9bpIyRNuFxc2um4xyPXM/s1600/Altos+de+Peje-111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZgy9k8IIIv6cWCSrU2r2ZnnkLsWFncQLGeSjTVswgAfwu4ooKbwz-Me9QGoDNfY57OSIZw1JTFTE-kggcqxIpyzUk84V7jcyjaOgJv5sFYvISmzBAEQwRcX9bpIyRNuFxc2um4xyPXM/s400/Altos+de+Peje-111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura presenting Bible stories in Peje, Turrialba, Costa Rica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFpXdc-0VkIMvAV2siqs1McsByy5AHuxSja1VWnClAkMrha-akwXfE1oPP0HizZUtOu6g3wwSzJwMFCPe10GYohSthMZvA_w6amd5M_abtORJLhAakmZJkJ1PwrRvhSKcsKx535AYhnU/s1600/Altos+de+Peje-559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFpXdc-0VkIMvAV2siqs1McsByy5AHuxSja1VWnClAkMrha-akwXfE1oPP0HizZUtOu6g3wwSzJwMFCPe10GYohSthMZvA_w6amd5M_abtORJLhAakmZJkJ1PwrRvhSKcsKx535AYhnU/s400/Altos+de+Peje-559.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manuel Porras sharing with Cabécar congregation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQP-u6-Z4ma8JK0UAUzkh-ew5bB-s0yPQZTorLtf8ZDvtwvpaJEq8lR51Ze8tWf0abvKFNJSuaQKm-lTRq67hUV8oEBfJn63GAIGeMow0azkQWO7kOc5asKNnE7y_jvWcsy-cgv05ARc/s1600/Altos+de+Peje-277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQP-u6-Z4ma8JK0UAUzkh-ew5bB-s0yPQZTorLtf8ZDvtwvpaJEq8lR51Ze8tWf0abvKFNJSuaQKm-lTRq67hUV8oEBfJn63GAIGeMow0azkQWO7kOc5asKNnE7y_jvWcsy-cgv05ARc/s400/Altos+de+Peje-277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Marcelo Mora (left) praying for those who are about to share their Bible stories</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnG9lN9mLlyfunEA4RhrY9Me5S0uvMdkE9bAmEM0q-FydGgfwGBnRI5XDbRuf01cOUyBPD610BBi80-qkvnVQQSdi18xxgpS42Kt3140UkiDB94_PuUS_qJDwEOals8AP9tXFo4XTVOs/s1600/Altos+de+Peje-569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnG9lN9mLlyfunEA4RhrY9Me5S0uvMdkE9bAmEM0q-FydGgfwGBnRI5XDbRuf01cOUyBPD610BBi80-qkvnVQQSdi18xxgpS42Kt3140UkiDB94_PuUS_qJDwEOals8AP9tXFo4XTVOs/s400/Altos+de+Peje-569.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yorleny Porras holding newest member of the Cabécar community, baby Debora</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe3Hi7BNsShRKTx3zfgFCFWkI69_ZHw3WH32mwsYFtmk-s8KJTwSKMHWBikjrxjrUhUEQ6VFO7peLeNlWhCCd7m9JwfOHeqL9d9Vq1C49Sujaiy84sg9vBO2dgLjH7T_69N7eVbjSvtI/s1600/Altos+de+Peje-572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe3Hi7BNsShRKTx3zfgFCFWkI69_ZHw3WH32mwsYFtmk-s8KJTwSKMHWBikjrxjrUhUEQ6VFO7peLeNlWhCCd7m9JwfOHeqL9d9Vq1C49Sujaiy84sg9vBO2dgLjH7T_69N7eVbjSvtI/s400/Altos+de+Peje-572.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ministry partner, Tatiana Noriega (second from left) spending time with Cabécar young women</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ministry partner, Brendan Blowers (third from left) listening to music with Cabécar young men</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last day of learning Bible stories at Alto Rio Peje</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-69487089225952674112013-04-05T12:51:00.001-07:002013-04-05T12:51:18.016-07:00A trek worth making<br />
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Little did I knew when I stood at the edge of the beach in Punta Banco near the border of Costa Rica and Panama in April 2012 that my dream of being reunited with my Ngobe friends would come true.<u></u><u></u></div>
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All the arrangements to visit the indigenous communities of Carona and La Palma were made by Pastor Carlos Espinoza from the rural town of Laurel, Costa Rica. Pastor Carlos has been mentoring the Ngobe pastors since the year 2000. He provides counsel and pastoral care to the men who live far from Christian seminaries or Bible colleges. The pastors who live in these communities had attended two previous Bible storytelling workshops and it was now my turn to return the favor and go to them.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Just a few weeks ago, my partner in ministry, Brendan Blowers and I, along with Pastor Carlos and two others, traveled eight hours by foot to reunite with the men and women I have come to know and love. I was invited to share Bible stories in their church services and help the pastors refine their skills in Bible storytelling.<u></u><u></u></div>
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The wooden church in Carona, under the leadership of Pastor Armando, meets three times a week in the evening. It was obvious when we entered the unassuming church that it lacked many comforts known to us in the West: electricity, tile floors, and air conditioning. But what it lacked, it over compensated by the warmth of the people and by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The invitation to share a Bible story with the congregation allowed me to see once again how the Word of God can pierce the hearts of men and women no matter their level of education or economic status. The first parable I shared came from Luke 18:9-14, <i>The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. </i>The simple and profound six verses encouraged the believers in Carona that <i>those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (v.14.)</i> The affirming words of Jesus resonated with the humble congregation as they identified themselves with the tax collector in the parable. Unlike the proud Pharisee in the story, the Ngobe pastor admitted he has nothing else to offer Jesus except the acknowledgment that he is a sinner saved by grace.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I often wonder if those who have less in this world understand the words of Jesus more clearly than those of us who have so much more. In the case of Pastor Armando and his church, they most certainly do.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<i>Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth – Matthew 5:5</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leo, Alberto, Laura, Brendan, Carlos ready to go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a Bible story in front of the church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Armando and his wife Rosalia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Iglesia Cristiana de Carona</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial view of the Ngobe community</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Brendan and I looked like without sleep</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical house in Carona </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Armando's church pulpit</td></tr>
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Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-36719703850617810202013-02-03T15:55:00.000-08:002013-02-03T15:55:07.716-08:00Finding comfort in our troubles
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In a culture that places a high value on friendship and
community, I find myself listening more and talking less than usual. As I
reconnect with church leaders in remote and rural settings, I am able to hear
their joys and heartaches while visiting them or even while talking to them on
a cellular phone. Their trust in God and their willingness to continue to
spread the Gospel despite hardships and trials encourages me to persevere when
I face my own disappointments and difficulties.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My dear friend, Santos Watson, is one of those brothers in
the faith who has blessed me in such a way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Santos and his wife, Griselda, are part of the Ngobe people group who
live in the southern tip of Costa Rica. The sweet couple has three children and
they minister to other Ngobe families who speak Ngabare in neighboring
indigenous communities. The last time I saw them was last spring after they had
attended a follow up session on Bible storytelling approximately two hours away
from where they live near Paso Canoas. I visited their humble home in the
middle of luscious plants and wild birds soaring by. The visit was particularly
special because I was able to watch Griselda ride the only form of
transportation they have, their beloved mare. She and Santos depend on their
horse to get to places as much as we city folks depend on our vehicles to get
from point A to point B. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was by no means surprised when Santos called me on my
mobile phone last Friday. He and I speak to each other regularly as Santos travels
to a less remote area near his home in order to get a cellular signal. “Hermana
Laura, my horse died and now we don’t have a way to get around,” said Santos in
a matter of fact tone. Before I asked him what happened to his most treasured
possession, I took the liberty to tell him our family’s van had stopped working
and was now in the shop to be for an unknown amount of time until it got
repaired. Unfortunately, Santos’ horse had been stolen by a couple of drunks
and in their attempt to steal the mare, it fought back and the men decided it
would be best to kill the animal. The heart-wrenching story left me speechless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hermana Laura, we have a lot in common. I
have to walk; you have to walk. I can’t travel far; you can’t travel far.
However, if God wants me to have a horse again and if God wants you to have
your van again, He will allow it. There is nothing too hard for God,” replied
Santos ever so confident over the phone. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I will be seeing Santos and Griselda along with many other
Ngobe leaders in a few short weeks. Our reunion will be filled with countless
Bible story telling hours, the singing of stories from the Old and New
Testament, dramas that involve children and youths in the telling of parables,
etc. It will be a grand time to say the least. But most importantly, our bond
will not be bolstered by our strengths but by the weaknesses we share. To serve
out of my so-called strength would mean pride but to serve out of my weakness
allows me to empathize and become a better friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all
our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be
able to give them the same comfort God has given us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Corinthians 1:3-4<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLJmP5xJMkt26Zr2tKUgCUy4VRL17scRdLyZ49FzGpqwoi-I3Rh9mG54VQnksYOOD_gzv-UXMm9VqpKoVDvPvH78hEQPVjuE49vrE9uU69536guigwr8Tjy1ZMZUpqMuiLvx_6_qw8TY/s1600/IMG_4141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLJmP5xJMkt26Zr2tKUgCUy4VRL17scRdLyZ49FzGpqwoi-I3Rh9mG54VQnksYOOD_gzv-UXMm9VqpKoVDvPvH78hEQPVjuE49vrE9uU69536guigwr8Tjy1ZMZUpqMuiLvx_6_qw8TY/s320/IMG_4141.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Griselda and her horse near their home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCfIv7d9jb_ymo5qbKYG48JghGqGlC7wRWXwc0_sPaZee65hGiqDKvKMVVR3Rhd8MOlZSsKdD72E3aoZ-iIt63QeLMssXG8otG_fh1bgomLtrzxwie2bJ-SRn_oM1Mm7-Lkdjuhmm_Uk/s1600/IMG_4044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCfIv7d9jb_ymo5qbKYG48JghGqGlC7wRWXwc0_sPaZee65hGiqDKvKMVVR3Rhd8MOlZSsKdD72E3aoZ-iIt63QeLMssXG8otG_fh1bgomLtrzxwie2bJ-SRn_oM1Mm7-Lkdjuhmm_Uk/s320/IMG_4044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santos at our spring Bible storytelling training</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santos talking on his cell phone</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-83041084859748883922012-12-19T16:14:00.001-08:002012-12-19T16:14:32.794-08:00Waving the White Flag of Surrender
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<br />
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Christmas is a few days away and in more ways than one,
we’ve received the most wonderful gift: a home to live in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our December prayer letter, we asked that
you would join us in praying for a home in San Jose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result of your prayers, we found a
wonderful home three weeks after arriving. While we looked for a home and then
waited for our new landlord to make the necessary repairs and improvements, we
patiently stayed at a missionary housing unit that allowed us to meet other
individuals and couples who were passing through or who were getting some rest
from their field assignment. Although it was not easy to have the four of us
live with our suitcases in a confined space, we at least met new friends and
got to know our immediate area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since we arrived a month ago, we’ve begun to painstakingly
wave the white flag of surrender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
became apparent to us early in our arrival that things would not fall neatly
into place. The home we are living in became ready to move into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">later</i> than promised. The Internet provider
came three days <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">later</i> than they said
they would come. The electrician showed up a week <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">later</i> than scheduled and so it goes…..</div>
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We seemed to have been taking it all in stride until our
daughters took notice of the kindness shown to us by fellow missionary families
who came to our rescue with bedding, towels, pots, pans and even utensils when
we moved into the barren house. Our personal belongings that had been packed
inside the Rubbermaid Action Packers before we left Idaho have been sitting in a
warehouse nearby waiting for Customs to sign off after its full inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of today, our personal goods have yet to
be in our possession. The girls were so touched by the generosity of these families
that they hoped one day our family would respond in the same unselfish manner
as these families have responded to us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Needless to say, the four of us are learning to surrender to
the cultural norms of the country as we become transformed by the ongoing work
of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot expect to
grow in patience if we are not put in situations where we are stretched to
become more patient. Our patience quotient feels sky high these days but I also
know our present situation has made us more humble as well. Bended knees have
replaced the badge of self-reliance as we call upon God to grant us peace
during difficult and challenging times. These days, Romans 12:12 comes to mind
often, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As we continue to wave the white flag of surrender, please
pray that we may not only get our boxes before Christmas but that we may also
be grateful in the midst of waiting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-<i>Laura</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v9mGjL7NOcz3eAyLlsf1r8WXq0dX12sNrC6QNgRkCt9tMC5KKOOzKojSnIbuyODNOkCJB7vbxZ8M6t0kfyZXh7wXe1q927vNMop6fCIcTRCYwfQcztxlLxhyn5MVczBnRVJedHTNxVc/s1600/IMG_4698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v9mGjL7NOcz3eAyLlsf1r8WXq0dX12sNrC6QNgRkCt9tMC5KKOOzKojSnIbuyODNOkCJB7vbxZ8M6t0kfyZXh7wXe1q927vNMop6fCIcTRCYwfQcztxlLxhyn5MVczBnRVJedHTNxVc/s400/IMG_4698.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday at the local park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7SvzxQYkRGpsNUUjGFhh3f3JM4o5DkL8qATfst_DT13orSDBUlbfxDRA4sd3hThNHjhm1ePasu0PXcUHDJ2fXOygG0HNDoqyHvLSek4JMUVVfLrQ922rYZTqjl7kYDzKVjH8gKNYDSs/s1600/IMG_4724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7SvzxQYkRGpsNUUjGFhh3f3JM4o5DkL8qATfst_DT13orSDBUlbfxDRA4sd3hThNHjhm1ePasu0PXcUHDJ2fXOygG0HNDoqyHvLSek4JMUVVfLrQ922rYZTqjl7kYDzKVjH8gKNYDSs/s400/IMG_4724.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our home for three weeks - AMCA House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EYZTiSCpatKzl4VZ2SIpRGn5Yen57kytVFPlDttbYX54m28xedOLoY9UytuwJIS4prC-AVc5SStxuQ1YjuADWFQF4ub3sjb-F6QJVHaoq8xqb-4Zmep6Ynlx_nkAn_3E2dqKzh2euYw/s1600/IMG_4744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EYZTiSCpatKzl4VZ2SIpRGn5Yen57kytVFPlDttbYX54m28xedOLoY9UytuwJIS4prC-AVc5SStxuQ1YjuADWFQF4ub3sjb-F6QJVHaoq8xqb-4Zmep6Ynlx_nkAn_3E2dqKzh2euYw/s400/IMG_4744.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our mode of transportation while we wait for our vehicle to arrive</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patiently waiting as they sit in a nearby warehouse</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-81655378401438402882012-11-21T09:05:00.001-08:002012-11-21T09:05:16.094-08:00No House...No Car...No Problem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
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Tomorrow marks the granddaddy of all American
holidays: Thanksgiving. It is one of the most treasured holidays because it
celebrates God’s goodness in our lives as we sit around the dinner table
thanking the Lord for His provision and faithfulness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year an American family who lives and serves
in San Jose has invited our colleagues and friends, the Sanchez family and our family to a Costa Rican style Thanksgiving. They told us they would be serving turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing but
they also mentioned that the famous Lizano Sauce (Salsa Lizano) will sit at tableside to
flavor our holiday meal. Salsa Lizano is Costa Rica's most beloved sauce; it is not fiery hot but rather
salty with a hint of spiciness lent by black pepper and cumin.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet with less than a week since we left the States, we find
ourselves grateful during this Thanksgiving holiday for friends who voluntarily
transport us to and fro and for a place to lay our heads while we find a place to
call home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s times like these
when we realize His every provision in our lives: food, shelter, clothes and even transportation. Our Lord and Savior sees our every need and He promises to
care for His children according to His goodwill and purpose.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Lastly, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the kind words and encouragement we have received from our family and friends since our departure last week. May the Lord bless your time with your loved ones as you gather together on Thanksgiving Day.<br />
<br />
-Laura</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook";">And if God cares so wonderfully for
wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will
certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook";">So don’t worry about these things,
saying, ‘”What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” These
things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already
knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom above all else, and live righteously,
and he will give you all you need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew
6:30-33<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook';"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvAG5yFkUwiU4YqxFP-MGQCm2K5wW-pofaVGpIWryMujO975QRLe8o29ecTwJ0oHyzHH8tmoGa3N4bMC2yBVpk9mrhUQqXGe6hMOxsFQoOrrFGYsQcMFECZCzP6POJ2YCB-sIYsnmLhI/s1600/IMG_4663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvAG5yFkUwiU4YqxFP-MGQCm2K5wW-pofaVGpIWryMujO975QRLe8o29ecTwJ0oHyzHH8tmoGa3N4bMC2yBVpk9mrhUQqXGe6hMOxsFQoOrrFGYsQcMFECZCzP6POJ2YCB-sIYsnmLhI/s320/IMG_4663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wet Thanksgiving is in the forecast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHNhYKJUygCYRTE06cf6zNuBSShgczB5Pac4ZgH1sjPbMJFCmG_5eBTMFknJLjbhfsXHIu4xLNtB0cLYHBJfy0wjL03W7c3W5NCamoh9jz9eJcJg-Q8-BwWhReUYEVl_ykyP2LRm-fRM/s1600/IMG_4653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHNhYKJUygCYRTE06cf6zNuBSShgczB5Pac4ZgH1sjPbMJFCmG_5eBTMFknJLjbhfsXHIu4xLNtB0cLYHBJfy0wjL03W7c3W5NCamoh9jz9eJcJg-Q8-BwWhReUYEVl_ykyP2LRm-fRM/s320/IMG_4653.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xiana showing me a tour of the kitchen in our temporary dwelling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSBrOpL7NGfPwLATzq03uQBv-zzeSuFvd00f-A8oknv0qF5HmYBqhB6qH62rAc_mv7A-QZtBeFJoj1LJFRslflBUzveLeDC8k2lcXHpsTx_-TEcWDFTltD6JJ8dGO0_rWxG-W8KQG61w/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSBrOpL7NGfPwLATzq03uQBv-zzeSuFvd00f-A8oknv0qF5HmYBqhB6qH62rAc_mv7A-QZtBeFJoj1LJFRslflBUzveLeDC8k2lcXHpsTx_-TEcWDFTltD6JJ8dGO0_rWxG-W8KQG61w/s320/IMG_4648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our faithful friend never wants to leave us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSOdTV5j9-CSaR0X80dscYfIx5sU_5CWv4MHvoCTunv5DH93Tg_HJVtHzrqxahosm9tbSunVOHT0foVic-biRfhusD4buKCtWcLv6cZ-zXf-ZQQcQbe1OfH-9PMsMsHyz3QPV3KKRJl8/s1600/IMG_4665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSOdTV5j9-CSaR0X80dscYfIx5sU_5CWv4MHvoCTunv5DH93Tg_HJVtHzrqxahosm9tbSunVOHT0foVic-biRfhusD4buKCtWcLv6cZ-zXf-ZQQcQbe1OfH-9PMsMsHyz3QPV3KKRJl8/s320/IMG_4665.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stroll through the neighborhood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tEB1k0ydzAqZRZVXV6MiueJKDLEoOA06kSkDAcuyvHeNeCXXUKbFTK3Oqo5xelXkuD8IY-Rn7zpt8dy8SU04Id83dZY4uFrYSNdz0R0s9lIR2Ng-MNBgyzoHUYMNPQ6GoUoGzgph5UI/s1600/IMG_4636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tEB1k0ydzAqZRZVXV6MiueJKDLEoOA06kSkDAcuyvHeNeCXXUKbFTK3Oqo5xelXkuD8IY-Rn7zpt8dy8SU04Id83dZY4uFrYSNdz0R0s9lIR2Ng-MNBgyzoHUYMNPQ6GoUoGzgph5UI/s320/IMG_4636.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown San Jose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMJEqAIvQIQ9DxnGDV7mjSBM7BEhKihNLuVgo5BsUwN6XTl_59imxjAqxQNwRvqM3XkcUbAzQwrBDXB64GNKb_RzdrwQO4aMNtr7HRsOr_E9RxZMkfVsiQYEm6gLs7A-m6gVsxxp_OhM/s1600/IMG_4675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMJEqAIvQIQ9DxnGDV7mjSBM7BEhKihNLuVgo5BsUwN6XTl_59imxjAqxQNwRvqM3XkcUbAzQwrBDXB64GNKb_RzdrwQO4aMNtr7HRsOr_E9RxZMkfVsiQYEm6gLs7A-m6gVsxxp_OhM/s320/IMG_4675.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To replace the gravy this year :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-46543925757894797912012-10-22T19:54:00.002-07:002012-10-22T19:54:44.690-07:00Graduation Day- Oct 2012
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After spending most of this month listening to fellow MAF
missionaries and field experts on life overseas, I feel more excited than ever
to leave for Costa Rica with my family in just a few weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our family and five other families made up this year’s orientation
class for fall 2012. At times, Tony and I felt a bit old, as several of the
couples were half our age. However, their maturity and love for the Great
Commission surpassed many of their peers. After openly discussing their
personal stories and listening to their devotion as they persevered through
adversity, our hearts became knitted together as they also heard us share the
struggles and challenges we’ve faced since joining MAF.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of the topics and issues that were addressed during our
8-5 schedule were: Spiritual Warfare, Serving in a Multi Cultural Team, Embracing
Your Adopted Culture, Helping Your Missionary Child Thrive, Grief & Loss,
Coping with Stress, and many other valuable themes worthy of discussion. My
favorite seminar was when MAF invited, Nate Hamlin, a licensed marriage and
family counselor, to teach the couples how to solve conflict successfully and
respectfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rich discussion and
honest discourse that took place during the two days made husbands as well as
wives feel more confident in serving together in a foreign culture. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As a result of concluding training and cross-cultural
orientation, MAF commissioned all of us last week. It was a day I will soon not
forget as it felt like a graduation day of sorts. All the families were introduced
during chapel and Vice President, Dave Fyock, gave a moving speech on Proverbs
4:23, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The special ceremony ended with a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude
to the Lord for His love and faithfulness in all the He has been able to do in
us and through us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Tony and I would like to thank so many of you for sustaining
us through prayer and support. We could not have reached this important
milestone if it were not for our family and friends who have stood by us every
step of the way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">-For for Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To him be the
glory forever. Amen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans 11:36<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAlMvE8QCi4BBGQaq2PAG0E9SQ4vT09Z4T4kcbOnyxCVHI8vVBDKohsUg6pgjmp-JeUF22jYQBkGUL8gbNjJ19Mkd_QE_XR8XjjDgPaTaiQwtB0iZCUPAfmVL0drfTqjbLMX2yrmsLz4/s1600/_MG_7328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAlMvE8QCi4BBGQaq2PAG0E9SQ4vT09Z4T4kcbOnyxCVHI8vVBDKohsUg6pgjmp-JeUF22jYQBkGUL8gbNjJ19Mkd_QE_XR8XjjDgPaTaiQwtB0iZCUPAfmVL0drfTqjbLMX2yrmsLz4/s400/_MG_7328.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa, Laura, Tony and Dave Fyock at Commissioning Ceremony<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62x-wZ9JnBtqAqKNzOeyAX5fKZQjDiqu6ixm4N59s94qUeVHz5OpqUuaK7XzDZfgjAX7VYNNYh9IQl_TdYn00BhTvofCpUJjS7cqbD5Z2TUIy1LT-BWRmKC_Fl06SA9PPui2D0PMgoUw/s1600/_MG_7396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62x-wZ9JnBtqAqKNzOeyAX5fKZQjDiqu6ixm4N59s94qUeVHz5OpqUuaK7XzDZfgjAX7VYNNYh9IQl_TdYn00BhTvofCpUJjS7cqbD5Z2TUIy1LT-BWRmKC_Fl06SA9PPui2D0PMgoUw/s400/_MG_7396.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer Dedication </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marriage Seminar in Boise, ID</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orientation- Fall 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-10469840076912654122012-08-18T15:06:00.000-07:002012-08-18T15:06:39.994-07:00A Day at Mt Home AFB<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We took a pause from posting on our blog these past two
months as the months of June and July were set aside to reunite with family,
friends, and churches before our scheduled departure to Costa Rica this fall.
Although our whirlwind tour took us to California, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Florida and Oregon, it was a blessing to share what the Lord has been doing in
our lives the last twelve months.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of our summer highlights was visiting the men and women of
our military at Mountain Home AFB. The Air Force Base is located seventy-five miles
east of Nampa with a population of over 3,200.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our friend and Protestant Parish Coordinator, Laura Bondurant, invited
us to share at Liberty Chapel and spend the day with those who faithfully serve our country. Although the base’s primary mission is to provide airpower and
combat support capabilities in worldwide operations, our own mission that
Sunday morning was to strengthen and build up the Christian community through
prayer and words of encouragement. As we spoke on the subject of being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“like a good soldier of Christ Jesus...”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>from 2 Timothy Chapter 2, we reminded the
Airmen the privilege of serving like our Lord Jesus
Christ as we submit to His will and not ours. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A young married couple from Texas came to us and told us
about the challenges facing those who serve in active duty. The wife held their
tender, little baby in her arms as her husband spoke of the toll separation
takes on families in the military. As we asked how we could pray for them, they
asked us to pray for their family and all the families who serve at the base.
Hearing the burdens and listening to their hearts, caused us to bond with those
who we had just met. Our entire day was spent listening, encouraging, praying
and learning from them what it’s like to wear the United States uniform. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As the evening came to an end, Tony and I felt humbled to have had the opportunity to spend the day with those who sacrifice so much in order that we may enjoy the freedom we easily take for granted.</div>
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<i>"Carry each other's burdens, and in this you fulfill the law of Christ, " - Galatians 6:2</i></div>
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<i>-</i>Laura</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3dCsRXeiJLV9a102nIgSr1ZKG0FSRfTCGVtn0tHlBqCTJ5U7ZoQuE2lXfFGxH2yhAVWjamCoIJBoiwVkc4LHLIPtwPAwsc_H6LEoreIMwfVeTNMSba9Ig5XnSEHuFiXQvao-7DehGJY/s1600/IMG_4417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3dCsRXeiJLV9a102nIgSr1ZKG0FSRfTCGVtn0tHlBqCTJ5U7ZoQuE2lXfFGxH2yhAVWjamCoIJBoiwVkc4LHLIPtwPAwsc_H6LEoreIMwfVeTNMSba9Ig5XnSEHuFiXQvao-7DehGJY/s320/IMG_4417.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaplain Candidate, Seth DeBartolo & Senior Airman, Andrew Keating<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protestant Parish Coordinator and friend, Laura Bondurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRPbV297Qdj684NxXMfJxYKVBJQ17lDOVy26aP_h4tDJedAOWpUVw402CwFw8_8Bihy0VNMGlAjsJPdVZjhd7Z8TsFhPKXg7TM5DhZSMWkn9D0uZVCO6gcH2cSPQxm0EnGh9kmEhx7Ck/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRPbV297Qdj684NxXMfJxYKVBJQ17lDOVy26aP_h4tDJedAOWpUVw402CwFw8_8Bihy0VNMGlAjsJPdVZjhd7Z8TsFhPKXg7TM5DhZSMWkn9D0uZVCO6gcH2cSPQxm0EnGh9kmEhx7Ck/s200/0-1.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie Higgins, wife of Capt Christopher Higgins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Home Air Force Base, ID</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxZtohnKg72ZbLC11MAtDnXo3DgC60OP-6fcl08I2dDgKz086bcmS14Y1kVmo0JwwDQyv-oa8pq9AJcZo1z8tqJIX7QiH6HKlIaWSD6Uym1uphpWM9scf7MK3XcM3M-fODmrl0SJy82E/s1600/IMG_4413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxZtohnKg72ZbLC11MAtDnXo3DgC60OP-6fcl08I2dDgKz086bcmS14Y1kVmo0JwwDQyv-oa8pq9AJcZo1z8tqJIX7QiH6HKlIaWSD6Uym1uphpWM9scf7MK3XcM3M-fODmrl0SJy82E/s200/IMG_4413.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holt Park, Mt Home AFB</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-5545038013671919332012-05-11T19:49:00.000-07:002013-12-26T16:20:02.118-08:00Worshipping God Together Through Music and Dance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is a one minute video of Simon and Juanita worshipping God after participating in a Bible storytelling workshop in Laurel, Costa Rica.<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">-Make my joy complete
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Juanita and Simon sharing in front of the group</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Griselda, Laura, Juanita, & Yolanda<br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-67870543134680701452012-04-09T15:26:00.001-07:002012-04-09T15:26:54.086-07:00Walking by Faith<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” -Psalm 9:10</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As the family and I embark on preparing for our relocation to San Jose, Costa Rica, the amount of details and planning involved can make anyone’s head spin. Before I had traveled to Costa Rica this past February, Laura and I had to address the single biggest challenge/detail to serving overseas, my diabetes. As many of you know, I am a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic. To control my blood sugar levels, I use an insulin pump. It is an amazing piece of technology that makes life so much easier for me. Without access to the supplies that keep my pump going, serving in Costa Rica or anywhere that MAF serves would be impossible. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Laura and I had been in prayer well before my scheduled February trip for the Lord’s provision concerning my healthcare needs. There were so many questions we needed answers to and we were praying that my time in Costa Rica would bring answers to some very difficult questions. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When I finally arrived in San Jose, the Lord began to reveal His answers to many of the pressing questions that Laura and I had. Medical specialist were there, the necessary medical tests were available, and many of the medical supplies that I need were there as well. However, the biggest barrier was not yet taken down. I had no answer concerning the supplies that my insulin pump required. Throughout the week, I had been leaving messages with the gentleman who would be my primary physician and my messages were not being returned. I had also heard that given the high price of insulin pumps, they were not common devices in Costa Rica, so supplies for them could be very difficult to acquire. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">By Friday, I still had not heard from the doctor and since I was leaving for home on Monday, I was praying for answers by the end of the day. By two o’clock in the afternoon, all was still silent. I continued to pray and have faith that God would move through circumstances that I had no control over. Without answers, everything else would have to remain on hold.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Around two-thirty that afternoon, the Lord began to move. Dr. Longworth, my future physician, was around the corner from the office where our ministry is located. He was bringing in to a local mechanic shop that a friend had loaned him since the car he would normally drive was not allowed to be driven on this particular Friday. (Costa Rica has laws in place for trying to control the number of cars on city streets on given days.) On the phone he stated that he would take the five minute walk from the mechanic to the office where I was so we could talk about my medical needs. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As Dr. Longworth and I spoke, the conversation was going well until the issue of the insulin pump supplies came up. He was not aware of the insulin pump company nor of any Costa Rican diabetic patients that he has ever had who were on an insulin pump. He made some phone calls to local doctor friends and to diabetic specialists. The answers they gave were disheartening. None of the doctors had experience or knowledge with patients on insulin pumps or where to get supplies for them. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP-UrcC4Digyj375Io7NgcWz-Xk-sr1s2JZqnuYGmJNR_Iqc7TuP2Brbf5gRI0-btO1bNVVayhmP74caPo4Lbc0sTRbi4OPfkZMVD945b38RaPSjJCN53Mja_1_n-S64PD_T7kdjzlko/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP-UrcC4Digyj375Io7NgcWz-Xk-sr1s2JZqnuYGmJNR_Iqc7TuP2Brbf5gRI0-btO1bNVVayhmP74caPo4Lbc0sTRbi4OPfkZMVD945b38RaPSjJCN53Mja_1_n-S64PD_T7kdjzlko/s400/IMG_3827.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maureen, Me, and Dr. Longworth</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">About this time, one of my teammates, Maureen, walked into the room and mentioned that she had just seen on the local news a story of a Costa Rican girl who had just received an insulin pump that looked just like mine. She also mentioned that the girl lived in San Jose. Using my computer, Maureen was able to find the news segment and play it for both the doctor and I. (Here is the segment, if you want to see it: <a href="http://www.teletica.com/noticia-detalle.php?id=120421"><span style="color: #1915a6; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Insulin pump</span></a>.) As the video clip played, the pump was, in fact, the one that I use. The only difference was in the name. When the doctor of the little girl came on, Dr. Longworth recognized him. At the end of the clip there was a phone number that was given for those interested in getting further information about the pump. Dr. Longworth called the phone number on my behalf and being a doctor, there was little red tape to go through to get the answers that I needed. God was on the move.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The company, called Meditek, was located in downtown San Jose; about thirty minutes from where we were at. The girl on the phone told Dr. Longworth that everything that I needed was available there!! Just to make sure, I had Mauricio, another one of my teammates, drive me down to the company so I could be sure that what I needed was in fact there. When we arrived, I spoke with Grettel from Meditek and what she said on the phone was true. Everything was there! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Our ever faithful Lord, made all of these events come together on the last weekday I had in Costa Rica. Furthermore, all of this was orchestrated by Him (through individuals that did not know each other until this particular week) in about twenty minutes. I marveled and gave thanks to what only He could do. What seemed an impossibility to me was not an impossibility to Him. Praise be to God!</span></div>
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-Tony</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-483899802626343692012-02-19T20:10:00.000-08:002012-02-19T20:10:06.740-08:00Se Habla Español.....Nampa, Idaho<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">One of the most fascinating surprises that has come about in our lives has been the incredible amount of Latino pastors and church leaders that we have met in Nampa, Idaho. Nampa has a population of 80,000 and is the second largest city in Idaho. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A phone conversation with a Spanish speaking pastor in Southern California urged Tony and I to contact a former church member living in the Treasure Valley. A week later, I contacted the family and they invited me to stop by at any time. As a result, the friendly woman from El Salvador welcomed me at her doorstep and then began to speak of the vast number of Latinos that live and work in the neighboring cities. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">She and her husband attend Capilla de Alabanza (Praise Chapel) and they have been worshipping at the church since they moved up north over four years ago. Her warm smile and friendly demeanor was accompanied by a list of Spanish speaking pastors and churches that serve the nearly 24% of Latinos residing in Canyon County. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Not long after our exchange came a phone call from a Guatemalan pastor who leads a small congregation near MAF headquarters. The pastor visited Learning Technologies and proceeded to tell us about the overwhelming need to disciple his church members with the Word of God. Although he was born in Huehuetenango, Guatemala and has lived in Idaho for seventeen years. His love for the growing number of immigrants that work as field hands causes him to remain faithful despite the lack of resources that are available.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">“We need your help, Sister Laura. The men and women in my church are coming to Christ for the first time but many have never had a formal education. Can you help us?” inquired the petite pastor with a loving tone in his voice. As we prayed together and shared our ministry, Pastor Pascual became encouraged. He suggested that other pastors in the area should also learn about our work. As a result, he invited us to meet 8 other Latino pastors that meet monthly in Nampa. His desire is that he and others become familiar with a ministry that provides discipleship training and biblical resources to the hundreds of Latinos in the area. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A week later, we met up with Pastor Avila from Puerta de Fe Church. Pastor Avila is a Costa Rican national who leads a small church in town. He and his wife have lived in the United States for over 25 years and they consider Idaho their home. Our conversation centered around the need to help small groups learn in the knowledge of the Bible and the ongoing work to reach other Latinos in southern Idaho with the Good News of Jesus Christ. After our brief exchange, he asked us to return on a Sunday morning so his church members can hear about the work being done in Central & South America through the ministry of MAF-Learning Technologies.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">There are several more pastors that lead Spanish speaking and bilingual churches in the area that we’ve had a chance to meet. As we respond to the invitation to meet and pray with Pastor Pascual and the other 8 pastors later this month, it is our prayer that the Holy Spirit may orchestrate opportunities to come alongside these pastors and be a blessing to them as well as their congregations.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>-This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:3-5</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Pascual visiting MAF HQ<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Israel, Regina Manley and I</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHREbFZng3817Az-bXS775Dn7RY4ZA_XJ5i8ouUR4tSjgi7J2VDZZa-Ff21ti5QLOvUZQ5MBkDYhQhNNzR9rx1jUl0Rz84t0Gxk9MD_pPoJOpEWF3nCoI-OE1nL4II9YFgmRuF2DbQSfU/s1600/IMG_3742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHREbFZng3817Az-bXS775Dn7RY4ZA_XJ5i8ouUR4tSjgi7J2VDZZa-Ff21ti5QLOvUZQ5MBkDYhQhNNzR9rx1jUl0Rz84t0Gxk9MD_pPoJOpEWF3nCoI-OE1nL4II9YFgmRuF2DbQSfU/s400/IMG_3742.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taco bus offers meat, pork, beef tongue and cow intestine tacos while you wait</td></tr>
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</i></span></div>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-57096968855838618582011-12-31T13:54:00.000-08:002011-12-31T13:54:29.266-08:00One last thought....<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I learned a lesson this holiday season that is helping to reshape my mind and heart. As we prepare to turn the page on a new year, I want to share a recent incident that has brought comfort as I continue to trust God for what He has in store for us in 2012.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Please, not last year’s Christmas tree,” said our girls when we began to see the Christmas tree lots around the neighborhood. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Unfortunately, not only did Melissa and Elizabeth remember the miniature, artificial tree that we brought to the house last Christmas but so did their friends. “Remember that sad tree your family got last year, I hope you guys won’t repeat that again,” sighed a friend of Elizabeth over the telephone when she asked about our holiday preparations in Idaho. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So as this year’s Christmas season approached, we meandered to a local store that was selling beautiful, fresh cut Douglas and Noble Fir Christmas trees. Our eyes were mesmerized and the scent the trees projected as we paced through the rows and rows of stunning trees gave us goose bumps of holiday magic. A particular 8 foot Noble Fir stunned our senses and we were enamored right away. As we dared inspect the tree and its foliage, a family came over to us and showed us a store coupon. “Look, all trees are $5 off if you buy it this weekend,” said the mother with a grin. I thanked her for sharing the savvy discount with us and off went the family discussion. “Let’s get the tree, pretty please,” said our youngest daughter.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the excitement in our girls’ faces was as bright as Rudolph’s nose, Tony and I looked at each other and walked the tree over to the counter where the sales clerk waited to scan it. We felt uneasy about buying the tree and even the stand that necessitated its purchase. As we drove home, the girls were ecstatic and now Christmas could commence. The two of us had mixed feelings but as parents we couldn't resist the joy the beautiful Christmas tree provided.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">Then the unexpected happened. As we entered the house, we opened that day's mail and behind the store ads was an envelope that included a rebate check that would cover the entire cost of the tree and its decorations. You can just imagine the smile on our face when we realized the Lord had just blessed us.. Not only Tony and I but our girls since they had just hand picked the best 8 foot Noble Fir we had ever laid our eyes upon. As Tony and I attributed the Lord’s goodness in such an amazing way, we brought everyone together and prayed. Our simple prayer was just, “Lord, thank you for providing us with such a beautiful Christmas tree. Even though we don’t deserve your goodness, you have still chosen to give us an incredible gift. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.” The Lord’s provision filled our family’s hearts with gratitude that afternoon. I am humbled He knew the longing of our hearts and provided in every way.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So on this last day of 2011, I turn to 1Corinthians 1:31, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” It is with this verse that I want to conclude. As sojourners passing through, all glory and praise goes to our Heavenly Father who holds the future and whose kindness never ceases.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
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</div>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-87224721268142457242011-11-22T20:12:00.000-08:002011-11-23T08:57:55.842-08:00Isolated in San Jose, Costa RicaOne of the most fascinating things I have witnessed these last few months has been seeing the collaboration of mission organizations and missionaries alongside the poor and disanfranchised. I saw it firsthand when I visited La Carpio, a slum inside the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica.<br />
After spending a week training indigenous church leaders with my teammates near the Costa Rican and Panamanian Border, we traveled back to the capital city to see another area of ministry where a different group of "isolated" people live.<br />
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Over 30,000 migrants from Nicaragua and other countries in Central America live in this dense barrio surrounded by a landfill and two of the most polluted rivers in the country. The good news, however, is that although this marginalized community is an eyesore to many Costa Rican nationals, the gospel is alive and well despite the harsh living conditions that many families here endure.<br />
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Christ for the City International and Mission Aviation Fellowship are working together to not only spread the Good News to the poor in La Carpio but to also serve the families in practical ways. Two missionaries, one with MAF and the other with CFCI, are serving alongside the youth of La Carpio to bring about spiritual and physical transformation. While Brendan and 'Lalo' play different roles in ministry; Brendan in technology and Lalo in sports, both are uniquely suited to help and encourage the community's young people. It was just this past summer, that over a dozen kids completed classes in 3D computer programming while living in La Carpio. Not only did the kids attend the computer lab for instructions but they even learned to make skateboard ramps that are used on the weekends for recreation. Whether it's technology or sports, the children that live in La Carpio are growing alongside godly people who live out their faith not as outsiders but as insiders as both of these men live in La Carpio themselves.<br />
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Watching the Body of Christ work together to mentor and build up of those who would be overlooked or trampled upon is a blessing I find comforting and worthy of praise.<br />
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<i>And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"> (A brief description of La Carpio by 'Lalo')</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mauricio, Brendan, Jose, Lalo, and Laura</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smiles tell us the computer lab is OPEN</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramps and skateboards abound on Saturdays</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dumpster tells you La Carpio is around the bend</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street vendors selling home made goodies</td></tr>
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</span></span></div>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-36303683953543815092011-10-18T10:46:00.000-07:002011-10-18T10:51:41.380-07:00Overcoming Barriers in Central America The invitation by Wycliffe Bible Translators to send a MAF-Learning Technologies team to help three indigenous communities with discipleship training was a blessing from above.<br />
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Not long after fellow MAFer, Regina Manley and I arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica, we made our way south using the Pan-American Highway with our colleague and driver, Mauricio Sanchez. The four hour drive to the mountainous area of Buenos Aires Puntareneas meant that we would be only two hours away from the Panamanian border. It is in this region where the original or native inhabitants of Costa Rica live to this day.<br />
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The Bribris, Cabecars, and Ngobes are three indigenous communities that received the New Testament within the last few years. It was just in 2011, that the Bribris received their own NT translated for the first time in their own heart language.<br />
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As Regina and I heard the pastors, evangelists, and missionaries tell us what they did to take part in this workshop, we were astounded. Many who attended reported walking an average of 5 hours by foot to a bus station for a 4 hour bus ride to get to Camp Bethel, our campground and workshop location.<br />
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The anticipation of learning more about God's Word was reason enough for these devoted followers to make the long journey. Our purpose for being with the forty participants was to teach them how to memorize Bible stories, make spiritual observations, as well as to look for personal spiritual applications.<br />
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One Ngobe man after hearing the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke Chapter 10, began to repent in the presence of his small group friends and asked God for forgiveness for lacking compassion toward his neighbor. <br />
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At the conclusion of our time together, a love for the Bible and a commitment to read and share the Word of God was the overwhelming sentiment expressed from the leaders who participated.<br />
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Although the sounds of monkeys, bats, and geckos were ever present during our stay, the privilege to teach Bible stories like the Parable of the Mustard Seed & the Parable of the Lost Coin taught me that these stories transcend cultures no matter where you live. <br />
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As an eyewitness to this blessed event, I long for the day when I, along with many others, will see the words of the Apostle John, in Revelations 7:9 occur before my very eyes, <i>"After this I looked, and there before me was great multitude no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." </i><br />
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-Laura<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsK8FKZgZGumH9TiuERci8iynOJn8zyv4dKtFCbe9Tduchr6NPSM4LplB-9OVM90ewk6fTP4Z7KJiDXIP-y4wgUicfWz22LhNulX_Svn7bZLYllbvAF4z2QmLJhfTtBp7wxL2gP1kGMrs/s1600/IMG_3194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsK8FKZgZGumH9TiuERci8iynOJn8zyv4dKtFCbe9Tduchr6NPSM4LplB-9OVM90ewk6fTP4Z7KJiDXIP-y4wgUicfWz22LhNulX_Svn7bZLYllbvAF4z2QmLJhfTtBp7wxL2gP1kGMrs/s400/IMG_3194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group leaders about to kick off the event</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgAg_0ciEJyQMO-9GMBzaDFqZZBOVAIjPqpnY2PWy_6T789GO7SpV1Yv5xMUyUQXuynTQjZN3iWR5O69lro3GvZtL_sfqhlp7eu0T29NsEj01p2P8elsTZQw3Jno6tSA-Ll7HIkc8Dbg/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgAg_0ciEJyQMO-9GMBzaDFqZZBOVAIjPqpnY2PWy_6T789GO7SpV1Yv5xMUyUQXuynTQjZN3iWR5O69lro3GvZtL_sfqhlp7eu0T29NsEj01p2P8elsTZQw3Jno6tSA-Ll7HIkc8Dbg/s400/IMG_3232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabecar participants ready to learn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMWk6Kvsq7vpxht7RxotTmTPaPVf48lHJJTpSkNauRQTFKuiUViOa5Q5NZwXMFt1okroh8CqlyYSDGVyKdVQDXPMsbHLR2AuVQL7t8XTrLbMsX4P61yTziNBBGz2XfKzw8ZekCUp2lYc/s1600/IMG_3188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMWk6Kvsq7vpxht7RxotTmTPaPVf48lHJJTpSkNauRQTFKuiUViOa5Q5NZwXMFt1okroh8CqlyYSDGVyKdVQDXPMsbHLR2AuVQL7t8XTrLbMsX4P61yTziNBBGz2XfKzw8ZekCUp2lYc/s400/IMG_3188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin, Ngobe leader, is greatly respected among his people</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjvxGkHwNGtFJrOkHw4gro-KSllAJCd84HrWI_ynJaIBOXVVjsGuu7tlKzDHsIjm_RRPFE5QNnKN8iBjgcurQmev3iyvBfPspHGSN7j6CEp1EmDXrRiBi4Xe5NcTvIrQBk5Cfz7pd_xM/s1600/IMG_3244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjvxGkHwNGtFJrOkHw4gro-KSllAJCd84HrWI_ynJaIBOXVVjsGuu7tlKzDHsIjm_RRPFE5QNnKN8iBjgcurQmev3iyvBfPspHGSN7j6CEp1EmDXrRiBi4Xe5NcTvIrQBk5Cfz7pd_xM/s400/IMG_3244.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yolanda, was the only female representative from her people group</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEFvdeHpf8txwJJghlMbf08KjDw-i0e9lgc6pJub5ZrDHI6NJrNTE7QqGdb9xoRg2ncgaWjQq_tN6m_B2KP3SiP_2RqKUKMUIE2a7ZviUG0eLA0tZH6BCr4EKiIYDrOX9wk0R_8yfcyk/s1600/IMG_3302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEFvdeHpf8txwJJghlMbf08KjDw-i0e9lgc6pJub5ZrDHI6NJrNTE7QqGdb9xoRg2ncgaWjQq_tN6m_B2KP3SiP_2RqKUKMUIE2a7ZviUG0eLA0tZH6BCr4EKiIYDrOX9wk0R_8yfcyk/s400/IMG_3302.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santos, a pastor in his village, loved sharing his testimony</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVx3XdhG4pRvF1iGsWEMZeGYpHn9UyVSnnhcjb4wWX1qJx1LE81S6eQGAR9A9DF6r_bvb5bdm4PcuN6TmKsFRASHmh3JL6e4-Jvw4h8TWx6z9cpbGYGR8ghZwpejr5FKr9e79BTLaGBY/s1600/IMG_3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVx3XdhG4pRvF1iGsWEMZeGYpHn9UyVSnnhcjb4wWX1qJx1LE81S6eQGAR9A9DF6r_bvb5bdm4PcuN6TmKsFRASHmh3JL6e4-Jvw4h8TWx6z9cpbGYGR8ghZwpejr5FKr9e79BTLaGBY/s400/IMG_3246.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ngobe, Bribri, and Cabecar men enjoying a coffee break</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcV_J-UW1xktY7WCZaItpP3rKOx7wXp9QngUJ5SowXiMhwL4kplIH-IMBXUvasYIAPxSM_NdfY8-bCBirsw_p5TJKM1ooSDjEMRxvQ2zp7zXdY3bUl7RjX-CLcV1zlr0YWRkWNefYjHk/s1600/IMG_3191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcV_J-UW1xktY7WCZaItpP3rKOx7wXp9QngUJ5SowXiMhwL4kplIH-IMBXUvasYIAPxSM_NdfY8-bCBirsw_p5TJKM1ooSDjEMRxvQ2zp7zXdY3bUl7RjX-CLcV1zlr0YWRkWNefYjHk/s400/IMG_3191.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New Testament for Ngobe Speakers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn8POKUOJt1oj2t7F8WteFOcMsNUv6nyVi6D19-PGXhdWprMGSTqnf5NwKIFIulJ5kdY8v-wwr6ytmgqGUQStalCbVQX0IwdzPC9z9OXhKrAoo-qeaZ2dqnB_g2bAd8pTjMX6QJyKHjo/s1600/IMG_3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn8POKUOJt1oj2t7F8WteFOcMsNUv6nyVi6D19-PGXhdWprMGSTqnf5NwKIFIulJ5kdY8v-wwr6ytmgqGUQStalCbVQX0IwdzPC9z9OXhKrAoo-qeaZ2dqnB_g2bAd8pTjMX6QJyKHjo/s400/IMG_3183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly published New Testaments for Bribri Christians</td></tr>
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</span></span>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-49373145511203994092011-09-18T21:49:00.000-07:002011-09-18T21:49:59.537-07:00Local & Global Opportunities<div style="text-align: left;"> One day in the middle of summer, Tony and I decided that it was time to begin the process of finding a house of worship during our season in Idaho while training with our MAF-Learning Technologies team. As we attended a church that was recommended by a friend, our family began to take first steps to meet and greet new faces and introduce ourselves to the various members of the congregation. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> It was by accident that on one Sunday, we read in the church bulletin the words: <i>International Ministries/Intercultural Worship meets today at 11:00 a.m.</i> We made the long walk down the hall of the church only to hear the sweetest hymns in a foreign language. As we entered the humble room with a simple wooden cross behind the pulpit, I felt joy in my heart as I saw a sea of cultures sitting near our chairs smiling and welcoming us in their native tongues.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> After the initial visit, we made a point to return on Sundays and worship alongside our new friends from Intercultural Ministries at College Church in Nampa. It was during a Sunday afternoon potluck that Pastor Edwin asked Tony and I to consider teaching a Bible study to young adults from the different college campuses in the Treasure Valley that come and attend church every Sunday. The opportunity to teach international students who for many are hearing about Jesus for the first time, was a chance we could not pass up. As a result, we asked our good friends and fellow MAF couple, Ralph and Val Dawson to join us as the four of us would teach this generation of young people Bibical truths relevant to their daily lives.<br />
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The Lord saw it fit that we would not only proclaim His name to the ends of the earth as we travel to indigenous communities while serving with Mission Aviation Fellowship but that we would also make use of our time here in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8) in order that we may share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those He has brought to our doorsteps.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjAxPQSNAYmPHWYXItb46Y60PrvNNFbCBiX_P8Y5of7VoUzf231_tpT5d6uU-X8PuqyrnpdZkLHF7NYr2lXS-kg_bIddw_kbCr3gwfQhRFrhODfNn7KOg9A51MZGYsyuWdX4gjjItbYc/s1600/IMG_5170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjAxPQSNAYmPHWYXItb46Y60PrvNNFbCBiX_P8Y5of7VoUzf231_tpT5d6uU-X8PuqyrnpdZkLHF7NYr2lXS-kg_bIddw_kbCr3gwfQhRFrhODfNn7KOg9A51MZGYsyuWdX4gjjItbYc/s400/IMG_5170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-25941587932226356712011-08-11T23:02:00.000-07:002011-08-11T23:02:29.989-07:00New Beginnings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Coming to live in Nampa, Idaho has been a gradual acceptance of new and familiar things. Although it would have been nearly impossible to have welcomed the sights and sounds of horses, cows, and barns a year ago, the Lord saw it fit that we would make country living our new humble abode. We are thankful to the Lord for allowing us to move into a home that He provided while we train with our MAF-Learning Technologies team for our field assignment of San Jose, Costa Rica.<br />
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I must confess that Tony was the first to take the DMV's written driver's test. He passed the test with flying colors but I hesitated in doing so because I wanted to retain my California driver's license for as long as I could. The thought that I had to relinquish my CA license and pursue another identification other than my cherished Southern California one, was not something I was prepared to do.<br />
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It was early in the morning when the Lord spoke to me through the book of John. In John chapter 12 verses 25 through 27, Jesus tells his disciples that the man/woman who loves his life will lose it. In addition, Jesus mentions in verse 26, <i>"..whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant will be also." </i>In an instant, I felt the Holy Spirit softly correct me. The realization that I was clinging to an identity that was marked by state and zip code and not on the one who saved me from sin was enough for me to ask Jesus to forgive me and help me surrender to what He wants to accomplish in my heart minus the futility of my residence status.<br />
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Thank goodness for new beginnings. Not long after I prayed and asked God to give me a set of godly lenses that I began to appreciate and accept where He had me......not Orange County, not California but a different garden from where I would grow and bloom as a servant of the Living God.<br />
-Laura<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJpTokGN255GI8VkjKODrmX1yTkY0GKwpIVwbOhfqS00E1HZ3on_i2yJDNBGyCp629fjDxExWRC_u0r43EFrE1HF-IneOolI7ivdLTaDE-fhoYG6WfmPgxYFmKt98Cq-Y3b0x0MFFqnU/s1600/horse+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJpTokGN255GI8VkjKODrmX1yTkY0GKwpIVwbOhfqS00E1HZ3on_i2yJDNBGyCp629fjDxExWRC_u0r43EFrE1HF-IneOolI7ivdLTaDE-fhoYG6WfmPgxYFmKt98Cq-Y3b0x0MFFqnU/s400/horse+pic.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a summer day with some horsies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglvN762COTo9shWvorH7C_6coKXlmX_6FgtU51dbtnLx5JX50JeCEKcg3LvRRUlnshANU9WpYiTnOZbksaxQEJMxCXIW0rLHFEA1pFDsRNKK22szMpjkYpC6DKpM9hZjXbnfuqLODkkU/s1600/snow+cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglvN762COTo9shWvorH7C_6coKXlmX_6FgtU51dbtnLx5JX50JeCEKcg3LvRRUlnshANU9WpYiTnOZbksaxQEJMxCXIW0rLHFEA1pFDsRNKK22szMpjkYpC6DKpM9hZjXbnfuqLODkkU/s400/snow+cone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow cone shacks are prominent throughout town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v4FZ_bUb7tnoxvDiqKU-v5iYiL4aFGLQD42jzb2IVWRGInpeFMUwk-wyzJrl9CH2VxX8TGZtU69ZDSLFycOvlackiGAGY6aj61urX_8jmRA8g9TCB3YASSahANvv-szusY3oM-wc-n8/s1600/bike+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v4FZ_bUb7tnoxvDiqKU-v5iYiL4aFGLQD42jzb2IVWRGInpeFMUwk-wyzJrl9CH2VxX8TGZtU69ZDSLFycOvlackiGAGY6aj61urX_8jmRA8g9TCB3YASSahANvv-szusY3oM-wc-n8/s320/bike+trail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bike trail includes pretty vistas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLL138O3nF9xb61AM11vECvSmamzgC_8fZiGQwZGGzDH7-E0NY2HCFk7bKKDL0xGIdDBnD6AXAYMjz_yBQwBgVhsLyPdvyMYmbznPOwmECbPbPgSnwKxjYOr0CrnWwft-QLU592pirmw/s1600/fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLL138O3nF9xb61AM11vECvSmamzgC_8fZiGQwZGGzDH7-E0NY2HCFk7bKKDL0xGIdDBnD6AXAYMjz_yBQwBgVhsLyPdvyMYmbznPOwmECbPbPgSnwKxjYOr0CrnWwft-QLU592pirmw/s400/fishing.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearby pond is calling our name</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6D4xspIvokctKJSaRvSTSBFlcKLorHPlLyTt1ebZbj-dDW9-f36c5YqTqouAla2nWv9Don2vB85B5JgKheC8JqnzoKX6TpPxd20MdvGYQIyX12o4XCa4NgPIxedHPXiPHqliHV3ZWWWI/s1600/nampa+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6D4xspIvokctKJSaRvSTSBFlcKLorHPlLyTt1ebZbj-dDW9-f36c5YqTqouAla2nWv9Don2vB85B5JgKheC8JqnzoKX6TpPxd20MdvGYQIyX12o4XCa4NgPIxedHPXiPHqliHV3ZWWWI/s400/nampa+sign.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A street sign that warms the heart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nv7xXJ2LEGafzNRrKp21M6t1Jzo39CS9lo2E5EMve39WHEbAPX4aWSCrcoe92XONSFElwQZ8dopfQOnVcmgpZ5w0QlEyaFKCd_AeAX6Px5z6tJrGrGEVcGQ7BpZEHiXOhkz0hbSWohs/s1600/tractor+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nv7xXJ2LEGafzNRrKp21M6t1Jzo39CS9lo2E5EMve39WHEbAPX4aWSCrcoe92XONSFElwQZ8dopfQOnVcmgpZ5w0QlEyaFKCd_AeAX6Px5z6tJrGrGEVcGQ7BpZEHiXOhkz0hbSWohs/s400/tractor+pic.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old tractor sits at the end of our greenbelt</td></tr>
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<br />
</div>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6286559963118010113.post-16962592551921171212011-07-12T22:21:00.000-07:002011-07-12T22:21:16.199-07:00Sensational Send Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZLhDFmj9tm4c5enmVrydqHpHRAXJmPvM9o_OL5Deq9TRjLx-hgiJ7BOLorLC6cABQFyRiXA8qODCbfK_WAYKDIhhPMa1d0KxSkVhSgBEUH4sbi9N_GXCoZzmLjKGBgQV-hMMXF-ki8Y/s1600/IMG_3029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZLhDFmj9tm4c5enmVrydqHpHRAXJmPvM9o_OL5Deq9TRjLx-hgiJ7BOLorLC6cABQFyRiXA8qODCbfK_WAYKDIhhPMa1d0KxSkVhSgBEUH4sbi9N_GXCoZzmLjKGBgQV-hMMXF-ki8Y/s200/IMG_3029.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCgiUieAULDtSUW6axw3a2j-3o_5x1gO_H9mWR4XpN78CzWTvFGR9e5CSEkDLLMDbMNzKBG4EkZlRgKXQcPgRD-IMbCKPWY9huwtfXa2_MdbUneOhjhUzTnOEb_k2coI7pe8d8-emAjY/s1600/IMG_3020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCgiUieAULDtSUW6axw3a2j-3o_5x1gO_H9mWR4XpN78CzWTvFGR9e5CSEkDLLMDbMNzKBG4EkZlRgKXQcPgRD-IMbCKPWY9huwtfXa2_MdbUneOhjhUzTnOEb_k2coI7pe8d8-emAjY/s200/IMG_3020.JPG" width="200" /></a>This past Saturday, we had an opportunity to gather with many dear friends before departing for Nampa, Idaho. The special get-together was hosted by Tim and Suzanna Bond who welcomed everyone with open arms as we bid farewell to our friends and supporters who made the past eleven months of ministry partnership possible. <br />
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Tony and I could not have been more thankful. The words of encouragement that we received throughout the four hours blessed us immeasurably. "Whenever I think I'm part of a team that is helping spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth, I get very excited," said an exuberant long time friend. Others also stopped by to tell us that we were their first missionary family that they have partnered with. There was one comment that was shared by almost everyone in the room and that was that they would pray for our family and for the ministry.<br />
The grace that has been extended to us by churches and individuals has been a direct result of the prayers that have been made on our behalf. We are humbled and grateful for the prayers that are made in order that we may soon serve dedicated pastors and remote church leaders in the developing world.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46a8tPS76vJ0ZEMCpBSM6Ry3QZ7AZ-DmUZzkcxTKyboguNc6BpdG41PPw76gKD3yNj9u2p7d43vsoiMtEEhzrgrzZRfcg-tloq1JSiWukfek8GK33QI-S8PBmfAMIv1kxtHIMDAY5l7U/s1600/IMG_3022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>As the afternoon drew to a close, we thanked the Bond family for hosting such a lovely event. Although it would have been nearly impossible<span id="goog_192058586"></span><span id="goog_192058587"></span> to have met with everyone who makes up our ministry support team, this casual yet special gathering allowed us to express our love and sincere thanks for making our entrance into missionary service possible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAiC3DlmQN1XpN2bBOp9J5ycsOdhQdwxMvM7L9wl1_8j8sLotulgefGbJ9x02tS5cDOBHJ01oEowBUMrWmknQILLRWyXpXmLbozISSU3S2AoSkax7GX-X7A_ZLDTk6KE1Rzv_VwftzqQ/s1600/IMG_3019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAiC3DlmQN1XpN2bBOp9J5ycsOdhQdwxMvM7L9wl1_8j8sLotulgefGbJ9x02tS5cDOBHJ01oEowBUMrWmknQILLRWyXpXmLbozISSU3S2AoSkax7GX-X7A_ZLDTk6KE1Rzv_VwftzqQ/s200/IMG_3019.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<i>For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10</i><br />
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</i>Tony and Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07437359249552715233noreply@blogger.com0