Graduation Day- Oct 2012

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.

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.

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.  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.

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, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  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.  

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.

-For for Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.  Romans 11:36

Melissa, Laura, Tony and Dave Fyock at Commissioning Ceremony

Prayer Dedication 

Marriage Seminar in Boise, ID

Orientation- Fall 2012

A Day at Mt Home AFB

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.

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.  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 “like a good soldier of Christ Jesus...”  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.

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. 

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.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this you fulfill the law of Christ, " - Galatians 6:2

-Laura

Chaplain Candidate, Seth DeBartolo & Senior Airman, Andrew Keating

Protestant Parish Coordinator and friend, Laura Bondurant

Stephanie Higgins, wife of Capt Christopher Higgins

Mountain Home Air Force Base, ID

Holt Park, Mt Home AFB

Worshipping God Together Through Music and Dance

Here is a one minute video of Simon and Juanita worshipping God after participating in a Bible storytelling workshop in Laurel, Costa Rica.

-Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Philippians 2:2 

                                           Juanita and Simon sharing in front of the group

Juanita and Simon

Griselda, Laura, Juanita, & Yolanda

Walking by Faith

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” -Psalm 9:10

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

Maureen, Me, and Dr. Longworth

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: Insulin pump.) 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.

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! 

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!

-Tony

Se Habla Español.....Nampa, Idaho

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

“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. 

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.

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.

-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

Pastor Pascual visiting MAF HQ

Pastor Israel, Regina Manley and I

Taco bus offers meat, pork, beef tongue and cow intestine tacos while you wait

One last thought....

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.

“Please, not last year’s Christmas tree,” said our girls when we began to see the Christmas tree lots around the neighborhood. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Isolated in San Jose, Costa Rica

One 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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

    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

                                         (A brief description of La Carpio by 'Lalo')

Mauricio, Brendan, Jose, Lalo, and Laura

The smiles tell us the computer lab is OPEN

Ramps and skateboards abound on Saturdays

The dumpster tells you La Carpio is around the bend

Street vendors selling home made goodies