Wow! It is August 8, 2009! We have been in Costa Rica for one year today!! That is so hard to believe. We have one more week of language school before we graduate and we are spending the weekend with Enon Baptist on Irazu! It seems that we have a mountain of things to do, accomplish, wrap up, find, buy, organize……before we return to the States on August 25th to raise our support for our second year on the mission field! We have had such an amazing year.
When we arrived, I could not speak a lick of Spanish. Now, my teacher has tested me and I received an “Advanced Low” in my ability to speak/fluency. And that was one level higher than I initially thought I would receive, but hoped I would receive. Jacob and I both can carry on conversations, listen and understand sermons and fully function here with our Spanish. It was a lot of hard work and it has paid off. Even today, I was able to translate for Pastor Scott and his wife Robin while the father of the orphanage we were visiting was explaining in Spanish the origins of their ministry. It was such a big moment for me!!
This past week, Lizzie turned 6! Benjamin will turn 8 tomorrow, and Sophia will be 4 on the 22nd! It seems like they have grown tremendously since we have been here and it is so much fun to hear them use their Spanish. Although I must say, they do not like to use it with Jacob and I (English only with us), but they use it with other children that they know only speak Spanish!! They played with the children at the orphanage today and had no problem communicating with them!!
We are certainly looking forward to our next steps on the mission field! Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we continue to seek and follow God’s direction in our lives. Our goal is solely to serve Him and bring Him all the praise, glory and honor.
Here are some pictures that I have been slack about posting. They are random times and photos….
Some of the girls and I at the goodbye party for Dawn and Tully!
Benja and his buddy Gabe!
Jacob and his friend Anthony!
Kite flying in a local park!
A rare treat of going to Burger King with the kids after kite flying!
A beautiful sunset off our front porch!
