Last day of FPO

We arrived at FPO on January 26th. It's hard to believe that two months have passed so quickly. We have learned so much during our time here, and have met so many wonderful people. Today is our Commissioning Service. It is sure to be an emotional time, as we begin to grasp the huge task that lies ahead. Some of our friends here are leaving for the field tomorrow and Friday. However, we will not leave for Costa Rica until April 27th, due to lack of housing availability at the language school. During the next month, I will be preaching and speaking several times; we will be visiting with family and friends, and getting the necessary items needed to live in CR. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. The kids have done great here with all the changes, and have learned so much in regard to witnessing and sharing their faith. Pray that they will continue to grow spiritually and adapt easily to more changes, and that God will provide friends for them in Costa Rica.

Winding Down

Our time to leave orientation is quickly approaching. It's hard to believe we have been here almost 2 months. This week we have had sessions regarding health issues on the field and maintaining relationships. Thursday we will all travel by bus to Washington D.C. and will have a time of interacting with our people groups. We will be partnering with another family and will attempt to have a witnessing experience.

Friday is our last shot day. It will be great to have that behind us. Incidentally, the last shot clinic did not go well. I don't think I posted about it, but on that particular day Christian was screaming in one room, and John Robert threw up in the main waiting area due to a stomach virus. Hopefully, this last one will go much better.

Next Wednesday there will be a special service as we are all commissioned to go to the field. This is sure to be a bittersweet time for all of us. We have built many friendships here, and many of these friends are going all over the world. Some, we may never see again, or at least no time soon. There are others who will be going to language school with us in Costa Rica, and we look forward to continuing these friendships. However, the goal was not to remain here in Rockville, VA but to be His witnesses in the uttermost parts of the world. These past few weeks have prepared us to do just that. I pray that we will all be found faithful.

Update from Rockville, VA

We have been very busy over the last week. We had fun playing in the snow on Monday, but it was back to our schedule on Tuesday through Saturday. We had sessions on a variety of subjects including Servant Leadership and Language Acquisition, and then we spent three days doing Safety Training. All of these sessions were great in that they are preparing us for our service on the field.

Our time is drawing to a close. We will only be here in Rockville (just outside Richmond) for a little over two more weeks. This week we are spending time having Regional Meetings with our colleagues in the MAC Region - Middle America and Caribbean. We are discussing strategies for reaching the lost world to see a Church Planting Movement. Throughout our time here, we have focused on church planting as seen in the book of Acts.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Video of Snow Jump

JR Face Plant!

Here is John Robert getting air and face planting!

March 2, 2009 FPO Richmond VA