October 20, 2001

It has been over a month since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, an event that is referred to here in Costa Rica as "La Tragedia". We were taking a grammar test during our first hour of class, and when we came out, all the students were talking about the airplane crash at the World Trade Center. A short while later the terrible reality of the situation became clear, and classes were canceled for the remainder of the day. A prayer vigil was started in the Chapel, and everyone watched the news unfold in dismay.

None of the students lost any family members in the tragedy, and thank God, neither did we. We are blessed to be in a country that loves North Americans - we are affectionately called Gringos here, with none of the negative overtones that exist in other parts of Latin America. We have several friends who are serving in Muslim dominated countries such as Pakistan, Bosnia and Turkey, and all the missionaries in those countries, as well as others, need our prayers.

These events remind us that the only safe place to be is in the Will of God. Any of us may be called home at any time, and we all must prepared. We are so blessed to have a Christian President who is willing to quote Scripture on television.

Costa Rican flag at half-mast at our school,

after the terrorist attacks

Flowers placed by Costa Ricans at the

US Embassy in San Jose

Our final trimester of school began September 3, 2001 and we graduate November 15th. We are in class together for both grammar and conversation. Our last trimester has been shortened by 1 month due to the fact that the school is changing from a trimester to a quarter system. Our teachers are moving forward at a full court pace to finish the material with 4 less weeks of time! We hold onto our seats each day as grammar concepts are introduced, used, and then tested in rapid fire succession. However, this new schedule will allow us to be able to be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Gracias a Dios!

We have also been blessed with the renewed friendship of another couple from The Mission Society. The Thompson family started school this quarter with twin boys 8 months old (Ben & Luke) and a 4 year old daughter (Lydia). We have shared Mission Society training experiences with the Thompson's since January 2000 in Atlanta and in Colorado at Mission Training International. We have enjoyed sharing time with them, attending the same Methodist church, and trying to give an extra hand in their BUSY lives.

We continue to be blessed by our association with El Redentor Evangelical Methodist Church in San Jose. Pastor Efraim Bermudez is a wonderful, Godly preacher who leads the church. We have also attended several Emmaus Reunions in the San Jose area, and have enjoyed them immensely.

The children at El Redentor have been blessed with gifts from the children at our home church, Cannon United Methodist Church. This summer, the Cannon children made bracelets and decorated chupa-chups (suckers) for the children here at El Redentor. The Sunday school superintendent, Lilliam Arthur, used these items as prizes for whoever learned the most Bible verses, knew all the books of the Bible, etc. As you can see from the pictures, all the children enjoyed receiving gifts from the North Americans!

Lilliam Arthur with the Sunday School kids

Emanuel with his frog "chupa-chup"

Keiner with his new bracelet

Maisha shows off her "chupa-chup"

This week is "Spiritual Emphasis Week" at school. It is somewhat like Revival back in the States, with lots of music, preaching twice a day, and a wonderful local custom - NO HOMEWORK! The only things we miss are the covered dish dinners (we haven't had any green bean and mushroom soup casseroles with canned onion rings on top since we got here!). Our speaker this week is Dr. Tony Gould, a missionary with SIM, a mission agency that works primarily in Africa. Dr. Gould spent most of the time preaching from the book of Malachi and brought us a wonderful message about maintaining the significance of the NAME of God. It has been a wonderful session.

First we have to give a BIG round of applause to an anonymous donor! We received a box of NEW baseballs in the mail from "who know who". These went immediately to our grammar tutor, Dina Perez. She is from Nicaragua and is helping support a baseball ministry in her native country. She said that the Nicaraguan pastors had JUST asked her if she could find some baseballs for their church team. Needless to say - she was overjoyed when we showed up with a brand new box of 1 dozen baseballs. Thank you - whoever you are.

2. We ask for your prayers that we will BOLDLY proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ at all opportunities.

3. Please pray that we will each have a national friend when we get to Paraguay. We ask that God will make ready the hearts of two special nationals.

4. Pray for the health and safety of all the missionaries here at the Institute and abroad - especially those witnessing to Muslims.

5. Pray for the peace of Jesus Christ to be poured out upon the United States and all or her allies around the world.