Soar Heartland

This year during spring break we will have a unique experience to go on missions. We are going to help out at Soar Heartland as Facility Coordinators. This is really exciting for us because it is totally using our gifts to their greatest potential and it is neat to be doing something this big so close to where we live. We will be working for 10 days (with Colton and Miranda) while staying at the facility so we will be immersed into the mission similarly to the way we would be when going to another country.
Soar is a mission that takes youth from around the province and brings them together in one location. Trains them and takes them out into inner city life to help the people who need it so badly. There are some who will work at building project,soup kitchens with kids on spring break with other churches and during the week there is a big carnival for all the kids. It can be a very spiritual journey for the participants and also the people they are helping. It will be interesting to see where Jesus shows up in all of this. Also to be a part of it and see what this experience will teach us about our neighbours. I will try to blog while we are there but again when in something like this it is hard to know what to expect. They are looking for all types of volunteers so if you would like to do something big during the break call me.

Mission 2008

We have been home for two weeks and are planning the trip for next year. Our dream as a family is to be able to share the love of missions abroad with other families. The first step we have done already. The plan has been put into place for Jan. 2008 for us to go back to the YWAM base with a group of families and help them build a new kitchen facility and/or a new cabin for staff or hosting missionaries. The base was were we stayed and helped build and work the first week in Costa Rica. We also have been asked to come back to the bible school next year and again help with their kids camp. We will need people to help build and people who love kids and people who like to cook and people who want to pray and people who want to travel.So if this is what God is calling you to do, give us a call. The people in Costa Rica would love to have you!
The picture here is of the little cabin that we stayed in at the YWAM base and is similar to what they would like to build more of. They have cut the lumber from the trees on the property and would like to use it to build other buildings that they really need.

Going Home

Our time in Costa Rica is slowly coming to an end. We have had such a great time. As I watch Colton and Miranda playing and interacting with one another I am amazed that they can play together all day without fighting, with no toys, just each other. If nothing else came from this trip but to be able to see the friendship between these two kids grow, that is enough for me. But neadless to say we saw and did and learned so much more. When I think how this trip started from a dream to travel, do missions and be together as a family in another country. I think it was sucessful. We became closer and saw new things and discovered a bit more about Gods world. It has been a great adventure. We also have alot more insight to hopefully bring a group of people back to this country next year. There are people here who are waiting for our return with open arms. We have also found a great place to have fun on the beach! We have been blessed by so many people that have helped to make this trip possible. If Dean`s dad wasn`t there working his but off and taking care of work we couldn`t have come. If Justina wasn`t looking after our house (and a dog in heat)I don`t know what we would have done. If the teachers and principle at school didn`t support us in this it would have been so much harder. We also have so many people who are praying every day for our safty and that we will make a difference here. We feel so loved and supported. WOW!

Surfing

Colton learned to surf today!!!

Fishing pictures

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

We finally left the rain and are in hot hot hot!!! We love it. We flew from Panama to Costa Rica and ended up in Quepos, Costa Rica 1 1/2 hrs. later. We found a condo to stay in and today we went fishing. Colton caught a 20 lb. rooster fish and a Jack fish. The Rooster fish is a fish that everyone is trying to catch out here. So Colton is really pumped and Dean is a little jealous. Miranda caught a Gar and Dean also caught a nice Jack fish. The Jack fish have dark red meat and when you fry it, which we did for supper it almost looks like your eating beef. While we were fishing we saw a 12 foot croc. swimming in the ocean. That was realy cool to see. We also went snorkling for a while at the end of fishing. Dean pulled out 8-10 oysters and him and Colton ate them raw. We spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and playing on the beach. I'm trying to get over all my ailments. The other day I was cutting open a coconut and Cut my finger, than the same day I ripped half my fingernail off. If that isn't enough the mosquitos in Panama bit me up to pieces and I have at least 100 bites and I am soooo itchy, mostly at night. So I'm hoping that they will leave me alone in C.R.
We are planning on spending the day in Manuel Antonio park tomorow. It is a haven for monkeys and tonnes of birds and a few crocs. so that should be fun.

Bastimentos, Panama

We have been spending our time on this island dodging the rain and whenever possible having as much fun as possible. We went to see a whole bay of dolphins we snorkelled we have been fishing, Dean and Colton 3 times. We have met a tonne of people and we are so thankfull for the chance to be able to fill our lives meeting people from around the world.We love to be able to see things that most peple wouldn-t want to because its to hot or to dirty or to dangerous or they just want to stay home. So hopefully we can share some of this trip with the people who wouldnt want to do it but still find it interesting. Today we ate in a restraunt that they just opened 2 days ago. We had fried chicken and french fries and coleslaw made by this charming Jamacian looking lady. Colton said it was the best papas fritas (french fries) that he has ever eaten. The place looked like someones back deck but it was really cool. Well I had better get back to the only sun we have had and try to soak it up. Hopefully it doesnt shock my system.