Well, we made the trip to Costa Rica and we're getting settle into our apartment and have begun orientation for Language School. All five of us have orientation yet Thursday and Friday and then the girls start class on Monday with Karen and I starting class on Tuesday. Lots of new experiences here in the last two days. I know most of you are wondering and we did find ice cream in the grocery store. That was a relief. Oh, it was $16.00 a gallon, so all at once I really don't care for ice cream that much anymore. We took an entrance test this morning to see how much Spanish we already knew so they would know where to start us out. I wanted to make sure that I was in the same class as Karen so I faked it and left all the questions blank like I didn't know any of the answers. They were pretty simple questions like verb conjugation and adjectives and pronouns and all. I think Karen will need all the help she can get, so I will be there by her side when she has problems. (OK so the last few sentences may have been exaggerated a bit. All except for the part of me turning in a blank paper). I think we will all be challenged in school.
     Here is a short video tour of our quaint little apartment.

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Once again I want to thank those of you that have sent in one time gifts, monthly pledges and especially the ones that have committed to pray for us. Without the prayer support it would maybe be possible to do what we are, but not near as productive. We feel the support from all of you. One way you can pray for us is as we start actual classes next week that we absorb what we are being taught and that we are bold in our practice of that. God has been so faithful to us so far on this journey and we are confident that he will continue that faithfulness.  

In the midst of goodbyes

       One of the many aspects of leaving is saying goodbye. While in training in Colorado at MTI in April, one of our last sessions was how to be good at saying good bye. I am not sure I have that down yet as so far it has been very hard for me to do that part. Over the last number of weeks we have had some great opportunities to spend time with friends and family during meal times, bike rides, ice cream shops and today for example, the men's prayer breakfast that I attend on Thursday mornings had a commissioning of sorts for me. That was very meaningful to me and then it was "goodbye time." Then to Honeyville Metal where I have been employed for the last 4-1/2 years and after a nice noon meal that was brought in, again, time for "goodbye." There is really no aspect of saying goodbye that I like, but yet as I knew this time would come, I do need to say that the training at MTI came in handy. Even though it is hard, we can be good at it without enjoying it. Don't run way, don't ignore your feelings, take the time to say goodbye to those that I will miss and those that will miss me. Hard as it is, it is a part of leaving, and they will all be missed greatly.
        Packing, storing and giving away has been our lives in a nutshell the last couple of weeks. As we are flying out of Detroit on Monday morning for language school, we are gaining on all that needs to be done. We will be in Sañ José for the better part of 4 months then on to Jarabacoa, DR to begin our three year term there. Thanks again to all who have provided meals, helped clean, helped paint, prayed for us and given us financial support. Without it this would not be possible.

We are praising God daily for his faithfulness in providing for our needs. Whether you are giving financially or supporting our family through prayer, your generosity is an encouragement to each of us. Because you have been obedient to His call to serve as "senders", we can be obedient to His call to go. Thank You

Another way that you can be praying for us is by praying for our Children, (better know as MK's, Missionary Kids) our three children that we are bringing along down with us need you prayers as much as Karen and myself do. Here is a prayer list for you to walk through all seven days of the week. As I look over the list of prayers, I see that most of them also apply to the mom and dad too. :)