Sorry!!

Hi Guys!  Sorry I haven't blogged in almost 2 weeks!  Some of you are aware that we have a few health issues in the family that we are trying to identify so we can treat them correctly.  For about a month now Thomas has been in major pain stomach and "heart" and back pain with what we thought initially was a parasite.  After treating him for a parasite the symptoms remained, so we have had him tested for different bacteria, parasites, etc.  We think as of today we have finally identified that he has tested positive for the H. Pylori bacteria and will start treatment of 2 antibiotics and a Proton Pump Inhibitor tomorrow to try and eradicate it.  This is common in developing countries, yet many have minor symptoms (from the water or food) but they never "act up" or need treatment.  It appears that his have so we are now on the road to recovery.  Please pray for him!!!  Also, Micah has a parasite that we are treating him for this week so please pray for him.  And, lastly, we have been in the local clinic with Manuel 3 times this week in the middle of the night because of major stomach pains and nothing seems to be working.  They took him by ambulance to the public hospital in Puntarenas (about 1 hour away) and he stayed the night there last night but they did no testing on him so we are still trying to figure it out.  We are taking him tomorrow to a friend of ours who diagnosed Thomas and who is a wonderful Australian doctor.  Please pray that we figure out what is going on with him as soon as possible!

We are really tired this week so forgive us for no updates.  As always, God is faithful and we are so blessed to be serving Him here in Jaco!!!!  We look forward to updating you more soon!  Thanks for your prayers!!!!  

My Sweet Boys!

As we passed this "wave" walking to the store last week, Micah insisted that they "sit on the wave for a picture, Mom".  How could I resist???  Love my boys!!

Jacob making friends with a Macaw!!

Serving with youth

I NEVER get tired of seeing our Youth step out and serve and yesterday was no exception!!  Yesterday after doing Kids Club in Jaco, we went to Esterillos (town 30 minutes south of us) to do a once a month Kids Club there.  This is a chance for the Youth to step up and serve.  I took 8 Youth with me and I was so blessed to sit back and watch as they led games;  included kids who were too shy to participate on their own;  helped the children as they made their crafts, served them cookies and juice;  clapped for them when they answered a question correctly;  encouraged them when they doubted their abilities;  etc, etc, etc....I was just so blessed to see how far they have come--shifting from wanting to be served to serving others.  I took a few pictures to capture the moment as I thought about where they were just a year ago.  I couldn't stop smiling as we sang songs at the top of our lungs all the way back to Jaco, joyful for having served the "least of these".  What an honor and a privilege it is to serve the Lord--and to teach the next generation this and to see them "get it" has been most rewarding...."the Son of God did not come to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many..."

More Baptisms at Horizon Church!

What a blessing it was to baptize 4 more people today after church service!  We are super excited for all God is doing in and through the people here!!!  Here are a few pictures from today...

Baptisms at Horizon Church!!

What an amazing day we had last Sunday as 7 people from Horizon Church were baptized!!!  After church, we all walked straight out to the beach to celebrate as these brothers and sisters in Christ were baptized in the ocean.  It was an amazing time for our church body to witness such a powerful testimony of what God is doing in and through our church here in Jaco!!  We had 2 teachers from our kids' school;  2 members of the World Race Team Missions Group who is here serving with us for a month;   a local guy who received the Lord after seeing the change in a guy who has been through U-Turn for Christ (addiction ministry program);  and our "adopted" son and daughter, Manuel and Cecilia.  We are super excited to see how the Lord will continue to use these individuals who stepped out in obedience!!!  Praise the Lord!

Final Day of the Mission Team

What a wonderful week we had with the group from Forrest Hills Baptist Church!!  Thanks so much for blessing the people of Jaco!!!  We will miss you!

My Micah loved James!!!

Team Leader, Jeremy...one of Daniel's best friends from childhood

Mission Team Continued

Kids receiving donated jumpropes

The team has been hard at work painting, putting in a concrete bridge in front of a home, more painting and doing kids clubs with children.  It has been a super fun week and extremely HOT as well!  Here are more pictures of the team serving...

Kids Club in the River with Dona Ana

La Hacienda School before being painted

After pictures of the school (it matched the other 2 buildings)

Kids Club in the River

new friends!

Building a concrete walkway in front of a local's home

Painting the back wall of a home that faces the park...so cute!!!

Lily Katherine got 50 jumpropes donated from a company in The States and she blessed some of the children in the park with them!  It was awesome!!!

"Let the little children come to me..."  LOVE IT!