Monday, June 28, 2010

Packing - Ponchos, Raincoats and Umbrellas

Pam just sent me this link for the weather forecast...yeah, it's the rainy season there alright!

Weather in Costa Rica

Looks like we'll have plenty of opportunity to "sing in the rain"!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Count down - 5 days!

I was finally able to catch up with Mary Maria Woods and talk with her Saturday morning. Sounds like they are really busy down there!

The Mulder Team will arrive a few minutes after a team of 20 from Winter Park, FL arrive and we will travel together on the bus with them from San Jose to the farm in Ciuadad Quesada (San Carlos to the Costa Ricans). Mary Maria says Rudy may remember Dale Perkins who I think she said was leading the Winter Park group. For the first several days we will also be working with another team of 6 from Winfield, KS. We will be working at the school and/or the farm. They are trying to get the school in compliance with new gov’t safety regulations for evangelical schools and they are also working on the kitchen. They hope to get the high school ready to open this fall.

Pam and her husband Johnny came over and picked up the laptop Friday night - they are getting it setup with software and such - Mary Maria seemed really pleased to hear that we would be bringing it to them.

I was really inspired by the testimony and sermon at Mulder today - I know this will be a good trip and that we will have an opportunity to put into practise Mark's plea that we share our testimony! I just discovered a note that was in the envelope with a love offering from my wonderful brother in Christ, Bruce (it's funding vitamins for the Methodist Rural Center). Bruce included several scripture references and I just looked up the first one: Isaiah 52:7 says "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!". Well I think that's certainly affirmation of Mark's message.

If you are interested in reading a little about the Methodist Rural Center and how Marion and Mary Maria have been involved, jump on over to their website at www.costaricamethodist.org. It's a bit dated but the history, is well, history, and it's still very interesting. Look here to see background on the involvement of Marion and Mary Maria.

That's all for tonight. I will do my best to keep this updated on a regular basis.  Good night and God Bless you all for your prayers and support.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Meeting with Alfred Kalembo

The members of the mission team to Zambia were blessed to be able to meet with Alfred Kalembo and his son, Chipo, last night.  They arrived in the U.S. last Friday evening and Alfred preached at St. James UMC in Montgomery Sunday morning.  We were happy to be able to arrange for him to join us so that he could meet the members of our team and answer many questions.  We shared a meal together in Carter Hall and spent some time learning more about our mission next month and what to expect.

Alfred and Chipo are enroute to Kansas to register Chipo for college in the fall.  They will be returning to Zambia next week.  Please pray that the registration process goes smoothly and they have a safe trip back home.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Preparations are underway

Within ten short days our Youth will be heading to Nashville for the first mission trip of 2010.  Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for this ministry.  We look forward to hearing their updates.