First few days in Costa Rica

August has thus far been an amazing month!

We spent two weeks at One Mission Society headquarters receiving Church Planting Movements training along with people from 10-12 other countries. It was interesting hearing our sessions being translated into English, Spanish and Russian, which were the major language groups. We were blessed to be with three of the Mexican pastors most involved in church planting leadership with UNIFAM, the group of churches we will be working with in Mexico City next year. They have a tremendous vision to plant churches in each state of Mexico over the next 15 years!

The day after training ended we arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica around noon. We were greeted by Steve Cosslett, our language school "Big Brother" and a fellow OMS missionary to Mexico, and by Pastor William Araya, the Evangelical Congregational church leader in Costa Rica. Between the two men, we were able to divide up our luggage and ourselves and arrive safely at our new home.

We attended worship at a local church on Sunday where Samuel already made a friend who will be attending the same school, and Hannah was invited to attend a Saturday night youth group. It was also Costa Rican Mother's Day and the church's 7th anniversary. It was quite a day of celebration.

This month has been a time of wonder and adjustment! We are so blessed to know we are uplifted by your prayers!

1. Please continue to pray for our adjustment, safety and language learning. We are doing well but sometimes overwhelmed.

2. Please pray for the Mexican UNIFAM church leaders Alfredo, Alexis and Miguel. They are responsible for casting and implementing the large vision the Lord has given them. Pray for an increased faith and for the Lord's favor.

3. We met a wonderful pastor from Cuba at training named Magdiel. The Lord is doing amazing things in Cuba and many people are coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord! Please pray for Magdiel's safety, strength, faith and perseverance in the midst of sometimes unimaginable obstacles.

4. Please pray for the Cossletts and the Reids, our dear friends and fellow missionaries who are leaving Costa Rica for Mexico City in the next two days. Pray especially for their children during this time of transition.

5. Please pray for Pastor William Araya as he tries to communicate with us through the language barrier. We will be meeting with him and his wife on Saturday and discussing plans for attending one of his churches on Sunday. May the Lord bless his ministry in Costa Rica abundantly!

Thank you again for your prayers! We are in great need of them.