I have excitement and anticipation for what God’s going to do this year!  I pray that you do too!  In the face of all that is happening in the United States, we know that we have an awesome God and that we are NOT ALONE, what ever our circumstances may be.

 

Since my last newsletter, a lot has happened.  If you read it, you’ll know that I was planning on moving to the USA for a year.  I’ll try to keep the summary short, as crazy as it may all seem, there was a great deal of prayer and I believe the Lord guided me in amazing (startling) ways through it all.  

What I didn’t sell or get rid of, I put into storage in San Jose, Costa Rica.  I sold my car to missionaries with MV that are arriving into Costa Rica the first part of 2009.  I made plans to move to Las Cruces, New Mexico to live with my Grandmother.  I made several trips the months of October and November out of Costa Rica, each trip via plane I had two of my animals with me.  The first trip to Las Cruces was the week of Thanksgiving.  It was to be the first time I saw my Grandmother in several years, but unfortunately, she died a week prior to my arrival.  Thanksgiving turned out to be a memorial service with most of my close family.  I was grieved to not have had the opportunity to spend time with her before she passed on, but my Aunts assured me that Grandma was at peace when she died and many of the family had the chance to visit with her.  

 

This unexpected event changed my plans, as I could no longer live with my grandmother for the year.  What did open up for me is a piece of property my mother inherited from her father several years ago.  My parents had moved my (other) grandmother’s old trailer out there, installed a well and a septic system, everything was set up and vacant.  The only drawbacks were that it’s 3 hours to the nearest airport, 2 hours from Las Cruces, looked like desert to me, and I didn’t know a single person out there.  

I moved there anyway.  I made it with 2 dogs and 2 cats.  I am living in the Mimbres Valley, New Mexico.  The nearest town is Silver City, it’s about 40 minutes away.  It has a Wal-Mart, an Albertsons and a heath food store (Thank you Jesus!).  To do any serious shopping, I have to go to Las Cruces.  I am trying to learn the culture.  Everything happens slowly with oodles of red tape involved, I feel like I’m in Central America, but talking to everyone in English.  It took months, but I’ve managed to get a phone line installed, a fence around the property, a mail box, address, internet access, repaired several broken windows, torn down a wall to make more living space...  I’ve done quite a bit of work on the trailer, as it was a mess.  

 

As it turns out, everyone out here knows my family in some facet or another, and some of these people I’m related to.  My parents are originally from the Silver City area, my Grandparents lived here most of their adult lives.  I have gotten to know my Step-Grandmother (I didn’t know I had) and her family.  They are wonderful Christian people who have been extremely helpful and encouraging.  

 

I’m very grateful the Lord brought me out here.  The dogs have adjusted to their new home and are very happy to have 2 acres of land to run around on.  My cats are still a bit confused but are learning to stalk birds through the cactus.  I am doing very well.  I feel at peace with where I’m at and know with out a doubt this is where God has me for a time.

Randall & Rachel are gearing up to take a team from Costa Rica (and Guatemala) into Honduras again this year.  The last team was very successful.  The field coordinators in Honduras raved about how wonderful it was to have the Costa Ricans and Guatemalans doing ministry with them.  The Lord has opened up a wonderful connection between Randall in Costa Rica and our Guatemalan Doctor, Juan Pablo, who’s in charge of the MV Clinic in the mountains of Nebaj, Guatemala.  The two of them each brought team members from their countries into Honduras to run health clinics, minister to children and adults.  

 

I’m praying about planning some trips into Central America in the next few months to promote participation in Short Term missions trips.  I really believe a key part of missions is to encourage and assist the people in the countries we’ve been ministering to, to be involved in mission’s ministry.  I am also praying about fund raising for Missionary Ventures Latin America.  We need finances for promotion materials, such as brochures and magazines, also we need finances to help these short-term teams go and be a blessing.

 

I attended the Missionary Ventures conference in Orlando in January.  Missionary Ventures is going through a huge transition with a newly appointed president, Glen Dubois and the resignation of our founder, Steve Beam.  I cannot say that I understand the details of what is taking place, but I do know that everyone involved would greatly appreciate your prayers.  One of my favorite verses is:  All things work together for GOOD, for those who love the Lord and are following according to His purposes.  I know everyone involved loves the Lord and are following according to His plan as best as they can.  In January I saw that Missionary Ventures has a wonderful, Godly organization of people that are willing and doing their best and give it their all to follow the purpose God has for MV.  Please keep us in your prayers

 

I’m finishing up my classes for my Family Herbalist Certificate from the Clayton College of Natural Medicine.  I’m really praying as to what God would have me do as the next step in taking Natural Medicine onto the mission’s field.  I would really like to continue to study to receive a Doctor of Naturopathy degree.  

 

I’m still praying about the Business as a Ministry training for assisting the small organizations helping women and children trapped in prostitution.  I was unable to attend the training in Thailand this year, but business classes are available at most colleges and universities.  I’m considering learning more.  

 

I’d also love to come to Florida to visit with friends and churches this year!  Please pray for finances and doors to open so that I can do some traveling while in the states this year.

 

Thank you so much for praying, for your financial support and for your friendship!  God’s doing amazing things and it’s really exciting for all of us to be apart of it!