Relocated, again!

Not only have we moved in Montreal, but we have been simultaneously 'moved' in Costa Rica. We are now taking a house in La Suiza, about a 30minute walk from the mission. We feel soooo blessed that we will be staying here: We already know some of the neighbors, our homestay for the first 2 weeks in located in the same yard, and we've (coincidentally?) toured the house last summer! We even have a pic of it (we were aiming for the tree, but now it's about the house!)



It is of immense comfort to be able to visualize what life may be like. I've seen the kitchen where we will make our morning coffee. I've been in the living areas where we will hold meets. We've done the walk to the mission before.

May plans continue to fall into place!
May God continue to prepare our hearts and minds,
as well as those of all of those around us!

The count down is on!

Notice the side bar ticker?

Yeah, apparently there's less than 2 months to go.

Crazy, eh?

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This week is my last full paycheck form McGill.

Gulp.

Tom will keep bringing home the bacon until the 3rd week of September.

Then.
Nothing.

Double gulp.

No paychecks.
No "real" jobs.

We'll have to live life, literally, on a prayer.
This will be a challenge for me. I'm a budget-planning, executing, abiding, gal. But these types of things are easier to do when there is money coming *in* and then going out.

It will be a great experience.
A humbling one too, I'm sure.

--

I have no idea were we will be led to after returning to Canada. It's exciting, but nerving at the same time. As I pack up my blender, I wonder, "Where will I be, if I am the one unpacking you, and who knows when that will be?"

Lord knows. That's who.
And I pray we can put our own hopes and dreams far enough to the side during all of this and have the insight to follow his lead.

I want to give my life as a living sacrifice.

Although if I were to make a request, I'd put emphasis on the living. ;)

Happenings in Tuis

Check out Hector's blog for a video of a recent youth event at the mission in Tuis, Costa Rica. {Hector is one of the directors of Voz Que Clama Mission.}

I think some of us will find the 'skit' amazingly familiar. How exciting!

Coffee, hula, pasta, and coins; Oh My!

Here's what we've been up to:

• Having a fantastic time serving up FairTrade Costa Rican coffee on Sundays before and after the service {usually there's no coffee available (I know!)}. Not only to offer a perk, but also to srum up conversation about the goings on of the trip.
• Preparing to attend an upcoming Hula for Costa Rica! party on the 31st. The Youth Leaders are throwing a Luau (yeah, I know). It sounds like it will be a great time; limbo contest, BBQs, grass skirts, the whole works! They are expecting about 50 in attendance!
  
• In the works of planning a pasta night in September. Sounds like it will be a fun Saturday night and a great "send off" party before we head to Manitoba for a few weeks before CR. :)
• Coins! We've made these funky jars for spare change. Spare change anyone? Tom and I have a HUGE jar to fill (I'm carrying cash more, just to collect the change!) and we have **much** smaller ones to give to anyone that's interested in filling one. I can get one to you easily at the beginning of August ;) Just e-mail me.
  

Keeping on Keepin' On

- Still working on the beautiful Spanish language (once a week with tutor, once every evening with spouse). We laugh because last year we spent two months in lessons before we left, but we learned more sitting around the dinner table with our host family in 4 days than those two months. So at least re realize all this effort before hand is actually only going to make a slight difference in the end. But hey, some is better than none... I really appreciated knowing the little bit we did know last time.

- Trying to hit a moving target... Because it is a relatively small organization, VQC is capable of adjusting to changes that are occuring in the community and governemnt. However, being all the way up here in Canada, it's hard to keep up. We do know, however, that we are drawn there more than ever and are willing to accept what lie ahead of us.

- Our house is our house no more. That cute little button of a house previously pictured? Yeah, no longer available. I'm kind of disappointing in that...But... In replacement, the mission has offered us a much larger place to stay (for the same rental fee as the last house!). This is such a huge blessing!! We were in this 'new' place last year and are really excited that we may be staying there for a few months. It has a beautiful yard and backs onto the river. Also, location, location, location. It's very close to the new mission house (but far from the grocery store, sadly). This house also offers the opportunity to host a short term mission team... Which seems to be brewing!!! How exciting would that be?!

- We received an updated budget (now that our dates are solidified) from the mission for all of our expenses while we are there. We are on track with the last one, even though our dates have changed. I like the consistency.

- There are three (3!!!) fundraisers planned for the summer by our generous and hard working youth leaders (young adult group) AND an Italian night (yeah, I know) planned for late September by one of our Montreal moms. People are so generous with their time, energy, and commitment. "Christians, walking with the committed" I read that today and it made me think of this team of people who are committed to getting us off the ground. It's so encouraging.... Which I need when I can't remember how to conjugate a reflexive verb in the third person in the preperite form of the past. By the way, the next person who tells me "Oh you're learning Spanish? That's the esiest language to learn!" Better be able to say that to me in Spanish.

BOOKED!!

Oh yes,
oh yes we are.

We are *officially* going! At least according to our flight itinerary ;)


Here's the plan:

Depart: Montreal, Saturday, October 17, 2009 6:00am (Gah!)
Arrive: San Jose, in the beautiful Cost Rica: Saturday, October 17, 2009 12:15pm

Depart: San Jose, in the beautiful Costa Rica, Wednesday, April 14, 2010 1:45pm
Arrive: Winnipeg, Thursday, April 15, 12:30am


Yay!!!! This plan is the best logistically, financially, time restriction wise (only allowed to be out of the country for 181 days before health care is suspended - well, if you count it, that's 181 days!), and family/friend wise. I have yet to book us a flight back to Montreal from Manitoba, but will probably be flying on the evening of Thursday, October 15, or Friday the 16th.

This is exciting, no?

Fourth and 'Final'

Welp, we wrapped up our series on The Mission Plan.
For the past 4 Sundays we've been given pulpit time to inform the congregation as to our upcoming activities in Costa Rica and the background of the organization we will be working alongside. It's been a fantastic experience. We've gotten to know many members of the congregation so much better over the last few weeks because of the conversation openers the presentations have provided. And the congregation has sure gotten to know us!!! Yesterday I was the face again (I was fired from technical duties from last week's happening, so I was forced back into the speaking position), but my tongue wouldn't work! So... I simply started again. I seriously stopped mid sentence, rewound, put down the mic, took a drink of water, picked it back up and said "Good morning!" again. Reminded me of the time I performed Old McDonald at a piano recital... But that another story, for the other blog.

I love our congregation, they are so responsive to comments from the pulpit. When you say good morning they say good morning, you hear laughter at jokes (even if it's forced), an "Amen!" to true and powerful statements, and gasps at shocking information. It's so refreshing to be so supported.

We'll be given time again on June 21st, then another series come early fall.

Tuis

BTW - the picture above? It's actually the town on Tuis. That's were our crazy little house is and where we will be spending the majority of our time. Oh, wait! Did I not show you a picture of our house?

Here she is, in all her glory:






Yes, yes. I realize she looks grand, but the mission assured me this picture is life size!!


For more information on Tuis and the community, click here.

Bulletin Insert

For those of you who don't attend our beautiful church on Sunday (yup, that's pretty much everyone who reads this blog right now), here is an example of our lovely inserts that they are encouraging us to run.

To see it, simply:

1) Click on link below.
2) Click on logo in middle of screen.
3) Flip to the back of the bulletin (simply click "last" on the bottom right hand corner, or flipping though the pages with the page-advance button on the bottom right hand side of the screen)

Church Bulletin

#3

As you could probably guess, this last Sunday was presentation #3, delivered by the handsome husband. He did a fantastic job, always does, and I was left to be technical support. I did not do a fantastic job. In the end, it all worked out, and the presentation evoked quite a reaction from the congregation.

Until this point, our presentations and inserts in the bulletin have been on the neutral informative side about the region, the people, etc. But Tom hit them yesterday with a few of the concerns in the area, the needs, the misguided (and, honestly, scary and sad) spiritual beliefs of the Cabecar people against those with disabilities.

Tom highlighted the areas we will be working on with the indigenous on the remote reserves. Chimney construction to evacuate the smoke-filled houses (they cook on open fires within the home, no chimney results in an abundance of respiratory infections, one of the leading causes of death among children in these people groups). He also mentioned how my degree with tie into improving the mission's efforts towards improving nutritional support to the people, helping prevent infections, and, possibly, improving latrine design. Considering these people groups do not speak Spanish, communication barriers are an obsticle. The mission, as will we, takes the approach quoted from St. Francis "At all times preach the gospel and, if need be, use words." We will be committing our lives for a few months to improving the physical and health needs of these people and, as Tom put it, bringing the Holy Spirit to do the heavy lifting.


Next week is #4 and the final of this series. Praise God for these opportunities to inform and build a support network.

The Cabecar People

Here is a great write-up of the Cabacer people we will be working with, and the hike we will endure to get there.


http://www.amcostarica.com


Our projects will focus on improving nutrition in the communities and surveying water and sanitation 'facilities' to see if there is areas of need.

2nd congregational presentation

This picture is so funny...Do I not look like I'm begging for support?



Yesterday was our second presentation. Last week we focused on providing an overview of the trip, this week was about the community of Tuis... Tom has made awesome slide shows to accompany the presentations - then it's my job to get up there and execute them (the presentations, not the congregation).

The support that has emerged out of these presentations is phenomenal. A few members of our church are offering contacts down south that could to put us in touch with resources that are available on the grounds. I'm also very excited about a lady that approached me and offered to teach me her skills in photography, and receive photos that we will send from C.R., process them (crop, colour, etc), and post them at the church so everyone can see what we are up to. That is *SO* exciting to me. We've been offered much prayer support, speaking opportunities, personal skills and volunteered time... This has all blown us away. Praise the Lord.




Pic: Tom with Hector, one of the co-directors of the mission, from last summer's scouting visit to Tuis, C.R.

1st Congregational Presentation

The planning, preparing, and practice have begun to fade. We've started doing the real thing, and for a larger audience...

This past week was the first of a string of Sunday services that we get to present our mission venture to the congregation and solicit support. We ask for prayer, and the pastor follows up with a call for financial support.

--

It's very interesting, the more we speak to people, the more people we are asked to speak to. This is something I never really anticipated, but am eager to do. We're received a number of invitations to do presentations, lead bible studies, and give talks about our trip and on missions. Tom has already been called into service by the men's breakfast team, I've been asked to do the ladies' later this month, we are leading a bible study tonight on "how everyone has a role in missions," which Tom has prepared (and is very intriguing, by the way), and we've been asked to do again next week at another pastorate. And these are in addition to a few minor ones and one major presentation at our church already.

These invitations weren't really anticipated. I didn't think people would want to keep hearing from us. We're honoured to be asked, don't get me wrong, just a little surprised. Another surprising aspect that we didn't anticipate is the numebr of "God bless you for your work, thank you for doing this!".

Okay...Huh?!?!

What do you say to that? We haven't figured it out yet. I only stare back in disbelief.

I want to say is this:

"Please, don't thank me. We've done nothing yet, and may fail in so many ways in the things we paln to do that you'll want to retracked your thank you in the future ...What we presented today was 'the plan,' the plan that everything goes smoothly and these are the things that we will accomplish. What will happen on the ground may be drastically different than 'the plan'. Please, do not thank me, we feel so unbelievably honoured to be a part of this and to be the 'goers' in this situation. We are humbled by the support of 'senders,' which have a far more essential role than us. Without them, there would be no us. There would be no going. Without senders, this wouldn't be happening. The last person to thank, is me..." (and, becuase I'm Canadian) "...but thank you."

But I'm not too sure if that's the right thing to say either.

Even *more* official!

Lakeshore Church Missions

Now That's Fair! 2

Because the coffee sales are a hit,
we've added items to our fundraiser!!!

Fair-Trade Delicious Dark Chocolate with bits of crunchy Coffee Bean
Sugar Cane from Costa Rica
Cocoa from Peru
Coffee from Guatemala

{Please purchase before I eat them all!}

$4/bar





Fair-Trade Sugar Cane!
Fun Fair-Trade Sugar Cane straight from the heart of Costa Rica.
There are many sugar cane farmers where we will be working. These farmers only receive $20 for one tonne of cane from the major corporations. Can any one say, not fair?
This cane sugar is in larger granules than that of regular granulated sugar (if you can imagine!), which makes them perfect for dessert or cappuccino toppings. Of course, it can be used in any place you would use table sugar, too.

$5/bag




Again, all of these products are from Costa Rica, and Fair-Trade ensures that the farmer receives a fair portion of the profits. This, in turn, supports the community, and the sales of these goods also supports our volunteer venture this fall.

Please place your order with us, and we'll get them to you!

Our Support Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

We are excited to announce that we are returning to Costa Rica to serve with a mission organization for 6 months! Starting this October, we are being sent by Lakeshore Evangelical Church in Dorval, QC, to work in a little town called Tuis de Turrialba, in the mountains of Costa Rica. In this town, there is the Christian mission “Voz Que Clama” (VQC), which (translated from Spanish) means “the voice that cries out” (Mark 1:3). Last summer we had the opportunity of meeting the directors of this mission during our trip to Central America and were able to volunteer on a few small projects. We’ll be returning this fall to extend the work of VQC, but in some new directions and on a much larger scale! VQC focuses on:
a) Providing a hospice to a number of indigenous individuals with physical and mental disabilities, who could no longer survive their mountain communities.
b) Venturing into the remote mountain communities, a 1- to 3-day hike from Tuis, to bring aid and service to the people there.
c) Giving service to a budding community of Christians.

Among the array of service opportunities that we will have, we’ve been blessed with opportunities to pursue what God has given us passions for… Candice will be working with nutrition and health concerns in the local as well as remote indigenous communities, similar to those she worked with during her Master’s degree. Tom will be working with people with disabilities and using his rehabilitation engineering skills to help enable them to participate in meaningful activities on a small hobby farm operated by the mission.

We are sending this letter to you for two reasons. First, we need your prayers on a series of fronts: for God to move in us so that we can be his hands and his feet, for us to be strong when faced with the many challenges that lie ahead of us, and for the community and people that will be receiving us and those we will be working with. Second, we are faced with the challenge of raising $20,000 to help us get there. We fully believe that God will provide and allow us to follow this dream. We would deeply appreciate if you would consider helping us in making this venture possible. If you would like to contribute, a tax-deductible donation to LEC-Costa Rica can be made {using the enclosed envelope}. If you want more information or are interested in other ways you can be involved, please feel free to contact us at candice.and.tom@gmail.com, or contact our home church, Lakeshore Evangelical Church, who is partnering with us in this venture, at info@lakeshorechurch.ca or at their website, www.lakeshorechurch.ca

Thank you for considering us in your thoughts, prayers and support.

Sincerely,



Tom and Candice


LEC donation disclaimer: All contributions designated towards a specific program or project approved by the board will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for any reason determined by the board, the remaining contributions designated for such a program or project will be used where needed most in other mission projects.

Financial Logistics - Update

We are so excited to announce that the Board of Governors of Lakeshore Evangelical Church has unanimously voted in favour of supporting our venture as well as making it a part of their ministry. Not only does this mean we have their pastoral support and advice, but also any donations made towards the trip will be tax deductible!

This support has made such a huge difference in our lives, and affects the decisions of many other people. Nothing but the hand of God has made such a relationship happen. We are so extremely blessed and humbled by their decision!

Thank You, thank You, thank You!!!

Now that's Fair!

While we await word on the fundraising logistics for 'straight up' donations, we have explored options for additional fundraisers...Ones that make things a little more tangible! I'm pleased to introduce you to:

Costa Rican Fair Trade coffee, grown right from the area where we will be working!! This stuff is so socially and environmentally friendly it even comes in a compostable biodegradable paper bag. Cool, eh? The product is logistically arranged by Oxfam, and from the fields of Costa Rica.




It's a delicious medium roast for you; a fair price for the farmer working in our area of Costa Rica; support for the local community; and a fund raiser for our service in Costa Rica. Everyone wins!!

These are 400g bags (1lb) for a suggested $14, and you can order them in ground or whole bean form.

{Simple Price Comparison:}

• Starbucks take-home coffee beans $8.99 for 226g bag
• Fair-Trade Fundraiser $14 for 400g bag
  
• Starbucks: 4cents/gram /// FairTrade Fundraiser: 3.5cents/g
  

We will be placing orders, so place your with us! We are coming out next week and will be able to deliver, or if you place your order with us next week while we are there, we will have them delivered as soon as possible after.

Cheers, and happy brewing!

It's Question Time

Tom and I are giving an oral presentation and Q&A this Thursday for some key decision makers for this project's funding logistics. If you are a pray-er, I'd ask that you ask for guidance for the hearts that are to make the big decisions. Let the Lord's will be done...No matter what that means.

Mark this day...

As far as the current plan goes, the length of time between today and the day we leave is the equivalent to the amount of time we will be in C.R.

Scary thought, isn't it?




(Countdown ticker: 182 days ... maximum length of our trip is 183 days)