May 25: One more month

This week seemed to pass very quickly as we added some extra activity to our regular routine and duties.  I covered extra classes for two teachers at El Puente and attended a Seeds of Hope board meeting.  George spent a number of hours preparing for the sermon he's planning on giving at tomorrow's English service.  

As we anticipate leaving Costa Rica a month from today we feel excited as we think about returning to family and friends and our home in Zeeland.  However, we also feel great anticipation, excitement and some apprehension for what is still in store for us here in Costa Rica.  This last month will be extremely busy as we continue with classes at El Puente (they finish the semester a week after we leave) and also welcome up to four different groups of visitors coming to help in various areas at El Puente (organization, construction, library etc.).  Nathan is extremely excited because one of those groups will be some of his classmates from Zeeland Christian!

Although it will be great to have some extra help around, it will make for a crazy busy last month as we'll also be saying our goodbyes and organizing and packing up our stuff.  It was good to read this excerpt from our devotions this weekend based on Genesis 3:8 and Psalm 89:15:

Bring Me your mind for rest and renewal.

Let me infuse My Presence into your thoughts.  

As your mind stops racing, your body relaxes and you regain awareness of Me...

I want you to walk with Me in the garden of your heart,

where I have taken up permanent residence.

Would you pray that we can find rest and renewal in His Presence this last month despite the  hectic pace and packed days that we are anticipating?  We are so very, very grateful for the way you have lifted us up in prayer this year.  There is no way we could have made it without your support.

Additional prayer Items:
1.  Praise that after missing all of last week, Nathan returned to school in restored health this week.
2.  Sophia got sick at school yesterday so we cancelled the rare date night we had scheduled last night but she seemed to recover quickly and has been fine today.
3.  Praise that 'G' from Seeds of Hope was back to class on Tuesday and looked MUCH better than the previous few weeks.  She still has not opened up to Seeds of Hope staff about what is/was going on so please continue to pray for her spiritual and physical protection.
4.  Praise that we got to Skype with my nephew Jon in Hungary yesterday as part of the Culture Day series (happens every Friday at El Puente).  The internet wasn't working for a while in the morning but thankfully it returned in time for our chat!