3 Weeks Until Take Off

Hello friends and family! As most of you know, Orlando and I have plans to head north for a year furlough. We are trying to wrap things up on this end, so that we will be ready for our departure on December 18th. We are really excited about what the next year holds for us! We will be staying with my parents in IN for most of the year, with plans to do lots of traveling to catch up with as many of you as possible. Orlando will be concentrating on learning English and we will both be working hard to raise our support base so as to continue in our work with CFCI in Costa Rica. We would love to talk to and see as many of you as possible. Please contact us if we haven't contacted you, so we can begin to make plans for next year! We love you and thank you for your constant friendship and support!

Still Happily Married

Orlando and I continue to enjoy our life together! We've already shared so many memories over our 4 1/2 years together. Here we are sharing with friends and family at a local restaurant. Costa Rica has so many amazing fruit drinks...don't worry...it is non-alchoholic! :)

Darwin

Darwin is Orlando's best friend. He has been an important part of our lives throughout the last few years. Darwin recently graduated from ESEPA where Orlando is studying and is now working on his master's. He is also a missionary with CFCI. As part of his master's program he needs to learn English. We are hoping that next year, when Orlando and I take furlough, Darwin will be able to travel with us and studying English. As a missionary and student his funds a very limited. If you are interested in being a part of making this dream possible, please let me know or contact CFCI.

Lisa & Greivin

Lisa is a very good friend of mine, who has brought many teams to Costa Rica, has served with CFCI, and has lived with Orlando and I. During all of these adventures she met a Tico (Costa Rican) and just has her civil wedding here on July 22nd. She is getting married by the church on August 11th. Orlando and I were their witnesses for the civil ceremony. We are so thrilled for them!

Friends Forever

Another incredible way in which the Lord has blessed me this summer has been through my friend Trisha Stevens. We were friends in high school and are now rekindling a wonderful friendship. She decided to come for 2 months to study Spanish in an intensive course. In the meantime she is reminding me how to laugh hysterically at everything as we used to in high school and just enjoy life in general. I love her discerning spirit and they way she has truly jumped into the Costa Rican culture. Praise the Lord for friends!

While Trisha was here, another of our high school girlfriends, Laura Lamirand, visited us! So, with all three of us together, it was a bit crazy!

The Alvarez Family

God is so good! One of things that I am most excited about is how the Lord has strengthened my relationship with Orlando's family. I have always gotten along really well with them but over the last year with having them live just two doors down, the relationships have really grown. It is so much fun to have family to share life with, especially with my US family being so far away.

Ramsey has a new brother...

Many of you have been asking the big question, "So, when are you going to have children?" Well, I am excited to announce that Ramsey has a new brother...Whisky (Scottish Terrier)! Okay, so maybe that isn't the news that you were hoping for, but we are thrilled! And, believe it or not, Ramsey and Whisky are getting along well. We rescued Whisky off the side of a highway, completely uncared for. He is doing well and keeps our lives interesting!

Kellie and Orlando's House

Well, I know it has been over a year since we moved into our new house, but we've been a bit slow in sending you pictures. The Lord has blessed us in amazing ways with a roof over our head that is our own. Okay, so it is a bit more than a roof...:) We are so thankful that we can continually share it with others, whether they be family, friends, church, ministry, etc. Hospitality is something we truly enjoy. So, if you are ever wanting to visit Costa Rica or even better yet, us, please know that our doors are always open!

AGUA

Hello Friends! It has been way too long since we have updated our blog. I guess the old saying holds true, "time flies when you are having fun." I can truly say that we are having fun and I give full credit to my Lord for all that he is doing in our lives. This photo was taken a couple of months ago with our junior high youth group. Orlando and I have had the privilege of serving in our local church Tabernacle Christian Fellowship (Comunidad Cristiana del Tabernáculo). The church is still small, as it has only been in existance for about 2 1/2 years. However, the community is growing. We have been having a blast with these junior highers. I am re-learning not only what it is like to be a teenager but also one in a different cultural context. We just completed a unit that revolved around the first letter of AGUA - "Alistarnos para Vivir en Pureza" which means "Readying ourselves to live in purity". We focused a lot of sexual purity and not being anxious to get into relationships but valueing friendships. We have just begun another unit which is taken from the G in AGUA "Guerreros para el Reino de Dios" which means "Warriors for God's Kingdom". This series focuses on outreach and local missions. We are currently preparing a drama to presented to these adolescents' friends on a special day. Please pray for us in that we would have wisdom, patience, and creativity in leading this energy filled group!