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.