training

I've been walking for close to 2 years now. Nothing competitive, just getting out most mornings and walking for about an hour. A few weeks ago my dear friend, Mindy, ran the Nike 1/2 marathon in San Francisco in honor of her mother who is a survivor of Cancer. That got me thinking - could I WALK a 1/2 marathon? I'm just too tall and gangly, knees not up to it person to run. But walking - that I can do! So I told Mike to sign me up and I was going to do it!

Starting Sunday I officially start my 12 week long training for the P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona on January 16th. I'll keep you posted!

Homeschool

So...we have this absolutely incredible homeschool program. However, one of the primary "problems" we have is that we need wireless to do it. It won't work on our Mac's, so we need a PC. Our PC is so old it won't recognize our internet card - so Madison has to do part of her homeschooling at home, then we have to go someplace that has wi-fi. A few times that has meant the local Starbucks. The other times has been to the library. The library would be my first choice, but because of budget cuts, our local library isn't open on Mondays - so that's when we've been going to Starbucks. Oh the "trials" of traveling missionaries!

Hanging at the local Starbucks for school

Armenia Bonito Ministry Center Update

We are constructing a ministry center in Armenia Bonito. On this two-acre facility we will have an indoor soccer facility, a high school, a medical clinic and a church.

The workers just completed the floor on the soccer field/multipurpose building and the walls for the high school are now 5-10 feet off the ground.

Take a look at this 1 minute 30 second video to see the progress:

School

Public school Kindergarten and 1st grade
Homeschool 2nd - 5th grade
Private school at the Language Institute in Costa Rica for 6th grade
Private bilingual school in La Ceiba, Honduras for 7th grade
Different bilingual school in La Ceiba, Hondduras for 8th grade
On-line homeschool for 9th grade....

for 10th and 11th grade she will go to the second bilingual school in Honduras. The schools there "graduate" at 11th grade, so then...
Homeschooling for 12th grade to finish up High School and do college prep.

And so it continues. Never knew of a kid who got such an eclectic array of schooling - but that's my kid. Funny thing is - I advised Madison that I thought she would have a great experience studying abroad as she will be totally fluent in Spanish by the time she graduates. She took one look at me and said, "mom...I AM studying abroad." Well - what can I say to that? So she is :-)

Prayers for my girl as she is studying hard this school year.

Mission Conference Is Great For Maddy

Madison performing at the talent show.

Monday is our last full day at MTW’s Latin American Mission Conference in Mexico. There are over 300 missionaries here. All ages of kids have their own programs separate from the adults. Madison is in the “Youth” program, which consists of all the teenage missionaries.

Madison has spent 10-12 hours a day in the massive and very active youth ministry organized by MTW’s Global Youth & Family Ministry (GYFM). Let me be frank for a second (nothing new, right?). In our five years of being involved with MTW Mike and I have NEVER been happy with MTW's attention, care and support of children. We believe that this has been an area that has been sorely lacking in MTW’s missionary preparation and care.

That being said, we could not be more pleased with the care and treatment of youth at this event. From babies to teens MTW has provided 40-50 fulltime staff to care for our kids. And, this is NOT babysitting. This is praying, Bible studies, counseling and lots of fun. Madison has made friends with other weird missionary kids and counselors that she will maintain for life.

Please be in prayer for the GYFM staff as they too need to raise support so they can support kid missionaries. We would like to personally thank the GYFM Director, Dr. Eric Larsen, Ruthanne Burch and Madison’s Leader, Rachel Collins for all they did for our daughter.

Mexico

Hanging out in Mexico with peeps from Mexico, Central, and South America. This is MTW's every four year event. Gathering of folks to talk, fellowship, and hang-out. We will be here for a week. Cool thing is we are meeting up with Shannon, another team mate, who is currently in language school and will be joining us in Honduras in April. It's been a long time since we've seen her, so it's been a reunion of sorts. Of course it's great hanging with all our folks from Honduras - so a reunion of sorts. Take care everyone - and "see ya around".

Update

Eating, visiting, church hopping, shopping, repeat....that's been our schedule - we are exhausted, but enjoying the time. Off to Mexico tomorrow for additional training/retreat, etc. for all the missionaries with Mission to the World in the Latin America vicinity. We hope this will be a refreshing time for our family to take a much needed break for a few days. Love to everyone and hope to see everyone soon!!!!!