January 2012
…and the Spanish learning begins
The month of January started Justin’s first trimester of language school along with some other events. As soon as orientation began we prepared to head over the border to Panama to renew our visas, but the Lord had other provision for us and allowed us to complete the submission of our student visa information and we will now be able to say in country until schooling is completed. Justin rated very high in the 1st trimester after his placement testing and 2 weeks after school began his entire class moved forward to learning 2nd trimester material. This is excellent news and means that Justin is getting very good at speaking Spanish! He is also becoming very brave with his Spanish and even took off with some of the men to hand out tracts one day in down town San Jose. We have also begun attending the student chapel services again and have been attending a Spanish speaking local church on Sunday mornings. There is also a Bible study on Sunday afternoons that Justin has been going too and we call in for Wednesday night services at our home church in Rogers, AR. When school started Justin was also asked to represent the 1st trimester students in student counsel. The role of this position is not very demanding but he is happy to be as involved as possible while we are here. Our focus is to encourage other brothers and sisters while we can and get involved in as many evangelic ministry opportunities as possible, while first finishing homework and studies to prepare us for where the Lord sends us after language school. The biggest prayer we have focused on lately for the ministry is for preparation and clarity on where the Lord wants to use us once we have learned Spanish. There are so many options. North America, South America and Central America are just the large areas of Spanish speaking cultures; there are Hispanic/Latin American communities all over the world and millions of people who need the gospel preached in this language! We know the Haitian/Dominican border has several Spanish speaking communities, along with Peru and even the United States. Our hearts have always been for unreached people groups, but above all we want to be sure we are in His will and that our desire is for His will; wherever that takes us for the gospel’s sake!
Family Corner
Justin has enjoyed school and is beginning to be challenged by the material more and more each day. They say not to focus on the grades while you are learning, but Justin is doing excellent even in his testing (with all ‘A’s so far). Aside from school and homework, Justin has been attending in as many Bible studies or opportunities to witness that he can – it seems as though this year may fly by as much as there is on his plate now and he is excited to be busy for the Lord!
Kevin is doing excellent in school as well and we have been able to be creative lately, which is always fun! He will be on his last book this week for reading “Martin Luther King, Jr.”, but we hope to get some more very soon. He is super excited to see some of his grandparents this month!!!
Annika is always bruised now a’ days. Since walking has began she has a nice bruise on her chin and even a cut on her knee…she seems to be getting tougher in taking the falls though! She is also full of all sorts of personality and will run away in a heartbeat when she knows she has something she shouldn’t (which is also getting harder to keep her from as she is tall enough to reach most things!)
I have been enjoying a new Bible study and still breaking away at Spanish on the computer. The kitchen is still a playground to me in learning new dishes. This month I am going to have the moms/wives from the school over for fellowship.
“In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song…. No guilt in life, no fear in death. This is the power of Christ in me”
I’m reading a book on hope right now and it speaks of how suffering, trials, waiting, etc… are all inevitable. Then of course it gives scripture that teaches, reminds and ensures us of the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Hope is not a feeling or a desire for something to be…it is a certainty; an absolute!
-Bobbi Ann
Costa Rica
Rice and Beans, Rainforest, scary driving; No matter what you think of when you hear the words Costa Rica, the sin, the beauty and the need for the gospel are the same as the rest of the world. Here we are surrounded by the most beautiful mountains, tropical trees and unique animals. However, we are also surrounded by pollution, pornographic theaters, immodesty and all around, uncensored sin. Somehow our minds, even knowing sin is sin, get caught up and focused on depicting one area or part of the world as needier than another. The one and only true NEED in this world is Christ and a relationship with Him. We cannot and must not get caught up in the society or culture in which we are participating. There are definitely benefits to learning and living parts of the culture, it allows for opportunities to reach the lost (even Paul says he becomes all things for all people) but he also says not to trample on grace…sin is sin and is not acceptable in the sight of the Lord. No matter where we travel now, our family has developed a mind to separate, when necessary, what is culturally acceptable if it interferes with spreading the gospel. Why did Paul spend so much of his life in prison, because what he did was not socially acceptable…but it glorified Christ!
Thanks-Giving
Thank you all for your continual encouragement and prayers. We also want to thank everyone that continues to have faith in the Lords work overseas and trusts Him with your financial contributions. The hospital is coming along in Haiti (almost finished) and there have been more opportunities to share the gospel in Costa Rica this month (as our Spanish grows)! Please continue to send us your prayer requests! God Bless!
Praises/Prayers
Praises:
· Our visa information is turned in and being processed and we do not have to leave the country at this time!
· We have run out of witnessing tracts (getting more though!)
· Justin is doing so well in school he has already moved on to 2nd trimester work
Prayer Requests:
· Hearts to be opened to the gospel and opportunities to reach people
· A Spanish tongue for each of us
· Clarity on where the Lord wants us to go after school.
FEBRUARY
*SON Ministries is making a trip into Haiti and our prayers are with that team
*Bobbi Ann will be hosting a fellowship for the missionary women
*We get to attend spiritual emphasis week at the school (similar to revival (two services a day for a week))
* Justin’s parents are coming to Costa Rica to visit (we are very excited).
*NO foreseen fundraisers this month; as of now!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Staying Focused!
Hola Amigos,
We have completed another week here in San Jose, Costa Rica at the Language School and at home. This week was filled with thrilling adventures of Jack Sparrow and Aeing Spanish tests. The week also consisted of many a' rounds of the Veggie Tale Theme Song.
At the Language Intitute, Justin has been chugging right along and has had tough days or trying to figure out new language rules, etc and great days of encouragement in getting 'A's on all 3 tests he has taken so far. Chapel services have been wonderful and encouraging and when there is free time there have also been many Bible Studies to get involved in as well.
The Institute a la Home has also been interesting this week as we have jumped into the food pyramid and making menus as well as multiplying money and 3-4 digit numbers. Kevin's attitude has been good this week and he seems to be enjoying his topics of study at the moment - which always make school more fun!
Annika is continuing to talk and eat and play and, well, just be Annika. She is growing so fast too. I had to go through her cloths this week and actually clear out quite a load. I have also never seen so many bruises on one child before. Ever since walking has started she is falling over, climbing and falling and running into or waiting to be hit by doors...therefore we have all learned to look around every corner carefully before proceeding!
We are all still studying away at Spanish and look forwad to visiting the local church again this week to worship in Spanish Sunday morning. Justin's parents are planning to visit this month and we are excited to see them. We also have spiritual empahsis week at the end of February and look forward to that.
Please continue to pray for opportunities to witness (we will be grocery shopping for next month here in a week so it is an opportune time to witness to our taxi driver). Also, we are really focusing and seeking the Lord as to clarity to prepare for wherever He wants to use us once language school is completed if you would join us in praying for that. I (Bobbi Ann) am also doing a great study right now and would like prayer for an amazing spiritual growth from this study please...so far it has been amazing.
Thank you all for your thoughts prayers and support,
Justin, Bobbi Ann, Kevin and Annika White
We have completed another week here in San Jose, Costa Rica at the Language School and at home. This week was filled with thrilling adventures of Jack Sparrow and Aeing Spanish tests. The week also consisted of many a' rounds of the Veggie Tale Theme Song.
At the Language Intitute, Justin has been chugging right along and has had tough days or trying to figure out new language rules, etc and great days of encouragement in getting 'A's on all 3 tests he has taken so far. Chapel services have been wonderful and encouraging and when there is free time there have also been many Bible Studies to get involved in as well.
The Institute a la Home has also been interesting this week as we have jumped into the food pyramid and making menus as well as multiplying money and 3-4 digit numbers. Kevin's attitude has been good this week and he seems to be enjoying his topics of study at the moment - which always make school more fun!
Annika is continuing to talk and eat and play and, well, just be Annika. She is growing so fast too. I had to go through her cloths this week and actually clear out quite a load. I have also never seen so many bruises on one child before. Ever since walking has started she is falling over, climbing and falling and running into or waiting to be hit by doors...therefore we have all learned to look around every corner carefully before proceeding!
We are all still studying away at Spanish and look forwad to visiting the local church again this week to worship in Spanish Sunday morning. Justin's parents are planning to visit this month and we are excited to see them. We also have spiritual empahsis week at the end of February and look forward to that.
Please continue to pray for opportunities to witness (we will be grocery shopping for next month here in a week so it is an opportune time to witness to our taxi driver). Also, we are really focusing and seeking the Lord as to clarity to prepare for wherever He wants to use us once language school is completed if you would join us in praying for that. I (Bobbi Ann) am also doing a great study right now and would like prayer for an amazing spiritual growth from this study please...so far it has been amazing.
Thank you all for your thoughts prayers and support,
Justin, Bobbi Ann, Kevin and Annika White
Friday, January 20, 2012
Keeping Up
Well i did well to keep it on Wednesdays for a while and then just kept falling sleep without update lately! So i guess i need to keep you posted for the last week!
We hope everyone is doing well. This week there have been several of our brothers and sisters in Christ on our hearts and in our prayers; we always try to remember specific prayer requests and life each of you up, but this week has just been an extra special time of individual prayers and special thoughts!
In School Justin's class has moved forward to 2nd trimester books already; which is good news as far as showing what they already knew, but mean much more studying and focus now! Today Justin is taking his first test! He has also taken time to sit down with me this week and teach me some things and he is keeping it on my level (which is difficult sometimes because i do learn a little slower and with repetition). Kevin is doing well is school as well. I realized today we are running out of literature so i had to send a request back home for some more story books! That is great news to me because i did not really enjoy reading for leisure or even book reports, but Kevin is a pro at readin and loves the adventures that each book holds! He is also applying his spanish when he gets opportunities!
A few days ago Justin was also invited to hand out tracs and witness. For Christmas he recieved a few spanish tracs and handed them all out! He enjoyed witnessing and having one on one time on the buss rides with individuals; as well as enjoyed the fellowship of his brothers in Christ he has met here in San Jose at the Language school!
We have been calling in to listen at the Piney Point sevices on Sundays and Wednesdays and have been blessed by it...we are however going to limit it to Wednesdays and start attending a spanish speaking church service on Sunday mornings, as well as meet with a group in English on Sunday afternoons. We have also been continueing to attend the chapel services on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the school. It is great to be surrounded by the word!
Annika has 7 full teeth now and continues to climb all over the furniture. She likes to have you follow her to the table and put her in her chair when she thinks it should be meal or snack time! There is no doubt our baby is turning into a toddler and way to fast! Jewelry, shoes and all sorts of girly things are still her favorites!
I could use a little prayer for physical health please. For about 3 weeks now I have had off and on stomach isssues and headaches. The headaches i am pretty sure are a caffiene issue that i probably just need to break by not drinking so much coffee, but we aren't quite sure what the stomach issue is; I have been trying to relax some everyday and stretch more to be sure it isn't stress on my body and then I also (with the help of my mom) started some natural remedies incase it might be a parasite. Hopefully between the relaxing my body and natural remedies whatever it is will subside soon :). It is wonderful and easing to know that my Lord is the great physician though and through prayer and taking care of the physical body He has given me...He will heal the pain!
thank you all for staying posted with us. It is almost time for our Monthly newsletter and we will recap all the things the Lord has allowed us to be a part of this month and the things we look foward to next month!
God Bless - please remember to email us at: whitefamilyhaiti@hotmail.com with prayer requests!
Justin, Bobbi Ann, Kevin and Annika White
We hope everyone is doing well. This week there have been several of our brothers and sisters in Christ on our hearts and in our prayers; we always try to remember specific prayer requests and life each of you up, but this week has just been an extra special time of individual prayers and special thoughts!
In School Justin's class has moved forward to 2nd trimester books already; which is good news as far as showing what they already knew, but mean much more studying and focus now! Today Justin is taking his first test! He has also taken time to sit down with me this week and teach me some things and he is keeping it on my level (which is difficult sometimes because i do learn a little slower and with repetition). Kevin is doing well is school as well. I realized today we are running out of literature so i had to send a request back home for some more story books! That is great news to me because i did not really enjoy reading for leisure or even book reports, but Kevin is a pro at readin and loves the adventures that each book holds! He is also applying his spanish when he gets opportunities!
A few days ago Justin was also invited to hand out tracs and witness. For Christmas he recieved a few spanish tracs and handed them all out! He enjoyed witnessing and having one on one time on the buss rides with individuals; as well as enjoyed the fellowship of his brothers in Christ he has met here in San Jose at the Language school!
We have been calling in to listen at the Piney Point sevices on Sundays and Wednesdays and have been blessed by it...we are however going to limit it to Wednesdays and start attending a spanish speaking church service on Sunday mornings, as well as meet with a group in English on Sunday afternoons. We have also been continueing to attend the chapel services on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the school. It is great to be surrounded by the word!
Annika has 7 full teeth now and continues to climb all over the furniture. She likes to have you follow her to the table and put her in her chair when she thinks it should be meal or snack time! There is no doubt our baby is turning into a toddler and way to fast! Jewelry, shoes and all sorts of girly things are still her favorites!
I could use a little prayer for physical health please. For about 3 weeks now I have had off and on stomach isssues and headaches. The headaches i am pretty sure are a caffiene issue that i probably just need to break by not drinking so much coffee, but we aren't quite sure what the stomach issue is; I have been trying to relax some everyday and stretch more to be sure it isn't stress on my body and then I also (with the help of my mom) started some natural remedies incase it might be a parasite. Hopefully between the relaxing my body and natural remedies whatever it is will subside soon :). It is wonderful and easing to know that my Lord is the great physician though and through prayer and taking care of the physical body He has given me...He will heal the pain!
thank you all for staying posted with us. It is almost time for our Monthly newsletter and we will recap all the things the Lord has allowed us to be a part of this month and the things we look foward to next month!
God Bless - please remember to email us at: whitefamilyhaiti@hotmail.com with prayer requests!
Justin, Bobbi Ann, Kevin and Annika White
Saturday, January 14, 2012
First Week of School
Wow, did wednesday sneak away on us? I was staying on track and then Justin started school and it seems like i also had time fly past this week...
This last week was Justin's first week at language school. His teachers only speak spanish and he has homework everynight; it may sound difficult and it is a little, but he is very much enjoying learning and was placed in a class with 4 other students on his learning level. The placement helps everyone to move at the appropriate rate for them. He also meets with student counsel and we have attended the first two chapel services this trimester.
Today was our normal day at the market and we met a lady there who after talking to her for no more than 4 minutes offered her experience in teaching me (bobbi ann) some costa rica cooking :)... We are suppose to get as involved in the culture as possible so hopefully i will find time to enjoy the company of this nice tico woman and learn some more culture and even spanish!
Both the kids have been doing well. Kevin has been trying to help around the house more without complaining and has hit the phase of taking things apart again and trying to put them together a different way! Annika has recieved a couple more teeth and reached a new level of scream we wish she hadn't found! All together they are both still adjusted well and both LOVE when skype rings from one of the family to see them :).
Our prayer request remain for opportunities to witness, provision for Kevin and I to learn Spanish quickly and effectively and for protection and strength against the devil.
God Bless!
The White Family - Justin, Bobbi Ann, Kevin and Annika White
This last week was Justin's first week at language school. His teachers only speak spanish and he has homework everynight; it may sound difficult and it is a little, but he is very much enjoying learning and was placed in a class with 4 other students on his learning level. The placement helps everyone to move at the appropriate rate for them. He also meets with student counsel and we have attended the first two chapel services this trimester.
Today was our normal day at the market and we met a lady there who after talking to her for no more than 4 minutes offered her experience in teaching me (bobbi ann) some costa rica cooking :)... We are suppose to get as involved in the culture as possible so hopefully i will find time to enjoy the company of this nice tico woman and learn some more culture and even spanish!
Both the kids have been doing well. Kevin has been trying to help around the house more without complaining and has hit the phase of taking things apart again and trying to put them together a different way! Annika has recieved a couple more teeth and reached a new level of scream we wish she hadn't found! All together they are both still adjusted well and both LOVE when skype rings from one of the family to see them :).
Our prayer request remain for opportunities to witness, provision for Kevin and I to learn Spanish quickly and effectively and for protection and strength against the devil.
God Bless!
The White Family - Justin, Bobbi Ann, Kevin and Annika White
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Around and Around We Go
Hello Everyone
This week has been filled with preparations to leave the country this coming weekend so that we can remain legal. However, the need to leave the country may dissolve soon. We recieved our paper work today and if the Lord wills, there is a chance it could be turned in by the end of the week and we will not have to go to Panama. We have already purchased our bus tickets, however, we would save hundreds of dollars if we could stay. Therefore our current prayer is that the Lord might allow us to stay in country!
Justin began orientation today at the school. He had to take both a written and oral exam. The written exam was taken with less confidence than the oral; but both just help the school know where to place each student and we want to be sure that we learn the language in such a way that we can be affected with the gospel for God! After school Justin was elected to be the representative for the 1st Trimester students; basically he gets to be the go to guy. This is an exciting opportunity to a.) get to know more people and b.) have opportunities to be a witness, not all students that attend the school are missionaries or even there for Christian purposes.
Kevin, Annika and I are adjusting to not having Justin around during the day again. Kevin and I are trucking away at our 'at home learning' spanish so that we can understand Justin and our neighbors! It is a fun adventure and we look forward to every opportunity we will get to use the language, especially if we can bring glory to God with it!
Continue to pray for doors to be opened and hearts to be softened and for our family to excel in this language and that the Lord would make it clear where He would like to use us after this...there is still a great need along the amazon and outside Iquitos, Peru with Brandon Caroll. Please continue to pray for that area. Also, keep Pastor Kenan Molme in your prayers adn the work being done in Haiti through the ministry the Lord has entrusted to him!
Thank you all and God Bless
Justin and Bobbi Ann White
This week has been filled with preparations to leave the country this coming weekend so that we can remain legal. However, the need to leave the country may dissolve soon. We recieved our paper work today and if the Lord wills, there is a chance it could be turned in by the end of the week and we will not have to go to Panama. We have already purchased our bus tickets, however, we would save hundreds of dollars if we could stay. Therefore our current prayer is that the Lord might allow us to stay in country!
Justin began orientation today at the school. He had to take both a written and oral exam. The written exam was taken with less confidence than the oral; but both just help the school know where to place each student and we want to be sure that we learn the language in such a way that we can be affected with the gospel for God! After school Justin was elected to be the representative for the 1st Trimester students; basically he gets to be the go to guy. This is an exciting opportunity to a.) get to know more people and b.) have opportunities to be a witness, not all students that attend the school are missionaries or even there for Christian purposes.
Kevin, Annika and I are adjusting to not having Justin around during the day again. Kevin and I are trucking away at our 'at home learning' spanish so that we can understand Justin and our neighbors! It is a fun adventure and we look forward to every opportunity we will get to use the language, especially if we can bring glory to God with it!
Continue to pray for doors to be opened and hearts to be softened and for our family to excel in this language and that the Lord would make it clear where He would like to use us after this...there is still a great need along the amazon and outside Iquitos, Peru with Brandon Caroll. Please continue to pray for that area. Also, keep Pastor Kenan Molme in your prayers adn the work being done in Haiti through the ministry the Lord has entrusted to him!
Thank you all and God Bless
Justin and Bobbi Ann White
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