Buenos Días de Costa Rica a su hogar. Greetings
from Costa Rica to your home. This last
month has been filled with new beginnings, big opportunities, and the same old
rut of learning another language. The
most obvious change to you all, is that I, Justin, will be writing these
newsletters. With Bobbi Ann in the
Spanish Language Institute she has been quite busy with her studies, so I am
trying to take some of the load from her shoulders. That being said, let me give you a run down
on the busy month of September!
Let’s start
with those “new beginnings”. On August
25th we welcomed the anticipated arrival of my parents; Steve and
Angel Hoover. They have been blessed
with the opportunity to come down and live with us for a year while Steve
attends the language institute along with Bobbi Ann. As you may already know, we have moved into a
house that has a built in apartment upstairs, which is now the humble home of
my parents. It is a blessing to us to
have them so near for many reasons; for encouragement, for accountability, for
companionship, and (the greatest of all) for babysitting! Shortly after their arrival, Steve and Bobbi
were thrust right in to the world of Spanish acquisition, officially starting
their classes on the 4th of September. Since that time they have been studying,
speaking, stressing and sweating over the many Spanish rules and exams that
they have already “encountered”. I can’t say that I do not enjoy watching my
family going through the same experiences that I know about all too well J
As for the big
opportunities, while Bobbi Ann is in school and my mom (Angel) is watching
Annika, I have the freedom during the week to actually do some ministry
work. That being said, I believe it to
be important that I not run about town creating a “new work” where there are
ministries already in place, so I have been, instead, searching for
opportunities within the established works.
I have been given some great opportunities already, one being working (voluntarily)
at the institute with the academic director on an up and coming Skype Lab
project. Another being a possibility to
minister long term here in Costa Rica by assisting in the training and
discipleship of pastors in impoverished areas all around the country. These pastors will receive free seminary
training via tablets with micro sd cards that hold all the information
needed. This training includes
everything from “Old Testament Survey” to “Systematic Theology”. Whereas this is a HUGE opportunity, it would
mean that we would have to be financially stable, be able to purchase and
maintain a vehicle, and have a strong and lasting support base. Be in prayer with me about that opportunity
and the provision to fulfill it if it be God’s will and way for us here in
Costa Rica. On a personal level, I am
seeking information on any and all homeless shelters and/or support groups and
other ministries in the area so that I may be able to provide that information
to all the students at ILE (the institute).
As gringos we receive a lot of beggars, and the common rule of thumb is
to not contribute to them. Why? Because these can be addicts or “career
homeless” persons, and whereas giving a little may seem like helping, in the
long run it is hurting them because it supports that lifestyle. If I could get the information of places that
could actually help those who are truly in need, we could give that information
out rather than money, material, or even food.
Those who are truly in need can seek that help from those resources, and
the others will simply quit coming to the “gringos” of the area.
Now, about
the same old rut of language learning, I am discovering each day that, though I
have a diploma that tells me I am bilingual, I still have so much more to
learn. So I am continuing in my studies
in my own time with the resources that I have been given. Steve and Bobbi Ann are coming right along
this last month. They’ve struggled with
it, some days more than others, but they are learning so much. They are completely experiencing that “after
language class slump” where you come home after struggling to think in 2
languages and you are just exhausted mentally and physically. Mom (Angel) is studying on her own using
resources like Spanishdict.com and others, Kevin can speak a tremendous amount
(yet still not at home when he can default to English), and Annika is picking
up words left and right. What a blessing
to watch as we all grow and learn and adapt for the glory of the Lord. Keep us in your prayers, especially Steve and
Bobbi Ann as they continue to struggle, to strive, and to store this new
language. God bless you all and thank
you so much for your prayerful and financial support. I pray that you will stay behind us for years
to come. Remember, tell your friends and
family about the work we’re doing here, even pass this letter along, and help
us get the word out about the ministry!
Adios hermanos!
-Justin,
Bobbi, Kevin & Annika White
SON
Ministries
