PRACTICAL USE OF OUR SPANISH
Spanish is coming along very well. The school has been wonderful and the teachers are incredible. We have managed to maintain mostly A’s and a few B’s on all our tests. We have about eight weeks of language school left and we are very pleased with the progress thus far. We know the language well enough to have complete conversations with the Ticos and perform daily tasks with out asking “¿Habla ingles?” So, we have been ministering to a woman named Sandra and we are happy to finally use what we have learned to be effective for Christ. It’s a bit sloppy and humbling but we’re happy to be used in this way. Please pray for her situation, which we will share at a later time. Also, pray that she receives a real and tangible relationship with Christ.
WHAT? SCHOOL DURING THE SUMMER TOO? AWWW…
The kids have now started summer school program. I was a bit saddened at the fact they will not have the summer off before they will begin school in Quito, Ecuador. However, Easton will be partaking in three swim lessons and eight Taekwondo lessons all in Spanish. The program was cheaper than the cost of hiring a sitter for five days a week so they will have to attend school but we are praying they will have fun.
KEEPING BUSY AS ALWAYS
Jeramy enjoys the challenge of taking on and managing many tasks so we have taken on the task of coordinating the big brother program at the Language Institute. This means we have to pair up all the new students/families arriving next semester with someone already attending the school. The purpose of the big brothers are to set up the new arrivals with at place to live, start-up groceries, pick-up from airport, and help introduce them to Costa Rica by showing them around. Join us in prayer for these new students as they prepare for a life changing transition and start their journey into the mission field. Jeramy is also working with the school on proposing and installing a wireless distribution system for the entire student body to use on campus.
STUDENT VISA vs. WEEKEND IN NICARAGUA
Since we are attending the school here in Costa Rica longer than 90 days, we each would require a student visa to stay in the country legally. This expense would have cost our family about $1600 and a whole lot of paperwork and appointments. So we decided to leave the country and go to Granada, Nicaragua for 72 hours and come back with a fresh 90 days. The trip cost less than a third of the student visas and our family got some well-needed rest and relaxation. The border situation was a bit nerve racking but we made it there and back safely. Praise God.
COMING UP NEXT
We will hit the ground running in Ecuador. When classes end here in Costa Rica on Aug 12th, our family will fly out the very next day and we will begin work at the Alliance Academy Intl. on Aug 16th. Our responsibilities with AAI will help us offset our lack of financial support and provide a great education for our kids. AAI is a ministry-oriented school, with an open enrollment to the general public of Ecuador, which focuses on bringing the gospel to its students and their families. We are excited to be part of such a reputable school.
SUPPORT AND ESSENTIAL NEEDS
We are still lacking monthly support and ask for prayers and consideration. We did not have enough start-up funding to purchase a few essential things for our lives in Ecuador. Most important of all would be the car, we had a great opportunity on a 2002 Honda CRV, but did not raise enough and the owners sold it already. Another great opportunity has come our way on a 2003 Chev Rodeo, but we are about $5000 dollars short. We find these cars priced below market value in Quito because the missionary families are exiting the country within a rather hurried and often short time frame. Please pray with us that the Lord will open doors and continue to show us His providence and provision. If you wish to be intentional in support of these needs, feel free to review the list at www.extremehing.org/strategic-giving and strategically plan your investment into our lives and work in Ecuador.
OUR PRAISE AND GRATITUDE
We want to thank many of you for your prayers. Easton is recovering well from his illness, we still struggle with Haven’s bedtime routine but it is improving, and of course all the homework we have has its ups and downs. Your prayers and encouragements have been plentiful and very timely. Thank you all for your loving kindness.
Be a blessing,
- The Hings