The Spanish Language Institute

I have just finished a fantastic week in San José, Costa Rica with Mary both ministering to and being ministered to by some of the most amazing people. This week has been one of my favorite ministry experiences. I love missionaries! I love meeting them, hearing their missionary call, learning about their pilgrimage to the mission field from virtually every walk of life, and seeing them serving with their children. I love ministering to them, encouraging them to keep on in tough times, and teaching them from God’s Word.

The last time we had this privilege was in 2008 and it was so encouraging to us that we were very thankful for another opportunity when Julie Chamberlain, Director of the Spanish Language Institute, invited Mary and me to do so again this year. Our week began on Saturday with an easy 2-hour flight from Louisville to Houston, and then a 3-hour leg from Houston to San José. Friends from Kentucky who are studying at the Institute met us at the airport in Costa Rica and took us to a room reserved for us at the AMCA guesthouse. We attended church Sunday morning with James and Heather Tieman and kids—friends from our home church in Louisville who are preparing to serve with the IMB among the Highland Quichuas in Ecuador. I preached twice a day to the missionary student body Monday through Friday. A different missionary family hosted us for every lunch and supper. What a joy it was to enjoy such delicious food and sweet fellowship. Mary and I were able to visit with the missionary families and both encourage them and be encouraged by them.

I knew that it was too good to last, but being in Latin America, spending time with missionaries, teaching the Bible, counseling, advising, and helping in the effort to reach and teach was as good as it gets. I would have loved to push the pause button to be able to enjoy that for a long time.

Another exciting part of the week was meeting the missionaries who will be part of the lives of Christopher, Carol, Abraham, and the yet to be born baby Sills very soon. My son will be taking his family to the Spanish Language Institute in January for Carol to study Spanish in preparation for serving in Ecuador with Global Outreach International. Check out this link to learn more about their vision and ministry. Mary and I were able to investigate several options for apartments and help in the selection process. Envisioning our kids in all the places we went made this second ministry opportunity at the Institute all the more exciting. The hospitality we experienced gives me great peace about them going there to serve.

I will pray for these missionaries and the Spanish Language Institute every day— and for the next time that God allows me to serve with them.