Living Unplugged

A friend gave me an ipod and it has been great listening to sermons and music (in Spanish!). Studying in a coffee shop or working out at the gym I can just be in my own world. It helps me also redeem the time at work, able to listen to some good preaching.

However, if I never took off the headphones what does that say to anyone around me? I had a friend in college who used to purposely where a pair of ear plugs around his neck, but not plugged in, just to tell people “Hey, I’m listening.” An interesting fashion statement... As a Christian however, zoning out and letting the world go by is self-focused. By living a life "unplugged" our eyes begin to be opened to those around us, a brother/sister in Christ, someone lost, or even our own family.

This has to begin committing our day with prayer, setting our affections on things above. Then committing to making ministry our life. Rather than fitting in "God-stuff" in our schedule, but giving God our date books.

Two examples of men who lived “unplugged”

Philip - (ready, willing, obedient, eager, apt)
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest (Acts 8:29-30)?”

Timothy - (Christ focused)
For I have no man likeminded who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s (Philippians 2:20-21).”

Here is next months itinerary:
May 1-4 - Faithful Five Gathering – N.Y.
May 7-11 – Missions Conference – Fellowship Bible Church, Methuen, MA
May 18-21 – Missions Conference – Calvary Baptist Church, Whitefield, ME
May 24 – Josiah’s 3rd Birthday!!

The Spanish Institute

I had a great conversation with someone already at the language institute. He and his wife (Brian and Mary Dennett; http://www.thedennetts.blogspot.com/) are missionaries to Guatemala who are currently attending the Spanish Institute along their five kids. His positive attitude and encouragement really got us excited to get there and begin our studies and show us that many of our fears were misguided.

The Fear: Classes would take up the entire day, ending at five, who will watch our kids?
The Reality: Classes end either at noon or one. Our kids will stay in a nursery on campus who we can see during our breaks. I'll see my kids more there and I do now.

The Fears: What will we bring? What do we pack? What can we get there?
The Reality: Most everything is available there. However, electronics, small appliances, and some grocery items are more expensive. There is also a place owned by Wal-mart ...enough said.

The Fear: The class work is intense.
The Reality: Learning a language is a challenge and everyone is at a different level. The teachers want you to succeed and most pressures are self-induced.

The Fear: What if our kids get sick?
The Reality: There is an American doctor who who is on campus a couple days during the week and there is also state of the art hospital that also happens also to be evangelical Christian.

The Reality: It is a great school with quality committed teachers, surrounded by good fellowship and student camaraderie, in a picture perfect climate.

Have you had any Spanish?
Steve: I took about 4 semesters of Spanish in college, but at the same time was taking 3-4 other classes. It will be good to focus on the language and put the time into it?
Becky: I have had no formal Spanish. All I have had is one month in Argentina living with a national couple who didn't speak English.

When do you hope to be in language school?
We continue to pray to be at language school in Costa Rica at the end of this August. Our mission requires us to be at 90% of our monthly support, currently we are at 78%.

How can you be praying?
Please pray that our support level will be what it needs to so we can get there. We are refreshed and excited about embarking on this endeavor to learn Spanish in Costa Rica.

"So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air." - I Corinthians 14:9

Pray that we could learn Spanish well, that we could clearly preach the saving gospel of Christ, and that He would be glorified!

Welcome to the NY Interstate

We aare excited about things coming into place. April 1st- We are going to be moving in with Steve's mom in Sandown, NH. Please pray for the transaction of our home to go smoothly. This is one more transition closer to getting to Argentina.

We had asked you to pray for us back in December about future meetings and our schedule has been filling up for the rest of the winter and spring time: mission conferences, vacation bible schools, and oportunities to share the ministry and preach God's word. We are hoping to be at 90% of our required monthly support by August and begin language training in September. Right now we are at 77%!

Here is where we have been in February:

February 3rd - Nashua Baptist Church, Nashua NH

February 17th - Centereach Bible Church, Centereach NY

Next month we have a couple more meetings in New York. But Both of which are closer than our longest drive, Mars Hill ME (8hrs!). We cannot complain, we are so thankful that God has kept our meetings close by.

The above photo was on our way to Long Island this last weekend (Our stay there was as good as the bagels!). We are getting eager to have more interaction with this bridge which spans the Parana River and connects the cities of Resistencia and Corrientes.

This Elliott getting way to confident with the cruise control

and Josiah eating his weight in snow.

A Winter Review

Christmas was a blast with the two boys this year. We had a quiet holiday season at home spending lots of time with our families, making many memories which we will cherish in the years to come.

There was a little girl at a church in Maine who saved up all her change with the help of her grandma. She showered the boys with new gifts and gave Becky and I a gift certificate to the grocery store, we were so humbled.

January 3rd marked our 4 year wedding anniversary! We enjoyed a quiet night out while the boys stayed at home with grandma.

Thank you for your prayers for us concerning meetings! The Lord has been opening up doors of opportunities to preach the word and present our ministry. Here is our January itinerary:

January 6 - Haven of Rest Baptist Church, West Haven CT

January 10 - Calvary Christian School (K-5) chapel, Derry NH

January 23 - Clinton Baptist Church, Clinton ME
January 25 - Calvary Christian School (6-12) chapel, Derry NH

January 26 - Men's Breakfast - Fellowship Bible Church, Chester NH

January 27 - Calvary Baptist Church, Woodsville NH

Our meeting at Haven of Rest is Becky's best friend Becky's church. We were able to spend the afternoon at her parents house and our Josiah was able to play with Becky's little brother Josiah. (Confused? me too...). This was our 3rd attempt to be at this church. The first time there a parade came though town which closed the main streets and 2nd time we had been snowed out (back in December). The pastor there is really right on the front lines of ministry and has a real zeal for reaching the lost.

Thank you for your faithful prayers!