Before you read this entire update, know that there are some great things going on. Spending a lot of time with Pastor Phil and others.   As I write this note today (Oct 16th, 2008), it is still raining with no signs of letting up soon. I have stopped counting after five days in a row, here in Tamarindo. The weather can bring people's spirit down. People here seem to be a little depressed. I am sure, if the weather was better, economy was healthier and they were focused upon Christ; it wouldn't be as down as it seems. I find myself having to be extra charged up to listen to there thoughts. Meaning that I want to listen to them and reassure them; it just that it takes more energy than normal. Also getting around in the relentless rain (which is really a 24hr flood warning in full effect) can be difficult to impossible. A lot of roads are washed out, landslides are common and going up the mountain is not advised.    Ok, enough of the downside.... When I do run into people I know or new people, the rain helps for everyone to stay in one place for a longer time. Which leads to more conversation time. Now keeping the focus positive and on Christ makes for some great quality time. Many in depth talks about prayer and how to pray have been brought up. The Bible has been more open that closed..... as it should be right. Also much talk of humanitarian needs and solutions to the topics brought up. God has never left here; people just have to look up, even if the rain drops get into there eyes.

Below is a picture of Tamarindo river mouth and usually you can see land across the way.

   .Below is another pic from a empty rainy flooded restaurant.

September 17th>  This year is flying by and some days I feel like I am traveling more than being in one place. And this is a good thing.... sort of.... For those that don't know; the goal/ vision is to be living full time in the Tamarindo area. Hosting short term mission trips will be a slice of vision. Learning the language and meeting new people daily will be another slice of the grand pie of witnessing. More later.....

>I have been very busy serving the our Lord in many other areas: Liberty church North campus has been growing and I have enjoyed meeting the new people who are coming and getting to know the established families in more depth. Also taking charge of the parking ministry and helping with the information ministry as well as a few other areas.                                                       >June was a great month in Costa Rica: missions, discipleship and a lot of great fellowshipping. I was in Tamarindo again, to help in the planning of many outreaches that we will be doing in mid to late August. I have a great guy going down with me to help and see for himself for the first time what a mission trip is all about. He is going to have such a great time. Keep us both in your prayers: for safe travel, God's blessing & God's wisdom in everything we do. We are planning kids swim lessons, kids soccer (futbol), Surf contest ( free to only local kids & adults), Christian music concert, Young adult soccer outreach, Drama outreach and much more. Oh yeah, I am also hoping that Mike from Walking On Water can hook us up with a Spanish DVD of there movie from last year and we will show it for the first time in Costa Rica. Keep that in your prayers as well.                                                                    >We are teaming up with a great group (25 awesome people) from Southern California. I work with them last year and we were so blessed by Christ. We leave on Aug 12th and might return around Aug 29th. I am leaving the return date in God's hands.  Also teaming up with us is a nice young lady from Switzerland. Yeah Switzerland. How crazy good is that. God brings up some people from areas that you would imaging or maybe it's just me. Now if God send someone from Siberia, I would really be left scratching my head as to what He is doing. But I often do that anyways. .....Alright now it time for me to get to those photos....... Everyone, keep encouraging me, I really appreciate it when you all do that..... Blessings and Pura Vida,

In August much is planned and I will follow what God leads me to..... more to come later.

June 08 was praying and planning for many future outreach in Tamarindo & surrounding areas. Also it was a great time to meet many different people and become friends with them. Catch up with old friends and get there input for future events in there country. I was so pleased to hear that everyone was very happy to hear that I was helping to plan more outreaches and events. Most of these people are not believers yet.... But they have and want hope in something better. They will know soon what it is to have Christ in there own hearts. I pray for this every day. On the trip was a great friend ( Shane Lincke) who helped with getting sponsor for some of the outreaches that will be going on in August. Shane & I also had some good conversations and got to know each other better. (Shane keep the soccer skills coming)  We did get to spend sometime with the kids at Villa Real; but it was not enough. I was glad to see them with there contagious smiles. And hope to be playing soccer and spreading the love of Christ with them soon.

In October 07 there was many activities.... East Coast trip, that lasted a little longer than I thought. I went to Cocoa Beach for a conference and toward the end of the event, my vehicle's water pump went out while I was driving on the highway. Long story short; I had major damage to my engine and the cost of repairs was very expensive. Thank the dear Lord I broke down near my friend's house. So I had a place to stay while waiting on repairs to be completed. I had a good time with my friends and especially meeting new friends and witnessing to those who would listen. There was also the triathlon that some of us surfers helped with, Walking On Water premiere in Cocoa Bch, a benefit surf contest in St Augustine, Fl and Fun Fest @ Liberty Church's Blue Angel campus and visited a 87 yr old surf legend that just wanted to hang out with a few Christian surfers and watch surf movie before he passed away.

Update for beginning of September... Good exciting news from the Liberty Churches; they have teamed up with me in following God's plan for me in full time missions. Thank you Josh & Buford Lipscomb and Ron Rice. I am proud to be part of a wonderful group of people.

The month of August... It was good to go to El Salvador. The trip made me home sick for Costa Rica. Then returning to Florida's record heat wave (100 with a 120 heat index and the water temp was around 89) really made me want to get back to CR.  We had a small ground swell from Hurricane Dean; but the heat keep me out of the water during mid day. That's just a hot month. Now we are in Sept and cooled down to the low/ mid 90's....... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>  Liberty Church (9 Mile & Blue Angel) said that they will team up with me in going down to Costa Rica as a full time missionary. There faith and love, is most thankful. Keep praying that more will team up and help.

Matthew 7: 1-5     Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For the same way you judge others you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (against you). Why do you look (judge) at the speck of dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

 In the U.S. contact Sean @ 850.206.1504 This picture is from a place that I enjoy sitting, thinking & praying. Sometimes we need to just sit down and listen to what God has to say. This beach is near Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Ask and I might take you there and we will talk about what God has going on in your life.