First Step: Pre-Missionary Training in Springfield, Missouri

     

Our family at Springfield, Missouri

     Our first step to this amazing journey was to complete our Pre-Missionary Training in Springfield, Missouri last June 2014.  Although we were there for only 2 weeks, we were able to connect with other missionary families, and we were also able to create friendships that will last for a very long time.  We were able to spend an  entire week training with all the missionaries from the Latin America/ Caribbean Region. It was vital to meet all these families because these are the same families that would be going to language school with us in Costa Rica.  It was nice to spend some quality time with people that have the same heart to serve Jesus in another country.  There were 100 missionaries from all over the world present during this training. Each day was filled with classes from 9am to 5pm with amazing speakers that focused on different subjects such as adapting to a different culture, raising our children in a different nation, building connection with other missionaries, and knowing how to use available resources for healthcare and financial budgets.  It was very inspiring to be a part of a group of people that all had wonderful testimonies of how the Lord called them to serve on the field. 

We are officially in training

    In addition, the training had an incredible program for the kids called” ISMK,” International School for Missionary Kids. The children learned that they are not only “Missionary’s Kids”, but that they are also considered “Missionaries!”  Selah did so well with this program. As a mom, my biggest fear was that our children would have a hard time dealing with changes.  But one thing that we learned during this whole training is that children are super resilient.  Selah loved her teachers, and she enjoyed participating in all the activities. It impressed me how she handled being away from mommy and daddy for the whole day and not feel any separation anxiety.  This was another God-answered prayer!

Mommy duties in between training sessions.
This is Selah, our eldest and her younger sister Shiloh.

       

Making friends!

Selah enjoyed her time at ISMK

   On the last day of training, we were all excited to be commissioned as official “Missionaries.”  As the Great Commission states in Matthew 27:19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

A map of America.
The rays show different destinations for God's Missionaries.
For our family, it is El Salvador.