Nate Saint - A fixed part of our life from now on...

The Nate Saint School will be Georgia and Reese's school in the fall.  Before we visited Ecuador in 2012 the name Nate Saint was that of a missionary hero we read about in books and thought about infrequently but with utmost admiration. Beginning in August, as we walk through the town center of Shell a replica of his yellow airplane will hover over us. The girls will benefit from his vision of a school in Shell, Ecuador for missionary kids like ours. And, God willing, we will be working with leaders that have risen up because of Nate Saint's sacrifice to reach the lost at all costs, even death. 

God has the craziest way of bringing the imposible and unbelievable to reality.  Frequently we are caught in a daze wondering how in the world we ended up learning Spanish in Costa Rica to live in a jungle town in Ecuador.  Humbly we look forward knowing for darn sure that none of "our plan" is possible without God's providence (foreseeing care and direction) and provision.  

Exodus 14:14 - "God will fight for you, you need only be still."

We read the books...now we know they are right.

As of today we've completed 9 months of living abroad, submerged in Latin culture and away from the place we called home.

We have researched and prepared for this change of reality and cultural shock.  You can't prevent it, really, but it's served us well to be able to identify the struggles and growing pains as we weather them.

We are already processing that "home" is something we may never feel again. And, to be honest, we love this and we hate this.  The truth is if we are Believers we are aliens in this world. (I Peter 2:11-12) The sense of belonging we felt in the US very well could have been a product of complacency and distraction from how different we are as followers of Christ.

The flip side?  Now we talk with Georgia and Reese about our many "homes"; our many places that we feel comfortable and surrounded by people we love and that love us right back.  Now this list includes - Denver, Winter Park, Costa Rica...and soon to be added to the list, we are sure...Ecuador.

Shall we talk about money? And faith?

Lately I (Chris) have been overwhelmed with a feeling of encouragement knowing how many people are supporting us (both financially, prayerfully, and in moral support).  As a missionary, living far away from daily interaction with so many we love this is a HUGE encouragement.  I also have been thinking of the fact that this consistency is a symptom of our supporter's faith in God and desire to live sacrificially for Him.  This is just where we want to be and we are spurred on knowing that our supporters desire to be in this same place.  This is made evident by their consistent giving, praying and reaching out. 

Learning to live off the "support of others" is an act of faith for us.  It is truly counter-culture, as a man, to surrender one's provision for his family to faith.  I know this is what God wants of us (no matter if we are missionaries or not) but right now the rubber is meeting the road in my belief that God will provide for all our needs.  He IS providing and he IS building my faith in the process.  

So, as you are reading this I hope and pray that you see that stepping out in faith (in everything -- but finances is often the toughest surrender) is a step worth taking.  As God calls, He always provides and then builds our faith for the next, often bigger, step.

To our supporters - 
Whether you know it or not, you are part of our faith walk and an incredible encouragement to us.  Your constancy blows us away and makes us thankful for so many deep and significant relationships with each of you.  Please know you are valued and that we are together, desiring to live lives of sacrifice for God's glory and so that all the world will hear the name of Jesus and be discipled to walk in His ways. 

How Do I Feel? By golly I have no idea!!!

Lately, the question, "How are you doing?" or, "How do you feel?" has been the dreaded, unanswerable question.  You see, we have lived in Costa Rica for 8 months now and will be leaving to move to our final place of ministry, Ecuador, in August.  

Thus far we have adjusted well but are now entering the "end of the honeymoon" phase of living abroad while looking forward to another big change...moving to Ecuador!  

Emotions are running high in the Ferry house.  This exhibits in tears, frustration, fear, hope, grief, excitement, anger, a desire to withdraw oneself socially and much more.  

Each member of our family has been struggling to put words to and order these many emotions.  So, we posted a key to help us identify our current state and communicate said state with our understanding (and albeit often confused or bewildered) family members. 

Although this phase can be difficult we are increasingly thankful for this opportunity to dig deeper as a family and learn more together. We are learning more about daily walking in the Spirit, not allowing our emotions to rule our behaviours and extending grace at every opportunity.  

Philippians 1:6 ...he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion...

Work it out!

We've always been an active family but moving to a city in Costa Rica took some adjustment.  Our first 3 months in Costa Rica were during the peak of the rainy season so we took to having indoor dance parties, indoor jump roping contests and, true confession, gained a few pounds...

Chasing away the blues to day
the Davis family left CR

A little 6am snorkel action!

Then, we got our feet under us, the rain stopped dumping and we began to take on exercise in the city - Ferry style! Now we play soccer, basketball, go running, have dance and lip-sync competitions, jump rope and more...



We've become even more convinced that breaking a sweat can chase away the blues, bring clarity, stress relief and giggles. And, counting sit ups and push-ups in Spanish can really improve your numerical vocab...

You might be in Spanish language school if...

• you can't speak English or Spanish well
• you conjugate Spanish verbs in your sleep
• 5am is a late wake-up call and bedtime is your favorite time of day
• when listening to the radio you think a song is in English and then realize it's in Spanish
• almost everything in your house is labeled with the Spanish word - who says you can't memorize vocab in the shower!?!
• your favorite study chair has a permanent butt mark
• you find yourself deep-breathing over disordered flash-cards
• you start a question to your child in English and finish it in Spanish...and then they answer you...all in Spanish  
• family inside jokes are now in Spanish 
• your new shower-song is a Spanish ballad
• you pray more than ever

Christmas in Costa Rica!

 Papa White Hair and Grandma J visited us over Christmas!  Seeing their faces at the airport was the beginning of many, "man this is awesome!" moments during the week.  One of the days we visited an active volcano (pictured to the left).  During our time a the National Park we were able to do some hiking which was a true highlight for these Colorado Ferry's living in Costa Rica!  Reese added in an extra measure of fun with her hiking-wresting hybrid.  

Never boring!

Back at home in San Jose we spent Christmas Eve making 6 pies, black bean brownies for Santa (yes, you read that right...), a birthday cake for Jesus, graham cracker gingerbread houses, poinsettia centerpieces from egg cartons and coffee filters, and egg carton Christmas trees.  We were super crafty and enjoyed time together chatting, laughing and creating.

Another day during Christmas break we visited the Doka Coffee Estate.  We learned that Doka exports 80% of its coffee to Starbucks!

It was a big day as Georgia and Reese tasted coffee for the 1st time.  Chris and I are so proud being HUGE coffee drinkers ourselves.  I'm not sure they'll be drinking it daily but we rest at night knowing we have at least paved the path for them to enrich their life with the magic bean of COFFEE!!!!  We take our parental duties very seriously.

Chris and Bob took time together to chat and catch up.  Bob's constant presence in his son's life has been a great stabilizing factor and Chris is grateful for his continued presence as we life abroad. We praise God that Bob and Judy were able to come and share in the Costa Rica phase of our journey towards Ecuador.

Tina spent much of the Christmas break in the kitchen cooking three meals a day for our family and visitors.  Now before you say, "Poor Tina!" remember that cooking is one of her favorite hobbies.  So, this time was spent in great joy and having Grandma J do all the dishes made it all the sweeter!!

In the end, Christmas week was a sweet time of family and celebration.  Although we didn't have a "real tree" or snow or all of our family and friends present the Reason for the Season remained.  Jesus.  The Greatest Gift of All.  We enjoyed celebrating His birth in new and different ways this year in Costa Rica.  This year we had carrot and pineapple birthday cake adorned with our homemade poinsettia centerpieces...  Feliz Navidad from Costa Rica!