May/June Update

Hey there family & friends,

It’s been just over a month since our last update and again it has been a full schedule on this side of the Americas (Costa Rica).

A key event in May was when Murray, Michelle, and Mikaela went to Venezuela for the Leadership Matters course on relationships.  Murray & Michelle were trainers (in Spanish) and Mikaela cared for the Hiebert boys so that Chris & Angela could also be trainers.  It was a great opportunity to develop relational skills in most of the CMA leaders in that country.

After the course Murray stayed on in Caracas for a few days, meeting with the team, and taking a day to do something exciting.  Paragliding over the mountains west of Caracas was a spectacular experience.  First time ever and something I would do again, and again, and again.

Murray went straight from Venezuela to Mexico City for further meetings about a joint venture called The Coyoacan Project.  This is an effort to start an international Christian school in the Coyoacan area of Mexico City, in partnership with a local church and a community development group.  We are excited that the plans are moving forward and we anticipate an August 2014 launch.  This will not only supply a great educational option for our MKs but it will be a key avenue for impacting that part of Mexico City.

June has already had some excitement.  Mikaela had her first jumping competition at the beginning of the month.  It has been so cool to watch her confidence and ability grow in a short period of time.  She loves being on a horse.

We had a chilly mountain retreat with our house church people – high above San Jose and close to the Barva volcano.  We will miss this group of people who have been a joy to be with weekly for the past 2 years.

Murray had another adventure this month with some friends 40 miles off the west coast of Jaco, Costa Rica – deep sea fishing.  The last time he went was over 15 years ago.  This trip was amazing – 4 tuna, 1 mahi mahi, 2 sail fish, and 3 blue marlin (sailfish and marlin were catch and release of course).  It was a memorable day with friends and God’s incredible creation.

June 12 was Mattea’s graduation from Middle School at Country Day School.  It was a great celebration with her classmates and their families.

On June 17 we move from Costa Rica back to Kelowna, BC, Canada.  We plan on returning in one year.  We are looking forward to being close to family and friends for a time.  Our plan is to come back to Costa after the year for another term.

Thanks for your prayers for us and for keeping up with us through this blog.

Murray & Michelle, Mikaela & Mattea