Bus stop. Heading back to Costa Rica. Praying for as smooth of a trip back "home" as we had to Nicaragua. #visatrip #languageschool #instablog

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Safe and sound in Nicaragua. Enjoying some down time with a couple of classmates for a few days, although much homework will be included. Thanks for the prayers! #instablog

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Visa Run to Nicaragua. (We have to leave Costa Rica every 90 days so this is our first trip out of the country.). Please pray for smooth travels and safety. The bus trip could take 6 hours, or up to 12. 😬#instablog

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This guy has been working overtime memorizing vocabulary words. "Utíl" is the one he remembers the most so he has used it to answer many questions, giving us and the teachers a good laugh. This is his motto: Español es Utíl" #languageschool #instablog

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On our walk to find a (reasonable and affordable) coffee maker, we came upon this ice cream stand, in front of McDonald's. McDonald's in Costa Rica has fantastic service and food. Their presentation and taste exceed what we are used to in the United States. Although we did not get a treat for our walk, it was another reminder that things are different, sometimes better, in another country. #instablog

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CLEAR FOR TAKEOFF

ABWE requires 5 Clearances before being able to receive the final clearance to leave for the Mission field.  Medical, Regional Director, Financial, Education Department and Sending Church.  Last night we received our FINAL CLEARANCE so we are clear for takeoff!  The only thing that stands between us and that plane on August 23 is our commissioning service..........and a lot of packing, sorting, storing, goodbyes, personal arrangements.........   (no, we are not flying to Costa Rica on a military jet.)  We are incredibly grateful for your continued prayers!

Legal Week

This week we find ourselves taking care of a lot of necessary things that need to happen before we leave for Costa Rica.  Putting together a Will, Power of Attorney, financial information, changing addresses, new driver licenses, bank accounts, insurance policies, medical records and prescriptions.............. We have been typing, talking on the phone and driving a lot. The list seems to go on and on, but we are making progress.  In 6 weeks, we will have spent our first two nights in Costa Rica!

Suitcase Life

This Sunday, we will begin a summer full of traveling.  We will be traveling five of the nine weeks left between now and our departure to Costa Rica on August 23.  We will be visiting family, churches and taking some personal trips.  We would ask that you pray for our safety as we travel, no vehicle issues and sanity as we prepare to live out of suitcases for the next several weeks.

Countdown to departure!

We are coming down the home stretch!  There are two checkpoints left before we can leave:  (1) our final training at the end of April and (2) 100% of our minimum monthly requirement registered.

Three prayer requests in our last newsletter were to (1) have 85% monthly support registered by April 10 so we can attend Field Prep Seminar, (2) reach 100% of our minimum monthly requirement to leave in August, and (3) for our children during this transition.

To God be the Glory!!!  We are excited to let you know that:

1. We have officially received our invitation to attend Field Prep in PA, April 24-May 4.  
2. 93% monthly commitment is registered!!  With our verbal commitments bringing us to 98%, we only have $200 left to go! 
3. Our children are getting excited about the move.  Emily keeps asking when we're going to Mexico, and Ethan is already planning how he can best pack to temporarily live in Costa Rica.  When I told him we were going to Field Prep and had reached 93% this week, he just replied, "WOOOOOO HOOOOO!" This is such a huge change of heart.  Thank you for your prayers!

Please continue to pray as we attend our final training and make final preparations.  We are praying and planning in faith to leave the last week of August.

Don't delay, sign up today!

We have been and are humbled by the response of so many whom God has led to financially partner with us to see Mexican lives changed for eternity.  We currently only have $120 of our Monthly minimum left to be committed.  Would you prayerfully consider financially partnering with our ministry?  Contact us or CLICK HERE to sign up online.

ABWE Doesn't Send Missionairies

ABWE is a great mission agency that prepares missionaries for service around the globe.  They don't, however, SEND missionaries around the globe; Biblically, a local church is the one who sends missionaries.  Westerly Hills Baptist Church is our sending church, and ABWE is preparing us for ministry in Mexico.  Click on the picture of the plane to read an article describing how important it is to have a sending church.

Love Week Day Five - Our Prayer Partners

We have said over and over again, finances provide the needs to minister, team-builders provide connections, but prayer provides power.  The work God will have us do in Mexico will produce nothing without the power of God behind it.  We are thankful for our prayer partners.  We have prayer partners who write us a note every month to let us know they are praying for us.  We cannot tell you how much we appreciate these prayers for our family and the ministry to which God has called us to go.

Love Week Day Four - Our Team Builder Partners

We have individuals who have partnered with us through team-building.  They have contacted their churches, small groups, Bible studies, schools, and friends to help us make connections with people who want to know more about how God is leading our family.  We are grateful for their leading us to new people.  We have met some tremendous servants of Christ through their relationships.

Love Week Day Three - Our Financial Partners

God has brought 85 (so far) monthly financial partners alongside us to further His kingdom through Powley Journey ministry:

• Seven churches
• Two businesses
• Four small groups
• 72 Individuals/Couples

Our individual partners come from all walks of life and from all different circumstances.  We have partners from nine different states and two countries.  We have widows and widowers, single individuals, families, and couples. They all, however, have one thing in common:  a heart to see the message of Christ spread.

He has brought countless partners who have given to our Outfit & Passage, not only through their personal gifts but also through their talents and time.  We've had two church members organize fundraisers for our O&P over the past year, and we have a church in our community who is organizing another barbecue fundraiser on March 31 for our journey.  Seeing God use people's talents and hobbies to further His ministry has been really encouraging.   

Love Week Day Two - Our Parents

Both of our parents, along with Melanie's grandmother, have been instrumental in our journey.  They have provided childcare, meals and housing during training and meetings; bathed us in prayer and encouragement; and have served as some of our most enthusiastic team builders. We are so thankful for their involvement and support as we walk down this road.  Even though they know our moving means less time with them (and the grandkids), they also have reminded us that this is what they taught us and prayed for us: to love the Lord with all of our hearts and to serve Him with all of our days.  We are thankful for godly parents who gave us an example to follow.

Love Week Day One - Our Coaches

This journey we are on to become full-time, career missionaries is no walk in the park.  There is a great amount of accountability and paperwork.  Every week, we report to a partnership development coach, a personal accountability partner, and our Director of Pre-Field Ministries at ABWE headquarters via phone, electronic reporting, or video conferencing.  We complete monthly and annual ministry reports, as well as provide progress reports as we complete our reading and course assignments.  Our course assignments have included: Old and New Testament Survey, Missional Theology, Methods of Bible Study, Child Safety Training and Personal Safety Training.  We are thankful they take our physical preparation and our spiritual health seriously.

Ethan's Sermon at Calvary Baptist Kids Jam 01 29 17

Next Stop: Harrisburg, PA

You read that correctly.  Powley Journey is on the move to Harrisburg, PA for Field Prep Seminar!  We asked you to pray for 85% monthly support by April.  Today, God answered that prayer!  He provided six financial partners in the past two weeks to bring us to 86% monthly financial support through verbal commitments!  Once everyone is registered with ABWE, we will be able to attend this next and final training in April!! Thank you for your faithful prayers and encouragement! Keep those prayers coming for 100% financial partnerships.

Do you know any "Shady" People?

We are so blessed by the amount of partners that God has given us so far.  We are over 76% of our monthly goal and are looking forward to meeting who God has that will invest in Missions to Mexico.  In this pic, the Blue and Red people signify those who are already committed to partnership.  We are looking to turn the rest of those "shady" people to Blue or Red.  Do you know any "shady" people?  People who may be interested in learning about Missions to Mexico?  Individuals, Small Groups, Sunday School Classes, Churches, Businesses?  Contact us and let us know; we don't mind talking to "shady" people.  They could Partner with us here.

Annual Report

We just e-mailed our Annual Reports to our Pre-Field supervisor.  With the start of a new year and holiday celebrations with family behind us, we are busy with many responsibilities.
This past week, we have continued to contact people to share an opportunity to invest in Kingdom work, finalized our Annual Reports and completed our Child Safety Training.  What a great time to reflect on what God has done this past year and revisit the goals we have for the future. We continue to look forward to what God has planned!

Praise The Lord

Praise the Lord!  We are truly blessed by those who are partnering with us and investing in God's Kingdom.  This past year, our monthly partnership went from 25% to 68% and our one-time partnership went from 27% to 72%!  If you are interested in knowing what partnership looks like, we would love to share with you.  We are looking for Prayer, Team-Building and/or Financial Partners.
Give us a call at 803-470-1971 or click HERE.