MIM Picnic at Blackwell Forest Preserve

The MIM picnic wil be on Saturday September 10th at 12 NOON at Blackwell Forest/West Shelter. The MIM annual Board meeting will be at 11AM. The general public can attend for their input.
Picnic lunch will be provided by MIM at no charge. Trips will be announced.

Hope to see you there.

Turnabout finished.

Picture of the Finished Turnabout.
Wally

Turnabout

Dear Friends of LPDV,

Since the school year began in February, priority one for improvements to the school facilities has been getting the entrance rotunda paved before rainy season comes in May. Omar and Julio have been working hard making the curbs. Yesterday 90% of the paving was completed. (Picture 6 of the attached pictures is from yesterday.)

We want to say "thanks" to many of you who have actively supported the LPDV Foundation and made these continued improvements to the LPDV campus possible.

In Christ and for His Kingdom,

Matt & Lisa Befus

Back to School

Dear friends of Matt & Lisa and LPDV school,

A week and a half ago we promised a second pictorial update of the opening of the 2011 school year. After some technical difficulties (and restoration of accidentally-deleted pictures), here it is. If you have any difficulty opening the attachment, please let us know.

As you see reports of teacher strikes in the US, would you please pray for the provision of a 5th grade teacher for LPDV? Public school teaching positions are sought after in CR in part because teachers are granted tenure upon hiring, in addition to receiving other goverment-only benefits. When public schools opened the same day as LPDV, it was discovered that the number of public school teachers needed had been grossly underestimated. Late last week our fifth grade teacher chose to accept a position with the public school system rather than face being blacklisted by turning down the offer. Our director is scrambling to find a replacement two weeks into the school year!
We look forward to the school year settling in, and having time to personally respond to replies. We appreciate hearing from you.


Matt & Lisa Befus

PowerPoint presentation at College Church Prayer Meeting

On Wednesday night February the 16th at the 7pm College Church's Prayer meeting that will be held in the Narthex, I will be showing the group a PowerPoint presentation of the MIM CR2011 trip to La Palabra de Vida school.

We will have the first 25 minutes for the PowerPoint showing and questions from those in attendance and whoever from the team who would like to share something about the mission trip. From 7:30 until 8pm the group breaks up into usually 2 small groups for prayer time.
If you would like to look at the Colorado groups Blog, here it is http://crfec2011.blogspot.com/
Wally

Below are 3 quotes that Mike mentioned in our devotional time that he thinks about every morning.

First by John Newton
“I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great savior”

Second by Charles Spurgeon
“Between here and heaven, every moment that a Christian lives will be a moment of grace”

Third Anonymous
“The secret to satisfaction is the realization that life is a gift and not a right”

Sunday departure

Sunday's departure and flight back home to Chicago had no problems this time.
The Lord put this team together and a lot of work was accomplished, we encouraged the Befus family and Sarah Powell and all had great Christian fellowship during our time in Costa Rica. Students Ronald and Daniel worked and laughed with us during our time at the school and the local ice cream establishment POPs.
For those who have been down to La Palabra de Vida school multiple times, all mentioned this probably was the best mission trip to the school that we have had so far.
We all thank the Befus family, the school staff and workers, the cooks and our excellent drivers (Walter and Artello)who drove use around the streets of Costa Rica.
Roosevelt road seems so docile.
Pray for a full staff this year and for the students to grow in Christ this upcoming school year which starts in mid Februray and the Befus family and their daughters staring their school year.
We also thank all of the Team's prayer supporters and supporters. We felt all those prayers for our health, safety and having a team that worked well together.
Men's International Team 2011.

Work Day 6

More was accomplished today. You can see by the pictures below.
More books were covered. Book shelves painted. Pictures painted on the Library wall.
The second wall in the new classroom was completed and primed. Broke through the wall of the old computer room.
Henry the IT guy was cleaning out the computer labs PC's and keyboards with a leave blower. (Whatever works)
Had a great devotional time this morning and each person commented on what this mission trip has ment to them.
There is much more work to be done. The Costa Rican people need to hear the Gospel and they will at La Palbra de Vida School.
Pray for the staff will be filled with strong Christian Men and Women this year. Pray for the students to do well and to grow in God's Word.
Wally

A reflective cross for the front entrance.

It should look great at night?

The Befus family dogs Ponce - Pepper - and the school dog Blacky

A new walk way between the Admin and the Academic rooms.

Double sided cubby's are all painted and waiting for books.

Library painting.