A Special Visitor

We had a very special visitor this past week. Br. Steven Manley, our mission president, was with us for several days to hold some meetings, preach, observe the state of the national work, and just be an encouragement to us as missionaries. Pastor Rolando called me the day after Br. Manley left and said that he had really appreciated Br. Manley's spirit, advice, and leadership. Br. Manley, thank you for being a blessing; we enjoyed having you very much.

We didn't have much time to do much sightseeing but we did stop by the Basillica, the biggest Catholic church in Costa Rica and one of the biggest in all of Central America.

Lunch with the Meneses Family

Devin enjoyed having a special visitor as much as the rest of us.

A New Look

The Sunday school rooms at Paraiso are looking much better these days. They have received a fresh coat of paint, and better yet the brethren from the church did the project completely on their own. They wanted to do it, they donated all the labor, and they provided all the supplies. A missionary loves to see that!

The new color is much better than the old green that you can see in the background!

Br. Carlos

Br. Juan donated more time than anyone else.

Sis. Carmen looks like she is having too much fun!

Our Family is Growing

Yes, a picture like this usually means that a baby is on the way! Lord willing the Rex McDowell II family will grow to four sometime in September. Missy and I are very excited about being parents to our second child, although Devin just looks at us when we tell him that Mommy has a baby in her tummy.

We plan on having our baby at the same hospital where my two younger brothers, Benjamin and Jeffrey, were born. Missy had her first prenatal appointment this past Thursday and we were very happy with the experience and with her doctor. Doctor Ronny Salazar, recommended to us by some missionaries from the language school, is very nice and very qualified. The technology at the hospital is cutting edge, and for the first time we were able to watch our baby's heart beating! I borrowed an idea from the Mason's blog and added a little "baby ticker" above our profile picture so that you will be able to see how the baby is developing. Pray for us over the next number of months and we will keep you posted!

Graduation from The Spanish Language Institute, December 11, 2009

We graduated from language school just a couple of days before we went to the States for Christmas and I never posted any pictures of the ceremony. Here are a few snapshots.

Gabi, the academic director, gives a little speech before handing out the diplomas.

Teachers and fellow students pray with the graduates at the end of the ceremony.

Ana was more than just Missy's teacher; she was her friend.