Supper Time!

September 29, 2008 5:30 pm CR time

Since you cannot join us for dinner, this one is for the family & friends that are missing the calm Gillen children. They are really excited about this meal they are eating. This is a typical evening with Kylie, Brooklin and Jacob.

Mastering the Language

This is a video of Anthony and Jacob practicing their Spanish. Listen how well Jacob pronounces the words. It is amazing! We have been working hard at the language. At Jacob's school they ONLY speak Spanish-no English. He probably knows more than we do!

We made it to Costa Rica!

Here is a video to go along with the pics above of the kids on the plane to Costa Rica.

God blessed our travels to and through the airports. We finally made it to our home in San Jose' at around 11:30 pm on July 24th. We are one hour earlier than Central Standard time (that is until the time change).

Costa Rica

We have Internet access now! We are planning to keep our blog a little more up-to-date! We will be posting some pictures of our time at Nanna & Pappa's house. Then you will get to see more pictures (but prettier) like the one below here in San Jose', Costa Rica!

Believe it or not, I could not find any other pictures for our blog at this time! This was taken in down town San Jose' right after our trip to the zoo (on Saturday, Aug. 9th). There came a torrential down pour but the girls couldn't resist holding this sweet lady's hand for a pic. We are really enjoying it here.

Fun at the Farm

The kids are having a blast at Momo and Poppy's house. They have been playing with their pony "Magic." We are leaving St.James on Sunday the 13th and headed to Nanna & Pappa's house! We will fly out to Costa Rica on July 24th. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!


The goats are behind...wondering when Brooklin and Kylie will ever pet them?!?



Brooklin is so good with Magic.




Jacob is feeling left out, but will have hardly nothing to do with the horses up-close!

You can tell that Kylie is loving this!

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Bible-storying

Most missionaries are going to places where the people are illiterate. In the United States we usually don't think about this much because we are one of the top literate countries in the world. While here at our orientation, we are learning to "story" or share the gospel/Bible orally and with pictures. Some of the art work below is an example of storying with pictures.

Brooklin drew a picture of the man that fell asleep in the window.

An eagle sculpture by Brooklin.

In awe of His wonders

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Genesis 9:13ff

Sunday Night Cultural Worship.

This is the beautiful rainbow that God gave us last Sunday after our outdoor African Worship Service. I wish the picture could capture the true beauty. God is really at work here at FPO. I am in awe of His wonders.

First day of school

This is Kylie and Brooklin's first day of school. They have absolutely LOVED it. So far they have went on a field trip to the IMB office building, Maymont Park, and they make all kinds of really fun crafts.

Here we are at ILC in VA! This is Kylie, Brooklin and Jacob unpacking on our first day. They all share a room, but it's pretty spacious. The girls have bunk beds and Jacob has been sleeping in a big boy bed!

A Spiritual Challenge

"THEY ARE NOT JUST IDLE WORDS FOR YOU-THEY ARE YOUR LIFE. BY THEM YOU WILL LIVE LONG IN THE LAND YOU ARE CROSSING THE JORDAN TO POSSESS." DEUTERONOMY 32:47
We are challenged here at our Missionary training to be in the Word daily. This doesn't mean a 5 to 10 minute devotion. This means at least 1 to 3 hours of Bible Study and Prayer. Maybe you are too busy to do this? Then I ask you, what makes you the one exception to the above scripture? I challenge you to get up earlier everyday this week and experience God at a deeper more intimate level. Allow His Word to be your life. God is waiting for this time with you. Set your alarm at least 30 minutes earlier this week and I PROMISE (better yet, God promises) you will not regret it.
"Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24
Be willing to die to yourself and give-up a little time. Your life and lives of others will be changed for eternity. This is not asking too much on an eternal scale.

Our Journey to FPO

We have made it to FPO in Virginia but we want to share a few pics of the journey to get here. This is Jacob above with his new rain coat and just some of the 15+ bags that we have packed for VA &/or Costa Rica. We managed to fit all of the luggage that we needed, and thank goodness the kids, into the Suburban for our long drive to Richmond.



Here is Brooklin and Kylie! All three Gillen kids were excellent on the way out. Momo had packed goody/activity backpacks FULL of fun. They stayed entertained and even had good attitudes the whole way here. We stopped at a couple of hotels and even went swimming once. The kids love it here and I will have more to share later. Be praying for our family as we are under some serious transition with schedules and of course unfamiliar surroundings!