A Night of Celebration

This is the last week of classes for the Fall trimester here at CINCEL (language school). We finished classes today. Tomorrow is graduation for the third trimester students! Wednesday evening, the students got together for a surprise anniversary celebration for Roger and Debbi Audorff (32 years of marriage!) Among the highlights of the evening were fireworks and a live Christian Mariachi band. Roger and Debbi will be serving in Mexico.

Dale and Patti Coad

We were privileged to spend some time with our Area Directors (Caribbean), Dale and Patti Coad. The Coads were in San Jose for a visit this week. Dale spoke in chapel at CINCEL on Monday. They have been great friends and a wonderful encouragement to us during our missions process.

Visitors from the States

It was so good for Debbie and me to once again see Roberto and Lorena Hernandez. Roberto and Lorena are from our home church, Full Gospel Assembly of God in Newport, KY. Roberto served on the church Board at FGA when I was pastor of the church (1992-1996). He served as interpreter for our Spanish-language congregation at the time. He and Lorena are originally from San Jose, Costa Rica, and were in the country visiting their families. We were able to get together and attend a worship service at Oasis de Esperanza, an incredible church of 10,000 people in San Jose (CLICK HERE for website). After the service, we were privileged to meet Roberto's family and have dinner in their home.

Roberto and Lorena Hernandez

Roberto and Norma Hernandez (Papi y Mami)

Debbie and I having dinner at the Hernandez' home in San Jose. Here we are eating a granadilla - a tropical fruit.

Congratulations to newly promoted Staff Sergeant Christopher Hampton. We are so proud of you, son. We pray for you and the troops every day.

Our Grandkids

Thought you might like to see a couple of updated pictures of our grandsons, Adam and Brandon (Christopher and Cynthia's boys).

Adam (age 4)

Brandon (age 1 1/2)

Happy 1st Anniversary Ryan and Meghaan!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Outreach to Elementary School

Last Monday, we joined several of the other students from CINCEL in an outreach to one of the local LACC (Latin America ChildCare) schools. Most of the English-speaking students observed while the Spanish-speaking students participated in the dramas and skits. The program, called "Character Connex" - to view their website (CLICK HERE) - is a school assembly program developed specifically to teach good character traits to students. It is a high-energy program that features video, skits, puppets, games, illusions, and audience participation. Character Connex helps students leave with a better understanding of why honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility, as well as other good character traits are important to exercise and cherish. Below are some photos of the assembly.

The "auditorium" is a large concrete block room with a metal roof. Notice the kids carrying their classroom chairs to the assembly.

The program dealt with the character theme"Respeto" ("Respect").

Debbie with some of the young Costa Rican girls ("Ticas")

Very early in the morning ...

The past fews days I have been working my way through the Gospels during my morning devotions. I finished Matthew and I am now starting The Gospel of Mark. Mark is known as a Gospel of action. It tells of the active ministry of Jesus. Yet once again in my reading, I rediscovered the power behind the action ... it was the prayer life of Jesus. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Mark 1:35.

In the preceding verses of this chapter I'm reminded that Jesus was at the beginning of a very active ministry. He "began to teach" (1:21); He cast out a devil (1:25); He healed Simon's mother-in-law (1:31); and at the end of a very "busy day" ... That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons... (1:32-34a). The way I see it, He certainly earned the right to "sleep in" the next morning. But He got up early while it was still dark ... and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. A note I had written sometime earlier in the margin of my Bible beside this verse says, "replenish spiritual strength"... What an incredible benefit of His presence!

I'm reminded of my weakness and the strength the presence of the Father gives.

Dia de Independencia Celebration

On Friday, we celebrated "Dia de Independencia" - "Independence Day" - in Costa Rica. The teachers (las profesoras) of CINCEL treated us to a special program filled with music (including the Costa Rican national anthem and various folk songs), traditional dancing provided by a local children's dance group and a traditional Costa Rican meal. What a great time we had! Today (Monday) was the actual holiday. At 4:30 a.m. we were awakened by incredibly LOUD fireworks and a marching band in the street in our neighborhood. There were no classes today so we walked to Mall San Pedro and had arroz con pollo at the Food Court. Classes resume on Tuesday. (Please click on pictures to enlarge.)

Pork tamales wrapped and cooked in banana leaves.

Some of our faculty (las profesoras) in traditional dress.

Two of the American missionaries' children in Tico (Costa Rican) costume.

The children's dance group.

Some New Pictures

Here are a couple of new pictures from the weekend.


This is a view of the mountains (surrounding San Jose) near our home. Because we are in the rainy season, it is one of those rare days when the sky has been blue.


This is the Assemblies of God church we have been attending. It is just 4-5 minutes from our apartment. Centro Evangelistico averages over 7,000 in attendance in 2 morning services each Sunday morning.

School has begun!

We have been in Costa Rica for one week now. Language classes started yesterday (Tuesday). Our school is CINCEL, the Assemblies of God language school located in San Jose for the preparation of missionaries to Spanish-speaking cultures (see CINCEL's website at www.cincelcr.org.)

In class, the teachers (profesoras) speak Spanish only. Debbie and I take the same subjects (Conversation, Phonetics and Grammar), but are in separate classes with different teachers. The day begins with chapel (in English) at 7:45 a.m. Classes begin at 8:15 and are finished at 12:15. After spending some time with our friends, we walk home, have lunch and then do homework for about 2-3 hours. On Wednesdays, the chapel is in Spanish.

We are in the heart of the rainy season. It ALWAYS rains in the afternoon, usually for several hours! And sometimes it rains all day. On Monday we walked to the local supermarket, about one mile away ... UPHILL. While we were shopping, it began to rain ... hard. We caught a taxi after waiting in the rain for over 20 minutes. Although we had umbrellas, we were still soaked.

Today after classes, we walked about a mile and a half to Office Depot to purchase a mini-tape recorder for our Phonetics classes. We stopped at the mall for lunch and walked home DOWNHILL. It began to rain when we arrived safely home. Praise the Lord!

Saturday morning at the feria (produce market)

Just a couple of pictures today. We visited the feria (open air market) with our group of missionaries. What a trip! There were so many varieties of ???? - we didn't recognize much of the produce at all. Note the photo of the "bounty" on our kitchen counter. Everything together (tomatoes, lettuce, cilantro, potatoes, watermelon, lemons, limes, celery, pineapple, carrots, eggplant, cabbage, bananas) cost us about U.S. $8.00.

Some Pictures from San Jose

Below are some photos of our tour today of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica ...
(Click on the photos to enlarge)

Mike and Deb on downtown plaza in front of the Teatro Nacional - the National Theater

American chain restaurants in downtown San Jose

(Burger King, Papa John's Pizza and KFC)

Palm trees on downtown plaza

View of surrounding mountains near our home -

notice the cloudy sky - it is the rainy season

WE'RE HERE!

Well, it's hard to believe that after almost 3 years of preparations (application and itineration), we are here in Costa Rica. We moved from our home on Tuesday - stayed at our daughter Katie's apartment that night - got up at 2am on Wednesday. Ryan and Meghaan took us to Pittsburgh International Airport. They helped us with the luggage and by 5am we were all checked in. We took off at 6am - short layover in Houston and we arrived in San Jose at 2pm, with everything in tact, including ourselves.

It was a very emotional flight, knowing we would not see our children for several months. Leaving them back in the States was the most difficult thing we have ever done. When you pray, please pray for God's grace and presence to surround the children. Following the will of the Lord is not always easy. Giving up our "things" never felt to be much of a sacrifice (As I have been saying, "We are free! We now own nothing and we owe nothing!") But our hearts are breaking at the thought of not seeing Ryan, Meghaan, Katie, Christopher, Cynthia and the grandchildren for some time.

Back to our move ... We cleared Customs with no problems and we were picked up by Missionary Associate Bob McKay.

Our new apartment is great (see picture) - and only 3-4 blocks away from the language school (CINCEL). We had dinner last night at the school with all the new students. This morning we walked to school (didn't get lost) and had our first interviews (in Spanish) and written tests (Spanish proficiency). Debbie just signed her test and handed it in. I took about 40 minutes on the written test ( and probably got all the answers wrong) I needed duct tape to keep my brains in tact.

Today we go grocery shopping at HiperMas (kind of like a WalMart). Tomorrow we learn how to take the bus in the city. Saturday we go to the large outdoor fruit and vegetable market. Sunday we go to church. Monday is orientation and classes begin on Tuesday.

We feel like kids again!

Saying "Goodbye"

The past few days have been a season of saying our goodbyes to many dear friends before we leave for the mission field. Two weeks ago, we were back in our home town saying farewell to our families. That was tough ... not knowing when we might see them again. Then last Sunday, we spoke at First Assembly of God in Waynesburg, PA - the church we pastored for 14 years. They have been so kind and generous to our family through the years. We also have had dinners and lunches with a number of friends recently, again, saying "so long" to each of them. And then a couple of very difficult "goodbyes" within the last week. Two dear friends of ours for many years have finished their race here on earth and are now enjoying their eternal reward: Ruth Stickles, age 96, a member of First Assembly passed away last Sunday. I had the distinct honor of preaching her funeral. Ruth was a great prayer warrior and demonstrated true faithfulness throughout her long life ... and Pastor Tim Brower, a very special friend - Tim founded and pastored Truth Assembly Chapel in Wadestown, WV, one of our supporting churches. He went to be with the Lord last Friday at the very young age of 63. The funeral was today - and I was honored to participate in his funeral service.

Saying goodbye is not easy. But for the believer, life is eternal! The past few days, I have found myself humming the old Gospel song, If we never meet again this side of Heaven ... I will meet you on that beautiful shore.

It's Our Anniversary!

Today is our 29th ANNIVERSARY!

For a special anniversary treat from US to YOU, Click here.

MOVING SALE

We could not have asked for a better day! Surrounded and assisted by family and dear friends, we got off to an early start on Saturday morning. The "earlybirds" began to arrive shortly after 7:00 a.m. even though the sale was advertised to begin at 9:00 a.m.!

By the end of the day, every major item and most of the smaller items were gone. All that we have left are a few books and photographs and clothing. And the greatest "miracle" of all - nothing was left behind for us to have to try to get rid of (friends took the remainder of the items to sell for us at another garage sale - now THAT'S friendship!)

AIRLINE TICKETS
We have officially purchased our plane tickets. Debbie and I will be leaving Pittsburgh at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27. After a 3 1/2 hour layover in Houston, TX (where we will see our new daughter-in-law Cynthia and our two new grandsons, Brandon and Adam) it will be off to San Jose, Costa Rica to begin the new adventure of LANGUAGE SCHOOL!

Thanks for all your prayers, confidence, support and friendship. We could not have done this without you! Blessings to all of you.

CLEARANCE!

The word "clearance" has a special meaning for us this week - actually there are 2 ways to define clearance for us ...

#1 We received official clearance by Assemblies of God World Missions to leave for the field. After 19 1/2 months of itineration (going to approximately 185 churches and talking to countless individuals about our heart for missions) we received approval to purchase our plane tickets. WE WILL BE LEAVING FOR LANGUAGE SCHOOL (in Costa Rica) ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27!

#2 This Saturday, August 9, we will have our Moving Sale ... and just like you see in the TV commercials ... EVERYTHING MUST GO! We are selling our car, our furniture, wall hangings, lamps, books, knick-knacks, clothing, tools, lawn tractor, lawn mower ... EVERYTHING! Everything that we will be taking to Costa Rica will be in a few suitcases - our clothing and a few photographs.

Last week we went to say good-bye to our families in the Cincinnati area. It was great to see everyone and share in family reunions for both the Hampton and the Blake families.

And the countdown begins ...

Family Reunions

As far as we can tell, we are making final preparations to leave for language school (Costa Rica) on August 27. The last few weeks, since Debbie officially quit her job at the university, have been spent in packing and sorting our things.

This weekend we will be traveling to the Cincinnati area (our home town). On Saturday we will have a group photo taken of the Hampton clan and later in the day we will go to Indiana to have a reunion with Debbie's family. On Sunday morning we will share our missions burden at Christ's Chapel in Erlanger, KY. Following the services, we will have the Hampton family reunion in Fort Thomas, KY. It will be great to see everyone together again. Only the Lord knows when we will be gather again as a family.

FIRE!

Of all of the hotels we have stayed in ... in all our travels - through the years - it was a first for us!
We were in a hotel this past Sunday night in Delaware. On Monday morning about 7:15, the fire alarm went off ... first there were 2-3 deafening blasts coming from the smoke detector in our room. I reached up to turn it off (a couple of times before in other hotel rooms the steam from my shower had set off the alarm). Then came the announcement through the smoke detector ... and in the hallways: A FIRE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE BUILDING! PLEASE EVACUATE THE HOTEL IMMEDIATELY! I looked out in the large atrium. Lights were flashing ... people were pouring out of their rooms and headed for the stairways. Within a couple of minutes we were in the parking lot with dozens of other guests. And within a few more minutes the fire trucks began arriving. Twenty minutes later, we were safely back in our room. Apparently there was an electrical fire in a light fixture in one of the meeting rooms. Everything was taken care of very quickly. Nothing like a little harmless excitement to start your day.

Ryan and Meghaan

Most of you know that we are the proud parents of three incredible children: Christopher (married to Cynthia), Ryan (married to Meghaan) and Katie. We have pictures of Christopher and Katie on the blog, but Ryan and Meghaan were in one of our previous newsletters. Here are two photos of the couple (one before they were married and the other on their wedding day, with proud Dad smiling in the background).

Ryan and Meghaan were married on October 13, 2007. They live here in Waynesburg, PA with their two dogs, Indie (a pit bull) and Tazo (a Yorkie). R and M both work in Morgantown, WV.

Happy Birthday, Debbie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Debbie Hampton!

Born: July 19th, 19 _ _

"Stuff"

We are now in the process of packing our things - actually more sorting than packing - in anticipation of our move to Costa Rica in August. We are giving away much of our "stuff" to our kids. (There was a sense of the finality of this process when we saw our sofa being carried out the front door!) I remember when we were moving from one church to another a few years ago. We were unloading the moving truck and one man was not as careful with our furniture as I would like. He bumped a coffee table against the side of the truck - put a nick in the leg of the table and said, "Oh well, it's only things!" My response was - "Yeah! MY things!"

We are now going through all of OUR THINGS! Our "stuff". Stuff we have accumulated through 29 years of marriage. Getting rid of some things was not too difficult. The last few days I have been going through my library - hundreds and hundreds of volumes. Some books I simply refuse to part with. Most I either have to give away or put up for sale. I wish I could make a list so I could get the word out to all my minister friends.

Debbie has been going through family photos, heirlooms, etc. There have been a few tears. We will be storing a few things, disposing of the rest. What the kids don't want will be part of our yard sale in August.

This is indeed a fresh start for us at this season of life. I suppose it would not be a new beginning if we continued to cling to all the old stuff.

"We're proud of you, son! (Sgt. Hampton)"

Tomorrow is July 4. It's a time to think about and to be thankful for the amazing freedoms we share as citizens of this great country.

We just want to take a moment and express to our son, Sgt. Christopher Hampton, that we are incredibly proud of him as he serves his country. He joined the military while Debbie and I were on a missions trip to Costa Rica. We were shocked at the timing but not surprised by his decision. When we asked him "why?" - he told us it was all about his family. He wanted to do his part in protecting us from foreign enemies. He served a 12-month tour in a war zone and then he came home safely to us, thank the Lord. Then, last Fall, he "re-upped" for another 6 years. He was married in May, becoming a husband to Cynthia and father to Adam and Brandon. Now he is back in the war, for a 15-month deployment.

Could I ask our friends and family to say a prayer of thanks and also a prayer of protection for him?

Is there a Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine in your life? Be sure to express your deep appreciation to him/her today for their sacrifice.

Settling in...Moving on...

One of our greatest concerns in this process of getting ready to go to the field has been making sure our kids are "settled" and ready to live in the States without Mom and Dad.

Ryan and Meghaan were married last Fall. They live here in Waynesburg and are settling in to brand new jobs.

Christopher and Cynthia, of course, were married last month, and Christopher left 3 weeks later for his second tour in Iraq. Please continue to pray for them and the boys (Adam and Brandon).

That leaves Katie (pictured with her mother above). She is 22 and is a Junior at Waynesburg University majoring in Secondary Education. Tomorrow (Saturday) we will be moving her into her new apartment here in Waynesburg. It is a relief to Debbie and me that she has a nice place to live.

Today is Debbie's last day of work at Waynesburg University. For the past 7 years, she has been the Executive Secretary to the President of the University. It has been a great blessing. Each of our children has been able to attend college free! All we have had to pay for are the books! Praise the Lord for that great blessing!

On the Road

I came across this picture online a few weeks ago when I was putting together our Summer Newsletter. The first thing that caught my eye was the road - you know, the white and yellow lines. Then I saw the rainbow. The road is the means to arrive at the rainbow - leading us to the promise!

For the past 18 months we have been "on the road" - 165 churches - 9 states - 50,000 miles. Last weekend we were in southern West Virginia. This weekend we will be in eastern Pennsylvania. The following weekend, back to West Virginia. We have enjoyed the process so much. We have met so many wonderful people - worshipped in many great churches.

At the front of our minds there are always statistics - 89% monthly support raised - 70% cash support raised ... numbers that have been accumulating each week, thank the Lord. We have prayed hard that we would not lose sight of the goal. I know that after the itineration is finished, the mission really begins. One year of language school in Costa Rica then onto the field of our calling ... ARUBA and the ABC Islands!

Each one of you is traveling this road with us. Your friendship ... your prayers for us ... your support for us ... your incredible encouragement to us ... your believing in us.

We are confident that God is with us ... and thank you for traveling with us also. How could we ever feel lonely?

"The Gospel of Job"

The past few weeks I have been working my way through the Book of Job during my morning devotions. I have been able to rediscover the great, yet simple faith of a man who suffered as few have. Take a look at some of the the classic passages from Job - from the heart of a man who, though he has many questions, is still trusting God as he is walking through the dark valleys of shadows.

13:15 "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him."

14:14 "If a man dies, will he live again?"

19:25 "I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth."

19:26,27 "And after my flesh has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes -- I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me."

Whatever we are going through, may we be able to see His hand in the trial and after the trial has finished. "Now my eyes have seen You" (42:5).

Congratulations Christopher and Cynthia!

We are pleased to announce that our oldest son, Christopher was married to Cynthia Hernandez on May 23 in Houston Texas. Not only do we have another beautiful daughter-in-law (Ryan and Meghaan were married last October), but we are now GRANDPARENTS for the first time! Adam is 4 years old and Brandon is 18 months old!

We ask you to please pray for Christopher and his new family. Having been married only 3 weeks, he returned to Iraq for his second military tour. He will be away from home for the next 15 months.