Graduation!
In a list…
Yesterday, we graduated from 12 weeks of language school! (…and the learning will continue for the next 12 years!)
On Saturday, we make a day trip to Nicaragua to renew our visas and over the next week and a half, we’ll wrap up here in Tuis, pack, spend a few days at the beach, and then head to the Hoovers in Heredia on December 10 for a month
We love finally having a vehicle. Ferdinand, the red bull, is just perfect for us! On Monday, we finally get the new non-commercial license plates, so we’ll be able to drive it legally (read: further)
We’ve begun to fundraise toward the purchase of the property in San Jose de la Montaña that will hopefully be our mission base. You can see a video of it here: https://youtu.be/hqUv420AJqM
THE ISAIAH 61 MISSION BASE
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen (buying a property for a mission base); it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (financial support). Hebrews 11:1
Our vision for a mission base is:
To be a safe place for leaders, teams, and families to be inspired, cared for, and equipped
To be a place that models givenness to each other and the Lord
To be a place that plants the seeds of raw, honest, deep worship
To be a place of refreshing and perspective outside of regular context
UPDATES ABOUT THE SAN JOSE DE LA MONTAÑA PROPERTY
We’re choosing to trust the LORD with this fantastic 4.5 acre property, and will wait to sign a contract (and pay the non-refundable $10,000 down payment) UNTIL we have at least $1000 of monthly gifts committed. This means that we may lose the property to another buyer which is a HUGE step of faith for us.
We’re looking for another lender. The person that we had lined up (that we had a previous loan with) doesn’t have the money available that he thought he did. If you know of someone who capable and available as a private lender, please let us know.
We are working to raise two kinds of support toward the purchase of the property: one time gifts and monthly gifts. One time gifts in any amount will go towards a sizable downpayment (adding to our personal investment of $20,000). And regarding monthly gifts, our goal is to have $1500 total per month. It would be so reassuring to have commitments of $30 from 50 friends each month for the next 3 years.
All gifts given through ACTS Covenant Fellowship are tax-deductible. To give, go to https://www.acts-online.org/give. Select "Missions - Dave & Heather Helmuth" from the FUND dropdown.
The property will be purchased by the ministry that we are starting called Isaiah 61.
At our realtor’s suggestion, we hired a topographer to investigate with the municipality what restrictions are implied by the two springs located on the property. (One of them provides water to all of city of Heredia.) Basically, the entire property is protected, so we wouldn’t be permitted to build more houses, have a commercial business, or cut down any trees other than pine trees. He also verified the property boundary lines.
We recently sent out an invitation to the entire Fertilizer community that expresses a part of our vision for this property. You can read it at https://adlibmusic.com/210
THE END OF SCHOOL
We have learned much Spanish during the last 12 weeks. But "school" has really only begun. CISA gave us a good foundation. You can see the presentations Heather and the kids did today at the end of the video.
In addition to Spanish learning, Dave had two major areas of focus: 1. Beginning to set up everything necessary to live here and 2. Becoming active. He has left behind about 25 pounds in the last 3 months and has come to life physically in ways he never thought possible.
The kids will miss their teachers very, very much(!) and will also we’ll also miss the friends (humans and dogs) we’ve made here in Tuis.
TRANSITION
On Monday, Dave awoke feeling like we’re in the beginning of transition again. With the last week of school and plenty of uncertainty ahead, that all too familiar feeling began settling on us. Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day and earlier this week, an American missionary family that we haven’t even officially met stopped by and gave us a butterball turkey!! They just wanted us to feel a little bit of "home," but we felt like it was the Lord’s kindness to us.
We’re certainly ready to be done at this house and continue into what God is doing, but it’s disconcerting to have so many details that are unknown.
GIVING
We’d be so honored if you’d partner financially with us. Honestly, we’ve never done this before. We’ve not wanted to raise funds for missions trips or other ministry endeavors, but this is completely beyond us. Let us know if we can count you in.
Be released to follow the Lord’s leading in how you support us - prayers, finances, encouraging words, coming to help prep the property (once it’s purchased), etc. We are so very thankful for you, our community!
Dave, Heather, Aspen (Quique), Clementine (Gaby), Louis (Tino), Juliana, Huxley (Ooksley...he just doesn't respond to Sion), and Caspian (Cappi)
