Wednesday, January 28, 2009

A LITTLE DOWNTIME????



















Brian and I have been privileged to attend a working conference on Healthy Teams with some Reachglobal leaders from around the globe. Since it has been a very busy January, we were able to spend awesome time as a couple traveling to the conference, in addition to spending time with others during meals and brainstorming sessions, and playing games as a group in the evenings. Join us in praying that by being true-faced and loving well, ministry teams, marriages and families will be healthy and will be the aroma of Christ to the unsaved world.
Posted by Picasa

Monday, January 19, 2009

AREA CONFERENCE

Thanks to all of you who are praying for us as we are at Area Conference. Reachglobal missionaries from six residential fields, leadership from Minneapolis and teams from Nebraska and Tennessee have all experienced God’s grace during this week. We only had a minute to check email but will post updates soon!

AREA CONFERENCE

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Pray fervently....URGENT!

Our Executive Director, TJ, was attending meetings in Bangkok and is hospitalized. His condition has deteriorated rapidly, one of his sons is with him, although that has been difficult to make decisions for an ill parent.

Sincere thank yous!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

This had better be good...

My mother in law Marian and I set off down a bumpy road jutted with ruts and rocks to find an interesting hidden away pottery studio near our home…we approached a chain across the road and I realized that it was quite possible that the guard and the studio inhabitants were not available, then quickly surmised that I would have to back up about 300 yds(I do anything to avoid putting a 12 pax Starex in reverse)…and as soon as I gathered my courage, backed up nearly 300 yds, the guard appeared. Marian said let’s go see if he will let us pass—I couldn’t believe she talked me into it, but we approached, asked for la ceramica, and he dropped the chain!

About 100 meters up the road I remembered that Brian told me it was up. Up is one way to describe where the studio is located, but along a single lane drive with hairpin turns is another. I also remembered a remark about some dogs…. The kind of dog reminiscent of Rex, the neighbors’ dog in North Carolina. He loved me, but he looked as though he would eat anything or anyone approaching!

It was worth it! Pefi’s studio had beautiful, whimsical pottery pieces of all patterns, shapes, and sizes! Too pricey for me, but Marian bought a cute pitcher! A must see if you visit the east side of the Central Valley!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

It's Christmas Eve...Pierna de Cerdo: A tradition for Costa Rican but a new Christmas Eve tradition for us!


Morning came a little earlier this AM as Cathi prepared her pierna de cerdo(leg of pig) for a Christmas Eve lunch!

Take one freshly slaughtered and herbed pierna, mix one bottle cerveza (beer) and one bottle Coca-Cola. Cook over low heat until tender while basting every 30 minutes to keep moist! Slice thinly and serve alongside all the traditional Duggan Christmas side dishes!

It was truly delicious and Oreo enjoyed one of the bones all afternoon! Guess I’ll have to come up with some new recipes for all the leftover meat!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

The Stockings were hung, on the wall with care....

Last night we finished hanging the interior Christmas lights, and in lieu of a chimney, we carefully hung our stockings on our dining room wall, and wrapped our banister with green garland reminiscent of my parent’s foil garland to replicate our home décor stateside. We are anticipating Matt’s return on Friday—after finals Tuesday through Thursday! Brian has a busy day ahead of him as our local congregation is performing “Papa Panov’s Christmas” and he has been in San Jose long enough to participate in the choir! Christmas open house invitations are being sent, and even though the winds are blustery and the temperature in the 60’s and 70’s, the holidays are here! I am about to join my Tico neighbors in putting together canastas de Navidad(Christmas baskets) for our security guards—should be an interesting time!