Andy, Sharon & Kids

2009-06-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

Alright, well here we are again! long time that I don't post here, since Facebook... I wasn't able to keep up with both of them. But since some of you are not into facebook... I thought I'd update this one a tad bit.
well we left our beloved Costa Rica. I know, it's sad... after all it's such a paradise. But, we felt the need to move on to something more long term, especially for the kids school and education.
Right now we're in Texas, bought a motor home and are gonna be traveling for the summer across the states and Mexico, to explore, get to know, and see the full picture of this side of the world. From there we'll have to make a final decision as to where to live... Europe or Mexico/States. Pray for us in our endeavours to finding a good lasting place for our family to settle in.
You're all in our prayers too! We know we're not the only ones facing a time of change... and as exciting as it is... it also comes with great desperation and anticipation for what's ahead. So 2 thumbs up for all that are in the same boat... and let's keep our face above water. The shore is in sight!!

My sunsign tale...

2009-01-07T21:21:00.000-08:00

A video of To a Place!

2009-01-04T09:29:00.000-08:00

Kids shows!

2008-12-24T22:13:00.000-08:00

We performed for 10 different schools this Christmas season, 1 hospital for 350 leukemia children, and various caroling ventures. This are some pics of the kids dances and shows.

We formed a group of 10 children for the Christmases performances. the kids worked really hard for 2 months practicing everyday and had many shows booked for Christmas, sadly because of our van crash we had to cancel a few shows... but they still managed to perform in 10 schools, one hospital and even in restaurants! they did an excellent job, and made me sooo proud!!! The kids prayed with over 2000 people during the Christmas season lighting many faces and warming many hearts.
This is a video I made of some of the pictures taken of the shows.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Christmas season

2008-12-24T21:53:00.000-08:00

The kids making papier mache figures for the nativity scene!

2008-11-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

Saturday, November 29, 2008
The Guatemala Adventure!!!!!

For all of you who are wondering what on Earth happened to us(Andy, Joana and Cheryl)...here's the detailed account. Make sure you're sitting down for this!

(As told by Cheryl:)

“GET OUT OF THE CAR!!! OPEN THE DOORS! ABRE ABRE ABRE!!!!!!!!!!!”

The six gunmen with flood-lights glaring in our faces yelled in unintelligible Spanish as they surrounded our van. They’d pushed us off the road in their red pickup, overtaking us on a small country road just after dark.

We were about an hour from Guatemala City, and we knew this area was dangerous but just before the border we’d been assured by several locals that incidents such as these only occurred after nine or ten in the evening. By our calculations we would be in the city by eight. But just past seven, on what seemed a peaceful winding mountain road, we were suddenly overtaken by a red pickup with six armed men in the back with hand held flood lights, pointing their weapons our direction and ordering us to pull over.

Joana & I burst into desperate prayers as Andy slammed the brakes, put the car in reverse & tore backwards for about 800 meters, the gunmen firing several shots our way, thankfully most of them missing and only one of them hitting the front of the van. The pickup carried on forward and it seemed we’d lost them. We waited for a couple other cars to pass us and then continued on. Behind us were only more dark roads and the border about an hour away. We could only hope to find a hotel in the nearest town.

Following a beat up black Subaru for company we continued praying as we drove, thanking the Lord for His protection & warding off any further incident. After about 5 minutes our hearts nearly stopped as the same red pickup repeated its attack; again overtaking us from behind. Same scene: shouting, floodlights, firing in the air this time for effect. Again we tried backing away, but the black Subaru that had by now pulled behind us was blocking our retreat. We swerved to avoid collision & found ourselves dangling a wheel off the side of the slope. Sitting ducks!

The gunmen now surrounded the car, aggravated that twice we’d nearly escaped. They opened the driver’s door and pulled Andy out; with a gun to his belly they started dragging him to the back of the van. Desperate, but knowing that the Lord was going to get us out of this somehow unharmed, we turned up the heat in our prayers. Andy, (ever the street-fighter) instead of struggling against several armed men, said loudly above the din of their yelling “WE ARE MISSIONARIES, WE WORK FOR JESUS, GET BEHIND THE CAR AND PUSH US OUT!” Amazingly, they let go of him and clambered to the edge of the slope to try and push the van back onto the road, while others grabbed ropes to tow us with the pickup. Andy jumped back into the driver’s seat & locked the door, revving the engine and trying to force the car back onto the road.

One of the gunmen with a very crazy look in his eyes came to the passenger’s side, pointing his gun in Jo’s face he yelled at her to unlock the doors, banging his fists loudly on the glass. When she didn’t comply, he came to the sliding door where I was. I held up a poster of Jesus to the window yelling back “WE’RE MISSIONARIES!” A shot went off, glass shattered, spraying my side with shards. He’d shot right through the poster in my hand and the seat on which I’d been sitting only moments before. I jumped into the front seat, landing nearly in Jo’s lap.

Now we were angry! Both Jo & I started shouting “I REBUKE YOU IN JESUS NAME! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE SATAN! YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER US” as he reached through the shattered window, unlocked and slid the side door open & started to climb in.

Suddenly he sprang backwards out of the van and dashed to the pickup. The same instant the whole gang clamored to get back in their truck and took off like a wild tiger was on their heels. They even left a man behind who chased them several meters and managed to climb into the back as they sped away.

We were incredulous. They’d taken nothing and we were unharmed! We started breathing again, but we were still stranded in the middle of this dark mountain road. Not knowing how long it would be before they came for us again (we were sure they would), we desperately tried to flag down any passing vehicle (including a little scooter on his hurried way to the border).

After the very longest five minutes we’d ever experienced, Andy practically body blocked an approaching truck from which emerged four locals, as calm and slow moving as you can possibly imagine (or so it seemed with our high levels of adrenaline). They casually asked what happened and after our high-speed (hopefully semi-intelligible) explanation, they agreed to tow us out and escort us to the nearest hotel, about two km’s down the road.

You’d have thought we were one vehicle by how close we tailed that truck. Behind us on the road, was a pickup with hunting lights just a little too close on our tail. “You’ve gotta be kidding. Not again!” But we heaved a sigh of relief when it passed us by in the little town & we saw that it was a white pickup with no gunmen. Our rescuers pointed us to a hotel they told us we’d be safe in, and left us.

Still trembling, we approached the hotel owners who gladly put us up for the night, and offered us their private parking place for our now very vulnerable van. Still not entirely comforted, hearing gunshots & shouts not very far from our hotel room, we did our best to settle down for the night. We were reminded of so many promises of the Lord’s protection, especially “A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten-thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.” (Psa.91:10)

The next day we made sure to not start driving till light had fully engulfed the world, and in the broad daylight we happily (albeit nervously) made it safely to our destination in Guatemala City. With the help of our local Family we went around the city to find replacements for the shattered window and the shredded tires. Amazingly, the Lord not only supplied repairs, but we were also able to tint the van’s windows.

Everyone we told the story to would exclaim what a miracle it is that we’re still alive and tell us much more frightening stories of “what usually happens” on that road. There was no visible reason for our attackers to leave us as they did, having gained nothing, but they did –and in such a hurry, it can only be for fear of the Awesome Heavenly Protectors the Lord sent to our rescue and in answer to our fervent prayers.

Please pray for our return trip, as it is three days back to Costa Rica from Guatemala and we’ll be retracing our steps… in daylight this time, with a large shipment of books for distribution in Costa Rica and Panama.

Family Day!

2008-11-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

The beauties of Costa Rica!

2008-11-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

My favorite spot in Costa Rica!

A view of Panama

2008-11-15T19:42:00.000-08:00

Andy

2008-11-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

When I first saw you, I saw love.
And the first time you touched me, I felt love.
And after all this time, you're still the one I love.

Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong

You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

Ain't nothin' better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'

You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

I'm so glad we made it
Look how far we've come my baby

(The 10th of this month is our Anniversary, so I will be dedicating this song to him after 11 years of marriage, I think I can safely say that "he's still the one!" I love you baby!!!)

Well since my dear husband is away in Panama since last Tuesday and will not return till Sunday, to let him know that I miss him tons... I'll post some pics of him so he can be sure I've been thinking about him. :)

Our home

2008-11-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

Some of us altogether. (working on the ALL of us)
Chris

Me :)
Cheryl
The pensive men!
Joy and Charlotte
Joana
Juan

Some older pics.

2008-10-26T01:19:00.001-07:00

Just a parking guard in Guatemala.

For those who know Heidi... we made a 1 week singing team together in Guatemala last year.

Yeah, the caps and sunglasses were just bought. lol

Getting ready for the Ferry trip at Puntarenas..... Pura Vida!

Me and my BC students.

2008-10-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

Praising

Inspiration

My Bible Studies at home in Costa Rica.

Thank you!

2008-10-12T21:25:00.001-07:00

A big thank you to Dad and Tera for their huge help in recording the album, all the work they put into it, the late nights they sacrificed to help us get it done! For putting up with us and taking such good care of us! (we wouldn't have made it withouth you!!)
And lets not forget our dear babysitters and home takers who also made this possible.
A big kiss and thank you to Juan, Joana, Joy and Chris! We love you!!!

2008-10-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

at the studio with Tera.

Jordan's birthday!

Sedona

2008-10-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

and some more.

2008-10-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

2008-10-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some mix pictures of our time in Phoenix with my dad, Tera and... the Cactus.
I even got a chance to meet my grandma and aunty for the first time.

2008-10-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

We went to a very pretty place in Arizona called Sedona.
With pretty red rocky mountains and beautiful scenery, quite amazing stuff out there.
It's the religious sacred grounds of the Native Indians.
So this is where we took a lot of pictures hoping to get an album cover out of it. ha! it was an amazing and majestic place to visit.

2008-10-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

Hello dear ones, I know it's been a long, long time since I've posted anything. Sorry for that! well, now I have something more interesting to post about.
So at last I got myself to the states, for the first time in my history! YAY!
it wasn't easy though so I'll tell a little story of how we got here!
Some sweet man we know offered to buy us the tickets and got his secretary to book them. Saturday morning after so much anticipation, packing and emotional goodbyes we get to the airport with suitcases in hand, passports ready etc. At the check'in point the sweet clerk tells us that we have no tickets to leave Costa Rica. We asked; "what do you mean we have no tickets?" He said; "these tickets are from San Jose California to Phoenix!" (instead of San Jose Costa Rica). We didn't know whether to cry or laugh, but it was so absurd for such a mistake occur at that moment that we'd been waiting for so long.
My first thoughts were on Romans 8; 28. For some reason it must have happened. anyways disappointed and defeated we return home. When we called the office to find out if we could change the ticket and still use it, they said that sure we could but with $800 extra each ticket. Ha! So thinking that for sure that was it, we settled to find the good in staying back and not getting to record after all. I figured, well my earache had been worsening and I couldn't even talk, much less sing. so maybe after all it wasn't the best time to leave. So I got that checked the day after our dissappointment, and the doctor found exactly what the problem was with my sore ear, so saving you the gory parts... amazingly enough my earache was miracolously gone after the doctor's visit and all of a sudden I could hear, sing and was happy and healthy again. PTL!
I was thinking, "now I could go to the record". ha! sigh! lol.
well God's delays are not denails right? on monday 2 days after the "supposed departure date" we get an email from the secretary of the man who booked our flights thoroughly apologizing for the mistake she had made, and quickly adding that she had another flight for us for Tuesday morning. We were ecstatic and couldn't believe it. We had just finished having devotions and talking with the home of our disappointment. everyone had added that if we did get another chance that we could still go. (so sweet of them) So we were very happy for another opportunity and after PnP'ing it we wrote back the secratary with a "YES, WE'RE DOING IT!"
We actually didn't believe it until we landed in the states ha!
The trip was as smooth as it could be, we made the connections just fine and had a great time travelling.
I'm writing this now at the end of my trip. (at last I have time to write and update my blog!)
I've worked hard at recording, along with Cheryl, Tera and my dad. The results you shall see soon LW. But in the mean time I'll post some pictures of Arizona and our time here.
Enjoy and pray that the finalizing of the CD.

some random new ones.

2008-08-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Playing chicken fight with Daddy and Justin.
Oh, I guess Jordan is winning... happy to prove his strength.

Nicky's Birthday Party

2008-07-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

Since we're coming up to Jordan's birthday, I thought I should quickly first post the pics of Nicky's Birthday. Shame on me, almost a month later. ha!
Oh well, better late than never...

First of all we went canopying but I don't have the pictures on this computer so will load them later, then we invited a bunch of her friends over and had a party with "Pinata".
There goes Richard chasing it, and at last he gets it. Jessica giving it her best shot, ha! sadly as I was quickly finishing up the cake we missed the shot with Nicky since after all it was her birthday.
And here's the cake, at the innitial stages and then the final product. (disclaimer, Andy was hurrying me like crazy, so I had to basically throw it together (the decorating part) in 15 minitues. But PTL, the kids loved it! that's the important thing!

miscellanious

2008-06-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

Our lovely beach and sunsets... just beautiful!

My hip-hop dance class.
some of our Bible Class students.

Here are some random pics...

Jordan's hair.

2008-06-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

Dear little/big Jordan had a major hair cut due to his hair turning green from too much swimming in the pool, poor thing he really didn't want to cut it as he was hoping that through his long hair he would gain the strenght of Samson. Such high aspirations... oh well, but there was no choice, his hair couldn't stay green, so off the buzzer went and did the job.

Daddy's birthday!

2008-06-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

This is what we did for Daddy's birthday!

Family day!

2008-06-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

Nicky at last mustered up the courage to hold it, but let out a loud screech and almost dropped it as soon as it moved.

A little snack we found for the monkey, a nice little cricket, which he happily ate right in our face.

Nicky is not sure about it... testing the ground...
ok, I was brave enough to hold that ugly snake in my hands. no it wasn't dangerous.

Last family day at a butterfly, frog and snake farm.

The kids loved it.

Jessica and her cast.

2008-06-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well most of you must have heard one way or another what happened to little Jessica, but for you who haven't, she ran through a glass door and got a nasty cut on her leg and one on her face too, she needed an operation for the leg as it had cut through her tendons and muscles, thankfully the operation was successful and she didn't suffer much pain.

She's now wearing a cast for the next month. She's such a cheerful little girl, a real fighter! Here's a few pics of her smiley self that she wanted to share with all of you! Keep praying for her that once her cast is off that she won't need too much therapy and that she'll be able to walk, jump, and play soon after. Thank you all who have already prayed so much for her, we certainly did feel those prayers! GBY!

A little about us...

2008-04-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

After all those pictures, I wanted to also say something about us.
We are all very happy here in Costa Rica, our lives have changed a lot. We MISS Italy like crazy and all you dear friends, but we are also very fulfilled and happy in this beautiful field. the kids are having a blast as they have endless opportunities as you can see to experience new and fun things, they are also taking Breakdancing/hip-hop classes each week (mommy too)hehe, they're becoming such little dancers, so cute, and they are loving it. We had the priviledge of meeting really nice people who also have the possibility to help our work in big ways, and who at the same time are taking us places we've only dreamed to go. GBT! The other night we were invited to a VIP party in the most exclusive mansion in Costa Rica, and apart from having great fun, were able to also meet many influential people. PTL!
The weather has been wonderful up to now, but the rainy season is soon upon us once again, sigh, well at least its still warm in only rains and rains without end.
What else can I say... we miss you all very much and hopefully one of our supporters will sponsor our tickets for a visit back to Italy. so Lord willing to all those of you who are still in Europe we'll pay you a visit soon. Pray for that!

Animal farm

2008-04-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

the little black sheep nursing her finger. She loved that!

Nicole, our animal lover.

and even zebras!

Feeding the goats. (or at least trying to)
nursing the baby pigs...

You've got to kiss the girl... lol. yikes!!

2008-03-23T16:43:00.001-07:00

Our happy, sweet kids.

Nicole and Virginia. (her best friend)

2008-03-23T16:26:00.001-07:00

...and brave Nicole, she did it all by herself, supposedly kids go with guides, but she refused.
(mom, you would have freaked out!!! I almost did in the beginning, but once I did the first step, it was so much fun!)
There goes meeeeeee! George, george, george of the jungle, watch out for that tree!
Jordan and gf. Mishell

and some more...

Our latest adventures!

2008-03-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, this will be fun!
Ready and waiting.
The kids with the sweet man that invited us!
on our way up, bye bye, kids!

Getting dressed for adventure!

Here we are at our first Canopy tour! Excillerating! Fun! Adventurous!!!

2008-03-05T11:21:00.000-08:00

Guarding the little pretty princess. (don't ask me what the cheese grin is for)

The 3 princesses (or so they think) waiting for their prince charming.

2008-03-05T10:58:00.000-08:00

Nicole and Jessica.

2008-03-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

Enjoyin Costa Rica's exclusive places with some of our suppoters.

A little romantic moment... :)

2008-02-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

Our new van! donated by Tera.

a friendly monkey.
Our singing career.

2008-02-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

my girls, learning the art of Facepainting.

2008-02-19T11:16:00.000-08:00

my munchkins! (if I can still call them that.)

2008-02-19T11:10:00.000-08:00

enjoying the beautiful ride and the spectacular view.

2008-02-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

And now it's my turn! You have no idea how tiring it is to reel those monsters in, but fun for sure. I was sure I was not going to be able to get bring it all the way in as the girl before me didn't manage to, but yey, I did it!

2008-02-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

Check out the huge SailFish!

2008-02-19T10:39:00.001-08:00

And here is big daddy proudly catching his SailFish.

Sport Fishing

2008-02-19T10:28:00.000-08:00

So here we are, on a beautiful fishing yacht, we were invited to go by a man we met while singing, who's an ultra millionaire, and took us sport fishing! we had a blast! Dolphins jumping and twirling out of the water, Sailfish getting reeled in by some of us, one at a time, and enjoying this luxurious yacht on a splendid day!

Thanks bro.

2008-02-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

Grazie Jamie, at last I get my very own blog, after almost 28 years and 4 kids and living in Costa Rica... I suppose it's about time!

Unbelivable

2008-02-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

This is a post to see if it works, of course it works why shouldn't it work!!!