Been away awhile!

It's been a while since I posted last, but not because of lack of activity! I am amazed at the changes that are coming fast in our lives. Because of our ministry reorganization earlier this year, we are making a move to Costa Rica where we will establish our new office of Campus Crusade for Christ, Latin America.

Picking up from one place and moving to another country is a challenge. We have really put down roots here, including owning a house and a couple of dogs. Knowing that selling a house can take time under the best of circumstances, we decided to list the house with a real estate agent at the end of November.

Have you ever listed a house for sale in the U.S.? If so, you know that there is a listing agreement that you sign with the real estate person, guaranteeing their performance and your payment of 6% more or less when they sell your house. No such thing here. It is all a handshake, a smile and 3% when all is said and done. We listed the house for the agent's recommended price and hunkered down for a many-month process. To our great surprise, the house sold in two weeks. A little less than we were asking, but more than we paid for it.

We signed the papers at an attorney's office and plan to close on or before Feb. 15. Great. The buyer gave us $5000 down - in US $100's and into my pocket. There is no escrow account, because the buyer can't get out of it. No inspection contingency, no house sale contingency, no financing contingency. Just do it or lose the $5000. Very simple.

Very frequently in Bolivia, the new owners purchase a house furnished, so we made a list of items we would not be moving. They came out yesterday to the house with the whole extended family for another tour and to look at the items on the list. They bought it all, with the exception of the piano. We have already lined up an apartment from February through August in downtown Santa Cruz.

There have been times in our life when God has really confirmed His will for us through circumstances. This is DEFINITELY one of those times. We are so thankful for how He is moving to make this move happen.

Now we need to think and pray about the dogs. Stay in Bolivia? Move them to Costa Rica? Lord?

Ron