Floyd and Pam in Costa Rica

Master's Program Begins! ...and more

2009-05-23T17:17:00.015-06:00

Floyd: the Cuba Connection
After more than 18 months of planning and praying, we actually got the M.A. in Bible off the ground in Cuba! I went, representing ESEPA Seminary here in Costa Rica, and joined Paul Sywulka from SETECA Seminary in Guatemala. After Paul's starting class in Theology of the New Testament, I taught Greek 1. We have 15 students in the New Testament track and 15 students in the Old Testament track. The three Cuban seminaries participating in the M.A. program send 5 students each to both of the Bible tracks. (There are 30 M.A. students in all.) Our ultimate goal is to have Cubans graduate in 3 or 4 years who will be able to teach in their respective seminaries and not depend on visiting professors from the outside. We are on our way, thank the Lord!

My trip to Cuba went well--no problems with connections or with entry into Cuba. The host Seminary sent representatives to pick us up and take us to the campus, located near the center of the Island. We were met by 15 eager students, energetic and capable. I was very pleased with their progress during the week, and have high hopes for their future in New Testament studies.

Our daily schedule began at 8:30am and went until noon. After lunch and a time for a siesta, we hit it again from 2:30 to 6:30pm. Toward the end of the week, the students who had to travel more than 300 miles to get home to their Sunday ministries asked if we could hold class on Thursday and Friday night from 8:30 to 10:30pm in addition. That way we would make up for cutting out

the Saturday morning session, and they could get on the road before 6:00am. Transportation is a perennial problem in Cuba. Buses and vans ran at unpredictable schedules, so one has to allow plenty of time in transit. A trip that would take us maybe 6 hours will last 10 to 12 hours for them.

While I taught in one location, another ESEPA Seminary prof, Jose Antonio Siles, taught the last course in this round of B.A. classes that our seminary is offering at Las Palmas Seminary in the western part of Cuba. I followed him at Las Palmas for the second week, and taught a small group of M.A. students from Las Palmas who were ahead of schedule in their language studies. They wanted me to help them with Hebrew 2, and thus finish the basic grammar book they would study in the new M.A. program. Although we only had 3 of the 5 students finish, these worked extremely hard. We used the new Library building that so many of our Cuba Partnership teams have been working on. Thanks, guys! Your efforts are paying off! The building is about 75% done, but the library books are in, few as they may be, and the primary classroom is usable. I was hoping to have a white board to use, and so had taken several markers in different colors. But to my surprise, both seminaries where I taught depended on good, 'ole fashioned CHALK! Thankfully, I had found a new box of chalk in my "teaching aids" box before I left for Cuba. (Here is one, guys, to prove to your wife why you need to keep so many things "just in case"!) That box of chalk must have been 15 years old! But it worked great and I used every piece over the course of the two weeks of Biblical languages instruction.

Just in case some may be thinking, "Why don't you just offer courses by internet?" let me remind you of the restrictions on such service inside Cuba, and the inability of most to get such service in their areas. We are grateful the opportunity to teach in person, and pray that these programs on both the B.A. and M.A. level may continue in the future.

Floyd: the Costa Rica Connection

Esepa Seminary is in full swing for the second term this year. We have experienced an increase in students at both the Certificate level and the B.A. level. Enrollment went up from 125 to 143 this term, for which we are thankful. With increased enrollment comes increased needs for student aid. The students pay only about 35% of what it costs us to educate them. The remaining 65% must be raised in donations, usually from foreign sources. A credit hour on the B.A. level only costs about $26, so a typical 3 credit hour course would by $78. A gift of $50 would subsidize a student in a course. We are in desperate need for such student aid so we can continue paying our national professors and our operating expenses. Any gift, big or small, would help us more than I could express to you in this blog. Just $50 would help tremendously at this point in our academic year. If we could raise $50 for 140 students, that would be $7000. You get the picture. Any gift between $50 and $7000 would help keep us afloat through this term.

Just send your gifts to us, designated for ESEPA Seminary, at Messiah's Outreach, P.O. Box 230, Wheaton, IL 60189.

Pam: connecting with the women of Costa Rica

Just to catch you up on what I have been doing lately: I have had the opportunity for friendship building --among some ladies of Costa Rica (Ticas). I have been participating in various exercise/dancing and water aerobics classes. I have met some amazing women. For some reason, they seem to like me, and with several I have actually become friends. I wanted to tell you about a great experience I have had lately. Last November I was involved in a small water aerobics class at a nearby pool, within walking distance from our house. This class was really starting to grow and develop. It was such fun even though we were small in number and the pool was small (and very cold!). Miriam, 36, the instructor who is from Columbia and quite beautiful, was propositioned one day by the owner of this pool to have sex with him. She, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and wanting to obey God rather than man, refused. Machoism is alive and well here in CR, and this made the owner very upset. He told her that if she did not change her mind by the next week, she would be fired. Several of us prayed for her. She gave him a firm "no!" and he fired her on the spot, told her to leave, and did not even pay her for the month. (These classes were a large part of her livlihood.) When we showed up at the pool, we found out what had just happened, we tried to speak to him, but he would not even come off of the soccer field to talk with us. (Macho-ego!) We then went to talk to his assistant, and I, in my broken Spanish, told him in no uncertain terms that we knew what was happening here, we knew of the proposition, and that the other man (the owner, "jefe") would not get away with this. We told him we would not return. He just laughed at us. We told other women about it and they were livid too. No one returned to that pool. Some of us prayed and waited and repeated the process. Then came the day, actually a few months later: Miriam, the instructor, was called and asked to begin her classes at a new, much bigger pool. We started few in number, invited others, and then by word of mouth many others started coming. The boss of this new pool is actually the brother of the "bad" guy we mentioned. The good brother told us that no one is attending the classes they have at the other pool (of his brother's) although they are trying to get women to come. So his brother is losing money!

This morning, however, we had 32 women--the largest class ever!--in Miriam's new location. It was so crowded and it seemed like electricity was in the air, as well as the Latin music blaring! We were exercising and dancing and everyone was so happy. We had the most amazing time. Three weeks ago, a few of the women asked if Miriam would pray with us after class. The boss approved. This started a practice. Once Miriam hesitated to pray--not to "force" the women, and THEY asked if she would pray with them. This morning, if you can just picture it, we 32 women, all in the pool after swimming and dancing in the water, are now all holding hands and praying. Many are not believers but do desire to pray and desire to know more about a living relationship with Jesus Christ. I lifted my head (during the prayer), and I stood amazed in the water, giving praise to God that He had allowed me to share in this experience. "Oh, what wonderful works the Lord has done."

God bless you all! Thank you for your interest in our ministries in Costa Rica and Cuba!

Musings on Ministry in 2009

2009-02-23T20:09:00.009-06:00

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us"--2 Corinthians 4:7

God does not hide His valuables under a mattress. In spite of the global banking crisis, stock market downturn, and diminishing "return on equity," He continues to delight in His children and deposit His treasure in them! Pam and I have experienced the thrill of this Divine economy since returning after Christmas break. Our Lord has opened up new doors of ministry and used us in ways we could only dream about a year ago. Opportunities still have their challenges, but the sensation of being used by the Omnipotent God is quite a rush!

The "rush," however, is accompanied with a "reminder." God's "strong box" is just a clay pot. Our human frailty is all too evident, even when we minister. Oh, we have been generally healthy during these last few months. Nevertheless, the evidence of "clay pot-ness" is a constant companion.

We want to share with you what gives us the "rush" and what taps us on the shoulder as a "reminder."

The Cuba Connection (Floyd's comments)

January and February have finally brought the last year of "negotiating" for the M.A. in Bible in Cuba to a conclusion. With the help of Josue Fernandez, the Latin American representative of Overseas Council International, I have been able to reach a wonderful solution to the curriculum issues and logistics of the M.A. program on that island nation. The leaders of Los Pinos Nuevos Seminary in Santa Clara, Cuba, will coordinate the M.A. from the Cuban side, while I will help with the coordination of professors and visiting lecturers from outside of Cuba. The curriculum is a solid M.A. in Bible, taught in modules spread out over a three-year period. With requirements for Greek and/or Hebrew to do exegesis of Bible books, and with culturally sensitive course additions in Latin American theology, we have a workable plan of action. Best of all, the Cuban seminary leaders took the initiative on curriculum design and scheduling its implementation. Any of us from outside of Cuba will participate as "visiting professors."

Now the good news is that we should kick off the program in April and May--a few short weeks away! Professors from Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Colombia--along with Cuban national professors--will be giving the instruction in 2009. I have been invited by the Cuban brothers to give a course in May! This is a real "rush" to be part of this international team effort.

But the "clay-ness" remains: pray for the processing of our visa request by the Cuban government. We are trusting God for an encouraging word soon. Our applications from last year had to be redone and resubmitted. All this took place in January. So we are in our "waiting" phase. Out of our control, but not out of His control! So PRAY!

Ministry opportunities in Costa Rica are multiplying as well. I have been invited to preach twice in Costa Rican churches. God is good, and He has helped me express myself reasonably well in Spanish. There is always room for improvement, and so we keep reaching for heights not yet attained. I am teaching two courses this term at ESEPA Seminary, Biblical Theology and Exegesis of John. As always, the teacher is learning much more than the students--but that is not a bad thing.

Pam's Perspective

My "clay-ness" is clearly seen in Spanish learning. When I arrived here in November 07, I began praying for something to do in ministry. I soon realized that though I could speak a little and counsel some, I talked like a 4 year old--and that does not work very well for teaching. I began praying and working hard on my Spanish, studying daily for 2 to 3 hours and working with a tutor 2 times a week. Plus I would talk to anyone in Spanish who would listen!

At last, I am pleased to announce that the Lord opened up a door to teach a Bible study for women in Spanish. I was excited but a bit anxious as to what I would sound like. Well, on February 10, I began a Women's Bible Study in I Juan, meeting Tuesday afternoons at the same place where I teach English to Spanish-speakers on Wednesdays. Another missionary friend is coming alongside me to assist with the class and teach from time to time as well. I have taught now for 2 weeks, and I am amazed. Why? Frankly, it's because of the Lord's goodness in helping me actually talk in Spanish and teach His Word. I absolutely love it. (There's the "rush.")

I am also amazed at how many funny things I say! (And there is the "reminder" of clay-ness.) I actually told the Spanish ladies to remember to bring their Bibles next time and their "pigs." ("Notebooks" are "cuadernos," a word very close to the word for "pig" which is "cerdos"!) Can you believe it! Yes, this is my "clay-ness" and yet, wow, that God would choose to use me--I am amazed!

We have had some interesting talks. Costa Rican (Tica) women love to respond and share their thoughts and feelings. One lady mentioned that she was glad that God had pardoned her as mentioned in I John, and that God does it. She told me that since she was raised in another religion here in Costa Rica, she would often go and confess to a man. She did not tell him the really bad things she had done, but only the "less bad" things. At any rate, it did not matter anyway, because the man usually was not listening to her. She was so glad God listens, and if we confess, He will forgive us. How joyful she was. Well, there are some victories, some failures, some funny things said, but at the end of the day, God enjoys using our weakness, our "clay-ness" for His glory.

Communications
If you would like to communicate with us, we would love to hear from you. Write us at felmore2@yahoo.com. Let us know how you are doing and be sure to share your pray requests with us as well.

"Un fuerte abrazo a todos" ( a big hug for all),
Floyd and Pam

Reflections and Projections

2009-01-17T17:27:00.010-06:00

Reflections on 2008

Finishing 2008 marked the end of our first full year in Costa Rica. On the whole Pam and I experienced the healthiest year we have had in quite a while. Pam is due to have her year 4 CATscan soon, which will confirm, God willing, 4 years of being "cancer-free." The climate here seems to set well with us, and we certainly have enjoyed the fresh veggies and fruits which are abundant. A mango or papaya smoothie for breakfast is high on my list of favorite flavors! God surely has been kind to us.

From Floyd's perspective:

Year 2008 was an intense year of language learning and/or relearning for both of us. As a prof for courses in both bachillerato (bachelor's level) and maestria (master's level), I felt that pesky internal drive to build vocabulary and communicate at least at the 8th-grade level with my students! (I hope to sound more like a college-educated person this year!) Whether I accomplished the goal or not, well, you would have to ask my students! I received many encouraging comments from them about the courses I taught, and we all had fun laughing at some of the weird Spanish phrases, or the not-so-infrequent mispronunciations I would come up with from time to time. God must have a sense of humor to use our stammering for His glory!

I had the privilege of leading the academic team at ESEPA Seminary in 2008. As Academic Dean, I asked the department directors to review all our academic regulations and offer suggestions to improve them. We closed loop-holes (students always find these; it does not matter what culture you are teaching in!). We spelled out more clearly what seemed to be ambiguous. We streamlined the process we go through to offer our courses in the right order and at the right frequency. Just academic stuff, but that is what I do as an administrator!

The academic calendar for us runs from January through mid-December. We graduated six this year, and enjoyed a great time with families and friends of the graduates. Our Rector, Dr. Gary Shogren (far left in the picture), has been on furlough all of 2008, but was able to join us for the graduation exercises. We had a very delicious catered meal following the ceremony. The grads and their families seemed to appreciate the extra special touch our staff gave to the occasion.

Some of our grads have already left Costa Rica to become involved in ministries in other countries. Others have signed up for the Master's program at ESEPA and will have to endure another three years of hard labor! But their desire to be well prepared to serve their Lord is obvious. Thank the Lord with me -- for being part of "formando siervos conforme al corazon de Dios" ("forming servants conformed/according to the heart of God").

For our first Christmas in Costa Rica in 2007, Pam and I instituted "The Academic Dean's Christmas Party" at our home. We invite all faculty and staff, along with their spouses, to participate at no charge to them. Just our way of saying "thank you" for another year of faithful service. About 30 attended back then. This year we had our "second annual" Christmas party on December 12--and 41 were in attendance! Our house was filled wall-to-wall! Festive spirits, fun times and scrumptious food all contributed to a memorable occasion.

Times like these remind us of how blessed we are to be a part of this community of believers here in San Jose. The body of Christ is vast, through-out the world. It has many expressions in various cultures and communities of faith. God is teaching us daily that He IS building His church--what a joy to be a part of His plan!

From Pam's Perspective:

I believe I have had a year of intense learning. Learning about the culture, the people and the language of Costa Rica. For me it has been much study of Spanish, and of course preparing my heart for whatever the Lord may have for me. Since I needed much more prep than Floyd for Spanish, I was not able to be as actively involved in ministry as he was. However, the Lord has provided opportunities to teach others and counsel in English. The Lord has taught me so many things regarding service to Him. Serving Him may include intense discipline in studying a language so that you can just talk. We usually think of it in other terms, but the Lord has shown me that I am pleasing to Him when I submit myself to learn this amazing Spanish language for His honor and glory.

Christmas was a great time for us. As Floyd mentioned we were able to open our home to the ESEPA faculty and staff. I enjoyed having them over and it was great fun preparing the many different foods they seemed to enjoy (you can guess who actually prepared the food in our Floyd and Pam team!).

We went home for 3 weeks to Ohio over Christmas. As parents of married children, this was our "off year." Most of you will understand what I mean. We have to share our kids every other year with our married kids' families. We live all over the place in the States. However, Alicia, Dave, Anna and Ellie were able to be with us for a few days. It was brief but, oh, so much fun! We do seem to appreciate the time together since it is "here and there." We may not have a house in the States, but we still have a home. We stayed with Floyd's sister Brenda and husband Tim, and they made us feel so at home. We thank them once again.

Projections for 2009

From Floyd's perspective:

Although we barely got started with the Cuba aspect of our work in 2008, we are primed and ready to move along with it in 2009. The brothers at Los Pinos Nuevos Seminary in Santa Clara, Cuba, will take the lead with the Masters in Bible program, and other seminaries are invited to participate as they can. The plan of studies has all but been finalized, and the first classes are scheduled to be offered in February this year. Pray with us that our visas will be approved by the Cuban Department of Religious Affairs so we might join in and teach a class this year in Cuba.

We are still scheduled to finish the present "round" of classes for the Bachelor's level students at Las Palmas Seminary. They only lack two courses to finish: one will be offered in person, and the other by CD and correspondence. The latter is the best we can do until full internet capabilities are available to our brothers and sisters in Cuba. Keep praying!

We started a new year of Bible study in our home in San Jose last Thursday evening for missionaries and others who want to improve their Spanish and learn some Bible while they are doing it. We are teaching the Book of Acts from a modern language Spanish Bible to get the best exposure possible to currently spoken Spanish in print. We answer grammar questions and Bible questions--whatever comes up. Those who come represent at least 5 different missions agencies. We have wonderful fellowship in our simple study and we have formed a unique learning community to meet a felt need of missionaries. Pray that this format will help all God's servants improve their effectiveness in their Spanish language ministries.

From Pam' Perspective:

The Lord has opened up a door for me to teach a ladies Bible class in Spanish!! I am very excited and a bit nervous, not in teaching the Bible, but in teaching it FOR THE FIRST TIME in Spanish. These will be new believers and some coming who do not know the Lord. Some I will know since I have met them through my teaching English as a second language. We have hit it off pretty well so far. I will be starting in I John and continuing into II and III John. I sincerely ask that you pray for me. Naturally, I want to be filled with His Spirit to teach, but also I will need His help with Spanish--no trouble for Him since He knows all languages. I begin Feb. 10.

Pam and I would love to hear from you, and how we might pray for you as well. Contact information follows:

email: felmore2@yahoo.com
smail mail (usually takes 7-10 days to arrive from the States): Floyd and Pam Elmore, Apdo. 782-2350, San Francisco de Dos Rios, San Jose, Costa Rica
Send gifts to help us continue our outreach to: Messiah's Outreach, P.O.Box 230, Wheaton, IL 60189-0230

October 2008 Ministry Update

2008-10-04T17:19:00.015-06:00

Fall has come to Costa Rica, which basically means more rain! Temps are between 62 and 75 degrees, and it rains almost every day in the afternoon - - sometimes into the night as well. Getting used to being closer to the equator is tough on us: the closer you get, the more days and nights approximate 12 hours each. What that means for us is that we have sun up around 5:15am and nightfall about 5:30pm. By 6:30pm, it is pitch dark! That does change your schedule, since we do not usually go out after dark to walk anymore!

What's up with Floyd these day?

1. Cuba Connection. I made a trip to Cuba from July 23 to August 2. All went well. I travelled with a work team from the Church of the Chimes from San Jose, California. The team was a hoot to be around--lot's of fun people and really dedicated to blessing the church in Cuba. Besides the work, like painting, drawing up wiring charts for the new library, and repairing buildings, we made visits to two different provinces to make contact with the Church's Cuban missionary couple and so I could meet with Los Pinos Nuevos Seminary leadership. The women from Church of the Chimes also presented a "Uniquely You" Bible study/workshop for Cuban women.

The contact with Los Pinos Nuevos Seminary should prove beneficial going forward. Omar Bada (pictured with me), the Rector (President) of Los Pinos Nuevos Seminary in Santa Clara, and I also discussed how ESEPA Seminary might be able to assist them in reaching their educational goals by offering M.A. classes soon. Added to this, I have now had initial meetings with Las Palmas Seminary leadership. We have planned a teaching module from November 23 to 29. The Las Palmas Seminary needs one last course for the present cohort of students to be able to graduate. I will travel with an ESEPA Seminary prof who will teach "Revelation and Inspiration." At this same time, I will offer workshops in Greek and Hebrew for a different group of students who have already graduated with the B.A. and are seeking to meet their Biblical language requirements to start M.A. studies. We will toss in some practice in "Reading Theological English" for them to be super-ready for M.A. classes to begin in 2009.

URGENT PRAYER: Pray that the visas for the ESEPA prof and for me will be approved in a timely fashion for this November trip! Also pray for the additional financial need of about $1500 required to pull off this workshop. We have sent in $1000 already to get things set up. But the remaining needs to be met are airfare for the prof and me, student scholarships (since our Cuban brothers cannot afford the price of their education), and salary to pay for the prof. Thanks to your generous support, I do not need to receive salary for offering these workshops.

2. ESEPA Seminary news. Thanks for your prayers in behalf of ESEPA. You may remember the financial crisis we went through last May. Be God's grace, we survived! Many of you gave extra, and every dollar got to ESEPA without deductions for "administrative costs." Like most developing nation seminaries, ESEPA lives on a shoestring budget, from month to month. Some large promised gifts finally got to us, and we are still afloat! But barely! Administration is attempting to raise the consistent donor base, starting with the Costa Rican churches. Pray for them. The notion of supporting "your seminary" regularly seems to be thought of as strange. But God can raise up His "Gideon's band" to help us meet our needs monthly.

This semester I am teaching Apologetics on the B.A. level and Introduction to Biblical Theology on the M.A. level. These two courses push me to learn more technical Spanish vocabulary, and I believe I have improved immensely in my ability to communicate in my new "adopted" language. Add to this mix Hebrew Grammar II, and you may get a sense of the teaching load I am carrying this term. I seem to be the "utility batter" to pick up courses that others do not want or cannot teach. Keep praying for my poor old brain to learn new Spanish tricks!

3. Additional Costa Rican ministries. We started a Bible study in our home last July for missionaries who were still struggling with Spanish grammar. (How can you minister the Word in Spanish if you cannot understand the Bible correctly in Spanish?) We have averaged about 12 each Thursday evening, with a high attendance of 17. Those who come vary from third term Spanish Language Institute students who need more explanations and practice, to veteran missionaries who never really got the grammar down well to start with. We are reading the Book of Acts, chapter by chapter, in Spanish, and teaching grammar inductively from what we read. Along the way, I teach the Biblical content as well. (I just can't help myself!) We seem to be having fun, and I have received many encouraging comments from those who have attended regularly. What a blessing to know that our ministry here is reaching out all over Latin America as missionaries study with us and then move on to their chosen fields. Pray that God would make them fruitful in their ministries as they handle more accurately His word in Spanish.

What's up with Pam these days?

Hi, it is my turn to talk! I am still studying Spanish like crazy; I continue with my tutor twice a week and we talk for one hour each session. This is so good for me. I also love reading my Spanish Bible outloud and I learn a lot this way, to say nothing of correcting my bad pronunciation. I have recently started teaching an English class for those Costa Rican adults who want to learn some English (intermediate level). This is a chance to talk in Spanish with them also, teach them some English, and also have an outreach ministry. I love the adults who come; they are so humble and really want to learn English.

The weather is nice here and I walk daily and have now started water aerobics class on Saturday mornings. This is NOT your mother's water aerobics class either! It is high level impact, it is in Spanish of course, and I really enjoy it. This is a stretch for me in more ways than one! There is a great pool within a few blocks of our home and two other hispanic friends go with me. I enjoy learning the different uses of Spanish in this water class. Sometimes I don't quite understand what the instructor is saying and I start heading in the wrong direction, and my two friends head me back in the right direction, laughing of course all the way. Learning Spanish is always humbling. This particular Saturday, I was invited by them to go shopping in downtown San Jose. This was my first invite by two Tica women (Costa Rican), and we had a ball. It was very encouraging to go with them, eat with them, converse with them and walk all over downtown. Did I say they wanted to eat at Taco Bell? I am thankful for my new found friends.

By the way, as most of you know, I am four years out from my cancer. I just wanted to let all know that we have found a very good oncologist recommened by our new family doctor. I have had a thorough check up and all looked very good. I will have my annual CAT scan in November. We are trusting God for all to be clear once again. Thanks for your prayers through the years.

We all remember the '60's camp song, "where have all the flowers gone?" Well, that has a new meaning for us now. We woke up last Saturday morning and while I was making some incredible Costa Rican coffee, Floyd went outside to unlock the gate. When he came back, he reported that we had been robbed again. When I went out to see, all I could think of was "where have all the flowers gone?" We had just fixed up a small flowerbed out front of our big gates and fences with pretty little rocks, some plants and many different pretty flowers. We never quite understand WHY robbers steal the things they do, but are getting more accustomed to these types of things every day. If you know Floyd at all, you know, that hurt him a lot since he has such a passion for flowers, trees and the like. But in perspective, they are JUST flowers. But FLOWERS???

We also continue meeting with our other Tico friends, Edgar and Nora. We go visit them and they visit us. We enjoy being in each other's home. Please pray for them and for their salvation.

We are always amazed by the cultural differences. Here is a photo of some feet at a storm drain. Alicia, Annalese, Ellie and my feet are on the curb, pointing at what Americans call a "Gringo Catcher." We have mentioned before how poor people here steal manhole covers, storm drain grates and other metal utility covers. They sell them for "scrap" to get a little money. Well, what a surprise to hear the news story from the States about how the same thing is happening in USA! Copper has become so valuable that one high school had to cancel their Friday night football game--because someone had stripped out the copper wiring from the stadium lights! Obviously, thefts of this variety do not contribute to a sense of "community"! Down here, you must watch your step as you walk, or you may be the next victim of a "Gringo catcher!

Prayer Request Summary

1. October 11, all-day conference hosted by ESEPA Seminary on "What the Bible says about Homosexuality." We do not know what to expect, so pray for wisdom to make presentations clearly, speak the truth in love, and show the redemptive grace of God in how we speak and act. I will present on "What the O.T. says about Homosexuality"--in Spanish, of course.

2. Visas to travel to Cuba on November 22. That the government will be understanding and open to our coming and teaching there. Also pray for the $2500 per teaching module we need to raise to offer classes in Cuba. Over the last four years, 17 to 25 Cuban pastoral students have attended each time a module has been offered. Pray for final prep to start the M.A. program in 2009.

3. ESEPA's financial needs. We consistently need to raise about $12,000 per month to meet budget. Student tuitions only cover about 40% of the costs of their education.

4. Pray for missionaries struggling to learn Spanish better to be able to minister God's Word clearly and accurately.

Correspondence:

Write us an email at felmore2@yahoo.com

or snail mail at:

Floyd and Pam Elmore

Apdo. 782-2350

San Francisco de Dos Rios

San Jose, Costa Rica 10106

Donations should be sent to:

Floyd and Pam Elmore

Messiah's Outreach

P.O. Box 230

Wheaton, IL 60189-0230

God bless you as we partner together in His work in Costa Rica and Cuba!

July 2008 Ministry Update

2008-07-14T09:16:00.015-06:00

June flew by and July is taking off from the runway! But here we are, reflecting on what has happened since our trip to USA in May. Floyd's Dad turned 80, and we had a gran family reunion and party. We enjoyed some crazy times with our own kids who all came to celebrate with us. Remembering "when" seems to be a favorite pastime for our crew. Laughs never cease.

Our daughter Alicia came with her two girls to visit us in late June while David, our son-in-law, fulfills a course requirement for his Ph.D., investigating water systems in Botswana, Africa. Pam has enjoyed this special time with them here in our home in San Jose. The girls bring a level of activity to the house that it has not seen to date! I did not know you could play "Polly Pockets" in so many places on the floor!

Anna and Ellie, our granddaughters, have had a big time in CR. They have visited where Poppi works at ESEPA Seminary and enjoyed many trips to the Central Market. We are about half way through this school term. I (Floyd) have been teaching Elementary Hebrew and Readings in the Hebrew Bible. The challenge has been to learn all the terms for Hebrew grammar in Spanish. The students have learned a lot from translating the books of Ruth and Jonah. Ruth, for sure, teaches us that we can all thank God for our "Kinsman-Redeemer," Jesus, who did not leave us destitute, but showed His grace to us and brought us into His family.

Jonah gives us many lessons of obedience and God's sovereign purposes in our lives. Running from God is never a successful course of action. Joyful obedience in whatever God calls us to do certainly makes life a lot simpler, not to mention keeping us from being "down in the mouth"!

What did you do on July 4th? What would you do if you were an American living abroad and wanted to celebrate July 4th? Well, the American community in Costa Rica has come together--not just missionaries, but ex-pats of all varieties from retirees to business people--to organize a July 4th celebration with the US ambassador and his family. This year we went with the grand-daughters to meet with about 4,000 other flag-waving Americans to eat hot dogs and slaw, cotton candy, popcorn and ice cream! We actually met the ambassador and got our picture snapped with him.

Pam and I have attended Comunidad de San Francisco for the last eight months, a church that meets in a Civic Center not three blocks from our house. The worship is Latin American in flavor, led entirely by nationals. Many students at the nearby Spanish Language Institute attend as well. It seems to be a good mix of cultures. A typical Sunday morning will stretch us to worship in prayer, singing and reflecting on God's word, all in Spanish.

We noticed that many missionary-students in their third and final term of study, as well as a few missionaries who reside and work in CR, still struggle with Spanish grammar. So Pam and I opened our home to a small group Bible study--of the Spanish Bible. We not only teach the truths of the Scripture text before us, but we also seek to answer questions anyone may have about the grammar we see in the texts of the Spanish Bible. The instruction takes place in both Spanish and English, whichever is needed to answer questions and learn. The Spanish subjunctive mood is a struggle to grasp for many English speakers. So meditating on paragraphs from 1Peter takes us often to "uncertain futures" and "concession clauses" and "purpose and clauses expressing wishes or desires." All these require the subjunctive in Spanish.

Never forget to pray for our continuing language learning. And now you can add to the list the other missionaries who are struggling to get the basic principles of Spanish down so that they may communicate God's word more effectively.

Prayer Points

1. Floyd has a trip to Cuba from July 23 to August 2. The purpose of the trip is to meet with leaders of the Seminaries there who have been cooperating with ESEPA to start up a Master's degree program in Bible and Theology. Please pray for safety and success in making the necessary arrangements to get this program off the ground later this year.

2. Pam will return to USA on July 30 to help our son Nathan and family move to Richmond, Virginia. He and Amie will begin a new ministry of church-planting there.

3. ESEPA Seminary will end its second term of the year on August 16. During the two-week break between terms, Floyd will return to USA to join Pam and speak in a couple of churches. We are seeking to raise funds for our ministry. Please pray for safety in travel and favor with the churches where we will be ministering the Word and sharing our vision for Cuba and Costa Rica. (If you are aware of other churches or individuals who may be interested in our ministry, please let us know! Thanks!)

May 2008 Ministry Update

2008-05-08T20:27:00.005-06:00

Life has assumed a consistent pace of late. Let's hope that is not the first step toward being in a rut! Thankfully, we have not had much out of the ordinary excitement. No thieves, no assaults on the street, no central market hassles. But ordinary has its blessings too. We will divide our ministry interests so you can get a picture of what we are each doing.

What has Pam been up to?

I have been consistently working on improving my Spanish skills. I meet with a personal tutor twice weekly. Carmen is her name, and she is a retired school teacher. We share many interests at this stage of our lives, and we seem to never lack for something to talk about. (All in Spanish, of course!) She is truly helping me express myself more clearly and correctly. I do feel like I have taken a giant step (well, maybe a baby giant!) forward in my ability to use Spanish in normal conversation.

Last month, I was part of a women's Bible study sponsored by ESEPA Seminary (Mujeres serviendo mujeres = Women serving women). One of the women profs at the Seminary was the main speaker, and I worked as a small group leader during the break out sessions. It was great to have this ministry with many Costa Rican women from a variety of local churches.

The Spanish Language Institute (Instituto de Lengua Espanola = ILE, for short) starts classes three times a year, roughly coinciding with trimesters. I was asked to assist with the orientation week for the new class that just started in May. Having a ministry with future missionaries is an exciting prospect for me. From these contacts, some new friendships and counseling sessions have developed. Even missionaries have their struggles! I pray that God will use me at this time in their lives as they prepare for their future ministries using Spanish.

What has Floyd been up to?

The first term (we call them "cuatrimestres," meaning a 4-month term) has come and gone. I really enjoyed teaching The Use of the Old Testament in the New. With 9 master's-level students, we struggled with verse after verse, trying to distinguish between directly messianic prophecies, indirectly messianic prophecies, analogies, illustrations and typology. All of the students seemed to really work hard, and we truly developed into a "learning community." Their final classroom presentations were a joy to listen to and watch as each took turns leading the class through their thinking process to arrive at their conclusions. I was amazed at some of their creative PowerPoint presentations! Lively question and answer times after their lectures sometimes had to be cut off--Latins love to haggle and discuss!

The second cuatrimestre has begun. I teach Basic Biblical Hebrew for beginning M.A. students in Old Testament, and Readings in the Hebrew Bible for second-year students. So far so good. I will be working hard myself this term to refresh my own understanding of Hebrew grammar and syntax. They say such mental exercise delays the on-set of Altzheimer's disease. I cannot think of a better way to keep the brain functioning than to work it out with Biblical languages and meditate on Scripture portions ! Teaching Hebrew grammar in Spanish will have its own challenges during these next four months, for sure.

The Cuba Connection

Thanks for your prayers for the churches in Cuba and the pastors there who desire to continue their theological training. ESEPA Seminary still has a target date of November 2008 to begin offereing M.A. classes in Bible and Theology at the Las Palmas Seminary in Cuba. I (Floyd) will be travelling to Cuba in July to meet with seminary leaders, plan some more, and hopefully prepare the M.A. students to pass their entrance requirements in Biblical languages. Please keep me in your prayers as there seems to always be some unknown factor that pops up at the last minute to delay visa processing and travel arrangements.

Prayer Projects

We say "projects" because what we are presenting to you here could involve more than just prayer. Yes, some have asked about how they could be involved fianancially. Well, here is how. Always pray, and also put actions to your words. Remember 1 John 3:18.

1. ESEPA Seminary Library: I am ashamed to admit that my own personal library is stronger in many ways than the Seminary library. But since we seek Spanish books (and my library is primarily in English!), focusing on "core curriculum" holdings for each course, here is what we need. For $250 per course (and we offer about 70 different courses on the B.A. and M.A. levels), we could buy the needed volumes and really strength our library. This simple step could help us for years to come.

2. ESEPA Seminary Faculty: We send our faculty to Cuba to teach modules. A professor goes for one to two weeks, teaches a 3 or 4 hour course, takes all printed materials in, and gets the job done. To pay for the airfare, minimal salary (less than $200 per course taught!), and expenses for food, visa, and incidentals, it costs us about $1200. We need to offer three more B.A. classes to finish out the degree sequence for the present class. We have basically run out of funds for the B.A. courses. You could help us here. (The M.A. modules will cost us a little more, since the courses offered are four credit hours each, and the M.A. pay for the professor is a little more.)

3. ESEPA Seminary Scholarship Fund: Students receive scholarships of usually 50% to 60% of the actual costs of their education. Without this aid, they could not attend. So ESEPA also tries to raise scholarship money. For about $60 per course, per student, you could subsidize the cost of educating future church leaders. Seems like such a small amount, but each student comes on faith and trusts God to meet their needs through hard work and the generosity of concerned Christians. You can make a difference in the lives of students with this project!

4. ESEPA Seminary General Fund: It is not an "exciting" project by some standards, but if we do not pay our bills, we cannot continue--just like any other Christian ministry. At present, we are looking at about a $50,000 deficit for 2008. Any gift, great or small, would be a blessing at this time.

So please PRAY. . . and ask God how you should get involved financially as well!

Send any gifts to:
Messiah's Outreach
P.O. Box 230
Wheaton, IL 60189-0230

If you would like to correspond with Floyd or Pam directly, email us at felmore2@yahoo.com, or write us at Apdo. 782-2350, San Francisco de Dos Rios, San Jose, Costa Rica.

Thanks ahead of time for your gracious support!

Language Learning: Tower of Babel Revisited!

2008-04-14T09:51:00.004-06:00

We have asked for prayer as we seek to master Spanish--before it murders us! Well, in an effort to help you grasp what is involved in acquiring a new language to the point of being reasonably fluent in it, let me explain some of the daily issues we wrestle with.

A Peruvian friend who is fluent in both English and Spanish gave me this illustration. Imagine you are a recovering stroke victim. You know how to walk and move your arms, but you cannot quite get that foot to obey what you think in your head. You struggle to raise your arm or flex your hand. You know HOW to do all these activities, but your brain does not respond at the rate it used to do. You must retrain your brain. THAT is what we are doing with our minds in the process of language learning.

Pam and I know what we want to express, but we cannot get the words we know in Spanish to come out at the rate we desire. Or, we do not even know the vocabulary we need to express some concept. So our brain does a fast "search" of "currently available vocabulary" for words that maybe will approximate what we want to say. Yes, the Spanish language can express everything we can utter in English--and, I am learning, sometimes Spanish is even richer with amazingly more flexibility and variety than in English! But OUR BRAINS just do not seem to want to cooperate with OUR DESIRES to express our thoughts. We have so much vocabulary to gain, and it seems so little time to acquire it.

To further illustrate the vocabulary challenge: I am teaching a Master's level class, The Use of the Old Testament in the New. All students have a B.A. or better who are in my class. So here I sit, reading student papers--but with my Spanish-English Dictionary in hand! I have been a college or seminary professor for more than 25 years. I occasionally have had to look up a word I might read in a student paper written in English. But in this class taught only in Spanish, I regularly look up words the students use. They are functioning with a college-level or better writing vocabulary. I maybe have an eighth-grade reading vocabulary. You get the picture. Once the translation has been made, I understand all that they say, but there are a couple of additional steps in there in the process of understanding that I have not had to do in a class taught in English. Not only does this take more time to grade papers, but it is mentally draining as well.

Basically, we are re-mapping the mind! Now I hope you can pray more specifically for us concerning "language learning."

February '08 Update for New Readers

2008-04-14T09:11:00.003-06:00

For those who are new to our blog site, we are posting our Feb '08 Letter to bring you up to date and give you some historical background.

Elmore Update February 4, 2008
Greetings from lovely San Jose, Costa Rica, where we are enjoying mild 75 degree days and cozy 64 degree nights! Honestly, we do not miss the snow!

What’s happening in our lives
Since returning on January 8, we have experienced some unusual situations:
1. Assaulted on the street: While walking to a friend’s house one Friday evening about 6:30, we suddenly had a motorcycle swerve and come up onto the sidewalk right next to us. I (Floyd) felt the hand of one of the two riders in my back pocket, fishing for my wallet. The other jumped off to grab Pam’s purse. She had it securely around her neck, and he could not get it loose. Screaming, Pam pushed him away, but he pushed her to the sidewalk. He still could not get her purse which she was now lying on. I had been separated from her by the motorcycle and seeing her on the ground flipped me out! I did what you are told never to do: I attacked the other guy on the bike with a small flexible tree that was planted in the grass next to the sidewalk! After whopping him a couple of times, his friend came to help. The next “whop” broke the tree and now I had a 2-inch “pole” in my hand, brandishing it around and swinging for their heads. They gave up, jumped on the bike, and started to pull away. But I lunged at them and made a flying tackle take-down of them both! After they got up and picked up their bike, they jumped on and sped away—with nothing! I have not had an adrenalin rush like that in years! (Even more than playing racquet ball with the Faircreek Church guys!) But after reflection, I am very thankful for God’s protection.

2. Small group Tico (short form for “Costa Rican,” pronounced “tee-co”) style: We have connected with many missionaries here in San Jose. There is a Saturday night Bible study that I have been invited to teach on occasion in English. We sing, study, pray and socialize—sounds like a Faircreek “Growth Group” meeting down here! It meets about five blocks from our house. We walk, but I now carry a baseball bat with me. (Now there is one to add to your Growth Group manual: “check your bats at the door!”)

3. Counseling women: Pam has had doors open up to counsel in English and in Spanish. The Spanish Language Institute is nearby and many of the women seek out Godly counsel for a variety of reasons. Pam has been asked to assist a team of counselors at the Institute. She had her first session last week with a woman from Venezuela.

4. Teaching The Use of the Old Testament in the New: I have enjoyed having nine Master’s level students in my class this term. Studying how the apostles used the Psalms and other passages in the New Testament has been a real eye-opener for me and for the students as well. Teaching in Spanish is still a challenge. Thankfully, I sense I am improving weekly.

5. Tutoring in Spanish: Pam has begun meeting with a Spanish tutor twice a week for one hour at a time. Conversation time in Spanish with this retired Costa Rican school teacher is paying dividends for Pam. She senses gradual improvement in her quest to master Spanish.

Cultural Differences—sometimes “clashes” and sometimes, well, just different!
It is more likely that a missionary will be killed while crossing the street as a pedestrian than by terrorists. (Memo to self: Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way here!)

In a culture where the poor can make money by collecting recyclables, when taking a walk, watch out for missing man-hole covers! (or drain gutter grates, or meter plates!)

The infrastructure, like sewage drain pipes, is very old and has not been updated in decades. So remember not to flush the toilet paper. Fold it up and toss the paper in the waste paper can. (And pray that the City Planners will catch up to “modern” times!)

Prayer prompters for February
1. ESEPA will be having a special banquet for Christian business men and women on the 21st. We are praying for 50 in attendance. James Blankmeyer will be our speaker, with a challenge to allow God to make us “kingdom benefactors” and not just “successful.” Pray for this event and the financial health of ESEPA.
2. Our local church is developing a missions support team for cross-cultural outreach. Pray for wisdom to know at what level we should be involved.
3. The Cuban seminary Master’s program is about to be kicked off this summer. Please pray for wisdom on the part of all parties involved in making this educational effort a blessing to the Cuban churches.
4. Spanish language improvement - -for both of us. We want to be effective in ministry here, and facility in this language is a MUST.
5. Safety on the streets- -as we walk and drive around town.
6. Separation from loved ones: being away from aging parents and from our children and grandchildren is not easy to take at times.

Thank you for your faithful financial and prayer support. Special thanks to Faircreek Church for the moving expenses reimbursement. What a blessing! You are making it possible for us to minister here in Costa Rica and, hopefully very soon, in Cuba as well.

Floyd & Pam Elmore email: felmore2@yahoo.com
Personal Mail: Apdo.782-2350, San Francisco de Dos Rios, San Jose, Costa Rica
Mission Mail: Messiah’s Outreach, P.O. Box 230, Wheaton, IL 60189-0230

Today we've learned to blog...

2008-04-07T19:43:00.004-06:00

Here we are, sitting at our computer with our friends, teaching us to make a blog! Until tonight we did not even know what BLOG meant! Now here we are and we are blogging! "I blog!" (from What about Bob).

To our family, we are coming into the 21st century! To our friends in our age category, we may be ahead of all of you, who knows.

To the unknown out there, you will hear more from us later!