New Update!

Greetings Family and Friends

Time sure does fly these days.  I feel like we just post something and then we blink and it's 6 months later:)  Anyway, we just want to update you with what has been going on in our lives for the past several months.

We left for the states right after school was out at the end of May.  We were able to see family and friends in Wisconsin, Chicago, Michigan, and Indiana which was a great blessing.  Our kids got to reconnect with their cousins and some of their friends.  We then went to Atlanta for my cousin's wedding.  A wonderful time to spend some time with my cousins and aunt.  I wish we could see each other more frequently.   During the summer I (Darren) was able to work in Montana doing short term assignments covering the clinic and ER in small rural hospitals.  I did a 2 week stint in Northeastern Montana and then a 4 week stint in Northern Montana.  This was a great opportunity to work in the US medical system again and keep my skills up to date.  I met some great people and overall it was a very worthwhile adventure and we were able to earn some money to go towards language school.
Becky and the girls were able to spend 2 of the weeks with me in Montana.  During that time, we were able to visit Glacier National Park and Calgary, Canada.  It was a great opportunity for our girls to see a different natural beauty not seen in the DR.  They were also able to learn a little about the area, environment, and the animals (including seeing a Grizzly Bear).  They even became Junior Park Rangers.  We are very thankful we had this time.  After our time there we had a few days in Michigan before we left for Costa Rica for language school.

If you've never been to Glacier it's worth a visit.

Chicago- Hancock Observatory.

Little fisher girl!  

Hiking in Glacier.

Costa Rica was an awesome experience.  We had class 5 days a week 4 hours a day and in the afternoons we had practice time with various activities, tours, classes, homework, etc.  Costa Rica is a great place to study spanish.  Audrey loved learning songs, playing, and getting her face painted while working on her spanish.  Jenna did great as well.  She has been in the Mak school in spanish but it was good to fill in a lot of the gaps and to learn the "why" behind a lot of what she is saying and hearing and to improve on her overall speech.  We got so many compliments from the professors at the school about how the girls were so well behaved, humble, smart, eager to learn and just their overall maturity (Pause, smile, proud parents moment).  Becky and I improved our language as well.  Our goal is to be able to connect on a deeper level with the kids, the families, the community, and everyone we come into contact with through Makarios.  Our doing language school has definitely helped us get closer to our goal.  We also did a week of medical spanish that will help both of us in the Makarios clinic.  We will always need to study and improve our language but we are much better now.

Volcano Arenal - Costa Rica

CPI Spanish School

Cooking class in Monte Verde, Costa Rica.

We arrived back in the DR on the 20th of October and have been working hard at preparing for a group that is coming on November 7.  That group is from our church in Ohio, Faircreek Church.  It is part medical and part work team.  We will be hosting them as well since our normal Makarios host couple are in language school now.  We are especially excited to have our pastor here to see what we do and to have him learn about Makarios.

So, we have had a much needed time of visiting friends and family in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Georgia.  We had a little time to rest and rejuvenate and be able to refocus our minds on our mission here with Makarios.  Right now we are planning on staying another year and will evaluate as the time comes.  As always we appreciate so much the thoughts and prayers as well as the much needed financial support to be able to accomplish our mission of leading people to a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ.  Please continue to support us with your prayers.

Serving Him,

The Youngs

  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.-  Isaiah 41:10