Where are you from?

We live in the community of Los Guido in Desamparados, Costa Rica.

What is something you like to do in your spare time?

In our spare time we enjoy spending time with friends, watching movies, reading, and spending time with the children and youth of Los Guido. We also enjoy music, sports, and our daughter Hanukka loves ballet.

Why did you decide to join the SI team?

We love serving and learning from people. In Students International we found a way to serve our community while helping people transform their lives.

Describe the site where you’ll work with SI:

The plan is for Luis Diego to work with the youth of Los Guido in the area of sports.  He will use soccer and other sports to build relationships with the youth and to teach biblical values while providing them healthy ways to spend their time.

The plan is for Cindy to work in a micro business site with women, helping them to develop business plans and apply for small business loans. The goal is to then walk alongside these women as they carry out their business plans in the hope that these women might be able to provide for their families.

What is one thing you are looking forward to in your future ministry with SI?

We are hoping that God touches the lives of those we will work with, both students and the poor. We are praying God will touch women’s lives as they learn about his heart for them and that they’ll be able to provide for their families. We are praying God will touch the hearts of young people through sports, and that because of that they will leave the life of drugs and violence behind.

Do you have a favorite verse? What is it?

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” plus Psalm 1 and Psalm 8.

God continues to work and to move in mighty ways in and through SI-Costa Rica. The last few months have been eventful. In May as we were preparing to welcome our first team of the summer our office was broken into, and then in June our woodshop was also robbed. Through both events the Lord’s protection and faithfulness were clearly evident as the losses could have been and should have been much greater than they were. The Lord has also brought many new relationships about due to the robberies. In the midst of trial God has proven faithful and used what the enemy meant for evil for good.

As our summer outreach season is winding down, I am amazed by the reports coming in from staff and participants of the ministry that transpires in the name of Jesus.   This month is focusing on SI-Costa Rica, and it is clear that everything happening there is a result of lots of prayer and lots of work. The addition of Costa Rica national staff as well as two outstanding Nicaraguan women as interns has been a huge blessing. As the chairperson of our board Mike Alipaz said, “Students International seems to be in an incredible season of blessing.” I agree wholeheartedly, and as we continue to grow in SI there are more opportunities for full-time staff. Maybe you might consider giving several years of your life serving another culture in the name of Jesus? Or perhaps you might know of someone who would be open to that challenge? If so, please contact me at our SI office.   The Visalia staff at the SI Service Center has worked diligently, seeing that all things run smoothly. From team communication to booking next year’s schedule, there is rarely a down moment. I am thankful for their hard work and the blessing they are to this ministry.

I would also like to remind you of our annual banquet coming up September 18th in Visalia. If you can make it please contact the office for details.

Dave

This month’s focus on Costa Rica is very rich for me. In 1989 Janice and I led an outreach team to Costa Rica and my heart instantly connected with this country and its people. It is Costa Rica where I have returned many times with student and adult teams. To have a full time presence in Costa Rica was a dream of mine for SI.

Jeff and Tracey Dixon have picked up the mantle for Students International and this summer they are receiving SI teams to begin the first year of ministry. They have a wonderful support team with them and having just heard from an experienced trip leader, the mission and vision of SI is now flowing in San José, Costa Rica.

This does not just happen. The Lord has opened the doors in so many areas and as a mission; we give Him the thanks and glory. The team is living and ministering in the city of San José. They have purposed to live and work in the Desamparados with very poor Costa Ricans and Nicaraguan refugees where the needs are very great. We are reminded in Leviticus 19:34, “The alien living with you must be treated as one… foreigners living among you will be like your own people. Love them as you love yourself, because you were foreigners living in Egypt.”  The refugees and indigent in this city have had many difficulties and face many prejudices as they try to establish a better life for themselves and their families.

Please continue to pray for the staff as they love and serve the people of Costa Rica and the outreach participants.

Blessings to all,

Dave

On September 13, 2008 around 400 people gathered at the Alipaz home for the 4th annual SI banquet in Visalia, CA. Some of the highlights from the banquet include reports from the field by summer participants who live in the Central Valley. One of several speakers was Ryan McKenzie of Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, who shared about the growth he saw in his students in Guatemala and the beauty he saw in the lives of the poor they served there.  Another speaker was new staff member Cailah Pritchard. Though she’s headed to Costa Rica, she served this past summer in Fiji and shared about the unexpected lessons God had for her in relational ministry. It was a great night celebrating what God is doing in and through Students International, challenging all of to explore what God would have us do next. See the pictures in this link