I'M back from Costa Rica, but Stuart isn't!

Hey Hey!
I got back from Costa Rica on Monday evening and turned right around to fly home on Tuesday afternoon. We had an awesome time in rainy, humid Costa Rica. Mainly working with youth and little kids, we got a good taste of the culture there. Our team of high school students did an awesome job serving and putting all of their preparation to action. The best part about the trip was that I had a lot of time to to spend with God. We did a Bible study through Romans as a team and I learned so much which deepened my faith incredibly. The main theme God spoke to me was how the righteous live by faith, not deeds, not going to church...just faith. This has been so applicable since I returned back to the states because of all that has been going on with Stuart.

For all of you wondering about/losing sleep at night because of Stuart's current status being trapped in Costa Rica, I thought I'd lay it all out for you. First of all, let me say that he's doing fine and seen how God is providing for him. That's always a plus.If you have no idea what is actually going on, let me fill you in. Stuart's visa expired in June but he has been in the process of changing it to a student visa. The school he applied to (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) informed him that he needed to go out of the country to get everything validated. Therefore, after our mission trip to Costa Rica he had an appointment scheduled at the U.S. Embassy. He went Tuesday morning but was told that his I-20 form was filled out incorrectly by the registrar at NOBTS. SO, he's spent the past day trying to get the papers shipped via DHL. Eventually the school cooperated and got the papers in the mail. The problem is international express mail takes 2 business days. They said it should get there by Friday morning. If he gets them in time he'll hopefully be able to make it to the Embassy before it closes at 11am.

So please pray that those papers get there even before Friday morning. Last time I checked the tracking number through DHL (9am this morning) the package was in Florida. We're praying that it might even get to San Jose, Costa Rica today so that he can see the Consulate early tomorrow morning and possibly get a flight out on Friday. We leave for Wilderness Camp, which Stuart is leading, on Sunday afternoon. If he does not get his papers in time he'll have to wait until Monday to go to the Embassy.

Throughout all of this we've really seen God's hand at work. A friend of a friend of mine has allowed Stuart to stay at his apartment in San Jose for no charge. It's right in the city and close to everything he needs to be able to get to. He also has a cell phone with an international SIM card so we've been able to communicate. The most unfortunate thing is he is supposed to be in a wedding tomorrow and we've had to cancel everything. No bueno.

So please, please be praying for a miracle that those papers get there today and everything goes fine with the Consulate tomorrow morning. If you have any more questions feel free to ask away. I'll post a new note as soon as I know more. Thanks everyone!

PS: you can also being praying for Stuart's Spanish...or lack thereof...hehe. =)