Fall Happenings

In September, we went to Minnesota for two weeks to reconnect with family, friends and supporters.  Jeff also had some work to do in getting ready for the upcoming semester program of January 2012.  It was strange being back in the States since it had been almost two years since our last trip, but we had a great time seeing people, sharing at Rose City Free Church, eating good Minnesota food, and spending time outside.  We also got a much-needed night away at a B&B in Hudson, WI.  A special thanks to Tracey's parents for hosting us in their home, and for helping out with the kids as we ran around doing errands. To read more about our time in MN, check out our blog: dixondiary.blogspot.com

October brought our last outreach group for the year, a team from Krysta's church in CA, including two of her brothers.  As we reflect on our teams and interns from this past year, we feel blessed.  We've had more than 225 people come to serve alongside our staff.  While there are always glitches and logistics to work out (broken bones, rain, appendixes that need to be taken out, community protests), God always works his purposes out, teaching us, strengthening us, stretching us.  We are so thankful for the work we have witnessed in the communities and sites where we serve, as well as in the lives of each person that has joined us this year.  We pray that the seeds planted and watered continue to grow and produce much fruit--in ALL of us!

New Staff

We recently welcomed Jose Malespin and Jehudi Guzman to our SI-CR staff team!  Both are amazing men, we are excited to have them on board.  Jehudi has been working in Las Fuentes, alongside Cailah and our Social Services Site, getting to know the community and SI.  He's been a significant support to Cailah and also has dreams of beginning some sort of music/worship ministry site.  Jose is working at the Tutoring Center and is phasing in as the teacher since Krysta's commitment is over in December.  He's been spending his time getting to know the kids and has had a lot of opportunity to put his math-teacher skills to work!  Joining Jose in the spring of 2012 will be Tara Franz who is in the process of raising support.  We are excited to have two full-time teachers in the center.  The male/female and high school/elementary balance will be great as well.  Also in the support-raising process is Rose Torres, who will be joining us in the summer of 2012 and will help out with office logistics, fund-raising, and work with sites and/or teams in some capacity as well.  In January, we will also welcome Nick Miller, on loan from SI-Guatemala for a year.  He will help in the office with accounting and in the micro-business site.  We are so thankful to God for the ways he continues to bring just the right people to work with us in Costa Rica!  There are a few others considering staff positions/filling out applications as well.  Please pray for all of these as they listen to and obey God's call to serve with SI, as they raise support, and in many cases leave family, friends and secure jobs.  

Giving Opportunities

We are working on raising funds to cover the monthly salary of our national staff members.  This will allow us to increase their salaries (all of them have taken substantial pay cuts to work with us) and also to hire other national staff members.  We are currently raising funds for Cindy and Luis Diego (micro-business and sports), Jose Malespin (tutoring center), and Jehudi Guzman (social services).

We also have the opportunity to purchase two of our current ministry site facilities.  Believe it or not we are asked often if we rent or own them.  Owning them would demonstrate our commitment to the community, reduce our monthly ministry budget, and allow us to remodel and expand to better serve the people we are privileged to walk alongside.  We need to raise $90,000 to purchase the Wood shop/Photo Studio building and $30,000 to purchase the tutoring center. 

Please let us know if you have any questions, would like more information, or are interested in giving a one-time or monthly gift toward any of these needs.

Travel Plans

In December, the Dixons will be traveling by plane once again, this time to share at Village Bible Church in Arkansas.  We are excited for this opportunity and pray that God would use this time as he desires.  From AR, we will travel to Colorado to spend Christmas with Jeff's family, and from there we'll head to California to help with an SI new staff training, replace our CA driver's licenses, and reconnect with friends and supporters.  Prayers are appreciated (especially for our children) on this whirlwind trip!  We are blessed to know people all over the world, but it does make visiting expensive and somewhat of a logistical challenge!  If you live in one of the three states we'll be visiting and want to see us, please contact us and we'll give you more specific information.

Support Update

We continue to be amazed and overwhelmed by God's provision!  We are on track to reach our 2011 support goals and it looks like we will even exceed them!  Praise God!  As we look forward to 2012 we have a few expenses that will increase such as tuition for Olivia, Sawyer, and Lynnea.  Also in an effort to continue to grow in a healthy manner and care for our staff Students International has had to adjust some of our support policies and we are now raising the funds to help cover the employers portion of our taxes.  The biggest variable at the moment is our rent.  We are waiting for our land lady to tell us what the amount will be for the next 3 years.  Please pray with us that it will be a minimal, if any raise, and that she would be able and willing to work with us.  Taking into consideration all of these things it looks like we are needing to increase our support level about $500 a month.  Thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers!  It is humbling, reassuring, and comforting knowing that there is a great team of people surrounding us making it possible for us to be here.  May God continue to bless guide and direct you as you seek him!

 

Blog

Don't forget to check out our blog for more current updates: dixondiary.blogspot.com