Tankersley Update

Tankersley Praise & Prayer View this email in your browser 6 More Weeks of Spanish Class As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.  Proverbs 27:17 About 7 months ago, we started our language learning with a couple of Spanish tools that we gained while living in Ecuador.  They were very useful tools, a lot like a hammer and a pair of pliers.  We used these tools for everything, even things they were not made for, but they got the job done.  We're sure you've done that a time or two in your garage.  With each passing week, we gained more and more tools as well as the "rules" for using those tools.  Each night we come home and practice with that tool and organize the rest of the tools in our LITTLE toolbox (brain) only to go into class the next day and find them all disorganized again.  Well, with 6 weeks left to go, our LITTLE toolbox is overflowing to the point that we can't even find the hammer and pliers anymore. It's going to take awhile to sort through all of this and to really use each tool the way it was designed.  So, we will not being leaving here fluent as fluency comes with the master craftsman. But we do consider ourselves functional even if we are a little rusty and at the bottom of the box somewhere.   We are so thankful for your sustaining, empowering prayers.  Blessings, Doug & Cindy   CULTURE DAY   We enjoyed a break from formal classes and participated in a Latin American culture day (all in Spanish, of course).  In this class, we learned about many different fruits and how to prepare a traditional fruit salad.  Love that they serve their fruit salad with ice cream and jello! Other classes included typical dances, home remedies, cooking and traditions.  ILE Appreciation Dinner What an awesome opportunity we had to serve the staff of ILE.  We were asked to open the time with a prayer in Spanish and formally serve their lunch.  (Just a little intimidating in front of all the Spanish TEACHERS!) Click here for more information on how you can go on a short term mission trip this year.  We'd love to have you come to Colombia.   Pray for these team members:  Remberto (Suzanna) President Richard (Gladys) ECC Colombia   CONTACT US: Magic Jack - 217-784-2092 Costa Rica Mailing Address: Douglas Tankersley Instituto de Lengua Espanola Apartado 100-2350 San Jose, Costa Rica America Central Blog: http://tankersleys.blogspot.com Copyright © 2015 One Mission Society, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because of your interest in missions. Our mailing address is: One Mission Society Box A Greenwood, IN 46142 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Update 01/26/14 - Colombia

Field of service has changed, but our passion is the same View this email in your browser Dear Faithful Supporters, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6 Our future field of service has changed, but our call to serve is the same. We continue to be very passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the lost and coming alongside national workers, helping them in their obedience to do what God has called them to do. One Mission Society's president - Bob Fetherlin, recently shared the vision that he believes God has for OMS, and we are very excited about:     1.  Increasing our investments in places around the world where the church isn't.     2.  Developing missionary sending churches everywhere OMS is working.     3.  Growing in internationalization, especially in Colombia. At the request of the OMS Latin American Regional Director, we began praying about this possibility over a year ago.  After our recent trip to Colombia this month, we can clearly see how the Lord has prepared us for ministering with our OMS national partner, IGLEICO, in Colombia. Doug has been on four MFM evangelism teams to Colombia and knows first hand the need to come alongside IGLEICO as they disciple the 17,000 house churches planted in the last 3 years and continue to reap the plentiful harvest all over Colombia while strengthening the OMS/IGLEICO partnership. We are eager to help facilitate Men For Mission's USA and Canadian goal of sending short-term teams to Colombia over the next 3 years.  We also plan to begin assisting IGLEICO in exploring options to develop their own MFM-style ministry to equip and send short-term teams from Colombia. We will be finishing language school here in San José and traveling back to the US briefly on April 25.  Our departure date for Medellin, Colombia is May 20, and summer short-term evangelism teams are scheduled to arrive in July. Please pray that we will be able to obtain the required VISAs within this time period. Blessings, Doug and Cindy Click here for more information on how you can go on a short term mission trip this year.  We'd love to have you come to Colombia. Pray for these team members:  Remberto (Suzanna) President Richard (Gladys) ECC Colombia CONTACT US: Magic Jack - 217-784-2092 Costa Rica Mailing Address: Douglas Tankersley Instituto de Lengua Espanola Apartado 100-2350 San Jose, Costa Rica America Central

Update 12/26/14

"It's Impossible", said Pride. "It's Risky", said Experience "It's Pointless", said Reason "Give it a try", whispered the HEART. ~ author unknown ~ As we say goodbye to 2014, we reflect on God's faithfulness, the path that He prepared for us and those that touched our lives on this year's journey.  We confess, that there were times that we allowed pride, experience, reason and so much more to rob us of all that God had for us. Unlike the quote above, we know who the author of 2015 is and we know that He speaks to our hearts.  We are really looking forward to 2015 and all that God will reveal about Himself, His plan for the world, and our small part in it.  Let's remember to pray for each other to Trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. Thank you for journeying with us.  Thank you for your incredible love and support in 2014 that enabled us to do what God is calling us to do.  Thank you for praying for our moms while they were visiting us.  What a blessing it was to enjoy the beauty of God's creation together here in Costa Rica. Click here for on-line giving.  We are praying for 10 new monthly financial partners in 2015.  We are trusting God to touch the hearts of those that we need.  If it's you, we would love to hear from you!  How can we/OMS serve you and your church to be the light of the world?  If we can assist you in anyway to you do what God is calling you to do, please let us know.  CONTACT US: Magic Jack - 217-784-2092 Costa Rica Mailing Address: Douglas Tankersley Instituto de Lengua Espanola Apartado 100-2350 San Jose, Costa Rica America Central   This was the first time in 23 years that we celebrated Christmas without our kids.        WE DON'T LIKE IT!!  Our usual Christmas creativity & motivation was lacking to say the least.  Thankfully, we received this little tree from Cindy's mom as a housewarming gift.  Yes, those are presents UNDER the tree!! We will be leaving for Medellin, Colombia on January 6 - 11 for meetings with our OMS national church partners.  Please be in prayer for these meetings.  Pray that we will be able to communicate effectively and have accurate understanding of God's vision.  Even though we are on break from classes, our Spanish learning continues as we attend church, build relationships with Costa Ricans (baking vocabulary) and review all that we have learned.  Our next trimester begins on January 12 - April 24. We may not be the cutest, but we are in the ILE Big Brother/Sister program and will be welcoming our Little Brother/Sister on January 2 to the Spanish Institute.  We will help them transition into life in Costa Rica before school starts.  Please pray for Bubba and Sara.

Update 11/25/14 - Abundant "Fall" Living

Abundant "Fall" Living Okay, so this is the rainforest and we have seen a lot of rain.  There are no other seasonal signs in Costa Rica.  It's either rain or sun.  But the Christian life is full of seasonal living.  November/Thanksgiving reminds us of ABUNDANCE.  As we take time to give thanks, we are overwhelmed by the abundance that the Lord gives us each and everyday.  This Thanksgiving, we will be celebrating with about 130 folks from the school on Wednesday night and then again with our landlords on Thanksgiving Day.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! We don't say it enough - Thank YOU!  Thank you for giving to God's work around the world.  Thank you for praying for missionaries around the world.  Thank you for your ABUNDANT love and support for us. We thank God for you!!   Visa Renewal Trip - We arrived in Costa Rica on a 90 days tourist visa, and needed to leave the country for 72 hours to get another 90 days stamp. That trip was a huge success, and one without any difficulties.  Rejoicing!!   Our moms will be here for a visit from December 13 - 20.  Please pray for their health and safety while they are here. We know that God will provide some much needed encouragement with their visit.   Our first trimester is ending on December 12.  We have had an ABUNDANCE of Spanish.  We received our mid-term grades and we're doing very well. This first trimester has been quite intensive and rumors have it, that second trimester is even more challenging.  We have a long break in between trimesters, and praying that the "dust" will settle.   Every year the Spanish Institute works with Roblealto child care services to put on a Christmas party for orphans of San Jose, Costa Rica.  This year we had over 130 children.  They played games, heard the Christmas story, ate pizza, smashed pinatas and each one went home with a Christmas gift.  We got to meet each one as we worked the fishing pond!  What a blessing!!  Please pray for these kids and their families.    Click Here for Year End On-Line Giving CONTACT US: Magic Jack - 217-784-2092 Costa Rica Mailing Address: Douglas Tankersley Instituto de Lengua Espanola Apartado 100-2350 San Jose, Costa Rica America Central Blog:  http://tankersleys.blogspot.com

Update 10/11/14 -We've Been Transplanted

Dear Prayer Warriors: 

We've Been Transplanted:

Cindy found these flowers the first week we arrived in Costa Rica. It's a good reminder that we and most of the people that surround us, have been transplanted temporarily into another culture. As with a newly transplanted flower, it may show some signs of stress from having it's root system tampered with. It may begin to droop, it may loose some flowers, and parts may even die. But with proper care and a little TLC, it won't take long before it's thriving and blooming again. Please pray for those of us that have been transplanted.

The Rainy Season is Here!
We are in the height of rainy season. We see the sun for a little bit in the morning but it's been raining every afternoon and into the evening. It rains WALLS of water! It's great for studying but not so great for line drying our clothes.



Language Study:
We are into our second month of language learning and we are learning and relearning so much. We have 2 hours of grammar classes, an hour of conversation and an hour of Phonics each day. We break for lunch and spend the afternoon on homework. Pray that our language learning will be an act of worship to the Lord and that He will bless every effort.



Our New Church: Iglesia Cristiana Misionera - El Lugar

Iglesia Cristiana Misionera

(Christian Missionary Church) The first Sunday we arrived, we heard Spanish hymns and praise songs from our terrace. We didn't have to look far, when we found our new church right at the end of the block. They use Powerpoint during Sunday School which makes comprehension so much easier and song books for praise and worship. It's a small mission-minded church and we are already building some relationships. Pray for us as we seek to encourage and serve our new church.

Monkeys at the BEACH!
Costa Rica celebrated their Independence Day on September 15, which gave us a day off from classes and an opportunity to visit the black sand beach of Doña Ana with a large group of classmates.

Encouraging Support:
OMS Member Care sends more than just Farkel support. There are 3 OMS families studying at ILE at this time. We are so thankful for a mission that cares about this time of learning. We were thrilled to have some one on one time with Kelly Chambers as well as some OMS family group time! Thank you OMS for sending us physical encouragement!! Praising God for our mission organization!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens:
The school offers tours to experience the culture and beauty of Costa Rica. Doug had the most beautiful toucan on his HEAD! We were up close and personal with so many varieties of butterflies, hummingbirds and frogs. The monkeys, cats and snakes were in cages! There were 4 very impressive waterfalls and over 1000 steps to climb to see them! We took so many amazing pictures but left the cord to our camera in the states. UGH!! Praising God for His amazing creativity in nature and animals.

Cindy Turned 50!
Her grammar teacher had a small party for her during class. Her language class (shown here) presented her with flowers and took a field trip to a local coffee shop to celebrate! Doug topped it off with a great dinner and chocolate cake! All celebrations aside ~ her 50 years boil down to God's incredible faithfulness in her life! Thank God for His daily interventions!

CONTACT US: 
Magic Jack - 217-784-2092
Costa Rica Mailing Address:
Douglas Tankersley Instituto de Lengua Espanola
Apartado 100-2350
San Jose, Costa Rica, America Central

Thank you in advance for giving!

Blessings to You!
Doug and Cindy