2025: March

It is hard to believe we are a quarter of the way through 2025 already and we are over half way through raising our oldest, River James Ailor, who turned 10 years old at the beginning of March.  While at times it is sad to not be in the American culture for festivities, movie theaters, Chick Fil A Drive Thrus, the ease of amazon and routine visits with family, there are perks to growing up right on the Pacific Ocean.  Of course it helps to have good church friends with jet skis, too!  We are seeing a mighty, strong character develop in our son.  We praise God for his tender heart, fluent Spanish, willingness to enter new situations, confidence and knowledge of God’s word.  We pray the Lord continues to use River in our community, family and world and we pray that we, as his parents, learn how to enter this next phase of life for our boy.

Our girls and boys groups continue to meet every weekend.  We are very thankful for Sofia, Doneira, Merary and Dany as they consistently show up for their students.  They are working through a second module of “A New Life in Christ” while continuing in their studies of English and focusing on what academic success looks like in high school here locally.  There is no middle school in Costa Rica so 11 year olds are bused to the neighboring town of Jaco for high school starting at 7th grade where they spend 5 years attempting to focus on their education at the high school there called CTP.  Sofia, who is training in social work, graduated from CTP a few years ago and is equipping students with the knowledge they need to avoid conflict and inappropriate relationships in that specific setting.  Topics in “A New Life in Christ” include the purpose of the local church, communion and prayer.  Hopefully by the end of this month, students will have completed the first textbook level of English with Merary.  We know that English will enable our students to have a better, more dignified job here in this community.  Please be in prayer for these groups, that they continue to feel God’s presence in their studies and lives.

It has been especially beneficial having these local, hired teachers whilst I received my stem cell infusion last week.  What an outpouring of love many friends and family have shown in supporting this medical procedure for us.  After two years of consistent relapses of chronic active epstein barr virus, the Ailors are optimistic that this therapy will impact Jordanna’s strength, vitality and energy.  Jordanna will finish up her final hyperbaric chamber session on Friday April, 4th.  While no major changes have been seen yet, doctors share that it typically takes 3-6 months to know if the stem cells have made any major impact.  Please be praying that sometime late summer, early Fall Jordanna will see a complete healing and we can put this chapter of health struggles behind us.  The outpouring of love, financial support, prayer, messages and the like have been tremendous.  We thank you all for your care and ask that you continue to keep this health request in your prayers.

We also are thankful for those supporters who have stepped up to give specific needs such as a new working phone, computer, educational materials and bibles for the organization.  Consistently raising funds and often using hand-me-down devices and resources has been the M.O. for years, but now the organization is getting a fresh face lift with new technology and resources for students!  Thank you for the outpouring of love for our programs.

We have just finished furnishing the Casita in time for our first Vision team to join us in staying there April 12-15.  Pastor Bo from Cedar Street Baptist Church in Virginia and three of his church members, Jim, Tamara and Leah, will be coming to get a first hand glimpse at all that is happening here in Herradura.  Leah plans to teach an art class, Tamara will share her testimony and Bo and Jim will pour into the boys group.  They will get to come alongside the Burrito ministry in Jaco and just support the Ailor family as they are re emerging from this time of recovery.  Please be in prayer for this team as they seek the Lord’s guidance for future partnership here, potentially a team in December to help build a stage adjacent to the Sports Complex of the Multiuso.

Nana, Jordanna’s mom, will be coming April 21st.  The girls who have earned all their points from the sessions will enjoy a slumber party in the casita!  Nana is bringing bracelets for the girls to make and they are excited to watch a movie together, enjoy popcorn and attend church the following Sunday as a group.  Please be in prayer for the Lord to move in their hearts in a mighty way and for Nana to have a smooth visit to and from Costa Rica for her 10 day stay.  Of course we’re delighted to get some quality family time.

Be in prayer for:

• The Porch Mission Team: Coming May 31

• The Fix & Mother’s Heart Mission Team: Coming June 7

• Ailor family Travel plans to the US: June 16 - Aug 18.

• Rose Union Baptist Church Fundraiser: June 28

• Women’s Connect Ministry Fundraiser (Beale, Howerton’s & more): Aug 9

• Jordanna’s complete and restored healing

• Our Mulituso Sports Facility Fund  to increase in a mighty way as we hover around 20% of the needed $80,000.