2023: August
August came with quite a bit of difficulty for the Ailor family as they adjusted back to life in Costa Rica. Of course with all great things comes challenges and we recognize we are on the brink of some amazing stuff, but woo wee! We came out on the other side alive and thankful to have survived another tough season. Our fifth day of settling in at home, we all caught the flu going around town, with fever, chills, night sweats, cough, sore throat, the works. But it had been a while since we were all sick together so we hunkered down, watched some good movies and took turns taking care of the sickest of the bunch. Half way through our week of the flu, River developed a tropical boil on his left forearm. Initially it seemed like an over scratched mosquito bite, but soon it began to raise and have some pus, not unusual for the tough boy whose often in various soccer fields and jungle hikes, but still challenging. That night, in the middle of the night, we heard a loud explosion at 4am. It was pitch black dark and Pepper jumped out of bed, ready to defend against what seemed like intruders. The kids panicked and we all stood in the living room, turned on the lights and realized the ceramic floors were exploding! This was the second time this has happened in our condo, so once it dawned on us what was happening, we rolled our eyes and went back to bed, only to wake up the next morning to see 10 large floor tiles in shattered pieces. We covered the bare floor with a large rug and praised God that our time in this condo would soon be coming to a close as we prepare to move into our first, permanent home here.
The next day, River developed severe diarrhea and vomiting. We just presumed it was a part of his version of this flu we all were experiencing, but the next day his wound grew more raised and oozed more pus. Pepper took him to the doctor who said the infection on the arm was causing his symptoms and she needed to drain the infection. After several needles to the wound, scalpel cuts many days in a row and a very sensitive stomach, River was at an all time low having laid in bed for seven full days eating a few crackers and popsicles. We were not used to seeing our boy this way and of course my mama heart was hurting as this was my first rodeo with a tropical infection causing such symptoms. I prayed against the fear and trusted God with my child and a few days later, he pulled through. Just in time for the first day of school! By then, Windsor and Pepper were better from their flu but Jordanna was not feeling better. It had been 5 months since she first contracted mononucleosis just after River’s 8th birthday in March, but it appeared that the symptoms had relapsed due to all the events of recent weeks, marking four relapses of Mono. As she approaches half a year of chronic mono symptoms and continuous relapses, Jordanna has learned to wait on the Lord. He promises us only one thing, Jesus. If we get Jesus and our health, it’s a bonus but we know in this world we will have suffering and 2023 has been a year of recovery.
It is with a happy heart that I write today symptom free and optimistic that the fourth will be the last, but we do not know what the future holds. As they say here “Si Dios quiere” and that is so true, “If God wants”, we know what comes to pass always holds lessons and allows God to execute, through us, His will in His timing.
Some praise as of late, our children are doing well in their new school. Windsor started Kindergarten and River is in 3rd grade. They have a wonderful partnership with their old child care facility where they attend two mornings a week for Spanish immersion and service. It’s been a delight to see them playing games with their missionary and international friends games like Duck, duck, goose or “Pato, Pato, Nato”. We are thankful for our church community, school and partnerships with places like Pequenos Angelitos. Many mission teams have taught VBS and helped in these schools, making a huge difference in the lives of local children and missionary kids.
Other Prayers/Praises
Please pray for the Ailor family as they plan to move into their own home on the land, inside of Herradura community. We are so thankful we were able to build our family home on ⅓ of the property. We’re thankful for Pepper’s work with Freedom Alliance, which equips our family with resources to buy our own portion of the land and ability to build our own family home, separate from that of ministry resources.
Pray for upcoming work on the retaining wall and security wall on the land. This project will help with irrigation on the property and keep our family and mission teams safe.
Pray for the upcoming multiuso project. We have raised ⅓ of the needed funds to build the recreation and meeting space facility. We hope to break ground in the new year once the wall is complete.
Praise: One of our moms in the NOW Costa Rica groups had a birthday! She’s the mother of four and a great advocate for us in the community. Rita has a heart for the next generation and we celebrate her today! She has gotten to know many of you who have come to serve here on short term trips as her hand for cooking is amazing. She’s a delightful chef and today we celebrate her.
We pray you are starting off your school year strong and enjoying this fall season. Thank you for caring for us. Your prayers have sustained us, especially as of late. We know the Lord is in this and we are standing strong. We are eager to have conversations with many of you about upcoming teams. 2024 presents itself to be a year full of mission teams and amazing opportunities. Will you pray as we navigate our calendar and our projects coming forward.
Blessings,
Jordanna, fam & team