So here is the news:
Two weeks ago we got the approval to look up flights and start preparing to go. This was very exciting but also raised some problems. We needed to get our vaccines before our current insurance ran out on Friday. My sister went to South America last year and when she was searching for all the shots she found it cost $150-$500 a person. So we called in our order and asked when we could get our shots. They said they would be ready for us in a few weeks. We were sad that our insurance would not cover this costly necessity but we looked on the bright side. The Lord had provided for us this far in amazing ways so we trusted in his ability to provide for us again.

A week later, and a day before our insurance was out, the doctors office called back and said that they had our orders in. We were excited and asked if we could come and pick them up the next day. They said that they would not be open tomorrow and they closed at 5:15 pm this evening. I looked at my watch. It was 2:55 in Central Oregon. The place to get our shots was two hours away in Salem and Leslie had just started a workout video. I interrupted the singlet clad yoga instructor and explained the situation to Leslie. She asked if I thought we could make it over the pass in time and I said that if we could leave in less then 5 minutes (a miracle for any Adams), there wasn't much traffic on the pass and rush hour was late, we might make it. With a smile of adventure, she said, "Let's go for it!"

I sped...for about three miles. After that we got stuck between no less then three different cars going 45 MPH! I started to freak out. Leslie just prayed for me and her safety as I tried to pass the cars.

At 5:08 we reached Salem.

5:11 the front door. Past the front desk and to the back of the building to the Nurse Treatment center.

5:12 We reached the station for the shots and were directed back to the front desk.

5:13 Margie said, "Yes, deary I can make that appointment for you. Take this number and just sit right over there."

We had made it. By the grace of God and the protection of his angels we made it.
The nurse called our names and met us with 8 needles and a morbid sense of humor.
"Who is the first pin cushion? Oh honey I am only joking; I say that to every one. Now stop hiding behind your wife and come over here."

With Leslie's help I came out from under her coat and sat down on a stool.
2 yelps and one tear later we walked out of the doctor's office pumped full of a weakened form of every major virus, bacteria, plague and infection known to man. All this for only $40 (can we say Provision).

We then began the two hour trip back home and started to cogitate on what we had learned this afternoon like the cardigan shedding points to ponder Mr. Rogers always has at the end of his adventures.

Leslie learned that even grown men hide, needles still hurt and praying when I drive, just might save your life. I learned that planing these things out might actually help my overall stress level and pick up lines that start with "Kiss me I have Typhoid" don't get me very far with my wife.

All in all it is just another testament to both God' character and his desire for us to go over seas. His Love is eternal, his knowledge complete and his strength stalwart.

God Bless

Mateo and Leslie

Hi Everyone,

We have news! Last time I wrote I shared that we were unable to go Africa with Orphans Overseas and that we had contacted Right Now (a ministry with a database of missions opportunities) to try and find a new group to go with. Soon after we contacted Right Now, we were speaking to a friend who was planning on leaving for Africa with a mission organization called Bridges of Hope International. After speaking with her we decided to contact Bridges of Hope. When we contacted them they asked us to fill out an application. The application was 10 pages long!! It took us a few days, but it was well worth it.

Just this last week we had our phone interview and it was amazing. Dennis and Susan Wadley are the couple who started Bridges of Hope about 4 or 5 years ago and they are the ones who did our phone interview. We learned so much, Bridges of Hope has three programs going on in South Africa. One of the programs is a health ministry to the community of Philipi which addresses AIDS and other health concerns. A second program is an after school program for Orphans. In this program they disciple (teach the Orphans about God and living life for Him) the kids and give them a safe place to play. The third program is the one we would be involved in. This program is a Academy and Retreat center. Bridges of Hope has purchased a bed and breakfast with 12 acers just outside of Philipi for the Academy/Retreat Center. The hope is to be able to provide a boarding school for Orphans where they can receive a good education and to provide a retreat center for Pastors, Orphans, and other community members.

Our role is to help develop this program!! We will work along side other Americans and Natives to develop the School/Retreat center. Matthew will be able to use his degree in business to write a business plan for the new program and his skills in the outdoors to build a challenge course. I will have the opportunity to provide counseling to the youth, and to help develop a horse program. We are so excited that the gifts and skills the Lord has given us will fit so perfectly with the need this program has.
This program requires a two week trip for anyone looking into participating in this program for longer term. They provide this opportunity to make sure the people know what they are getting themselves into before committing for the minimum 18 months. We are excited to leave for our two week trip sometime in Oct. or Nov. Please keep us in your prayers. We will begin raising our support this next week and our monthly need is around $3,000 dollars with $8,300 in one time start up expenses (plane tickets, visas, equipment. Many of you expressed a desire to support us in this adventure and if you are still interested we would love include you in our support team.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and we hope that you are all well.

Love,

Matthew and Leslie