more mail info . . .

I got some advice from an official Post Office employee, Denise Bardash. Here's some additional information that might help if you're looking to mail something to us (Thanks, Denise!) . . .

"Certified mail is a service only for within the states and not foreign mail. Best way to send in a secure manner and with recorded delivery is by using Registered mail with return-receipt request. Registering requires you. the addressees, to sign for the mailpiece and sign the return receipt, which is then mailed to sender as proof of delivery. Mail piece needs to be secured with tamper-proof paper tape which the window clerk should be able to do for sender or can be purchased at local stores. Any other type of tape is not acceptable as it can be resealed with no evidence of being opened...only paper tape is secure."

Address & Phone Number :)

We finally have an address & phone number! How exciting, huh?
I don't want to post it on the blog here for security reasons, but if for some reason you did not get our email with all of the information, just send us an email at brkandel@hotmail.com & we will be glad to share! Goodnight :)

The view from here!

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope that everyone is doing well, with full stomachs & full hearts . . .

I am happy to share with you all that we have settled into our new apartment & it's beginning to feel a little like home. We are getting to know San Antonio de Belen, the bus routes, and the good places to buy pinapple (very important). We have been involved in a few different areas at the school (many many English placement interviews, some staff meetings, and some other miscellaneous work). We also had a neat experience serving with a bible school/food ministry for poor children in a city close to here. . . Overall this month has been an amazing opportunity to meet new people and to see God at work in the lives of many.

Thought we'd share some pictures with you so you can get an idea of life here . . .

Our apartment:
(the view from our bedroom on a clear morning)
(the view from our bedroom on a rainy afternoon - where did the mountains go??)

The bus stop (about a 5 minute walk from our house) & the surrounding neighborhood:


A street in downtown Belen:
The beautiful Catholic Church in Belen:

Our Thanksgiving Celebration:

(Robin with another missionary teacher, Kristin)

Thanks to everyone for your support through all of this! We wouldn't be here without you!!

Moved again!!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that we are pretty much settled into our new apartment in San Antonio de Belen. We managed to find some furniture, washer-dryer, fridge, stove, and a couple of other things. Still far to go to make it a home . . . We also have been working on getting internet and phone and whatnot, and it´s been a little frustrating, but now we can proudly say we are owners of a cell phone line! It was too difficult to try to get a land line here. . .
Anyways, we have been doing some things at the school so far this week, mainly observing and helping out with classes. This weekend we are going to help out with some entrance testing and interviewing, which should be fun. They have several other projects that they´d like us to help out with, so we will definitely be busy over their break, which is a good thing!
We really think we are going to like it here, and praise God for his provision. Please continue to pray for us as we seek God´s guidance for our work here. Thanks to everyone for all of the encouragement with comments, emails, and prayer. We really appreciate it & miss you all!!