Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 12:02 PM

Dear friends,

How do you scratch where people itch? This question is all important for us in the Latin America Training Network. Leaders in Latin America are hungry for further education. They are prepared to invest hundreds of hours in their studies in order to be more effective in ministry. But what, exactly, should they be studying? It's crucial that they study the most important things that will make their ministries most effective. You could say that LATN is like a big, complicated rocket. Much effort is going into its development. But if it is not aimed accurately, it will be useless or even harmful. We have to define the targets of LATN courses and aim them carefully. In the last several months, we consulted many different experts, asking them to list out all the skills, knowledge and character qualities it takes to be an effective Christian leader in Latin America. Finally, next week a committee of nine people will meet here in Costa Rica to sort out all this input and design the most effective course of study for our students. Please pray for me April 21-24 as I lead this very diverse group of people. The needs in Latin America are great, the students are ready to invest the time, so it's crucial that we design our programs to hit the target accurately. We have taken our time in this "design phase", but simultaneously we have been writing courses we were sure we'd need in the curriculum. Right now we are writing our third, fourth and fifth LATN courses, while testing our second course for a second time. This test includes 7 students in Venezuela and Costa Rica who, despite the tremendous political upheaval in Venezuela, are for the most part able to participate in the class several hours each week. The tests so far have been very encouraging. The students want more courses of the same quality.

The Family: Sarah, our oldest (18), has flown the nest and is living with my sister in Connecticut until she starts college at Taylor University in the fall. So far she is doing okay in CT, but she needs a job from now through the summer. Nobody appears to be hiring there. She also needs scholarships badly. Here in Costa Rica, her parents and even the siblings are finding it hard to adjust to the idea that Sarah no longer lives in our home or even in our part of the planet. Some of you have been through this and understand. Otherwise, the family is doing fine. Sam did have another episode of severe low blood sugar, but does not appear to have lingering effects--thank the Lord. Juli's sisters Jan and Pat visited for several weeks in March and basically painted the whole interior of our house. Now that's a productive visit!

Thank you for your prayers and support. You could really help us by joining us in these prayers:

1. Sam is adjusting his insulin doses. Pray we find the right balance.
2. Pray for Sarah, that she finds a job soon, makes new friends and finds the money to begin at Taylor U. this fall.
3. Pray for our meetings April 21-25 in which we fill out the plans for the LATN curriculum.
4. Pray that our church will begin to grow again after the loss of its pastor. Pray we can disciple the right laypeople.

Thank you so much for your partnership.

Yours, Ted for the Kautzmann family