Tom and Debbie Bastian
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Contact Info
Internet Office Phone: (719) 571-9503
This is a US phone number

Costa Rica Office Phone: (506) 2446-8140
If calling from the US first dial (011)

Our Story
The phrase “Don’t be ‘willing to go but plan on staying’, but instead PLAN on going and be willing to stay” had taken a firm hold in our minds and we believed God was telling us to do something risky…We decided to “plan on going” and began exploring the world of missions. We began the application process with Wycliffe, but mid stream learned about a little ministry called Engineering Ministries International, which seemed to be where God was leading us.

We decided to take God at His word that He would be sufficient, and launch out into rough waters…In March 2003 we moved from Montana to Guatemala City, committing to serve two years. Our children were at the time 3, 6, and 7, with a 20 year old son staying behind. Most people thought we were crazy, leaving “Mayberry RFD” for a city of 6 million. Before leaving we sold our home that Tom had built, had a big garage sale, and moved lock stock and barrel – (well, really Rubbermaid bins) to Guatemala City, where Tom served as Project Architect in the EMI office.

In 2007 when Todd Davis, the Guatemala office Director, left eMi to return to graduate school in the States, Tom was appointed Director. Soon after that a decision was made to move the office from Guatemala City, which was becoming increasingly violent, to a location where the eMi AL office could accommodate the various needs of both the ministry as well as the staff families soon to come on board. After much prayer and counsel, Costa Rica was chosen, and our family moved in October 2007 to begin the eMi AL Costa Rica office. Obviously the two year commitment has been extended – and the future is left up in His hands, which are much bigger and better than ours!

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Our children continue to grow and thrive in Latin America, and enjoy the freedom afforded them that comes with living in a small town…life is full of our little local church, chickens, bunnies, their dog, and whatever else they can talk their father into! They are homeschooled, and although the “social outlets” that are available to most children in the States are not available here, we think this may not be such a bad idea, especially as they get older…

Tom’s wife, Debbie, has her M.S.W., but most of her time is spent at home teaching the children and hanging the ever present laundry, which is actually one of her favorite things to do.

It may sound like we have a pretty perfect life, but don’t be fooled by the writing…life is full of challenges and without God’s daily grace covering us we wouldn’t make it for one second living where we are!

So far we have had absolutely NO REGRETS – we may be poorer in the world’s eyes, but we feel rich beyond belief…