Paul and Beth Kostner Newsletter (Winter 2024)
Dear Friends, Family and Former Team Members,
What an exciting fall and holiday season we experienced! The Lord is doing a mighty work through the ministries of Teen Missions and we are thankful to have a small part in His work!
My mother turned 90 in November. She is doing well physically and we are so thankful for that. Growing up, most of our family vacations were spent in Gatlinburg. After we had children, my parents would rent a cabin in Pigeon Forge and we spent many vacations there. Along with my two sisters, we decided to surprise her and have the family meet there for a long weekend. Paul and I, along with Colton and Lindsay, drove up to GA and “surprised” her with a trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. Danae and my sister, Tonya, flew in and rented a car. My younger sister, Kim, along with her two children and their children drove up from GA. What a precious weekend of fun, food, games, laughter and reminiscing! Mom was thoroughly surprised. Some of the high school students and faculty where mom worked for over 50 years, surprised her with a party in Chattanooga in November. Over 45 people attended. Paul’s mom is turning 90 this month, so we will be driving up north for her 90th birthday party.
In mid-November, Paul and I flew to Cambodia (gotta love 17-hour-long flights...). We spent three weeks there. Cambodia was running their Boot Camp while we were there. What a precious time we had with the staff, students, interns and team members! We helped teach a couple of classes and Paul spoke during their evening rally one night. The staff were so gracious. We enjoyed delicious meals and wonderful fellowship. We were able to introduce them to dinner rolls, chocolate chip pancakes and cinnamon rolls. Our time there was such a blessing for us! 
In December, BJ proposed to his girlfriend, Kenzie! He planned the surprise proposal out at Teen Missions and the weather cooperated! They are planning on getting married in about a year. They have been dating since their senior year in high school. She is a nurse in the Medical ICU in Melbourne. We are excited for them—she is a jewel!
We had a good Christmas holiday. Danae was not able to come from Arizona for Christmas, but she had come for mom’s party and the engagement and we are thankful for that. She continues to enjoy her job in Arizona and working with the 8th-grade girls in her church. Although we miss her, she is doing well.
Colton is working two jobs and continues to work on getting his computer certifications. He moved out in December—we are again “empty nesters”. He and two of his friends are renting a three-bedroom house in Rockledge. And he just celebrated his 27th birthday!
BJ has a new job! He spent over a week in LA learning the ropes and is working remotely here. He is involved in the sales of aerospace equipment. He is enjoying it.
Lindsay continues to work remotely with adoptions and is still loving it. She does go out to do home studies and for court dates. Her face lights up when she talks about finding forever families for the kids.
Work is starting to get busier. Our registrations are above where they were at this time last year. Six (of 12) of the teams are already full! Teams will be going to Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Taiwan, Tanzania, Zambia, India, Mongolia, Costa Rica, Australia, Colombia, and Guatemala. Along with Paul and I, we have two other guys working with us in the US Teams Department. This is Tim’s fourth year with us and it has been fun watching him mature and grow in his work with us—he’s invaluable! He is a big help with all the paperwork and communicating with the parents and team leaders. He also helps in other departments such as the Sojourner School of Ministry, promotions and social networking. Liam is a first-year student and works with us in the afternoons. He is eager to learn and has caught on quickly. We appreciate both of them—their willing hearts, eagerness to learn and flexibility are such an encouragement to us and they make our jobs so much easier!
Lord willing, we will be leading a team back to India this summer! We already have 15 team members and two other leaders. We are so excited—Asia holds a big place in our hearts! We will be doing renovation work at our base along with sharing the Gospel in nearby villages.
We want to thank you for everything you do, through prayers and financial gifts, that allow us to serve Him here at Teen Missions. Your partnership with us in ministry is invaluable—through your prayers and gifts, you are having an impact all over the world! THANK YOU!
In Christ,
Paul & Beth Kostner
I Peter 4:11/I Corinthians 15:58
