Playa Jaco

Wednesday are Kari and my free days. So we decided to go the beach yesterday! How much fun that was. I was thinking that since all my family and friends were freezing in MN, if I thought of them while going to the beach and enjoying the sun, maybe they would start to warm up too...did it work?? I hope so!

The beach was BEAUTIFUL!!! It was pretty much the perfect day. It wasn't overly warm and the water was the perfect temperature (not like the previous beach trips when it took a while to get used to the cold of the water). It was beautiful and green and lush. I do wish you all could have been there with me!

There was a guy trying to get this parachute thing going...it took him at least 30 minutes before he was off the ground. Then he flew up and down the beach.

"Snow Day", or "Rockslide Day", or Maybe "Road Closed Day"

Another change in routine today. Every Tuesday, Kari, Clay and I go to the rainforest to teach English. Well, this morning as I was eating breakfast with 2 ladies from my house, we were watching the news. The road that leads to Sarapiqui was closed, still. They closed the road Sunday night, from a rockslide (from my understanding), and still haven't opened it yet. Here, I guess, when a road closes there aren't a whole bunch of other routes available (at least outside of San Jose), so you just don't go, or sit and wait (I think this morning it was up to a 6 hour wait). Needless to say, we didn't go to Sarapiqui today.

So now when a road is closed or there is a traffic jam, be glad you probably have many other route options to get you where you need to go.

More Life in CR

Every Mon, Thur, and Fri morning I have tutoring with Ligia, the wife of the pastor whose church I attend. This is an extremely great family and I enjoy going over to their house and spending time with them.

This morning was an interesting morning at Ligia's house. The morning was going as usual. Then about 1 hr 15 min into it, Ligia's oldest son, David, noticed there was a rat in their "garage." I only saw the nose and eyes of it because it was hiding behind a tire of their car. Anyways, so David went out with the dog (who was probably as scared of the little rat as the rat was scared of him) to try to get the rat. We're (Pastor Manuel, Ligia, and I - their 2nd son, Daniel, eventually joined David) watching from in the house. I guess the rat started running towards the door to the house, so Ligia or Pastor Manuel slammed the door shut and Ligia screamed. Then the rat ran into their little front yard and ran into a hole. One of the boys opened the door to let the dog in. Ligia didn't realize it was the dog and screamed again and almost shut the door on the dog. (The doors here aren't like the doors at home. They have 2 doors, the "storm door" which isn't really a storm door and the gate. The rat could have run through the gate into the house, so that is partly what makes this story more entertaining. However, I suppose it would only be really entertaining or scary if you either knew the people/situation, or were their to experience.)

Let's just say I had a good laugh over this morning.

However, for those who thought the bugs was really gross (and therefore will probably think the same about this story) and not want to come visit, have no fear - or less - this is the first rat sighting I have been around. Plus, if you have a good attitude and are able to laugh, the situation really isn't all that bad!! (Plus, there are mice and rats in houses in the US as well, so it's really not all that different.)

Missions News

Tonight was a night of fun, food, and fellowship.

Chuck and Robbi, the OnMission Directors, had all of us CMAers over to their house tonight for dinner. The CMA regional directors were visiting Costa Rica, so this was an opportunity for all of us to get together and chat. All of us, minus Chuck and Robbi, squished into a taxi van and had an adventure of trying to find their house. (We have all been to their house, but always with Chuck driving, so none of us knew exactly where we were going.) Robbi cooked an AMAZING dinner! Between meals Bill, the regional director, shared a devotional and told us about what was happening with the CMA and with South/Central America. This was followed by an AMAZING chocolate cake!

The talk about missions in South/Central America was good, but in many ways discouraging for me. Since I have a heart for the Latino countries, its hard to hear that there is not a strong need for missionaries; with the missionaries who are already there have been/are in the process/have plans to relocate. Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited that in most cases, the national church is growing and is just doing a GREAT job so missionaries are no longer needed there. However, this makes it more difficult to do missions work there.

What this really means, though, is that I need to be in more prayer about the direction God wants to take my future. I have plenty of time to figure out what God wants me to do and where He wants me to go. God has a plan and a place for me, I just have to trust that He will open space for me in South/Central America, or change my heart for a people group somewhere else around the world where I am needed.

Another discouragement that Bill shared with us is the money situation of the Alliance. There has not been the support of past years coming in and this creates a concern for how missionaries are going to be able to be supported. I guess there has been a lot more interest from college students and high school students in missions work. As great as this is, when there are more possible missionaries with less money coming, this does create a small problem. We do understand that if God has called all these people to serve Him in a missions capacity, He will also provide the finances that allow them go. So I would just challenge you 1. pray about the financial situation of the Alliance and 2. think about what you can do to help. In Ecuador they have started to encourage everybody to give $1 every month (at least I believe its every month) to missions. This doesn't sound like a lot, but there was one church that raised around $60,000 if I remember the correct number. That is astounding. Imagine what could be raised throughout the US if every church did that (and since $1 is worth more in Ecuador than in the States, the challenge could be even more).

Thank you to those of you who give regularly to help support missionaries, from any denomination. I know that it is a huge blessing for them. Please continue to give! Thank you to those who have supported my short trip to Costa Rica. I promise it has been a blessing more than you could ever know!

Now that most of this has been on the more serious side, I'll end on the biggest highlight of my night...I GOT MAIL!! I have been waiting for what seems like FOREVER to get a package from home, and I finally got it tonight, along with some surprise mail as well. It's always a joy!!

A Dream, or Maybe 2

So I had a dream last night, maybe it was 2, I don't remember, but it has made me smile all day so I thought I would share it with you. It's not an overly exciting dream, but for some, it may make you smile too!

I had a dream that I was in MN, I don't remember what I was doing. Later in the dream (or in my second dream), I was in Chepen, Peru, and again I don't remember what I was doing. Even if I can't remember what I was doing, I know I was happy and thoroughly enjoying myself. So when I woke up I thought I was in one of those places (I don't remember which). Therefore, it was with much disappointment that I realized that I was in Costa Rica...Now, I'm not saying that I don't like Costa Rica nor that I'm not enjoying myself...but when I thought I was in 1 of my 2 favorite places only to find out that I wasn't in either, it's a bit disappointing...

Then all day it has made me smile, only because I'm enjoying my time in CR and wouldn't trade it for anything. All the people I have met and have built friendships with have been great and I am very thankful. (Plus, I'm excited about the opportunity to return to Peru!!)

2 Days of Fasting

If everyone could be praying for Kari and I. Monday and Tuesday we will be fasting. It all started with an e-mail from the Missionary Candidate Coordinator (I'm not sure exactly what his title is, but he's in charge of me at this stage of my CMA missions experience - and not related with OnMission). In the head offices of the CMA, they are changing things around and aren't sure exactly where they are going to be getting money to support missionaries. So Rick Byham (the coordinator), sent an e-mail to all the candidates to ask them to take Monday and/or Tuesday to fast.

Kari and I decided this would be a good thing (and its always easier to fast with someone). We will spend one day praying about the situation with the CMA and the other praying about OnMission and personal things we need/want to pray for.

This will be my first full day (2 days fasting). I'm not sure how it will go, but please pray for the things listed above, as well as that Kari and I are sustained during this time.

Birthdays!

Yesterday (Friday) was the birthday party for 2 of my friends who live in my old house. It was TONS of fun with only a little bit of craziness...

Stig, one of the birthday people, wanted to have fun decorations, so we went all out on the balloons, they were everywhere! Then for table clothes there was Wonder Woman and Elmo, the pinata was Elmo, there were Teenage Mutan Ninja Turtle and Nemo (from Finding Nemo) party hats, a pin the tale on the donkey (that we forgot to play), and probably more, but I can't remember it all.

(I helped Stig with the craziness in the decorating.)









(This was the pinata, an Elmo Balloon in front...)










(I really have no idea what Clay is doing in this picture)








(All the ladies in the kitchen, I did do some work and not just take pictures...)







(Kari was our find cake decorator)





(Look how pretty it turned out!)









(The honored Birthday people, Stig and Meli)











(Stig, Clay, Meli, Debra, and Monika)










(Me with Meli, the Birthday Princess)






(Me with Stig, the Birthday Boy)












(Grabbing some food, we had a veggie platter, chips, and chili dogs! yum yum yum!!)






(Clay enjoying his chili dog. I think this is my favorite picture of the night...it took a while for my camera to take the pic, so he was posed like this for a while!!)









(Some of the guys from Stig's youth group)









(Stig taking a swing at the pinata. He only used a toy hammer and in about 4 hits the pinata broke.)







(For those of you who I teased about finding a boyfriend, here he is!! His name is Ethan Samuel and he is completely adorable!!)





This was just a fun time for us all to hang out and I was able to meet some other people who used to live in the house as well as some of the people from Stig's youth group (mostly Columbians if I remember correctly).

An Exciting Week

This week has been super fun! Kari and I started up some of our ministries again, so that was definitely exciting! Plus this week has been full with activities every day!

Since I already wrote about Mon and Tue, I'll just tell you about Wed and Thur. Wednesday morning Kari and I went to the Spanish Language Institute to sign up for the Feb. intensive course. I was pretty nervous before Wed about taking the intensive because its about 4 hrs of spanish every day 5 days a week, but after going and talking to the lady in charge of signing students up, I am much more excited than nervous about the intensive! I'm excited about being able to speak much better spanish after this course! I will be starting on Feb 18 and it goes until March 14, so you can keep this in your prayers!

After the institute, Kari and I went downtown for lunch before meeting up with Pastor Manuel and Ligia, and 2 of their sons, to go to a museum about the history of Costa Rica. It was a great afternoon. It was fun being able to hang out with the family in a non-tutoring setting! I also found it very interesting reading a little about the history of Costa Rica. There was one part of the museum that had told of the process of making gold figurines that the indians used. I found this the most interesting because I've never really thought about how to make the gold objects. Every thinks that we're super smart these days in how we make different things and that people along time ago didn't know all that much. When in reality people from long ago were incredibily smart.

Then Wed night I "babysat" Krish and Cindy. We had fun. We played a game called Banco, which is the CR version of Monopoly. The girls have their own rules that I don't think are how exactly to play, but it was still fun!

Thursday was tutoring for 2 hours (but ended up being 3 hrs because we were having a good talk). Then I was home for a while. I played Banco again with Krish and Cindy. After a while, I went to Kari's house so we could make a cake for tonight (Friday) for our friends' birthday party, but the oven was in use so we didn't get to make it. The best part of Thurday was being able to go to the Sappia's house (a CMA missionary couple). Kari and I went over around 7 pm and started watching Pride & Prejudice (the long, 6 hr, version)! It was fun being able to hang out with Lisa and John, plus Lisa made a cake called Tres Leches (3 Milks) and it was DELICIOUS!!

Now tonight I will be going to Kari's house for a birthday party! (I'll write more about that tomorrow.)

Catching Up

I know it has been a long time since I have written. I have been house sitting and have not had access to the internet. Last week was not a super exciting week, so I did not feel the need to write because it would not have been much fun to read. Although this week will change all that. I am busy every day!

Today I was teaching in Sarapiqui (about a 1 1/2 hour bus trip one way). This was the first time I actually taught, before I just observed. Today I had 3 students. One was the pastor of the church. He is actually a little farther ahead in the book, but missed the last couple weeks, so is no longer as far as Kari's class, so he's reviewing with me. My other 2 students are new. I believe one has had some English in the past and so is doing fine with what we did today. My other student, however, has never had English and isn't grasping it as fast. So you can pray that I find a way to make sure she gets what's being taught as well as being able to move at a pace that doesn't bore the more advanced student. You can also pray for me as I travel. I have never been one to get car sick, but for some reason every time I have taken a long bus ride, whether to Sarapiqui or to the beach, I have had a sick feeling. This definitely makes the ride not very enjoyable.

Then what was left of this afternoon was spent at my old house taking down the Christmas tree and playing with my "boyfriend" (Rosy's - the lady who runs the house - grandson who is less than 1 year). He is super cute!! I even went running with Kari tonight. It wasn't overly hot, so I agreed to go, but it still wasn't cool in any sense (as we are now entering the summer months of Costa Rica).

Answer to Prayer

Just so you know, Krish is doing fine and is back to normal. I guess it was just a bad ear infections with something in the throat and something else related to the appendex (sorry I can't be more specific, language barrier)...but after a few hours in the hospital getting tests done and a few shots, she's doing much better! You can't even tell that she was sick!!

Prayer Request and Update

Sorry I haven't written in a while, my room was being repainted so I was without internet for a while, but you haven't missed much!

First, I would like to ask that you pray for my host "sister". All day yesterday she wasn't feeling well, but then last night, she went to the hospital. I don't know the details of what is going on at this point, but she had pain near her stomach, but it wasn't her stomach... So please just pray that God would heal her body and make her feel better again!

Second, I'll give you an update of my last couple days. Monday was the same as every other Monday. I went to my tutoring session with Ligia, then hung out around the house for a while. Only since teaching English started this week, Kari and I met for "coffee" and planned the lesson for Tuesday. Then Tuesday we taught English. This was fun for us, we only had 3 students. I worked almost 1 on 1 with the pastor's son who's about 8 or 9, I think. He definitely has a personality!! I didn't get home until around 4:30, so I spent the rest of my day at home. Wednesday was my free day!! I was able to sleep in (I haven't been able to do much of this since I got here)! Then went to a horrible movie (I didn't know this before the movie started).

Tonight until Tuesday, Kari and I will be house sitting again, so that should be fun!

To Answer a Few Questions...

One of my friends has read through (at least some of) my blogs and has asked some really good questions, so instead of just answer him, I thought I would blog them so everyone can know as well.

Q1: What does you daily schedule look like?
Everyday is different, and since I only did everything once my first week here before everything stopped for Christmas I don't know exactly what it will look like. However, Kari, Chuck, Robbi and I have talked (today in fact) about what a week will generally look like, at least until mid-Feb (that's when my intensive Spanish course begins). So here is what I know...
Mondays: Tutoring in the morning for 2 hrs with Ligia, then grammar tutoring for 2 hrs in the afternoon with Kari, and in the evenings (maybe) teaching English at one of the CMA churches.
Tuesdays: Teaching English at another CMA church all morning (plus traveling which is about an hr each way).
Wednesdays: Tutoring in the morning with Ligia, possibly tutoring in the afternoon with Kari, and Bible studies with a new church plant in the evenings.
Thursdays: This will be our day of rest, so whatever Kari and I decide to do with our day!
Fridays: Tutoring with Ligia in the morning and babysitting in the evening for 2 CMA missionary couples that attend the language school.
Saturdays: El Comedor (the children's soup kitchen) in the morning for a couple hours and youth group in the evening.
Sundays: Church in the morning and anything else that pops up for the rest of the day.
Remember, this is just a rough schedule and I definitely could have forgotten a thing or 2...

Q2: What is the one thing you have learned?
I have definitely learned a lot during my time here. I think I have learned it's ok to be pushed outside your comfort zone. I have been pushed outside my comfort zone in a lot of ways. Obviously, through the language and being able to communicate, but also learning the traditions and habits of the people here. Learning to live with people I don't know at all and learning their routines and habits have been interesting, and definitely out of my comfort zone (not that the people aren't great). Also, just spending time with the Ticos (the Costa Rican people). Take Saturday (my last entry) for example. I could have said no and stayed home, it would have been easier especially since I really don't know any of the youth nor the things that interest them, etc, but I knew I should go because it will make it less out of my comfort zone the next time (plus it ended up being a really great experience).

Q3: What is so great about this experience?
I could answer thing question in a lot of ways, but I think the best thing about this experience is it is giving me a taste of what life as a missionary is like. I am learning how to live in a different culture and away from those I love. I spent my first holiday away from family and friends (old friends since I was with new ones). I must say that I am glad it was early in my trip because then everything was still new and I didn't miss home as much as I probably would have, but it was still different. Also, I have met some amazing people who I know will help form me into a better person with a better understanding of God and the Bible! Throughout this year I know I not only have a better appreciation for missionaries in general, but I hope that it will also prepare me for the calling I feel God has placed on my life!

Q4: What has God taught you thus far?
God has taught me dependence. I have spent a lot of my life depending on the people around me, which isn't a bad thing, but I have been more dependant on them than I have on God, which isn't super great. Through my short time here, I have learned that God is the one I should always look to. He is the strength behind who I am and who I can become. Even when I'm frustrated at my lack of language skills or other skills, I have to trust that God will help me understand and be able to communicate correctly when the time is right. I have to trust that when I miss home and all the people I love, God's love is greater than all of theirs combined and God's love is sufficient for me. I know I have a whole lot more to learn about dependence and about God, but I have the rest of my life to learn, little by little!

I hope this brought a clearer understanding about what life will be like and what life has been like for me here!

A Tiring, Yet Fun Day

Today was a day spent with the youth of the church. At 9:30 Kari and I went to the church to meet with the youth. From there we went to a HUGE park. The park was BEAUTIFUL and had something (or many things) for everyone. There were a lot of small soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, there were walking/hiking trails, there were a lot of trees, and horseback riding, and there was even a long zipline (well actually it was a series of 7 lines that took you around the park).

Kari and I really didn't know what to expect. But when we got to the park, we just sat around for a while, then a dozen or so of the guys wanted to start a soccer game, so the pastor's son asked me join. I didn't have shoes (since I didn't know what we were going to be doing), so I know I made a complete fool of myself. In America we have decent grass to play on and in Peru its pretty smooth cement, but the field we were playing on was half dirt with many rocks and the grass was not smooth at all. So we'll just say I couldn't run, I couldn't stop, and I really couldn't do much of anything...good thing I warned them I wasn't good!!

The first time I touched the ball I was in the dirt pit and slipped. This caused me to fall down and get VERY dirty and scrap my hand (and later I found out my heel as well). Then my feet started to hurt from running on the rocks. I didn't do a completely horrible job, I did stop a few runs and prevented 1 goal, so I definitely contributed, but I can promise, it wasn't very pretty!!

After a while, we stopped and had lunch. Kari and I went to find a store so I could wash my hand (the bathrooms with water weren't open for me to use) and get me some lunch. We found a store - a very nice little market - and I was able to wash the dirt out my wound. Then we returned and talked with the adults a while before we went on to the next game.

Next we played Kickball. My team started ok, but then just went downhill...they just couldn't get a very good understanding of kickball. It was amusing to watch everyone though. We all shared a few very good laughs. (Again, I played barefoot, so I couldn't run nor stop very well.) In fact, since I couldn't stop very well, I actually plowed into one of the guys...I felt super bad, but he was just fine...we all laughed about it later...

After about an hour of this, we walked around the park and found where the zipline started. I loved walking around the park and wish it was closer to our house (we took 2 buses). It would be so nice to take walks around (it might have even inspired me to take up running...maybe...). Then around 3:30 we headed back home. Pastor Manuel and his family took Kari and I to Kari's (and my old) house. I was able to talk with Rosy a little, which made us both very happy!

Then I walked home and took a shower because I was FILTHY! It feels good to be clean and full (since I had soup as soon as my shower was done). Now, I just want to go to sleep so I'm rested for church tomorrow!!

Carnival in Zapote

On Wednesday, a couple friends (named Meli, Stig, and Kari) and I went to a carnival close to our house. In some ways it reminded me of a county fair, except that there wasn't agricultural things there, there were only rides, food, and an arena where they hold something called Torros al Ticos (Bulls vs. Tico - or Costa Ricans). We didn't go watch this since the line was very long to buy tickets. I'll give you a brief explanation: A bunch of men from Costa Rica go into a pen, they send out a bull and the men try to run away from the bull - or try to get the bull to run after them - in some ways its interesting, but at the same time its really stupid. There are a lot of injuries caused by the bull's horns and even a few deaths - I think 2 this year. Plus when the bull isn't chasing someone, it's rather boring to watch (I watched it on tv). I think I'll stick with watching bull riding, I feel there is more of a point to this...

Anyways, back to what my friends and I did. We went on rides. We went on 5 different rides. Most of the rides spin you in a circle while you are swinging back and forth and upside down. Normally, I can't handle too many of this type of ride, but for some reason, my body could handle it this time. The names of the rides were Evolution, Freak Out (this was the best in Stig and my opinions), Galeon (this is a boat that swings back and forth - lame after the first 2), Montana Loop (a rollercoaster that was more fun than it looked, but obviously can't compare to what we have at home), and the last ride is call Drive In. We went on Drive In 3 times. Drive In is a ride that probably wouldn't be allowed in the US because there are no safety restraints. You must hang on while spinning in a fast circle and while it violently shakes. Let's just say my arms, back and neck are still sore. (I have a video, but my blogger won't read it at this moment, so you'll just have to use your imagination, sorry.)

Mi Casa Nueva

For those of you who don’t remember, a couple weeks ago I was looking for a new house to move into. That move happened on the first of the year, a change in honor of the New Year J (sort of). I didn’t move until after 4pm, so I had a very relaxed afternoon (I packed most of my stuff the night before and the rest in the morning). I was definitely a littler nervous about moving into a new home. I was just starting to get comfortable in the house I was in, but I know I need to switch homes, now I need to get used to a new home, new people, new routines.

As a reminder, the house I have moved into is “La Casa de Mujeres” (The House of Women). I live with a woman named Shirley, her daughter Kris, and Shirley’s sister, Jessika Marcela (2 Jessica’s in one house, uh oh, and yes, she does spell it with a “k” not a “c”). My first night, I meet Marcela, Shirley and Marcela’s father, Marcela’s boyfriend, and a family friend named Laura. Everyone seems really nice. They all speak slower Spanish so I can understand better and are very patient with me when I don’t understand.

When I was talking with Shirley’s father, he thought I had just arrived in Costa Rica, so when he found out I have been here for about a month, he said I was Tica. That made me smile, and I had to tell him I need to be able to speak Spanish first! I was also told that Kris is a good little professor when it comes to helping me learn Spanish. Having Kris here does definitely help me feel more comfortable. I don’t feel as silly talking with her as I do talking to adults.

I must say that it does feel good to finally be able to unpack and put my things in a closet! I actually feel like I’m home (or at least the part of being able to put my things some place other than my suitcase, the rest will come with time). The only problem, at least for now, is that I live on a busy street, so at night it’s hard to sleep because there’s always something driving by. However, I know that with time, I will stop “hearing” the cars and trucks…I CAN’T WAIT!!

P.S. The night before I left my old house, Rosy told me that I was a very special girl. I’m very quiet and don’t talk much. This made me smile because everyone at home would probably laugh to hear that. I told her it was just because I couldn’t talk in Spanish. So just so you all know, most people here think I’m a quiet girl who doesn’t talk much!! I am learning to not talk, something I promise was trying to work on at home even if I wasn’t succeeding.

Feliz Ano Nuevo!!

Happy New Year!! Can you believe 2007 is over and today is the first day of 2008? Every year on January 1 I wonder what things I will do and how life might be different by December 31, and this year definitely is no exception. Last January 1, I never imagined that I would be in Costa Rica, so we'll see what surprises come by next January 1!

I am so thankful for everything that God has done over this past year, He helped me get accredited with the CMA and become a missionary canidate (something else I didn't think would happen), graduate from college, get back to Peru, learn about Costa Rica, raise support for Costa Rica, get to Costa Rica, and even squeeze time to visit Harland and Josie, as well as travel to Florida to visit family and watch my sister win a National Championship! There are so many other things that I am so thankful for that happened throughout 2007, but it would become a very long and boring blog if I wrote even half of what I'm thankful for...

Maybe I should tell you a little about the New Year's traditions in Costa Rica are. Mostly, there are fireworks, tons and tons of fireworks. (Well to be completely honest, Ticos love fireworks, leading up to Christmas and New Years they are firing off fireworks every night.) Fireworks may not seem too unusal, but it's not like at home where they all shoot off in one place so you sit nicely and watch the wonderful show...no these are big fireworks that are shot off from ever direction, you constantly have to turn around and you always miss something. Then there really is no big end to the lightshow, it just goes on and on until they run out of fireworks...It was definitely a neat experience and fun to watch!

Thank you for sending me here, I am excited to see where 2008 takes me, and please keep me posted about where God is leading you!