Holding Down the Fort

Well...I've been back in Costa Rica for about a week and a half...wow how time flies! It's been a week and a half of mixed emotions. I have enjoyed the warmer weather (it has been humid, which I haven't overly enjoyed, but...) and the GREEN of Costa Rica, my parents came to visit me (!!!), and I have been able to see some friends who I haven't seen for 3 months. However, I still miss Peru and ALL the friends I have there and I have had to say good-bye to some good friends. So I know this will be a time of drawing closer to God and to have Him fill me.

While my parents were here we went to the beach town of Manuel Antonio, said to be the prettiest beach in Costa Rica. From my experience (which isn't necessarily a whole lot) it was! The jungle comes right down to the ocean! There was the greenness of the jungle, the blueness of the ocean and sky, and the tan/white of the sand. As my former partner in crime (the other intern, Kari) would say it was LOVELY! We took a couple of tours. We took a Mangrove Boat Tour and saw some interesting wildlife. Then we took a tour of the National Park of Manuel Antonio. I think I liked this tour the best because we got to walk through the jungle and see a lot more animals, reptiles and insects...plus we were in the jungle! I definitely recommend this beach if you ever make it down to Costa Rica!!

Not only did we see the beach, but we toured around San Jose as well and my parents got to meet some of the people I have been working with in my time in Costa Rica! The final thing I did with them was to DRIVE them to the airport...yes I DROVE in Costa Rica...SCARY I know! But after a small detour, I did get them to the airport!

It was definitely GREAT having my parents come and visit me. Now they know where I am, what I'm doing, and who I'm doing it with. Plus, after not seeing them for 8 MONTHS it was definitely a hightlight to see them again!!!!

Now I'm holding down the fort in Costa Rica (and possibly all of Central America) by being the ONLY CMA "missionary" here...kinda scary! (Both missionary families who were studying here have gone, and Chuck and Robbi are visiting MN.) Not that much changes, but it's a little funny for me. Wednesday a new missionary from Canada comes, so I will be helping them out. I'm looking forward to having them come!

Please continue to pray for me...that I will be content here in Costa Rica. That I can excitedly get back into my ministries here. That the new family arrives safely and the transition is smooth. For the new intern arriving in Sept (I think). Finally, for the 2 missionary families who are starting their work in their fields (Paraguay and Mexico City).