Well, I celebrated my first international birthday! It was a birthday much different than I had imagined...a few more "firsts".
I found out the night before (Sept 25) that my host mom had a funeral to go to in the morning, so I planed to sleep in a little, then go walking (catch some rays if there would be any), and just have a low key day. However, plans changed. My host mom knocked on my room door at 8:15am to ask if I would accompany her to the funeral because she didn't want to go alone (she didn't really want to go in the first place, but she made a promise to herself that she would only attend the funerals of the people who were important in the life of her mother and attended her funeral 11 years ago). So I not only attended my first Costa Rican (Central/South American) funeral, it was also the first time I attended a funeral on my birthday. I guess going to a funeral on ones birthday really can make a birthday more meaningful. It's a reminder to be thankful for the extra year God has given, when He has, not only the power, but the right to take it away whenever he wants. So I thank God for this 23rd of life that He has blessed me with, and I hope for this year, I will be used in greater ways than I can imagine.
Now, back to fun birthday news, the afternoon, after getting home, was pretty laid back, then that evening, my host family (aunts and cousins) came over to celebrate my birthday. It was a fun time. We had a small dinner and cake! Then, because my host sister and cousin love the game Phase 10, we played that, all 10 phases!
The partying didn't end there (well it ended for the night), on Sat. I had another small party at a friends house. This was definitely an international party. There was a Tica Family and a Korean family. We had a little food from Korea and 2 kinds of cake. It was another fun time!
However, the fun still did not end...Sat. night, the Peters (the new CMA missionary family to study here) and I went to the Fanberg's house to have another celebration! It was fun having a more American birthday celebration!
Overall, I had a very internation celebration this year, I celebrated with Ticos, Koreans, Canadians, and Americans (and then with birthday wishes via internet from Peruvians as well), I must say, it was a very exciting weekend!! I am excited to come home (in 4 days!!) and celebrate a little with family and friends from home!!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
El Dia De Independencia
By the end of 2008, I will have been in 3 countries (well more than that, but only 3 for longer than 4 days). Out of those three countries, I will have been in 2 of them for their Independence Day. The one country whose Independence Day I was not around to celebrate is that of my own.
While in Peru, they had their Independence Day (July 28). However, since I was working with a group at that time, I didn't really celebrate and I don't really know what all they do there in order to celebrate their independence.
Then, while here in Costa Rica I was able to celebrate their independence. Here, it is a 2 (and in some ways 3) day celebration. Costa Rica's Independence Day is Sept 15 (this year on a Monday). However, the celebration starts the night of the 14th. All the schools, public and private have celebrations. I went with my host family to Krish's (my host sister)school. There they had a short ceremony (it wasn't overly long, but I must still admit a bit boring). It started with a group of kids running into the gym with a torch (it reminded me of the opening ceremony of the Olympics). They did a lot of singing. I know what the Himno Nacional and one was the school song, but the others, I have NO idea. There were also a few people who shared. I'm sure it was a little about the history of the country, but I didn't really follow. Finally, it ended with a parade around the neighborhood with laterns. (The ceremony started at 6pm, so it was dark by the time the ceremony started.) The significance of this parade is that the night before Costa Rica officially became independent 187 yrs ago, they had people go through the streets telling of the independence. Because there was no electricity, they went through with only laterns.
Then, on the morning of the 15th, we went to Krish's school again for Part 2 of the Independency Day celebration. At the school, there was more talking and singing, but less, and some students performed some traditional dances. It was fun watching the little kids "dance". Krish was in one of the dances. After the ceremony, there is another parade. This one is bigger than the one the night before. (Here parades aren't what they are at home, where everyone sits on the side of the road to watch people go by and hope for candy...no...it's for the school kids, who walk in their groups, but the parents walk along side of the kids...so...something different.)
Then for the rest of the day, the kids are free to do whatever and for many schools, the kids have the 16th off from classes because it is MANDATORY for them to attend the 2 days of celebrations at the school.
While in Peru, they had their Independence Day (July 28). However, since I was working with a group at that time, I didn't really celebrate and I don't really know what all they do there in order to celebrate their independence.
Then, while here in Costa Rica I was able to celebrate their independence. Here, it is a 2 (and in some ways 3) day celebration. Costa Rica's Independence Day is Sept 15 (this year on a Monday). However, the celebration starts the night of the 14th. All the schools, public and private have celebrations. I went with my host family to Krish's (my host sister)school. There they had a short ceremony (it wasn't overly long, but I must still admit a bit boring). It started with a group of kids running into the gym with a torch (it reminded me of the opening ceremony of the Olympics). They did a lot of singing. I know what the Himno Nacional and one was the school song, but the others, I have NO idea. There were also a few people who shared. I'm sure it was a little about the history of the country, but I didn't really follow. Finally, it ended with a parade around the neighborhood with laterns. (The ceremony started at 6pm, so it was dark by the time the ceremony started.) The significance of this parade is that the night before Costa Rica officially became independent 187 yrs ago, they had people go through the streets telling of the independence. Because there was no electricity, they went through with only laterns.
Then, on the morning of the 15th, we went to Krish's school again for Part 2 of the Independency Day celebration. At the school, there was more talking and singing, but less, and some students performed some traditional dances. It was fun watching the little kids "dance". Krish was in one of the dances. After the ceremony, there is another parade. This one is bigger than the one the night before. (Here parades aren't what they are at home, where everyone sits on the side of the road to watch people go by and hope for candy...no...it's for the school kids, who walk in their groups, but the parents walk along side of the kids...so...something different.)
Then for the rest of the day, the kids are free to do whatever and for many schools, the kids have the 16th off from classes because it is MANDATORY for them to attend the 2 days of celebrations at the school.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
I'm Going Home!!!
As many of you know, my home church has a sister church in Peru that we have been helping out for the last 2 years...in various ways. Well, our church invited the pastor and his family to visit our church in October. For multiple reasons, it's very hard for a Peruvian to get a US visa, so our church, their church, and others have been praying for a while that they would get their visas. After various problems, they were finally able to get to the US Embassy in Peru to interview for their visas. To be honest, I did have my doubts and fears, but thankfully, after a representative called my home church and talked with my pastor, they approved Pastor Juan and family for a visa!!
I am SUPER excited about this. I think it will be great to have Pastor Juan and family visit our church and meet this church who is the sister church for them. I also think it will be a GREAT way for my home church to see for themselves what the work in Chepen, Peru means and meet someone from the church, and KNOW that it's for real, it's not just some place in South America, in Peru, but it's REAL. Maybe...hopefully...we could get a lot more people involved in missions, both in Chepen and around our church.
However, I am excited for other reasons as well...I will admit that for personal reasons I'm excited about being able to go home as well. I'm excited to visit people, who by that time, I won't have seen for 10 months! Plus, I'll be able to help Pastor Juan and family travel and support them during a time of HUGE changes and lots of emotion (I at least I'm guessing since this trip will be filled with many FIRSTS for all of them!!)
Anyways, this is more that you can be praying about. Planning, traveling, experiencing, everything that could be related to this coming together!!
I am SUPER excited about this. I think it will be great to have Pastor Juan and family visit our church and meet this church who is the sister church for them. I also think it will be a GREAT way for my home church to see for themselves what the work in Chepen, Peru means and meet someone from the church, and KNOW that it's for real, it's not just some place in South America, in Peru, but it's REAL. Maybe...hopefully...we could get a lot more people involved in missions, both in Chepen and around our church.
However, I am excited for other reasons as well...I will admit that for personal reasons I'm excited about being able to go home as well. I'm excited to visit people, who by that time, I won't have seen for 10 months! Plus, I'll be able to help Pastor Juan and family travel and support them during a time of HUGE changes and lots of emotion (I at least I'm guessing since this trip will be filled with many FIRSTS for all of them!!)
Anyways, this is more that you can be praying about. Planning, traveling, experiencing, everything that could be related to this coming together!!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
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).
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).
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Leaving...
Hey family and friends...sorry it has been a LONG time since I last wrote. I feel that is how I've started all my blogs since arriving in Peru, but I assure you it's not for lack of things to write about, on the contrary, I have TOO many things to write about and I'm busying DOING them all the time! But as my time is winding down (unfortunately), I feel as though I need to write again.
I am currently working with the 2nd Riverside group. We are having a GREAT time. We have a little more variety in our schedule with this group. We are doing some construction (definitely NOT like the last team with tearing down a building, but rather clearing out the rocks, dirt, cement, and garbage that was covering the lots). We are also doing some painting of a study center for some children, plus a little work at the recycle house. These are all our morning activities, in the afternoon, we have been working with the Nor Oeste church on a VBS program, mostly helping out the troop leaders. That has been fun, especially getting to know kids after spending 2-2 1/2 hours 4 days of the week with them. It's been fun and special. Then the nights have consisted of door to door evangelism, small groups, or fun times with the leaders of the church. So we have had some CRAZY busy schedules!!
This team will be heading out Sunday morning by plane and Kari and will follow Sunday night by bus. I do not look forward to leaving. As many of you know, I love Peru. Every time I come, I never want to leave, yet each time I must. This time is even harder as I have met SSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many people and have built SSSSOOOOOOOO many friendships. I have realized that in 2 1/2 months in Peru I have met and build more friendships than I have in 6 months in Costa Rica. That's not to say I don't like CR and don't have any friends, it's just the difference in cultures and people. The friends I have in CR are GREAT and I love them to death, but it's not the same. Especially since in Peru I have met friends my own age, a HUGE bonus, something I didn't realize I missed until I got here. All this said, I know my time here in Peru has almost come to a close (at least for this year ;) ) and I know my responsibilities are in CR. Please be praying for me as I transistion back to CR. Pray that I will be able to jump right back into things full heartedly. Pray for me as I know I will become lonely after returning to CR, as I won't have tons of friends around ALL the time, but also as Kari returns to the States shortly after returning to CR, Chuck and Robbi will be heading to MN help their daughter move into college and visit their sons and families, and as a missionary family that are my good friends will be moving to Mexico City - all happening within a week and a half of my returning.
Also, please pray for my parents as they are coming to visit me for a week shortly after I return to CR. This highlight is definitely something to return to CR for!!
I am currently working with the 2nd Riverside group. We are having a GREAT time. We have a little more variety in our schedule with this group. We are doing some construction (definitely NOT like the last team with tearing down a building, but rather clearing out the rocks, dirt, cement, and garbage that was covering the lots). We are also doing some painting of a study center for some children, plus a little work at the recycle house. These are all our morning activities, in the afternoon, we have been working with the Nor Oeste church on a VBS program, mostly helping out the troop leaders. That has been fun, especially getting to know kids after spending 2-2 1/2 hours 4 days of the week with them. It's been fun and special. Then the nights have consisted of door to door evangelism, small groups, or fun times with the leaders of the church. So we have had some CRAZY busy schedules!!
This team will be heading out Sunday morning by plane and Kari and will follow Sunday night by bus. I do not look forward to leaving. As many of you know, I love Peru. Every time I come, I never want to leave, yet each time I must. This time is even harder as I have met SSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many people and have built SSSSOOOOOOOO many friendships. I have realized that in 2 1/2 months in Peru I have met and build more friendships than I have in 6 months in Costa Rica. That's not to say I don't like CR and don't have any friends, it's just the difference in cultures and people. The friends I have in CR are GREAT and I love them to death, but it's not the same. Especially since in Peru I have met friends my own age, a HUGE bonus, something I didn't realize I missed until I got here. All this said, I know my time here in Peru has almost come to a close (at least for this year ;) ) and I know my responsibilities are in CR. Please be praying for me as I transistion back to CR. Pray that I will be able to jump right back into things full heartedly. Pray for me as I know I will become lonely after returning to CR, as I won't have tons of friends around ALL the time, but also as Kari returns to the States shortly after returning to CR, Chuck and Robbi will be heading to MN help their daughter move into college and visit their sons and families, and as a missionary family that are my good friends will be moving to Mexico City - all happening within a week and a half of my returning.
Also, please pray for my parents as they are coming to visit me for a week shortly after I return to CR. This highlight is definitely something to return to CR for!!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Pictures!!
Here are some pictures from the Corban concert we had on the Saturday the big group was playing games in Trujillo. For those who don't know (which is probably everyone because I didn't know Corban before), Corban is a Christian band from the Alliance churches in Trujillo. They are a fun group of guys who have a message to share with a great way to share it! Enjoy the pictures!!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Project in Chepen
Hey everyone... I just thought I´d let you know what´s happening in Chepen.
With the group of 27 people (plus me and another intern), we hoped to get the roof started on the church...however due to various problems with the cost of materials rising, we were not able to get as far as we had hoped. Also, having 30 people, 60 hands, was a bit much to have here at this time. So that was the discouraging part. However, it has been great getting to know the people on the teams. When I was told I would be working with 28 other people, I was thinking, "how and I ever going to learn all their name??" I also wasn´t sure how all the translating would go. Fortunately, I have learned ALL the names of everyone I am working with! Plus the translating hasn´t been as bad I was thinking. A few of the girls on the team speak a little spanish (like what I knew the last couple years), so that definitely makes it easier because they can talk to people a little as well!
Our focus wasn't only on construction, but also on evangelism. So we spent 1 night in the Plaza in groups of 2 with a Peruvian talking to different people about God. This was a great experience for everyone. It was great talking to the team later that night at our debrief and hearing how many of them enjoyed their experience. (We were supposed to do this another night, but there was a concert in the plaza, si we couldn't, we had a birthday party for one of the team members instead.) Half the group also visited various people from the church in their homes. The time was spent getting to know people from the church and praying for them.
I think it´s interesting to see how things are different this year than in years past. I think things are different because this is a group primarily of people between the ages of 14 and 18, also including 21, 22 (2 of us), and 28 (2), with only 2 people above the age of 40. This just brings about another whole dimension to the group. This is also a group made up from 2 churches that didn´t know each other before landing in Lima, and actually before getting to Chepen. It has been fun to watch how they have bonded into 1 group. There are no longer 2 churches, but 1 family and I LOVE it! The only thing that could make me happier would be to see the people in these group bond and form a family with the Chepen church.
Then Saturday, all the teams (all 180 people, plus interns, and locals) had a sports day in Trujillo. It was a lot of fun and there was a lot of competition in the games we played. My AMAZING team got 2nd in 2 games (one was tug-a-war, where I cheered so much I lost my voice) and we got 1st in a game sort of like Steal the Bacon. It was a lot of fun to see them all come out of their shells a bit and get into the events. We didn't do so well at soccer, but the improvement over the 3 games we played was HUGE! Volleyball also didn't go so well for us, but all had fun and that is the most important. (Plus with the amazing win in Steal the Bacon, it didn't matter how everything else went, everyone was high off that win!)
I wish you all could have been here to experience this week with me. It was way better than I could have imagined and I am SO thankful to everyone who came and helped and encouraged the church of Chepen!
With the group of 27 people (plus me and another intern), we hoped to get the roof started on the church...however due to various problems with the cost of materials rising, we were not able to get as far as we had hoped. Also, having 30 people, 60 hands, was a bit much to have here at this time. So that was the discouraging part. However, it has been great getting to know the people on the teams. When I was told I would be working with 28 other people, I was thinking, "how and I ever going to learn all their name??" I also wasn´t sure how all the translating would go. Fortunately, I have learned ALL the names of everyone I am working with! Plus the translating hasn´t been as bad I was thinking. A few of the girls on the team speak a little spanish (like what I knew the last couple years), so that definitely makes it easier because they can talk to people a little as well!
Our focus wasn't only on construction, but also on evangelism. So we spent 1 night in the Plaza in groups of 2 with a Peruvian talking to different people about God. This was a great experience for everyone. It was great talking to the team later that night at our debrief and hearing how many of them enjoyed their experience. (We were supposed to do this another night, but there was a concert in the plaza, si we couldn't, we had a birthday party for one of the team members instead.) Half the group also visited various people from the church in their homes. The time was spent getting to know people from the church and praying for them.
I think it´s interesting to see how things are different this year than in years past. I think things are different because this is a group primarily of people between the ages of 14 and 18, also including 21, 22 (2 of us), and 28 (2), with only 2 people above the age of 40. This just brings about another whole dimension to the group. This is also a group made up from 2 churches that didn´t know each other before landing in Lima, and actually before getting to Chepen. It has been fun to watch how they have bonded into 1 group. There are no longer 2 churches, but 1 family and I LOVE it! The only thing that could make me happier would be to see the people in these group bond and form a family with the Chepen church.
Then Saturday, all the teams (all 180 people, plus interns, and locals) had a sports day in Trujillo. It was a lot of fun and there was a lot of competition in the games we played. My AMAZING team got 2nd in 2 games (one was tug-a-war, where I cheered so much I lost my voice) and we got 1st in a game sort of like Steal the Bacon. It was a lot of fun to see them all come out of their shells a bit and get into the events. We didn't do so well at soccer, but the improvement over the 3 games we played was HUGE! Volleyball also didn't go so well for us, but all had fun and that is the most important. (Plus with the amazing win in Steal the Bacon, it didn't matter how everything else went, everyone was high off that win!)
I wish you all could have been here to experience this week with me. It was way better than I could have imagined and I am SO thankful to everyone who came and helped and encouraged the church of Chepen!
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