Many First's

We had an amazing time this weekend at the lodge up in Arenal. Thank you for all of your prayers; we certainly felt them. Every last detailed came together perfectly; I could not have planned it better even if I tried. The girls had an incredible time and can't stop talking about everything we saw and did in a short 36 hours. The girls had the opportunity to learn in a hands-on-way about all different kinds of farm animals and rainforest life. In addition, the weekend was full of lots of laughter and being silly together as we tried new things. More than anything, it was a great time building deeper relationships in a way that would never be possible within the tutoring center.

A Photo Essay of the weekend...

We picked up the girls at 7am in Los Guido in our microbus. On the way up, the girls experienced thick fog for the first time ever. They kept looking out the window saying, "Estamos en el cielo!" We're in heaven! Thanks to the fact seatbelts don't really exist here, the girls were able to bounce all around the van as we had a sing-along, promptly producing lots of motion sickness.

From Leaves and Lizard

Catalyna and Leah in the microbus

Luckily we made it to Leaves and Lizards without any accidents. Shortly after arriving we headed down to the barn to learn how to ride a horse. The girls were super excited, but got a little freaked out once we were actually near the horses. Notice Madai's face.

From Leaves and Lizard

Debbie did a great job easing their fears and teaching them how to comfortable control the horse. Within an hour everyone was riding with confidence.

Catalyna kept wanting to go faster. But as we were riding in a corral, it wasn't really an option.

From Leaves and Lizard

Belkys was extremely hesitant to go near the horses, and it took a lot of convincing to get her to even try it. But it was amazing to see her confidence level increase, especially after a scary freak out when one of the horses got spooked. She was amazing!

From Leaves and Lizard

It was also my first time ever on a horse! So fun to be able to share the experience with the girls.

From Leaves and Lizard

After riding, we shared a lovely dinner with Steve and Debbie and headed back to the cabin to rest before our big hike the next day.

From Leaves and Lizard

That night we all enjoyed hot water showers, and the girls used a blow dryer for the first time before sleeping like queens in our luxury cabins

From Leaves and Lizard

After our big breakfast of fluffy pancakes, cheese omelets, and bacon (all very special treats here), we headed off to hike through the rainforest with our trusty guide, Oscar.

From Leaves and Lizard

Catalyna, Belkys, Judith (Madai's mom), Madai


It rained on us almost the whole time, but we were prepared!

From Leaves and Lizard

Due to the rain, there weren't as many animals out and about, but we were still overwhelmed with God's amazing creation. It reminded me of all the nature hikes my family would do growing up.

From Leaves and Lizard

From Leaves and Lizard

From Leaves and Lizard

Our ride home held one more surprise for the girls.... McDonalds!!! Here in Costa Rica, American fast food is rather pricey and considered a very special treat. (The thing for middle class families to do is is have birthday parties at McDonalds) When we pulled in to the parking lot, the girls could not believe it! It was a great ending to a fabulous weekend!!!

From Leaves and Lizard

A very BIG thank you to Steve and Debbie of Leaves and Lizards for making this unforgettable weekend possible!!!

From Leaves and Lizard

Leaves and Lizard

In examining certain aspect of my personality and work style I realize I am much more of a detailed orientated person than a visionary dreamer. I like to dream, but quickly become intimidated by the bigness of it. I haven’t figured out the whole business of networking and building strategic partnerships, so I falsely think I have to accomplish the great idea all on my own.

A few weeks ago, a dream opportunity fell into my lap with enough of the big stuff already worked out; there was no way I could say no. I met Debbie and Steve last month when us girls decided to get out of the city for a night. We found their lodge, Leaves & Lizards, on the internet and decided to go for it even though it was further away. We had an amazing stay. Over our family style breakfast, I shared with Debbie and Steve about the kids I work with in the city. Debbie immediately lit up; she has always wanted to be able to bring city kids out there but lacked the connection. Perfect. We spent the rest of the morning dreaming of all the things we could do with the kids. Debbie is already super involved in the community there. All I needed to do was find transportation and convince the parents to le me take their kids for the night. Unbelievable. I was so excited, but still really nervous. How was I going to convince parents I’ve never met to let me take their daughters, who’ve never heard of the concept of a fieldtrip, on an overnight trip 4 hours away? Yikes.

This weekend I was finally able to meet with the mom of 2 sisters, Catalyna and Alicia, that I want to be a part of the trip. We had a wonderful time together. All of the kids were so happy I came to their home, and it was great to finally meet their mom. I shared with her more about the trip and why I wanted the girls to go. After reassuring her I would be with the girls at ALL times, she gave her permission. She continued to thank me for all that I am doing for her and her kids. I just kept telling her how much I love having her kids at the center. It was a very encouraging afternoon.

I still am a little nervous about the project, but I am so excited to see how God has gone before us opening doors and preparing connection I wouldn’t have made on my own. We still have a few more details to work out before our trip on Nov. 14-15, so please keep us in your prayers. I can’t wait to share how it all turns out!

Reading Time

Leah, Alicia, Madai, Winston, Catalyna

Ladies' Night

Most of you know I love playing hostess. It's one of the things that makes me feel at home in a new place. A couple of weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to host a Ladies' Night with several of our friends and fellow missionaries. It was a great evening of fellowship filled with lots of laughter and great stories. Together we represented half a dozens cultures and several different language, but everyone felt included. For me it is a beautiful pictures of the richness of the body of Christ and the blessing of being able to come together and share in fellowship.



Left to Right
Sonia, Tracey, Cailah, Aiyla, Leah, Erin, Kristina, Isabela, Giannina

A Photo Essay of Life

Soccer game for Josh's Birthday




SWAT police protecting our sections. We somehow ended up in the official cheering section.


Fun Day in the Park






Beautiful Creation in Costa Rica

Residency

After being "In Process" for almost a year, I finally received my Costa Rica residency. Yeah!!! This means I get discounts at all the National Parks, can get as many cellphones as I want, and most importantly, I don't have to leave the country every 3 months to renew my visa. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for this process; it is a HUGE relief to know I am approved.

In the same vein, Costa Rica is starting to feel a lot more like a home instead of a long trip. At the end of this month, I will have been here a year! It's incredible to reflect on all that has happened and been developed in this past year. I go back and forth between questioning why it took me so long to "get established" here and amazement that I am already so at home here. I still have a long way to go before I feel "native". Though, I am learning to be content in how far I've come and to recognize I don't have to take everything on at once. Development on a personal or community level doesn't happen overnight; it's a slow process if you want lasting results. Rather than trying to force things along, I'm learning to take opportunities as they come and invest in what is currently in front of me. So I'm enjoying the amazing friends from the States I'm blessed to have living here in Costa Rica, and slowly trying to build natural, deeper friendships with Spanish-Speakers here. I'm joyfully and diligently pouring into my twenty-ish regulars at the tutoring center, and not stressing about how to meet the needs of all the 1,400 students at the school next door. (plus the 3 other schools in Los Guido). This is what God has placed in front of me for now, and I want to give it my all.

Tiempo de Lectura

Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes. Through a book we can travel to new worlds, experience different time periods and ideas, and begin to build dreams for our own lives. Unfortunately, reading is not a popular pastime here in Costa Rica, despite their seemingly high literacy rate. A large part of the problem is the lack of exposure to reading as an enjoyable activity. For awhile now I've been wanting to start a reading group with some of my more faithful 4-6th graders at the Tutoring Center. Josh found several copies of The Little Prince, in Spanish, for me, and I've been reading it through trying figure out how I'm going to get my kids excited about reading.

Then on Monday, I decided to stop in to one of the few used bookstores I've seen here in Costa Rica. Luis, the man who owns the closet-sized store, is a kindred spirit. We talked for almost a half an hour about the need to provide reading opportunities for kids and the magical experiences books allow us to have. He wants to help me build my little library in Los Guido. I bought a few children literature books to start with.

Today all classes were canceled in Los Guido, a far to common occurrence, which left my 4th-6th graders with nothing to do and no homework. I boldly suggested something they had never done before. Reading hour! As I glanced up from reading with Naiomi, I experienced one of my proudest moments yet in Los Guido. All of my kids were reading. Catalyna was pacing back and forth engrossed in the book of tales I'd purchased on Monday. Maidi was sprawled out on a bench with a pile of children's books beside her. And Alicia was hidden in the corner with her first ever chapter book. Even Jeff was reading the daily newspaper. It might not seem like much, but this small start is a huge encouragement to me. As well as, a reassurance that if good books are provided, children will read them if given a little push.

Lovingkindess in the Darkness

Most often it is through trials that we are able to get a glimpse of how much God really loves us and how fragile we humans truly are. These past few months have been filled with many trying circumstances, and at times I felt there was no way I would make it through. But God is continually faithful, even when we struggle to believe. He gives us the strength to hold on in faith, especially when we can't see our way through the darkness.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to get away and visit a friend who lives out in the countryside. We spent several hours walking through the mountains marveling at God's amazing creation. In awe at the way He carefully designed each plant, shrub, and tree with a special purpose: to protect from landslides, provide shade for other plants, serve as homes and food for much of the wildlife. God's design in nature continues to remind me that He has a purpose and design for my life too. (I know this is elementary, but I frequently need reminding.) God is continuing to work together all the aspects of my life, the good and the trying, for His glory. Upon returning to the city, I read Psalm 107...

" Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Whoever is wise will observe these things,
And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." ~v. 8,9,43

He loves us and will always provide for our needs as we walk with Him. This does not mean it will always be easy or "fun", but often through the dark times we are able to understand His lovingkindess even more.

From Weekend in Q-Town

From Weekend in Q-Town

From Weekend in Q-Town

Josh and I with the amazing view behind us. (If you want to see more pictures of the beautiful countryside, click on the album link)