Girl Time!

Ever since our trip to Leaves and Lizards last year I've been toying around with the idea of starting a girls' group- a special time for the older girls in the tutoring center. I wanted to create a time where the girls could be kids instead of mini-moms, a time where we could talk about the decisions and pressures they're facing, a time where I could pour into them letting them know how truly special they are. In Costa Rica 7th-12th grade are all part of high school. As most individuals take longer than 6 years to complete those grades, it is quite common to have 12 year olds and 21 year olds on the same campus. As you can imagine this can lead to all kinds of problems, especially with young girls being swept up by much older guys. Sadly this is not at all uncommon.

As I look at my older girls at the Tutoring Center, I want them to be able to go into high school with not only the educational tools they need to succeed, but also to be grounded in who they are in Christ. I want them to realize they have a community of people here to support them and go to when they need help.

This last week was our first club. I brought in fresh flowers and special coffee mugs from my house to make the Tutoring Center feel more homey. Erin made delicious chocolate, chocolate cookies. The girls were super excited! A couple girls couldn't come this week because of things going on at school, but we decided to start anyway. I often let myself get so caught up in creating the perfect situation where everyone can attended, that we never end up having the said event. I didn't want that to happen with the girls' group. I'm still don't know how everything is going to unfold, but that's okay. On Friday I realized the most important things about this group is just spending time with the girls and listening to them. After our club time officially ended, I was waiting for Jeff Dixon and visitors to come by and ended up spending nearly another 2 hours just hanging out with the girls, talking about what life was like in their neighborhood. In some ways this time may have been even more impactful than our morning of playing games, eating cookies, and decorating journals. I pray that God will use all our time together to build into these girls in order that they will know just how special they really are.



The invitation for the girls.


Coffee and Cookie Time! Erin Janzen is helping with the Girl Group, which is a huge blessing.


Decorating journals. (L to R) Erin, Alicia, Hazel, and Catalina

Los Mendoza Sotos

If you've been following this blog for awhile, you've probably notice there are two girls who are frequently in pictures and posts regarding the Tutoring Center: Alicia and Catalina. These two have been the most faithful attendants of the Tutoring Center since the beginning.




Alicia and Catalina come from a big family who's parents immigrated from Nicaragua, which is typical for Los Guido. But there are many things that set them a part from the average family here in Los Guido. All six of the kids share the same father and mother, who are still together. Both parents have steady jobs in construction and cleaning. This is good for the family income, but leaves the kids at home alone from 5am till 6 or 7pm. Another thing that makes this family different is a strong value of education. Despite the fact several of the kids have learning disabilities and Mom has no free time, she continues to push her kids to do well in school, never allowing dropping out to be an option.


This family is very dear to me, and I have been praying for them a lot. Even though there are many things that set them apart from the average family in Los Guido, they face many of the same daily obstacles of poverty: the struggle to financially support a big family, safe play areas for the kids, support in school, positive role models, and most importantly emotional and spiritual support for each member of their family.


Alica, Catalina and Belkys on our trip to Leaves and Lizard

Shortly after Alicia and Catalina started coming to the Tutoring Center, they also started coming to Sunday school at the church. Then they brought their younger siblings, Roger and Marjorie; and then their older sisters, Hazel and Belkys.


Catalina and Marjorie decorating cookies for Thanksgiving


Roger working on his key holder during our vacation workshops

At the beginning of this year Giannina, the pastora, and I were able to visit Darling (Mom) on one of her few days off. During our visit she expressed a strong desire to be part of a fellowship of believers, but she doesn't have much time and didn't think her husband would support it. Giannina encouraged her to come just once a month to the women's meeting so she could be supported by other moms in the community. Today Giannina told me that Darling has been coming to every women's meeting for the last month. Also, over Semana Santa, she came with all of her kids to every activity the church had. Darling and her family no longer are isolated. They can be encouraged and supported in all aspects of life by this family of believers.


My prayer is that as we continue to support kids educationally and reach out to their whole family, we will see God transform their lives and break the bonds of poverty and isolation in all aspects of their (and our) lives.

Visits

After a busy week with our first team, I was blessed by a week long visit from one of my best friends, Nicki Appel. This was an extra special treat as Nicki is currently living in England, and it is a bit more challenging to travel to Central America from the UK. Unfortuantely I was sick most of the time she was here, but we didn't let that interfer wtih enjoying out time together and the beautiful tropical climate.


Lunch at the Tutoring Center. Nicki came and put her high school Spanish to good use.

From Easter in California

Enjoying the sunshine at Esterillos. We made sure everyone had plenty of sunscreen, especially Nicki.


San Luis Obsipo Reunion. (Me, Josh, Leah, and Nicki) We had a great time reminiscing together.


While this isn't a great quality picture, we had a fabulous time enjoying the international art festival going on. This was the free salsa concert in the park. There were people dancing everywhere. I loved it.


A couple days after Nicki left, still unalbe to talk from my sickness, I boarded a plane for California. Here in Costa Rica everything shuts down for Semana Santa, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. I took advantage of the week off to go to California and meet my new niece, as well as spend time with the rest of my family. It was quick trip, but no matter how short the time is, it's always great to be with family.




Jasmine Marie Williams


Putting Papa to work de-boning the chicken.


Cooking with the girls.



Easter lunch with most of the family. We were just missing Benje and Blake.


Hanging out with little Jasmine.

From Easter in California

Celebrating Dad's birthday!!!


Quick stop in SLO to see Sara and Blake (but I don't have a picture with Blake, sorry)