Visitors, Team, Thanksgiving, and Cookies

These last few weeks have found me rather busy with lots of visitors and fun activities. We hosted a wonderful team from Wasco, CA over the Thanksgiving break. I had the pleasure of having Julie and Abby working alongside me at the Tutoring Center. It was exciting to see both of them connecting with the kids and pouring their hearts out in service. There were many tearful goodbyes at the end of the week.

From Team, Thanksgiving, Cookies

As part of our time with the team, we braved another first at the Tutoring Center...decorating sugar cookies. Baking sweets is not cultural activity you will find in many homes here in Costa Rica. Most families do not even own a working oven. So the idea of decorating sugar cookies is a completely foreign concept, but one the kids were dying to try. With the help of a 2:1, child/adult ratio it was a great success. The cookies turned out beautiful and I don't think too much extra frosting was consumed in the process.

From Team, Thanksgiving, Cookies

Catalyna, Majoria, Abby, and Madai


These boys ate a lot of extra sprinkles!


Graciela and Rebeca

At the end of the week we had a giant Thanksgiving feast, including 2 turkeys the team smuggled into the country for us. (A small turkey here cost roughly $85). It was so fun to spend the evening with new and old friends, sharing in gratitude over all of the things we've been blessed with. We even got to carry on one of my family traditions--decorating your placemate with some of the things you are thankful for. :) Even though life can be challenging at times, we have so much to be grateful for!


They're really excited about turkey!