A Special Visit!

This last week was Holy Week, which meant most things were closed for a week of rest, reflection, and time with friends and family. We followed suit at the Tutoring Center, except for one special event on Wednesday--Cafecito with Leah!
Leah, my dear friend and our assistant teacher from last year, came to pay us a visit during her Spring Break. The kids were so excited to see her. They haven't stopped asking about her since she left last December, wondering when she's going to come back to visit. During her time living here Leah made a big impact in our kids' lives through consistently loving them in a myriad of ways--intently listening to their silly stories, patiently working on reading syllable for the 20th time, and developing creative art projects each week. It feels like she is still here with us. On Tuesday when we started back to the normal classes at the Center, several of the kids couldn't understand why Leah wasn't there, why she had to go back to her job in the States. One child said, "But she belongs here." I agree. Thank you Leah for a wonderful week.


Leah and a few of the kids


Leah and I went to the beach for a few days. It was great time of relaxing and catching up on each other's lives. It was a really refreshing week!

Tropical Weather and Scarves

Even though Costa Rica is far from being a cool climate area, scarfs are big deal. When the weather drops below 60 F, everyone breaks out their winter wear. The girls in Tutoring Center have been asking me to teach them how to crochet so they could make their own scarves. Unfortunately, back in college when everyone was learning how to crochet scarves and beanies, I was too busy studying in the library or cooking Family Dinner. So week after week, I have to keep telling the girls, "Sorry, I know you think I know how to do everything, but I don't know how to crochet." But then I had a great idea.

In Girls' Group we've been talking about how we can share the talents and interest God has given us in order to better our community. To help get us started, I invited my friend and fellow staff member, Maria, to share with us her talent of crocheting. The girls were so excited! The plan was for Maria to come once and teach us the basic stitch. But the girls are so in to it, we're doing a whole series. Right now crochet-floral hair clips are all the rage. Maria is teaching them how to make this cute barrettes for themselves or to give as gifts to their friends. Some girls even talk about selling them once they get really good. The materials needed are cheap and easy to get, so it's a great pastime for the girls. By the time the temperature starts dropping again, the girls will be able to make beautiful scarves in all their favorite colors.




(L to R) Maria, Lisbeth, Yendry, Stefania, and Cindy


Shawdin, Yurly, Cata, and Deborah all deeply concentrated on practicing their first stitches. It was great to see the girls helping teach or re-explain it, as some learned faster than others.


Alicia, trying to figure out which side of the yarn the needle is supposed to go.

Thank you Maria for sharing your gifts with us and having patience as we learn!

Birthday!

My birthday was a couple weeks ago, and it was a memorable day full of special times with many of the people I really love.

The day started off early with breakfast with the Viejitas. Blake managed the morning session all by himself, so I could spend most of the morning with the girls. Thank you Blake!



For lunch, Blake and I headed to the park in the community next to Los Guido in order to enjoy some of the beautiful sunshine. It always feels like such a treat to "go out" for lunch.


Later that night we all dressed up and headed to dinner at an old Spanish mansion that has been converted into a delicious Moroccan Restaurant. One of my friends gave me the great idea of starting a list of things I want to do before my next birthday. One of the items on my list is try 5 new restaurants in San Jose. This was a definite winner!





Thank you to everyone who made my day special from both near and far!!!

Las Viejitas

In attempt to continue the special relationship with the girls who have been part of Girls Group for the last year, I've started a special morning tradition with them. One day week, we all come early and make breakfast together. It's less formal than the normal Girls Group that is open to all the girls of the Tutoring Center, but allows me space to continue to carefully pour into their lives and listen to their stories. I have seen so much growth in these girls' lives over the past year. It is so encouraging to see them grow confident in the young women God has made them to be and to realize how special they are to their Creator. It makes all the difference in every other aspect of their lives. These girls have become the leaders of the Center. It blesses me so much to watch them reach out to the new girls and set an example for everyone else in the Center. In order to not confuse ourselves too much, we decided this special group of girls needed their own title. I call them The Viejitas, the Old Ladies, which makes the girls laugh almost every time, given that the oldest one is only 14. But it is a reminder that the are setting an example for the younger/new members of the Tutoring Center. The Viejitas have a special wisdom and experience to share with the rest, and they are doing a great job of rising to the position.

Lala writing out the recipe for Coffee Cake. Every week we learn a new recipe. The girls have even tried out a few of the recipes with their families.



There is always plenty of laughter while cooking together.




The girls typically hangout in the kitchen for the rest of the morning while I go and help Blake run the morning session of tutoring. They love having a safe space to just hangout with their friends.




And they always leave the kitchen spotless. It's amazing!

And We're Open!!!

The Tutoring Center is officially open for business, and we have had a great first two weeks! We had a wonderful group of ladies from Guatemala, Austria, and the States who helped us out during our grand opening. It was such a blessing to have experienced teacher and Spanish speakers helping me work through all the kinks of being in a new space with new students. They were so patience, flexible, and willing to do whatever needed to be done in the moment. Thank you ladies!

(L to R) Me, Marie, Claudia, Rebekah,
Suzi, Rachel, and Nivia


Nivia playing Oraciones Divertidas with Carlos. Everyone needed a review of parts of speech in order to play this game :)



Claudia with one of our new families


In the second week of operation, Blake joined me as a full-time assistant. He does great with the kids. A lot of the kids who are new to me, already know Blake from his time doing sports in the neighborhood with Diego. He provides a great bridge in helping me build relationships with these kids. I'm also really thankful to see that almost all of our faithful students have followed us over from the old location, even the ones who have a longer walk. Our 4th grade and up session is at capacity everyday, and art time is been overflowing both weeks!

Kids waiting to get in for the afternoon session. Everyone has their homework!


Making new friends. Catalina and Daniela



It's so exciting to see everything coming together! The kids all seem really content in the new space and the neighborhood is very happy to have us there. We're off to a good start!

The New Tutoring Center!!!!!

After countless hours and labors of love the New Tutoring Center is ready to open its door to students. Tomorrow is our first orientational meeting. On Tuesday the Center will be open with its full schedule of activities including tutoring, library, art, cooking, and Girls' group. We're excited! The community is excited! Everyday kids and parents pass by, anxious to know when classes start. Thank you for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we start out on this new step of the journey. The neighborhood we're working in is a tough one. But I was reminded yesterday as I hung out with the kids in the park, it's a functioning community. There are a lot of rough edges, but in their own way, they're making things work and supporting each other to the best of their abilities. I know I am often blinded to hope by the seemingly dire circumstances of my kids. Yesterday was a reminder that my kids don't need me to save them from their circumstances, they just need some more tools to use. I trust that the Tutoring Center can do just that for the community. But more importantly, I hope that it can be a place that reminds us all of how much we are loved and valued by our Creator; that each student, parent, volunteer, and teacher who comes through the gate will become a bit more of the person God created them to be.

Blake made this lovely video tour so you could have a visual of the new Center. A HUGE thanks to everyone who helped make this dream possible!!!!

California Christmas

Hey Everyone! Sorry it's been awhile, but I figure all of you have been equally busy with the holidays and beginnings of a new year. :)

I'm back in Costa Rica after spending some much need time resting and being with family in the U.S. The month of December was a crazy whirlwind of end of the year activities, packing up the Tutoring Center, and saying goodbye to how things have been for the last year and a half. I arrived in California, tired but thankful to be with family, an endless supply of hot water, and fresh blueberries. It was so refreshing to enjoy time with family and some close friends. I didn't spend as much time traveling around, though I would have loved to haven seen so many of you. During this trip I felt it was crucial to take some time to rest, so I could return to Costa Rica recharged for all the new things 2011 holds for us here. I am glad to say that doing less, seemed to be just the right thing for me. I am excited to be back in Costa Rica and feel ready to dive into all this year holds. The new Tutoring Center looks amazing!!!!! There's over 500 books waiting to be shelved in the new library, and a whole bunch of kids anxious to be a part of all the new Center has to offer. I would love to be able to share it all with you firsthand, so come visit!

Here are a few pictures from my time in the States. I wish I had more to share, but I did a terrible job of documenting. It's something I need to work on this year.