Back-tracking

Whew... I just sent the Advent group on their way back to Alabama and am spending the day and night in a hotel in San Jose to catch my breath. Best part: not the comfortable bed, TV, room service, Americans, or even hot water, but the FREE INTERNET! So, now that I can catch you all up for real, might as well start from the beginning.

I finally arrived here in Tirrases on Saturday, June 13th. The family that I was staying with is really amazing - the parents are Pedro and Cynthia, and they have three daughters, Paola (12), Joselin(9), and Jenanni(1.5). Their house is small but clean, and close to the church, which was very good. The girls were so excited for me to be there, so they kept me entertained for the first few days. But, to be honest, those first few days were difficult. There were times when I was so happy to be there, but there were times when I didn't know how I was going to handle cold showers and living in a house the size of my room for the summer. The hardest thing was that I didn't know anyone, and couldn't go anywhere alone, so I was basically under house arrest. There were times when I found myself wondering what in the world I was doing there. But I started to get more involved with some activities at the church, especially with the kids, and towards the end of the week I started doing a lot with Pastor John and Raquel to get ready for the Advent group, so I stayed pretty busy. Things definitely got better every day, but I was still really looking forward to seeing people I knew!

So, the group got here on Monday, June 22nd. In the mornings, we worked on building a new playground and did some other random work around the church. Wednesday afternoon, we went to visit Concepsion, which is the town in which Capilla has planted a small house church. Being there sort of restored my purpose and reminded me why I had come in the first place. This town is so very depressed by poverty and so many drugs, and very few people have heard the good news of the Gospel. The kids were amazing to watch as they went door to door talking to people about Jesus. I got to know Mauro, the pastor who lives in Tirrases but works in Concepsion, and a few teenagers who are part of the church there. I hope to continue to work with them throughout the summer. That night, Cameron and I went with Mauro to another town close to Concepsion called Carmen. There, the small church of Cocepsion has planted an even smaller church. There is one family of believers who have donated the use of their house, and there are a few people who come to the meetings who are either interested in Christianity or are new believers. While we were there, one man became a Christian, he being the fourth to accept Christ during one of those meetings.

Thursday afternoon, Don John and I led the group around San Jose for a nice little break in the middle of the week, and that night we went to the service at Capilla. Friday, we played a huge game of soccer with tons of people from the church, and later played with the kids for a while. Saturday was spent relaxing on a beautiful beach on the Pacific coast (photos to come...) and de-briefing a little. Sunday morning we were back in Concepsion for the outdoor service they hold in an empty lot. Cameron preached and I translated... something I was convinced I could not do. I'll let you know soon how many people now believe God hates them as a result of my translation skills. Yesterday afternoon and this morning were filled with tearful goodbyes on all parts, but it is so clear that these students were such a blessing to the community, even more than the community was to them.

Tomorrow I'll be back to "normal life" in Tirrases. I'm moving into a new house tomorrow when I get back - I believe it is with an older woman who is maybe living alone (clearly I'm not exactly sure). I am really excited to get to know another family and neighborhood. I'm also excited about getting to know better the people I have met - both in Tirrases and Concepsion.

Some prayer requests:
-My first family, Cynthia and Pedro: they are both without work, save the income Cynthia makes from painting a few people's nails a week, and over the past week they seemed to be becoming a little desperate. Pray that Pedro will find work, and that they Lord will provide for them.
-That the works started during the Advent group's work both in Tirrases and Concepsion will be carried forth into fruition.
-That I will continue to be safe during my time here, and that I will even be protected from having to worry about my safety.
-That I will continue to seek God's purpose for me here.

I miss you all and send so much love from down south!!

Costa Rica Update 6.20.09

Hello dear friends! Sorry for the lack of real updates, but I´ve been having a bit of trouble getting to internet cafes. Things are going well - the first few days have been a little bit up and down, but getting better every day. I am so excited to have the EYC group here on Monday, and will certainly give a long and full update after they leave the following Monday. For now, here are some prayer requests:

-for the EYC trip: for safety, and that each student is pushed into a new understanding of God´s love and grace.
-That I continue to make connections with people here in Tirrases and that God continues to reveal his purpose for me here.
-That God will continue to develop my language skills so that I will be better equipped to do His work.