Ronald

Ronald Martinez is the preacher of the Church of Christ in Desamparados, Costa Rica. He and another man at church have been asked to go to Haiti next month for 10 days. He told us today that they are a little over $200 short of being able to go. It is very important to these men that they are able to go and team up with some other ministers in Haiti to share the word. If you think you might be able to help please email me at mandnfitz@gmail.com and I will give you the information.

Terremoto en San Jose (Earthquake in San Jose)

Last night, Matt and I were watching CSI when we felt our couch start shaking. Then we could feel our entire apartment shake. By the time we realized what on earth was happening, the earthquake was over. We live in the second floor of our apartment, we felt it a lot. We could actually see the building shake. I was really shaken up by it. (hahaha) My heart was racing for the rest of the night. After the quake (it was only a few seconds long) I checked on Haley. It didn't stir her at all. I told my landlord that she probably just thought I was rocking her.

Fortuneately, no damages or victims have been reported throughout the country. It ranked on the rictor scale as 5.9, which is pretty big. The epicenter of it was just 41 km (26 miles) from San Jose. We are praising God that no one is hurt and that nothing in our apartment was messed up.

Matt was laughing because it scared me so much. He said "You lived in California, haven't you been in an earthquake before?" I told him that movies over depict the frequency of earthquakes in CA that they do not happen that often. I hope that is the only earthquake that we feel while we are here in CR. Praise God that nothing happened during the earthquake. It made me realize just a little more his awesome power if he can shake an entire counrty. Matt said it makes the song "Can you feel the mountains tremble?" So much more powerful to him.

Christmas thoughts

You may see the title and run because it is almost three months until Christmas. Stores here love Christmas and already have their Christmas decorations out. We went into a store at the mall on Saturday that was fully decorated and playing Christmas music. Ironically they had signs that said "Let it snow." Costa Rican's would think they were in a very bad place if it ever actually snowed here. They talk about how it is so, so cold when it is 50 degrees outside and are so bundled up.

We've been trying to think of what the perfect gift for Haley is. We cannot afford to buy her very much, but we want to give her something. Sometimes I am so sad that I cannot give her the whole world and every cute toy that I think she would like. Haley will not grow up having tons of stuff. Fortuneately, she will grow up knowing what it is like to serve Jesus and have a much broader view of life than other kids. So at times materialism creeps up on me when there is so much that I want to buy for Haley, I must remember that she in the end will be much better off.

spanish

Right now we are in spanish school in costa rica. This is such a huge blessing. Going into language school,I thought the worst. The reason for that is my one fear about being a missionary was learning the language. I was horrible at spanish in high school. So needless to say spanish is going to be difficult for me. The thing that surprised me was spanish is different. For some reason God has made spanish easier for me. I know that it is not me. I know God has blessed me to understand what I have been learning. The time here is Costa Rica has been amazing. In 2 weeks I am going to another city in costa rica to work with our preacher. I am so happy that God has given me these opportunities.Continue to pray for our family. God is awesome.

Hidden Poverty

Costa Rica is the most well off country in Central America, and they pride themselves on this fact. However they are still considered a developing country. They are very good at hiding the poor places. In general as you are in main areas in town you will not see people begging and you almost certainly will not see children begging or selling things in town. We have been here since August, and shamefully, we forget at times that the poverty exists on a pretty large scale here. We had a family fun day today and went to the big mall where they have a very American-esque food court. (I had Taco Bell and Matt had Pizza Hut). As we got out of the taxi and looked by the river, I felt like I had been hit in the stomach. Above the river are houses made out of tin and other scraps. They looked like many of them had dirt floors which means right now they have goopy muddy floors. These rivers aren't pretty rivers, but sewege rivers, and as it rains they sewage water rises into the houses. I felt so upset with myself that I had escentially forgotten about the poor here in Costa Rica. I felt ill because earlier this week I had said something to Matt that I wish that I could buy more for Haley (toys, clothes, etc). Haley has more than enough of everything and I was upset that I couldn't give her more. I was upset that Satan had blinded me to the harsh reality of many places in Costa Rica. Lord, I pray that I will never forget the poor. I pray that you will use me to help the people that you put in my life. I pray that the people living above the river will be able to stay dry tonight. Prevent them from sickness.