WHY?

Over the weekend here are a few questions I have been pondering

1. Why do so many Ticos wear Sesamie Street T-Shirts? Is the whole country perpetually 4 years old?
2. How long does it take the average Tico woman to paste her jeans on?
3. Why is it necessary to wear shirts that show off every single roll in one's body? That doesn't look good on anyone, especially when you are 50.
4. How is it ladies here can walk up and down hills in their heels, yet if they walk a mile on flat ground in running shoes they fall on their face?
5. Is cilantro really the best thing you could find to season your food?
6. In a country that has the ability to grow everything, why can I not find okra to add into my gumbo.
7. Why can a Tico ask you whatever they want even if it is offensive or inappropriate, but if you accidentally speak to them in the form you (and don't know them well) have offended them?
8. Why do you not let your children play in the dirt?
9. Why are 4 year old children still drinking from a bottle, but the habit of a pacifier for a 1 1/2 year old is considered to be a bad habit?

Sorry, no 10th question. We do love our time here in Costa Rica and we love the people here too. However, sometimes we see or experience things and the only reaction we can have is WHY?

Wow! I spent I lot of time in church today! I love being able to worship with my brothers and sisters in any language, but sometimes when it is in Spanish I hit a wall. Generally our Sunday morning worship service lasts from 9-11:30 and then there is class. Today was victorious because Haley cried very little through the worship service and the class time. After class, some ladies asked me to come to the ladies meeting at three. I was hesitant, but mostly only because I really wasn't sure if I wanted to listen to Spanish for that much longer, but nevertheless I agreed, and for that I am happy.

We got home at 1:30 and I had one hour to relax before I had to leave again. I got to the church a few minutes before 3 and to my surprise we were underway with the Bible study by 3:10. Before we started each person greeted everyone in the room with a kiss on the cheek and a very warm "Dios le bendiga" which means God bless you. Even as people arrived late, whoever was speaking would pause and say "Bienvenida; Dios le bendiga." We sang together and had a Bible study and lifted each other up in prayer and had a trivia game with each answer the lady explained both how they resisted God's call and how he used them.

As I imagined, my head was hurting before the day was over, but I am happy that I went. I plan on attending the monthly ladies meetings during my last months here in CR. I arrived back home a bit after 5.

Between the worship service, class and the Ladies Bible Study, here are a few things I learned:

In worship we talked about Moses. Moses was 120 years when God called him from the burning bush. He had a list of reasons not to do what God called him to do (of which he tried to tell God), but God was able to use hime to do great things. There is no excuse big enough to reject God's calling.

In class we talked about how as Christians we should not live like the rest of the world in our actions or in how we speak. Also we should never be ashamed to tell people we are Christians.

In the ladies' Bible study we talked about how important it is to use our talents to serve God. This is an important thing to remember, and God must be trying to tell me something because it was the 3rd time in 2 weeks since I have heard a lesson about using your talents and not ignoring them.

Please share with me what you learned today.

Dios es bueno

Right now I feel that God is doing awesome things in Nicole and my life. I feel God is creating awesome opportunities for us. Starting tomorrow Nicole and I will start working with a missionary a few times a week. We will be working in the community of Los Guidos. This is a very poor community. I will be doing sports ministry with a bunch of kids and Nicole will help teach a bunch of little kids English. We are so excited to see how God will use us.

Today I had two presentations today. The first was a bible study about that we serve a big God and that we serve a God that deserves all of us. It was great I talked in Spanish for 20 minutes. Then an hour later I had a presentation in Spanish about the Bahai religion for 30 minutes. In this moment I thought if I could talk about another religion for 30 minutes than I could talk to someone in Spanish about Jesus. The amazing thing is that I was just hoping to be able to do a 20 minute bible study by the end of the year. This is nothing I could have ever dreamed. I am not talented at languages. So all of this is because God is so good. I really do mean God is good.

Today I was listening to Our God by Chris Tomlin. There is a part of the song that says "If our God is for us than who could ever stop us , if our God is for us than who could ever stand against us." When I heard this my bones trembled at the power of God. Hearing those words make me so excited about the journey God has for my family. I hope these words make you stand up and say that I am not afraid. That I am yours God and use me as you need. I pray that those words uplift you and challenge you to be active for God as much as it moved me. God Bless!

This week is finished

Woah!! Since Friday of last week, our workload has been heavy and trying. Friday we each had a test in our language classes, and Monday we had grammar tests. We have had lots of homeowork this week and have needed to do extra studying. Today, I had to to a 1 hour presentation. I don't make hour-long presentations in English how would I do one in Spanish. The first few minutes of my speech I said very little correctly, but towards the end I felt that it went very well. In fact, I even ran out of time. Today, Matt had not 1 but 2 presentations to make - a Bible Study in his tutoring session and a 15-20 minute presentation on some religious sect or cult. For that presentation he chose to talk about the Bahai religion.

This week in my grammar class we started on a subject that we will be camped out in for about the next 10 weeks. Matt is trying to conquer the difference in the two types of past tenses (For anyone who speaks English as a first language learning two types of past tense is confusing). We are learning an imense amount of information and words in our classes. Even when we don't have homework due the next day, we have to study a lot just to stay a float.

Next week I am required to do a Bible study for an hour, and Matt is required to explain why he wants to do the ministry that God has put on our heart.

We praise God that we have this great opportunity to learn the language of the people we will be working with in Honduras. We also praise him for the weekend and a time to rest. Have a blessed day.

Leia turns 4

Our little community of gringo missionaries here in Costa Rica is always striving to keep life as normal as possible for our children. Most of the kids are in school or daycare together and are a pretty tight bunch of kids. Last trimester there were only two children in Haley's class, Haley and Clara. They were best friends and loved each other so much. John and Aimee decided on a different option for their girls while we attend classes. Haley was moved up to the next class, but she still misses Clara. Clara's big sister turned 4 today, so she had a birthday party. It has been so hot here so John and Aimee decided to get a couple blow up pools and have a pool party today. Well today was cooler, overcast and windy, but the kids still had a blast. Unfortunately, Clara was a little under the weather and slept until the end of the party. However, Haley still had fun even though we didn't have a swim suit for her.

New Opportunity

It is very hard for me and Matt to not be involved in some sort of ministry. Therefore by the end of last trimester we were a little down-hearted with our lack of serving others. We were hoping to encounter some opportunity to serve in a ministry, and we had been praying about it for some time. As we were playing in the park on Sunday afternoon, a gentleman named Noel approached us telling us about a ministry he is involved with in a town about 20 minutes from here. He helps kids in many of the same ways that we will be helping children. This was clearly an answered prayer.

We are hoping to each spend 1 afternoon per week in the community and part of the day on Saturday. We do not know exactly what our work in this village will look like yet, but will be back in touch with Noel very soon. Please pray for us as we begin this new ministry endeavor. Also, continue to pray for us as we learn Spanish. Our teachers are requiring TONS this trimester. Thank you always for your continued prayers.

Praise God! We Have a New Sister.

The devil was working at me this morning by giving me reason after reason of why I should not go to our church this morning. He must know that when I do not start my week by worshiping with other believers, I am not as dedicated in anything the rest of the week. However, I refused to give in to temptation, and for that I am so thankful.

Praise be to the God that saves. This morning at church we celebrated with our church family as a new sister dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized after church. I missed the announcement that it was going to happen because I had gone to change Haley's diaper. When church dismissed, Matt ran to me and said, "Did you hear that a lady is going to be baptized?" Everyone in the church was excited. The men began to prepare the baptistry - underneath the table where the Lord's Supper is served lies a baptistry, and I had no idea about this until today. Ronald, our preacher has been studying with the sister for a few weeks and she came to his house yesterday and told him that she wanted to fully dedicate her life to Christ. Class was canceled after worship this morning so that everyone in the church including the children could attend the baptism. No one was hurrying through the baptism as I have seen before in the states. Ronald spoke for at least 15 minutes after he and the sister changed into their baptismal clothes. He spoke about what a great decision she was making and how we were all celebrating with her. After that we sang several songs as a family in Christ. Finally, the sister was baptized and everyone burst into cheering and clapping. People were videoing and taking pictures of the event. Upon her baptism, we sang "Redimido fui" which translates in English to "I've been redeemed." All of the members of the church made a line to give her a big hug.

As we celebrate on earth our new sister in Christ, I know that the angels in heaven are even more elated with someone making the decision to dedicate the rest of their lives to Christ.

William Tyndale

In the 16th century during the reformation, William Tyndale, (who I think I'm distantly related to) a scholar from England defied the laws of the church. He was burned at the stake as a heretic of the church, and was cursed by the clergymen. All of this happened because he whole-heartedly believed the Bible was not just for the clergy, but also for laypeople. He also believed it should be read in one's own language. He translated the New Testament from Greek into English (however, most clergy read it in Latin), and he used the printing press to be the first to mass-produce the Bible for laypeople (John Wycliffe was the first to translate the Bible into English). Priests tried to force bookstores against selling these lay Bibles, for they believed that lay people should not be allowed to study the Bible for themselves. Eventually, Tyndale's version of the New Testament was transformed into the still widely known King Jame's Version.

I have been reading my Bible in Spanish the past few weeks. While I am doing this in order to learn Spanish better, it has made me realize how happy I am that I have the opportunity to read the Bible in my own language. I am so thankful for people like William Tyndale who had the courage and forsight to mass produce the Bible and for John Wycliffe who first translated the Bible into English. These men believed that all people deserved to be able to read the Bible in their heart language. I have been thinking about how important it is to read or hear the Bible in your heart-language.

We can read in Acts 2 during the Pentacost that God spoke to the large crowds (through his disciples), and each heard it in his own language. Evidently, it is also very important to God that people hear his good news in their own language. Imagine serving a God who doesn't speak the language of the heart. I don't think I could do it. Praise be to God, the creator of all men that he understands every dialect of every language in every corner of the world.

batteria

The other day I was walking trying to pay my rent and a car rolled out into the street. I would not start. It was my next door Tico neighbors. They asked for my help. So I decided to help them. I knew they needed a jump. The problem is that I do not even have a car. So I helped flag down a car. Then they did not know how to pop open the hood to get to the battery. So the first guy tring to jump my friends got frustrated and left. So I helped them pop the hood but it was in a really weird place in their car. So we tracked down someone else to jump the car. It worked this time. We were all excited. It was a fun experience. I was able to use a little spanish and make some friends.

My spinning head

Sometimes I begin to think that I have a great understanding on this new language. I believe I am learning to communicate and understand on a fairly high level (at least for a gringo). Today I was humbled by my lack of ability to communicate well in another language. My sweet gramatica teacher already speaks really fast, but not so quickly that I do not understand what she is saying. Today she decided that she was going to ask us questions. She said she would ask us each a question and would not repeat it. I thought that didn't sound bad. Then she started talking so fast that I felt a NASCAR race was happening right inside of my brain. Surely she was not speaking any language we had ever heard. Then she expected us to answer. Most of us just gave some sort of answer having no idea if what we said would answer her question or not. I felt a little dizzy from the rapid spinning of my head in that class.

Sometimes it is difficult to be reminded that you are not as good as you think you are. God is the only one that is good. Today I was reminded that I have a very long way to go before my level of Spanish is anywhere near where I hope it will be one day. I am also reminded that I can do nothing on my own, even learn a new language, but my God can do whatever he wants through me.

In Sickness and in Health

As most do, we vowed to love each other in health AND in sickness. Two months after we married, I learned the first time what it meant to love someone in sickness. Matt and I spent the summer in Honduras after we were married. For a few weeks our room was the maid's quarters. To give you an idea of the size of this room, imagen two twin size beds mashed together and sqished between the four walls of the room. Oh, and we had a bathroom of sorts that was a cinder block room with a toilet and a spicket coming out of the wall for bathing. Our second night in this room, Matt got sick. I don't mean with a cold either. He had got some bacteria in his system and was sick from the top and the bottom. In order, to sleep that night, I had to clean the whole room and HAND WASH his sick clothes. I remember thinking this was definately what loving during periods of sickness meant.

Since returning to our home in Costa Rica, one of the three of us has been sick almost the whole time. I have had a stomach virus and a flu type thing with fever and a cold, Haley has had an ear infection, throat infection, and broncheolitis, and today Matt woke up with a stomach virus. We have spent our days caring for one another and going to and from the pharmacy. Our kitchen has become a miniature drugstore with a schedule of when each of us takes what medicine. It is very difficult for us to learn a new language when we don't even feel like crawling out of bed in the morning.

Haley and I stayed home from class yesterday, and Matt stayed home today. I had to do a Bible study in my conversation class today which made my throat hurt more than it did this morning. Matt was certain he would feel well enough to come to the last three hours of class, but I came home to find him laying down in the bathroom.

We ask that you pray for healing for our family. Please pray that our bodies will be well so that we can better server our Lord. Thank you always for your prayers and encouragement to our family.

Obsessed

I just finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and I reccomend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read. It is an easy read, but Chan has a lot to say about God's love for us and how most people do not give an appropriate reaction to God, especially when their life as a Christian only consists of sitting on the pew. The chapter in this book that stuck out to me the most is talks about what an obsessed Christian might look that. Chan lists personality traits of Obsessed people. They are as follows

LOVERS People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and without censure. Obsesessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.

RISK TAKERS People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.

FRIENDS OF ALL People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so oten because it was really important to Him.

CRAZY ONES Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth. As Martin Luther put it, "There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day."

THE HUMBLE A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin o pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be "humble enough," and so they seekk to make themselves less known and Christ more known.

SERVERS People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people.

GIVERS People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world.

SOJOURNERS A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.

THE ENGROSSED A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionat love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.

UNGUARDED ONES People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.

THE ROOTED People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nouished by God's Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter somany distractions and alternative messages.

THE DEDICATED A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God.

SACRIFICERS A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying "Thank You!" to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as child and friend of God.

The above is what Francis Chans says a person obsessed with Jesus looks like. I believe a person obsessed with Jesus does not thing the things of this world are important, but make a habbit of sharing what they have with others. Someone obsessed with Jesus is always focused on God things and lives their life bathed in prayer. An obsessed person revels in serving others, and it is not a chore for them, but instead it brings them joy. An obsessed person isn't embarassed to be seen with the outcasts of society. An obsessed person puts Jesus first in their life.

Please tell me what being obsessed with Jesus means in your lives.

A Trip to the ER

Haley has been weezy off and on all throughout our Christmas break. We went to Dr. Wood in Baton Rouge, and he diagnosed Haley with broncheolitis (I think that is how it is spelled) and said to treat it much like we would treat a cold. He did a breathing treatment with Haley, but nothing changed when he did that (probably because Haley was flailing everywhere and none of the medicine actually got into her system). By the time we got home to Costa Rica, Haley seemed to be all the way better.

Thursday she woke up coughing a lot. Later I noticed she was pulling at her ear. My first thought was that she might have an ear infection, but she didn't act like she felt bad except for the coughing. Today, when she woke up she clearly felt worse. The coughing had almost subsided when it was time to leave for school. Against my better judgement, I sent her to school. After school she couldn't sleep for her nap because she was coughing so much. She was rubbing at her throat and ear and had trouble breathing. Also she had a low grade fever.

After dinner, we called Dr. Longworth. He is a Dr. that works a couple days a week at our school seeing students and their families; however, he also works at a local hospital which we are all reccomended to go to if the need arises. He said I should just take Haley to the pediatrician on call at the ER. I told Matt what he said and after a moment of hesitation, he agreed. Within 10 minutes of arriving at the hospital we were visiting with the pediatrician. She said Haley's broncheolitis had come back and from what she said, it was a little worse than before. She sent for some breathing treatments for Haley. We were in a room with very comfortable chairs and a flat screen TV to watch whatever we wanted. Haley received several breathing treatments before we saw the Dr. again.

In addition to the broncheolitis, Haley has a throat infection and an ear infection. Needless to say she was feeling pretty rotten. Before we left the hospital, Haley had to get a steroid shot in her leg. We left the hospital with three different medicines (one of which I had to mix my self). Each medicine has to be taken at different times through out the day and for a different number of days. We were worried about taking Haley to the ER, but for the breathing treatments, medicines, and Dr. visit, we paid under $300.

Thanks be to God for looking out for little Haley. He is healing her sick little body. Please pray that she is healed quickly so that we can get back to chasing her and keeping her out of the things she's not supposed to be into.

Estudio Biblico

A couple of weeks ago during lifegroup at the Ellis' house I announced that one of my goals for the year was to be able to do a personal Bible Study with someone on a level where they could understand me well and where I could answer any questions that they might have. A goal cannot be accomplished without thinking about the means by which it will happen. One of the things I decided to do to help me accomplish this goal is to have my daily Bible reading time in Spanish. I told a few friends this and they said they felt reading their Bible in Spanish would convert to them not reading their Bible at all after a few days. However, with dictionary in hand I am able to gain new insight on many verses because of how things are translated into Spanish.

Another thing that I am doing is talking. For anyone who knows me, talking is something I enjoy. Therefore, every afternoon I am meeting people and talking with them. We don't talk about anything in particular; I just let them know that I really need to practice my Spanish. Being able to talk at ease with people makes being able to study the Bible with someone easier.

Little did I know that this trimester at school my language teacher would be there to help me achieve my goals (other than to learn more of the language of course). This week, I have several assignments that will help me achieve my goal of doing personal Bible studies. Tuesday I am required to give a Bible Study in class for 15 minutes. Thursday, I am required to do a presentation comparing beliefs of Protestants and Catholics on things like communion, baptism, mariage and various other things. As always I believe that learning more about Catholocism will help me better relate to people in Latin America.

Thanks to God for helping me achieve my goals. I praise him that he provides people such as my teacher or people in the neighborhood for me to practice my Spanish with.

Ines

Almost everyday, (especially now that its not raining) Matt and I take little Haley to the park. She loves the park. At the park she runs, climbs, slides, swings, and see-saws. Also, because of Haley's cute little personality we have the opportunity to acquaint ourselves with a lot of Ticos (Costa Rican people). Most days my conversations with the Ticos are short and focused on our children. Most days we talk about ages and names of our children and they ask me where I am from. Some Ticos are familiar with the Institute others are not. Regardless, I generally don't have an opportunity to spend a long time chatting with folks because we are both busy chasing our children around the park.

Today, however, Lili was running off ahead of me and I said "Ok, bye bye." With that she thought I was leaving her and she burst into tears and clinged to me. This gave me the opportunity to sit with Lili and talk to a lady for a while. Eventually, I learned that her name is Ines, and she was there with her four year old granddaughter. I was able to talk for about 25 minutes with her. We talked about the churches we attend and what we are reading in the Bible. We talked about all the places I have lived in my life to which she was very surprised because she has never lived out of San Jose. It was very enjoyable speaking with Ines, and I was surprised at my ease and comfort during the conversation.

God, I praise you that you have given me the opportunity to learn another language so that I can share your word with people of Latin America. Thank you that I have learned enough to talk with people on various subjects for an extended period of time. Lord you are the Lord of all, and I stand in awe of you.

Meta

Today at language school I learned that meta means a goal or an aspiracion. So at the end of class we had to make one major goal for the end of the trimester. The goal that I put down was that I would be able to give a bible study completely in Spanish. A few monthes ago I could have never even thought that I would even have a goal to be able to do a bible study in spanish. All I can say is God is awesome. I am also trying to be more productive with my day and giving the best part of my day to God. I hope that yall will pray for me to give God the best of me. That is easier said than done. God deserves our best though.
I know that God has awesome plans for me and Nicole so I am keeping me eyes open. Please continually put me and Nicole in your prayers. We both need them while learning spanish. I hope that yall will challenge yourselves to better your walk with God. God deserves it.
GOD BLESS

Back In Costa Rica

After being in the states for almost 1 month I am so ready to go back to Spanish School. Costa Rica feels more like home now that we are back. I know that God has us here for a reason besides preparing us for Honduras. I feel so uplifted here. I am so ready to be in honduras but God is here and I want to do his will here. I am so uplifted because I feel God opened my heart up to pay attention to the here and now and not just till we are in Honduras.
Over Christmas God blessed Nicole and I more than we could have ever dreamed. God is so good. I am so amazed the awesome ways and opportunities God has blessed us and the ministries we work with. I pray that I am able keep an attitude of Christ. God bless.