Jesus is our Sabbath, Jesus es nuestro reposo

 

Friday, Christmas Eve a.k.a. 

I'm faking it

“Noche Buena”, is the main day of Christmas celebration in Costa Rica.  The tradition is that around Christmas time you give tamales to those whom you sincerely care for.  We were blessed to have received tamales from our next door neighbors who we’ve been building relationships with.  In the spirit of this tradition we went on to pass out tamales in the town plaza to the less fortunate and homeless.  We came across a man that refused to talk to us and was covering himself with a cardboard box as he slept on the sidewalk next to the highway.  We gave him one anyway in hopes that when he came out of his drunken state he would see the tamale and somehow remember and the Lord would use it to speak to his heart. As we continued on in the town, how humbling it was to speak to a one-legged man that begs everyday on the streets and another man with a severe speech impediment, shriveled hand, and crippled leg ask us “¿porque me hizo Dios asi?”, “why did God make me this way?”  Lord willing we will be able to continue to minister to this gentleman as he makes his daily trip to the bus station.

Darwins Peruvian dinner

In honor of the countries tradition we had a big dinner with friends at our house.  Darwin prepared a typical Peruvian dish that was delicious.  It had pork rib, cassava, white rice, and “Russian salad” (potato salad with beets).  We topped of the night with our own small fireworks show, (also a tradition here for Christmas eve, I can’t imagine what new year’s eve will be like) an unplanned worship session right outside our front gate, and casual conversation with our neighbors.  Unlike in America it is very common for people to be in front of their houses hanging out and talking to their neighbors.  It is a very relaxed and social setting, very beautiful!  We had a truly blessed night.

At Williams house

We spent Christmas night at a missionary friends' house.  William  has a semi secluded house up in the mountains where again we were able to set off fireworks.  We had dinner with some other brothers and sisters from Williams church.   It was a good time of fellowship and meeting new people.  

Me writhing in and Darwin hard at work

They're almost done!

Monday was an interesting day.  We had the great opportunity to lay the gravel and sand for what will be the floor for Calvary Chapel San Isidro.  We had a few yards of gravel and sand to move from the front of the house to the back where the church building is.  We used short handled shovels and shallow wheelbarrows with solid rubber tires.  Unfortunately, about 30 minutes into the process I threw my back out while shoveling gravel into a wheelbarrow.  I had a kink in my back the night before and my inattentive shoveling put it over the top.  I went home early and simply laid in bed and prayed.  At first I was really frustrated with myself because I let this happen even though I learned in the past how to avoid back injuries while working construction, but then I remembered that this incident didn't escape the Lords eye. I don't know what the Lord is going to do with all this but like the disciples should have remembered while they were on that stormy sea with Jesus, I need to remember that the Lord is in absolute control.  

As a reward for the guys hard work we got to go to a river up in the mountains that was unlike anything I've ever been to.  It was a time that I desired to share with so many people like the kids from CCHS youth group and my parents, brothers, sisters, and friends.  The Lord has truly blessed us here in so many ways!  The coldness of the river helped my back loosen up and we got to enjoy swimming up and down the river as we got hit from above by a warm rainfall. What a blessing!

view from the bridge

Enjoying the river

Left to right; Darwin, Gabo, Sosi, Joel, Curtis

I've been thinking a lot about reaching out to people here and how intimidating it can be, when the Lord shared with me a simple truth in the book of Mark.  In Mark 4:26-29 Jesus tells the parable of the growing seed where a man plants a seed only to find it fully grown the next day.  Puzzled by how quickly it grew he goes on to harvest it.  The Lord showed me the simple truth that it is He who does the work in peoples hearts, who readies them for salvation and it is our job to step out and harvest the ripe crop.  We go and share His word and in turn check to see if they are ready to be harvested.  It is all in His timing and it is His work.  Thank you so much for your prayers, I will continue to pray for you all, that the Lord continue to bless you and your families! Grace and peace. 

View from the mountains

....and so we continue on in the service of our Lord

This week has been quite eventful as well as a learning experience.

Nearly 200 homemade tamales

Saturday, all day, we had the privilege of making Costa Rican tamales.  Similar only in shape to the Mexican tamales, these had a different base and were wrapped in banana leaves.  We prepared almost 100 "pinas" which is a group of 2 tamales tied together, which made almost 200 tamales in total.  We went through this all day process in order to pass them out to families in the home fellowship as well as to homeless people in the town plaza.  We plan to pass them out on Christmas eve.  I am excited to see what will come of this as we share the love and hope of Christ.

under construction

Along with all the other things the Schockey's have going on they are also constructing a small expansion building in their backyard for the home fellowship.

Sketchy bridge, Curtis' fav

Coffee beans

Sorry, this picture does not do justice to the beauty of the Lords creation that we saw

The following day, Sunday, we had the opportunity after church to go on a drive up to the mountains.  The drive reminded me a lot of the drives me and my family would make when we were younger and my dad would drive aimlessly and find some random abandoned warehouse to which my mom would object to further exploring.  One of these aimless drives led to
an entire police squad in full tactical gear pulling up in a van and drawing their guns at us.  Another story for another time.  We enjoyed a clear view of the entire city and passed by many coffee farms.  We even enjoyed some fresh coffee beans off the plant.  It was a beautiful relaxing time. 

Before we set out to the mountains we drove through a section of town called Kokori.  It's what we would call the ghetto of the city.  It's known for it's poverty and heavy drug use.  We hope to reach out in that section of town sometime in the future.

Monday was especially fun for me.  I finally got to play soccer at a turf court down the street from our house.  I paid just about $2 to play for an hour.  There was definitely some talent out there, fortunately somehow I was able to keep up.  I was even invited back to play the next day by the owner of the court that plays there regularly.  One of the guys that was on my team turned out to be a youth pastor.  He took my number and is going to invite me to his youth group hopefully sometime soon.  There's about 60-70 kids that show up weekly to his youth group from the community.  Lord willing I will be able to participate and get further connected.  We also had the blessing of seeing one of the spectators from the soccer game come out to the Bible study this Wednesday night.  Her and her mother came out and seemed very interested.  From the looks of it they will be coming back week after week.  Praise the Lord!

We've also been talking to a sister down the street from us, consequently she lived in NJ for 14 years in none other than my hometown Elizabeth.  It's amazing, I'd say about 98% of Costa Ricans I've met that have lived for any period of time in the US, lived in NJ.  I really believe it has been a further indication of the Lord using me in NJ again sometime in the future.  All in His timing.

Giving out the gifts

Wednesday we had the awesome privilege of spending time with the kids that Calvary Chapel Hot Springs sponsored for Christmas gifts.  It was a great time of games, food, and gifts.  What an awesome time it was to see the excitement in all the families as they participated in this activity.  The best part was that the gospel was preached and many families got to see His love and provision in their lives. Thank you so much for your support in that!

All the gifts, from other donors as well

I look forward to many more adventures and feedback from you my loving brothers and sisters!  Continue to keep us in prayer and I am definitely praying for you.  Thank you for your love!

So far in Costa

Gerry in Lax

Apparently Sosi thinks we're stopping in Alaska

Bus station in San Jose

Little dis he know we would be on the bus 1 1/2 hours longer than expected, that we'd feel motion sick and have the awesome privilege of watching a baby puke in the center aisle as a result of the driving.

Super excited

The bus sans baby puke in the aisle

Some cool guy on the bus

Coming out of the clouds

Yeah that's right fireworks are LEGAL!

Chop shop 2 doors down, never seen it like that before

Devo's a the internet cafe, thanks for the bookmark Sophia!

Little market restaurant, I think it's going to be a favorite

Coffee

Christmas gifts for the ninos

Strolling into town

Our street

LAX

Stuck on the bus due to construction

lots of fog!

First few days in Costa!

12/15/10
Well, we're here.  We made it.  It feels like we've been here forever but then again no time at all.  It definitely hasn't hit me yet.  I feel like we're on vacation or something.  Nothing is quite familiar, I feel disoriented but it's been really fun and interesting trying to figure things out.  

Talking with people here has been really easy.  They are very open and friendly.  They like Americans for the most part and we sure stick out although we try not to.  

We've had a few opportunities to share with a couple people where we've gone to shop, or on buses or taxi’s, but have been busy trying to move in, buy stuff for the house and figure things out.  We've got the bare basics down, the Schockeys gave us a stove when we first got in, we bought a fridge today (12/15) for really cheap off of an acquaintance and took a cargo taxi to get it home.  We're working on getting beds today and we're going to be making our own bed frames pretty soon here.  

We do have to be a careful with our belongings when we travel especially since they know we're not Tico (nickname for Costa Ricans).  We're trying also to be careful with how much we say about where we live and what we do, people have been known to follow you home and do whatever they can to rip you off.  The land is very green, lots of trees and beautiful flowers and plants.  The streets are quite dirty however, lots of garbage and dirty runoff.  Today on the way to the store we saw a dead dog that had just been hit by a car which isn't something you see everyday in the states.  

 It's been really fun to practice and use my Spanish, I love it, it's such an expressive and beautiful language.  The Tico's recognize immediately that we're not from here by the way we speak, usually identifying Gerry first as Mexican and usually guessing that I'm Puerto Rican.  I'm looking forward to continuing to talk to people and learning more about them. I’m also excited for the Bible study that Curtis is teaching at the Schockey's house tonight at 7, please pray for that.  

Well, that's all I've got for now.  This is my first time blogging ever so if you have any suggestions; not enough detail, too much detail, etc, please let me know.  Grace and peace!  Matthew 23:25-26. 

 

12/16/10

Well we got beds yesterday, a welcome change to sleeping on the floor.  It was a 4 hour process trying to get a deal for the beds and we really wanted at least 2 yesterday because Sosimo and Gerry got sick, especially Gerry.  Keep him in prayer, he’s hurting really bad!

Yesterday while walking around the town center, Curtis pointed out to us where the prostitutes usually hang out, there was a line of them.  It was the kind of the thing that really grieves you. In the town center is where we’re hoping to evangelize this coming week.  We’re planning to go out at night which is when the High school kids are out drinking or drunk and doing a lot of drugs.  I would really like to invite those kids that are receptive out to our house and Lord willing do a weekly Bible study in our garage here. 

Today we went to a farmers market type thing that was really cool and huge!  I tried a fruit or vegetable today that I don’t quite know what to make of.  It kind of had the taste of a sweet potato but the texture of an avocado.  The fruits and vegetables were pretty cheap and fresh.  That place will most likely be a weekly visit.   

The midweek study went well last night.  We got to meet 5 of the regular attendees.  They’re really nice people, excited to meet us just like we were excited to meet them.  There’s a younger guy, 16 years old, that is a new believer, really hungry for the Word which is extremely rare for Tico teenagers.  Curtis has been spending a lot of time with him in everyday activities and discipling.  Sunday study is coming up tomorrow, we’re excited to meet even more Ticos.  Until next time!

12/18/10

I feel like I have a mental block every time I try and write one of these.

I have to keep convincing myself that we’ve only been here a week.  It feels like it’s been a super long time.  I keep expecting my Spanish to be flawless by now but really we’ve only been here for 6 days. 

Yesterday Annie, Shelley, and I went into town to buy presents for the kinds on the Christmas wish list we got from the salvation army that is just down the road.  It sounds like it’s going to be a big event when we present the gifts, with over 250 kids and adults.  I can’t remember exactly what day it’s going to be but it’s coming up sometime before Christmas.  Please keep it in prayer.

The Lord also hooked us up with a gentleman down the street from us, and American, new believer, that I believe we’re going to be hanging out with a lot.  He’s a cool guy that really loves the Lord and really desires good fellowship.  We just want to be there for him to encourage and exhort. 

Once this week is over and most things are established in the house and living situations, we’re hoping to really get busy.

I’ve been reading through Matthew and today was chapter 25.  The Lord really ministered to me in the last section of verses where Jesus talks about who will be entering into the kingdom of heaven.  He compares the sheep and the goat.  The sheep living in blind submission and the goat being stubborn and hard.  Jesus states that if we treat the least of the world with love and care that it is as if we are treating Him with that same love and respect.  It’s been a huge desire and challenge of mine to step out of comfort and live in absolute unrestrained submission.  Part of which has been talking to most everyone I come in contact with, from stores to buses.  This is extra challenging and different coming from New Jersey where no one talks to people they don’t know on public transportation.  I pray the same for you all.  It’s with love and care that I write, hoping to hear from you soon! Grace and peace!