Finally Here

Our family arrived here in Costa Rica on February 4th.   It was a huge relief when we finally took off because all the months of preparation, packing, storing, selling and to-do- lists had finally come to an end. We were blessed with a fun weekend before we took off with many families and friends coming to wish us well.  Our family took off with 13 checked baggages plus 4 carry-ons.  We were blessed with just enough people so we didn't have to pay any extra for luggage.  And all of them were under the 50 lb. mark!! Everything we left with made it safe and sound!!

    A few days before leaving the US, we found out we would be renting a house that would be just perfect for our family.  That was a huge blessing, plus we were being a blessing to the owners because they had to return to the US unexpectedly for a few months.  Although it is a temporary stay, we are thankful for what we have!!   Right off the bat we inherited a dog named Perla, which means pearl in Spanish, and three cats.   Perla barks a lot at night but is very protective of the girls and has become Shaun's buddy.  And for some reason, the neighborhood chickens roost right behind our bedroom window.  They are such a joy to listen to at night.   They for some reason have not figured out that they are only supposed to make noise when the sun comes up.  Instead, it is various times through the night, and it is not your normal cock-a-doodle-do.   It honestly sounds like a man yelling "hey" after a few sounds.   Needless to say I have woken up a million times almost in a panic!!  For those that know me, I wake up to any sound!   Ugh
   

 When we arrived in Costa Rica, we were fortunate to have traveled with a team from Effingham.  It definitely helped us transition easier having them around the first week.   We were able to hang out with them and join in on their work they were doing while in Costa Rica.  They were all a huge blessing to our family in more ways than one.   Before they left, they made sure to lay their hands on us and pray for us. What a wonderful experience!!
 

  The first week we were in Costa Rica we were able to join our neighbors in one of their missions.  Each week they take their bus to a local park.   There are a lot of homeless men that live in the park, and they show up, talk to them, pray with them, and feed them breakfast!   If I were to take a guess, I'd say they fed around 30 men. Each man has a different story to tell on how or why they might be homeless.  However, it really doesn't matter.  What does is they need help, and we have been called to serve.  Something as simple as an hour of your day, a mound of pancakes, a bowl of rice, some tea or coffee, and a warm smile can do great measures.  

 

Later in the week we were able to have a small VBS at the Sanchez’s house.  We had about 40 adults and children that showed up to participate in the one day VBS.  We were able to sing and give them a short lesson on who Jesus was.  Afterward, we served them a small meal and called them all up by family and prayed for each family’s needs.  We were also able to give the children some school supplies, as they were getting ready to go back to school.

The team went on into the jungle and our family stayed back so that we could take some time to get our house in order, and to take some time together as a family.  In the following days, we started looking for a vehicle because it proved difficult for us to ask to go to town.  We could have taken a bus, but knowing little Spanish, I felt unsure about leaving without a phone to contact someone that knew the area if we got lost.  Our search proved to be a difficult one.  We wanted a vehicle that ran well and seated a good amount of people.  For days we made calls and went sometimes over an hour away to look at a car without success.  We drove near and far to find vehicles that were beat up, way too expensive, and one vehicle that was in an accident and had a claim against it still in the courts.  Buying a vehicle here is not like buying one in the States.  We did eventually find a car that we wanted to buy, and it was one of the closest drives we took to go look at a car.  The crazy part was that the guy was from a town that was about 2 hours away but was visiting a friend that was a mere 15 min. from us.  We are forever grateful for the person who donated the money to buy a vehicle, and for Carlos and Rolando for not only calling people for us but for taking us to see vehicles! 

On feb 17 we went to the airport to pick up a couple from Houston Texas. He would be giving leadership and marriage conferences in many different churches.  The First place we went was Rio Frio which is a church that is more toward the Eastern coastline.  It was very good meeting where there were about 20 church leaders there ready and willing to learn.  After the service we had the opportunity to go and eat lunch with a former pastor, Hebert.  He is now legally blind and on a very, very small pension; so small, in fact, that his wife travels to the coast where she works in the resorts a few months at a time apart from her husband in order to support their family.   I have had the privilege of spending time with Hebert two other times and it is always a blessing to see a man of God in his circumstances so in love with Christ.  We were able to talk and joke with him for a few hours before we had to make our 3 ½ hour journey back home.  We also visited Sequires, Damaskis Church, Zoe Church, and Cinco Esquina.  It was great meeting and building these relationships with the pastors and leaders of these churches. It is a vital part of what must be accomplished before the students arrive so that the churches will feel comfortable working with and alongside our family. 

There is so much that is going on right now.  This month we have 11 students coming for a week to see what our internship is all about.  These students will potentially be our first group for the school.  So in preparation for that we have been working on cars, preparing projects,  and raising chickens.  Some of the projects consist of painting the rooms and lacquering the shelving and storage boxes that the students will be using.  Some of the bigger projects consist of an aquaponics system and building a schoolroom in a jungle community.  Please continue to pray for our Spanish to progress, that God continues to use us for his glory and for the students that he is going to convict to come.  Above all else, may he be glorified through your faithfulness and ours.

 

God Bless

YOUR BROTHER AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

Shaun, Kim, Madison, Makaylee