Within the last two weeks Justin and I have had some serious company from the States, which has been awesome. Ashtyn and Maggie arrived on Friday, Oct. 9 and stayed until Tuesday, Oct. 13. It was so good for me to get to see my sister and I know for sure that Justin enjoyed getting to see Mag-Attack. Right after they arrived on Friday, we went to eat at a friend's house (Carli...aka Papaya, and his wife Magali) and it was wonderful- rice and beans, beef, and salad. That evening the girls got to be apart of our Friday night cell group bible study that meets at our little house. Some of the girls in the bible study surprised Justin with a cake to celebrate his birthday while Mags and Ash were here. The cell groups are so cool- each Friday night the church members meet at someone's house and basically review the sermon from the past Sunday and go more in depth with it.
The next day we all went to take the girls to San Jose and see the big city. We also met up with our friends from Cartago while in the capital. On that Saturday night we had a band come to the church to do a concert for the youth. The band's name is Radicales51 and they are from El Salvador. The concert was awesome and especially the message afterward...just a good time with the youth and some sweet tunes (Thank you Liz).
On Sunday the girls got to go to church with us, then we went to check out these unbelievable water falls at a place called Los Chorros. The falls were probably about 100-120 ft tall...another sweet spot in Costa.
Monday we all just relaxed and chilled and took it easy...took the girls on a little bike ride. It was nice to have the girls around and to play some Scrabble and to be with family. Justin was oober-giddy to have his lady friend around for a few days. I don't think he stopped smiling for those 96 hours.
After Mags and Ash left on Tuesday, my mama and Aunt JoJo arrived on Thursday evening. I actually got to preach at the church in Alajuela right before they arrived, which went really well, Praise God. Its pretty cool Dimas has been giving me the opportunity to share with the church and preach. The next day, Justin, Mama, Aunt Jo and I went to San Jose and met our friends from Cartago to eat and do some shopping. We then went back to Cartago where we stayed the evening. Upon arriving in Cartago, we went to the orphanage (which actually isn't an orphanage, but only a couple who has adopted 32 or so children). Mama and Aunt Jo got to talk and pray with the mother and ask her how it is that she and her husband support so many kids. She said it was "by God's grace". Most of the children there come from some type of abusive situation, so it is awesome to see this couple that shows so much love. I was glad mama and Aunt Jo got to meet our friends from Cartago, who always show some serious hospitality to us.
(This is a picture of just a few of the kids in the BIG family.)
After Mags and Ash left on Tuesday, my mama and Aunt JoJo arrived on Thursday evening. I actually got to preach at the church in Alajuela right before they arrived, which went really well, Praise God. Its pretty cool Dimas has been giving me the opportunity to share with the church and preach. The next day, Justin, Mama, Aunt Jo and I went to San Jose and met our friends from Cartago to eat and do some shopping. We then went back to Cartago where we stayed the evening. Upon arriving in Cartago, we went to the orphanage (which actually isn't an orphanage, but only a couple who has adopted 32 or so children). Mama and Aunt Jo got to talk and pray with the mother and ask her how it is that she and her husband support so many kids. She said it was "by God's grace". Most of the children there come from some type of abusive situation, so it is awesome to see this couple that shows so much love. I was glad mama and Aunt Jo got to meet our friends from Cartago, who always show some serious hospitality to us.
(This is a picture of just a few of the kids in the BIG family.)
On Saturday morning, we went to an outdoor fruit and vegetable market in Cartago after eating a typical Costa Rican breakfast at our friend's home. Justin and I had agreed to cook the meat for a church member's birthday party that afternoon, so we took it on back to Alajuela around lunchtime. Upon arriving at Martita's house(the birthday girl), we noticed that the grill they had for us to cook on was just a car rim laid sideways with a grate on it. So we went back home and grabbed the normal charcoal grill and then went to work. It all turned out well, Praise God. Before mama and Aunt Jo left we were able to go to church in Palmares and Alajuela, and also eat a nice meal out (thanks Aunt Jo!). So nice to have the mammy in town...
As for what Justin and I have been doing lately, we are continuing to teach the English class each week in Palmares, as well as teaching the discipleship class for the youth there. The English class is getting more and more fun each week as the students are beginning to progress. Dimas has also asked me to teach the Adult discipleship and Justin the youth a time or two when he wasn't able to go because of commitments at the church in Alajuela. On these occasions, it has been challenging, but also rewarding. We also are continuing to work with and spend alot of time with the youth at the church in Alajuela. We are also playing just enough soccer to be reminded of the fact that we need to improve our skills.
(Top picture is a picture of some of the youth group in Palmares... The bottom picture is a picture of the whole group; most everyone attends both the English class and Bible study)
