Catching up on my day off!!

I didn’t do a good job of keeping with my blog the last week sorry I’ve been none stop all the time. Last Monday we had class in the morning, which was nice. I had a two page paper due and a 10 min presentation on the dictators of Nicaragua. It was a bunch. The only thing that was bad is that my teacher crazy and gave us all this work the other class just and the paper, but I guess it was good for me. I needed the extra practice. 

We went to La Paz waterfalls. It was a resort and they also had birds, humming birds, butterflies, big cats like jaguars, snakes, I got to ride an ox cart, and I saw three waterfalls they were gorgeous!

Toucan!!

Me and Kalie on a traditional ox cart

Me and Sam at the Waterfalls

We went back to San Jose after class for some last minute shopping I bought some really cute stuff!! :D

Thursday we went to Volcano Poas, but the clouds were so thick we couldn’t see anything. We had class in the afternoon. And that night my mama tica made me and Sam my roommate the other professor that had been staying with us for the past two weeks and my mama tica’s daughter and the two girls in our group that were staying with us Katie and Roxie, lasagna. It was so good it was our going away party because Mark (the professor) wasn’t going to be there Friday night.  

This is all you could see clouds but it was really cool.

Friday morning around 4 in the morning a pipe broke and my room and a couple others flooded. Thankfully the people here never keep anything on the floor just in case water is on the floor and the houses are always tile. But they didn’t tell me and Sam that, but they only things that got wet weren't a big deal all electronics and stuff were safe. So for the first time in my life I swept out water of a house lol!  

That morning we had our final presentations and graduation.  Then a few of us headed to the pool until it was cloudy and time for the usual afternoon showers. It’s the rainy season so it rains about 2-4 every day. Sometimes earlier sometimes later sometimes all day you get the picture.

Friday night we packed and the power went out for about three hours so we colored took a nap with the rain hitting the tin roof, and when my papa tico came home we ordered pizza. And we had pizza by candle light. Then shortly after that the power was back on.

Me and Samuel one of my teachers with my diploma stating that I've finished my minor.

Saturday we said our goodbyes and we headed to the airport. My parents were supposed to get here Friday night but they missed their flight. So they were scheduled to get there around 11:15 no big deal I could wait two hours.  Well their flight got delayed so finally after 7 hours of waiting in the airport I finally got to see them. I showed them around and we ate at my mama tica's resturant, and they got to see my papa tico's jewelry store. Then my parents dropped me off at the orphanage. I unpacked and it was time for bed.

Sam and I with our mama Tica!

Sunday I got up and took a shower helped bathe the kiddos and cleaned a little before going with the director and her family the other volunteers and the set of twins in my house to church. After church my parents came back and we had orientation. And I found out that my days off are Monday and Tuesday. So since my parents were here until early this morning I got to leave around 3 and travel and be with them. Which praise the Lord was an awesome blessing it was perfect timing and just what I needed to finish out this last month strong.  

Today I don’t work until three so I’ve been trying to get all my photos up on facebook and catch up on my blog.

As I’m sitting here listening to some of the children cry and scream because they don’t want to take a nap, I’m reminded that all these children come from different backgrounds, and they’ve gone through more that I'll ever know. So whether they have suffered physical or emotional abuse or are suffering from depression and abandonment. Sometimes we don’t give kids enough credit and think that they are just kids, but kids feel pain and hurt just like adults and even if a kid is brought here from the hospital they still experience and have abandonment issues.  

Please pray for these sweet adorable children I can only remember a few of their names since I haven’t spend much time with them, but I have 10 kiddos in my house 8 boys two are twins and 2 girls.

Birthday Celebration Pura Vida Style!! And an Awesome God Moment!!!!!

I just can’t get enough of the Song “Always Enough” from Casting Crowns there’s just no words to describe! I can just put in my headphones and have a mini worship with My Savior. It’s great!!

On Friday we headed to Montezuma, also known as Montefuma because it’s pretty much like Bob Marleyville. Anyways we got to school to find the bus was broken and we were an hour late, but we when the van arrived we still had a chance to make it to our ferry we had to drive an hour, but as we pulled up to the dock the ferry was just off the shore. So we hung around the beach area got some food, and hung out for a couple hours before the next boat. Then after the boat ride we had another hour or two ride. On our way to the hotel the driver suddenly stopped the car and said “get out get out get out!!” We were all like what? But then he said, “Monkeys in the trees hurry get out before they go away!” So I got to see monkeys!! Then we got settled in the hotel and checked out the beaches, ate dinner, look at some shops, and called it a night.

Saturday was my birthday!! Thanks for all my birthday day wishes. I woke up. Ate an awesome breakfast, and got to go on a hike to a waterfall. And we climbed up rocks and jumped off and climbed under the waterfall. It was gorgeous. The hike was strenuous we were like rock climbing across all these different rocks. Then a few of us ventured up to the top of another waterfall and it had a rope swing, but we literally had to climb the mountain. When I was crawling up under the waterfall I slipped and I’ve got some pretty awesome bruises.  It was a great way to spend the first half of my birthday day.  

When we got back to the hotel around lunch time I skyped with my dad and I got a chance to hear my grandparents sing Happy Birthday to me. Then we went and just chilled and hung out for the rest of the say and lay on the beach. The only downside was it was sprinkling rain like all day, but we made the best of it. Then we got all dressed up and went to a pizza place and I treated myself to pasta for my birthday. And they sang to me and I got a pineapple pizza dessert thing. It was good. The girls got me a package of Oreos, I loved it! Then some of us went out later that night. I also got to skype with Adrienne and mom.

Then this morning it wasn’t really raining, but right b4 we were about to get on the boats it’s started pouring really bad. Finally it let up enough to bring the boats to shore; we got on and headed about an hour to Tortuga Island where it was sunny and beautiful. We got to snorkel and I saw a bunch of different fish. It was awesome. Then we had lunch on the island and we laid out. My shoulders, and legs, and arms are really red, but not too bad. Then we barely made the ferry and it was so packed we sat on the floor in the isle for an hour and a half. But then after another hour van ride back, we showered up, and all of a sudden my mama tica came up to me and give me a birthday present. It was beautiful diamond stud earrings. There gorgeous then while I was putting them on I hear Katie and Roxie’s voices. There two girls that came with our group and live with our mama tica’s daughter. They’ve been over a couple time and we’ve been over to their house because they don’t live far. Anyways I walked out and my mama tica burst into Feliz Cumpleaños (Happy Birthday) They I got hugs from everyone, and we feasted for dinner we had yuca which is like potatoes, and  pigs leg and for desert she lit a candle and we had tres leche, which is an awesome cake! It tastes kind of like when your cake gets soggy from your ice cream. It’s so good. Then I got to see Knox on skype with my dad.

Couldn’t ask for a better birthday day weekend! I am blessed. Please be praying for me as I finish up school. I’m having a hard time dealing with it all and at times the stress is making me physically sick. On top of regular home work I have a 3 page paper about my field trip to San Jose, 10min oral presentation on Nicaragua, with handouts and a PowerPoint, then Thursday another paper and 15 minute presentation.  ………………Total God Moment sorry got to stop and give Him praise… As I just finished typing that part I iTunes happened to be playing “Everlasting God” by Lincoln Brewer, and there is a part when a boy quotes scripture from Isaiah and part of what he quotes says, “He gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless, even youth will become weak and tired and young men will fall in exhaustion, but those who trust in the Lord will find new strength, they will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” 

As I about to type please pray that I will receive strength from Him because that’s the only way I can do it. And I praise him for my struggle with this because that is what is keeping me latched on and falling deeper into Him. PRASIE THE LORD!!!

This was last week at Cafe Brit this is my roommate Samantha

A New Week and a New Class

I can’t believe it’s been five days since I last posted. I’m listening to “Always Enough” by Casting Crowns on repeat as I finish up this blog. It’s lyrics ring are so true and so encouraging. When the world tries to tell me that He is not enough that I need something more to satisfy me, this song reminds me of what and who my complete and eternal satisfaction comes!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I thank the Lord for giving me excellent word like this. Writing my blog has been awesome for me, and I hope encouraging to others. It’s really allowed me to reflect back on what HE has been teaching me and the little miracles He’s been doing in my life. Like how He somehow manages to take my few loaves of bread and fish of time, and make me completely satisfied! I truly feel a craving a thirsting for His cool refreshing Word, Praise the Lord!! I’m getting so excited as I write this He truly is the best thing that ever and will ever happen to me! He is my all in all, my Everything, and I stand in awe of His kindness, His forgiveness and all knowingness, but yet He still cares about my little needs. I’m awestruck.

On Monday morning Sam, Roxie, Katie, Ashley and I went to the pool before class. We have a new teacher for class and I don’t like her as much as my last teacher, but the class I think is more interesting (the class is about the culture of Costa Rica) than my other class which was grammar. Then Monday night Katie and Roxie came over and my momma tica made us some kind of traditional Costa Rican meal complete with plantains, and my momma tica rented us la diaria de passion which inn English is the Notebook.

Tuesday we took a tour of Café Brit an awesome coffee plantation and we learned all about how coffee is made. It was actually really interesting and fun. Then class and when we got home from dinner we had another person staying with us. He’s a leader of one of the other universities.

Heres a picture of my food!!

Lunch was great!

Wednesday we got to sleep in and went to cooking class. We make homemade guacamole and plantains with guac and beans sandwich it was sooooooo good. It was my new favorite food. Then after class we headed to San Jose to a restaurant/show. There was a buffet, dancers, creepy weird things with big heads and people dancing in them, and fireworks. O and they told the mc that it was my birthday. And although I tried to protest they told him, and He ended up calling me Miss Georgia the rest of the night, and I got a key lime pie cake. All in all a great night

Today we went to San Jose we went to a museum and the marketplace, and the National Theater. It was so gorgeous and we don’t have class tomorrow; I’m excited about it! Were heading to Montezuma for My Bday!! I’m excited although this will be my first time away from home on my bday I get to see my parents on the 28^th.  We’re going to Montezuma to the beach and Tortuga Island.

I know I thank all of y’all who are praying for me a lot, but one thing the Lord has taught me about this past year is the power, and importance of prayer. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Praise the Lord He is faithful, and I pray the words He has given me have been and are an encouragement to others.

Here are a few pictures 

My mama tica washed our clothes!

   

Here's a picture of my room!

Me and Sam share a room

I know it's long but it's worth it!

“Jesus, Jesus at your feet o to dwell and never leave. Jesus, Jesus at your feet there is nowhere else for me nowhere else for me! Here at your feet I lay my day.”

Friday we got to study and work on our presentations then left for school. It was sad because it was the last day with our teacher, and He’s great and makes class so much fun! It was also storming really bad the thunder was sooo loud. And then I gave my presentation and it had stopped raining thankfully because during my presentation we had to go outside cause there was a 6.6 EARTHQUAKE!! It was crazy it was my first ever earthquake. Then we hung out with friends at their house and watched a movie on tv.

Saturday we left early for Monte Verde the drive was gorgeous, super rough, and 4hours long. Then we shopped around the town got some pastries, then we to a frog farm that night. We went to get pizza for dinner.

Mountain View on the drive to Monte Verde

My lunch on Saturday

Today we went zip-lining it was awesome 3 hours of amazingness. We also got to do a tarzan jump; It was like a giant swing from a platform, and my group was the last to zip line so we got to do it twice, and the second time we did it backwards; it was awesome!!  And I saw a howler monkey, it sounded like it was gonna eat me! It was so scary and loud.

Well on the way to and from Monte Verde I have the chance to just spend time with the Lord and listen to some music. These are just a few things that have been going on.  The Lord’s been speaking great Word to me lately and I think it’s worth sharing.

One the way there I wrote:

“While being here just taking the time and being able to listen to Christian music has been a blessing and sometimes I just want to cry I’m just so overcome with worship, feeling like I am nothing and coincidentally having nada que dar. I am loving the song “Always Enough” from Casting Crowns.  The lyrics are in the video below.

I feel here is the dry and weary land, and Christ is my rain. Here I’m not surrounded by the Lake of Christ which is my bros and sis in Christ. It makes it challenging.  It also says “He is hope for the orphans” and everything I’m about to do at the orphanage is to show them that Hope. I can’t wait and am starting to get so excited about the orphanage, because I know this is a passion that God has given me and I’m able to use it next month.  The song also says He is “hope for the weak” and sometimes I feel weak and crave time with Him. But every second I spend thinking about or talking with Him has been so sweet and so fulfilling.

On the way back I was listening to Matthew West’s song “The reason for the world”. The lyrics are in the video.  

The reason for the world, more of Him and less of me, being reminded of the reason that I am in this world to serve the Lord, and to learn about Him, while glorifying His name and furthering His kingdom. Getting my perspectives in order that I have nada que dar, keeping my eyes towards what matters, and not what language we speak, the food we eat, where we live or if we have insects in our houses. What matters is what is eternal. Leaving and throwing down what is material and running towards what is eternal. I defiantly don’t think I am there and I may never be but my goal is it one day be able to grasp the concept “Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You I desire NOTHING on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26

These are just a few snippets of what the Lord has been teaching me. Please continue to pray for me in my daily walk with the Lord and just to seek encouragement from His Word. And also please be praying for all the children I will be with at the orphanage and the workers I will be staying with. Thank you to all who are praying for me.

More Reminders about Nada que Dar

I’ve been reading in Luke. And last night I was in chapter 9. I’ve been reminded of the fact that I have nada que dar (nothing to give). But also not that I have nada que dar just to the Lord but also that I have nada que dar to others. In verse 2 and 3 of chapter 9 it says, “and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.” The disciples when they were sent out they took nothing. When they arrived to the other cities they had nada que dar physically to the people. But they had the most important thing of all that can save a man from eternity in hell, but more importantly a life on earth without Christ. I can’t imagine a life without HIM!!

Also further down in the chapter in verse 13-15 it says “He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.”  (About five thousand men were there.)” The disciples didn’t have nearly enough food for all the people they had just enough for themselves and had nada que dar to the people. But when we have nada que dar as long as we are willing to give up what we have like the disciples gave up their lunch. Christ will make it work for His purpose and for the glory of His kingdom. Verse 16-17 says, “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” When the disciples gave up their food not only did Christ make it enough for everyone to eat, but they were satisfied. No one wanted anymore, and they had 12 baskets of leftovers. When you give up whatever we have, whatever Christ is asking us to give up, not only will he make to enough but He will make it more than enough. So that there is no way we can take credit for ourselves, but can keep God from getting the glory and honor he deserves.

English break

Sitting at the University just finished my power point and my composition now just need to review it all do my homework from last night and study for my test tomorrow. Well hope I didn’t expect to relax here lol! Anyways today was our last day at school and it’s been really cool to see how other countries educate their kids.

This part was written last night.

Tonight it’s kinda hot in my room. Today we had cooking class and we made pinto gallo. Pinto gallo is pretty much like rice and beans, but the Latin American way. Worked on my hw for an hour or two then we had a long class as usual. Tonight we went to the mall. Yes a mall and it was just like one back home. I had Burger King for dinner, with all that grease my body hasn’t had. I’ve been eating like fresh meat and fruit and veggies the past week and a half. Then we went to see a movie, we went and saw “Arther”.  I didn’t think it was gonna be that good but it was actually really cute. And it was in English….bonus! Only in Costa Rica can you have dinner and a movie for about $8! But including the cab that we split was probably like $10 but that’s still really good. And the theater was so nice.

Yesterday was like any we went to the school were observing and I got to see a Spanish class it was cool the kids were leaning syllables. And yesterday night we went over to other friend’s house and I ended up buying not renting but the movie “Back Up plan” was like only $4. It was great and I got to talk to my Wesley fam on skype it was so much fun!

The Lord has been giving me little nuggets of Him in my time with him which usually isn’t very long but has been filling.

Hoy es 9 de Mayo

Hoy es 9 de Mayo. Today is 9^th of May. I’ve been here a complete week and I’m loving it most of the time. It‘s frustrating at times and the Lord is defiantly teaching me patience. It’s frustrating when I go to say something sometimes I just wish I could talk in English to these people because it would be much faster and easier. Please be praying  for me as one of my sister said that my hunger for the Lord increase and that hunger be satisfied. I want to thank all of y’all that are praying for me. Prayer truly is a powerful thing.

Today at the school we observe at it was a little boys birthday and one thing that surprised me was the kids ate the cake with their hands. They also put stickers on the napkins and cups it was cute. But that party at school was like the kids birthday party the other students brought him gifts it was cute. Also in the school on Mondays the girls have ballet class and the boys have karate. It’s really cool.

Everything else was pretty much the same. Got home ate dinner talk to my parents and some friends on facebook  and did my hw and worked on my next oral presentation for Friday. Mucha Mucha Tarea (much much homework) but it’s good for me J I’m trying to keep a positive attitude I know that the Lord has awesome things in store for me. J

First Weekend and Finally No School!!

On Friday I went to the school again and got to help teach English in a class. One kid was so cute!!! I came up to me and said really slow, “My …name… is … Daniel.” It was so precious. And then we had to take a test and give our ten minute presentation. That went ok it was very stressful but thankfully the teachers here don’t decide our grades. My Spanish teacher that is here she decides so well probably do better that what our teacher gives. I love my Spanish teacher he’s about thirty and acts just like a kid. He makes class so relaxed and fun. Then we had a girl’s night out after school. We all made it back safely and got up super early yesterday.
Yesterday we went to the beach. We went to the same beach that I went to on my senor trip. It’s so beautiful! On our way to school to meet to leave for the beach a dog followed us all the way there he was so cute!

The dog that followed us

The Beautiful beach

 JBeach was great got a little burnt, but that’s to be expected. And got talk to Samantha Bates.

Today we got to sleep in, lounged around the house, and watched the blind side and Alice in Wonderland (in English J) while I attempted to complete my composition. And I got to skype in on my mom opening presents for mother’s day and skype with the Greers, overall an awesome weekend in Costa Rica. Living la Pura Vida!

My ankle is doing great thanks for the prayers. One thing I need a lot of prayer on for me to be able to make time for spending time with the Lord. It’s been really hard since I share a room and I hardly ever am alone. I know that the Lord has awesome stuff planned for me here and I can’t wait to experience it.  

La Esculea y La Universidad (the school and the university)

Yesterday I got to go an elementary school to observe. Talk about a culture shock! The school is about a 25-30min walk.  In the states we value time and immediate obedience.  Here in Costa Rica the students have a five minute break every hour and a half. And the students run out of the classroom and go to where ever they want. They have the freedom to walk out of the classroom if they want and the teachers don’t really care. It’s very different. Here in Costa Rica it’s not an individualistic society it’s very much a collective society. The students talk on top of each other and are very loud. It’s very loud everywhere even in the houses the walls and windows don’t keep out the noise very well.  Also the students find their way to their different places like music, the playground ect.. They are never in lines and are expected to be kids. In America we expect the kids to be little adults. The children in America are expected to be seen but not heard, but here their expected to act like kids. I like that the kids have more freedom in the classroom but I wouldn’t give my students as much. Here days at school are longer and they go from 7:30am to 12:30pm then lunch break until 1:30pm until 5:30ish. Here in Costa Rica, the society in general has a hard time saying no, and giving direct orders. So the teachers may take 10-15 mins trying to quiet down the class and start.

It’s been a great experience here in Costa Rica. My mama tica (Costa Rican Mom) is very nice and she is an excellent cook, and she washed our clothes today!

Today we took a cooking class where we learned how to make bread pudding. And in dance class yesterday we learned sala and today we learned bachata. Both classes are in Spanish of course!

School is very hard. In the school we are not allowed to speak English.  I only have on class which in the three times I have taken it we have reviewed almost all grammar that there is. On Friday we are to give a 10min speak and have a rough draft of our final composition paper. Thankfully that is only two pages. And our final paper and another 10min speak is due the next Friday. And we have regular homework that takes about an hour and a halfish.  Also are days are very long we are up at 6 and get back around 6 and go to sleep around 9ish. But we only have two hours of free time and one of those is for lunch and the other one will be used for other homework.

Two more things that are different here than at home both are gross.  First is used toilet paper goes in the trash can next to the toilet. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that one.  And the other that I have gotten use to is that there are tiny ants crawling around on the table and I caught one on my plate tonight during dinner.

Please be praying for me my physical and emotional health. It’s very hard and very strenuous on our brains (all the girls with me here) to speak and attempt to understand Spanish all day. I feel like I have learned and can speak much more and I have way more confidence than I did arriving here three days ago.  Also for me physically my back and ankle have been acting up since we have been walking everywhere and not on very rough surfaces. But, I trust that the Lord will help me through all of it.

I apologize for any incorrect grammar I’d like to say I’d do better next time but I think It will only get worse from here lol!

Bienviendos a Costa Rica (Welcome to Costa Rica)

Mas cosas diferencia many different things in Costa Rica,  La comida, the food for breakfast I had a huge plate of apples, pineapples, mangos, papayas, and a banana, and we also had a ham and cheese sandwich.  I had rice with chicken, plantains, and beans and drank pineapple juice and for lunch. I had rice and potatoes and beans and a desert with plantains in it and pineapple juice for dinner.

Another thing is that there aren’t many street signs ticos (tico is the name for a Costa Rican) just use different stores for markers. Me and some of the girls that live by me and Samantha got lost on the way back home. It’s about a 15-20min walk from school back home.

The customs are different for example it’s considered rude to walk around the house barefoot and to leave any light on that you are not using. The windows and walls don’t keep sound out very well. You can hear everything. The mother is the center of the house and decides everything that happens in the house including what TV channel the family watches. In Costa Rica is in the rainy season now so it’s sunny and hot in the morning and rainy in the afternoon like 11ish and sunny again by like 1. The sun rises at 5am and sets at around 6.

 Today we toured the city and learn Merengue a type of Latin American dance. Then I take a Spanish class from 1:30 to 5:30. Then I quickly head home because the sun sets here at 6:00. Then we do all the homework that is required thankfully tonight it only took me and Samantha about and hour. It’s a lot of Spanish. And at times very overwhelming and a lot of work because I can’t just hear it and understand like I can English, every word that’s spoken I have to pay attention to make sure I understand. By then end if the day I’m exhausted.

The Lord has defiantly been teaching me patience and determination today. I needed to have patience with myself in my class when I didn’t understand and determination to not just give up of just become frustrated. Also I needed both to get back to my house tonight. It was getting dark as we were walking back and got lost. Thankfully we asked for directions and found it right before it was completely dark. 

I apologize if my grammar is really bad I just finished my homework. I had to write a page in Spanish and have been speaking it all day. I have to stop and think about the word I’m trying to type in English because some of them I have almost typed in Spanish, which is a good thing I guess.

Please pray that the Lord will give me extra energy tomorrow and extra energy and desire to spend time in His Word and be with Him.

Gracias for your prayers!