July 10—Spanish and VBS
Hola mis amigos!
I want to thank you all for your support and your prayers. Without you, my time here could not be possible, and because of you, God has been at work here in so many ways. I praise Him for that, and I pray that he blesses each of you.
My Spanish is greatly improved! I have been very bold with it and am now very comfortable using it, even if I mess up and misconjugate words! I can actually hold long conversations now and understand! Praise the Lord for that!
I have been very busy in the last week getting ready for the VBS next week, visiting with neighbors, tutoring, discipling and the like. On Wednesday, I was asked to go to the church and help make tamales (a local food which is corn meal mash, meat, rice, potato, tomato and onion piled and the wrapped in banana leaves and boiled). It was so neat to learn how to make it and fellowship with the women of the church while working. I heard prayers prayed over the tamales while be made for the person receiving it, and songs of praise being sung. It was neat, and let me tell you they were surprised when they showed me how to do it and then I made one... I guess they didn't think a gringo could make a tamale that quick! They got all excited and cheered and told me I did very well. I enjoyed it so much.
The youth group that I have been meeting and worshiping with went to the beach on Sunday, and I got to go. I was able to hear some of the testimonies of some of the teenagers, and it was so neat to share with them. They were so willing to share with me even though two of them have only been believers for 3-6 months and are still growing so much they poured their hearts out to me. It was encouraging to hear their stories and hear they are the only ones in their families who believe, and all the struggles they encounter. Yet their faith is so huge. It was a a lesson to me and made me think more and search God all the more. I cherish the relationships I have built here. I can't believe I am nearing the end of my stay here.
I am staying with a Tico family this week. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister. They are so loving, and they have been teaching me to cook Tico meals. I taught them to make apple pie! The first night I was there, Nitza the mom called me to the dinner table and there was a place with 2 plates full of food. She told me to sit. So then she called the kids and Jose the dad and gave them each a bowl, a small bowl compared to my 2 full plates. I was shocked!! It was very eye opening that's for sure to see their generosity and willingness to serve me. Each night we read the Bible and then prayed. I have gained a lot by living with them for only 3 days so far, and have been so blessed by them!
On Tuesday, Arlan and I traveled about an hour and forty-five minutes to a Brahman Cattle Ranch and spent the day there. We were greeted by Sergio and Ana, the owners of the ranch whom my uncle had met in his work. We spent the morning admiring his best cattle. We talked and built friendships with them and then took a tour of the ranch. It was very neat to see the workings of a ranch here in Costa Rica. I was able to learn more about culture and differences in the country as well as make friends and see a beautiful place!
For the first time since I have been in Costa Rica, I used more than a sheet while sleeping. It got down to a record low of 75 degrees! It was very nice sleeping weather—"Que rico"!
Next week is the Vacation Bible School we are holding for the poor children in one of the neighborhoods. Please pray that all goes well and the kids respond to the message of Jesus delivered to them and that through them families will be reached.
Also please pray for Svea. Her heart is so thirsty for Christ. She told me today that she has been praying and that she believes Christ is her savior. She wants to live a life in order to glorify Him. Praise the Lord because He is good and that she continues to learn and seek him.
Lastly, I ask that you pray for me as I prepare for next week—that I take time to spend with friends and that I continue to be a witness for Christ. Pray that I take any opportunity to be used and not be caught up with busyness of the VBS. Pray that God continues to teach me and that I would seek him each day.
Adios, amigos,
In Love,
Rach