June Happenings

 

Always a project going on!

Lately we have been enjoying an expansion in our cultural awareness, each day holds something new!  Today we went to the big city to shop for the things we can't get in our small stores (peanut butter, Prego Spaghetti Sauce, Gatorade, spray PAM, mozzarella cheese, etc.) because sometimes a few comfort foods and familiar tastes are worth a 3 hour shopping and traveling adventure. 

This month we went to Maria's house. We put together a box of basic grocery items such as rice, beans, oil, and sugar.  We also included a few special items that are a real treat in rural Costa Rica like spaghetti noodles & tomato paste, tuna, and of course coffee! She and her husband do not have electricity or running water. They haul their water from their neighbor’s house and they go to the bathroom out in the bushes. They have a one room house so she cooks outside on an open fire with a grate over it. She welcomed us today with tears in her eyes as she did not have rice for dinner that night. I love how God prompts us to act and even tells us who to go see!

 "There will always be a reason why you meet people.
 Either you need them to change your life or you're the one that will change theirs."

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Does anyone remember Chinese Jump rope??

We are trying to find new fresh ways to go into homes and spend time with people, build relationships, and encourage conversation about Jesus.  Time spent together laughing and talking is the first step to building trust.  God has been giving us some creative ways to reach out and, to our delight, is has been well received! Exercising is a good excuse to get together with people and do something productive and healthy. We had a great time going to the house of some new friends where Cailene lead some exercises. We turned on some fun, up-beat Christian music and worked out together.

Cat's Cradle is a new favorite

Uno!

Cornelio continues to be the coach of a girl’s soccer team.  We are finding out that simple activities like playing cards, sports, and games like Cats Cradle are attracting all ages and relationships are being built in a healthy environment. Many times as we are playing cards with others, we are able to share about the influence of music, going against the norm, and having a personal relationship with Jesus instead of a religion. There are so many ways to share God’s love and we are finding that casual activities such as teaching and playing games creates a relaxed environment where people are willing to share and open up.

"If you can't fly, then run
If you can't run, then walk
If you can't walk, then crawl,
but whatever you do keep moving forward." Martin Luther King Jr.