Mi familia hondurena (My Honduran Family)

It's Friday evening in San Joaquin de Flores, Costa Rica. Jorge and Ester are home from Guapiles for the weekend. Their children Claudia, Ana, Eduardo Josue, and Samuel are all home. Dona Ruth (Jorge's mom) emerges from her little room. The table is set. The food is ready. But before dinner starts, Jorge pulls out his Bible and selects a couple passages to read aloud. He passes the Bible to Samuel and has him read one of the passages. When he's finished, Jorge looks around the table, making eye contact with each person present. He starts to speak in a gentle yet serious voice: saying beautiful, uplifting words. A blessing. It is a blessing for every person seated at the table and he locks eyes with each one as he blesses them. My heart is filled, encouraged and well, blessed. My stomach forgets how late it is. Then, Jorge starts reciting "And the same evening Jesus was taken away to be crucified He took bread....." He passes around the homemade unleavened bread that Ester made and pours out grape juice and wine according to the respective wishes of each person. Then, we take the Lord's Supper together - communing with one another and with our Lord. It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever been a part of. Then, Ester gets up and brings out dinner. YUM!!!

This is the Viera family. I have mentioned them before, but I can't remember what I've said. I only know I've told you that I will tell you more about them. Well, here they are.

Eduardo Josue is in the front. He is about 4 months younger than me - he is a phenomenal clarinet player and is part of the National Youth Symphony Orchestra. He plays at church on the worship team and helps out with a multitude of other things. He also works at a camp and all the kids LOVE him!

The red headed gringa in there is my dear friend Marsha. She has also done missions work in Costa Rica. She joined us at Pan e Vino for Josue's birthday dinner. I have known her since I was in 8th grade!

Next in is the youngest, Samuel. He plays the cello and is skilled at telling HILARIOUS jokes. He also helps a lot with sound tech stuff at church.

Jorge is the man in the hat. I admire him so much. He works for Chiquita banana in Guapiles during the week, but always comes home on the weekends to be with his family and go to church.

Next in is Ester. She is a gifted painter and sells Herbalife products. She is a fantastic cook and teaches me a lot in the kitchen!

The one standing up and leaning in is Ana. She is a year and a half older than me. She currently works in accounting for Dole (the fruit company) but is just opening an online travel agency. She often sings in church with the worship team and does worship dances with her older sister, Claudia.

Claudia choreographs the dances that she, Ana and others do in church sometimes. Her real passion is young children. She is a spectacular kindergarten teacher! She is also a talented painter. She is planning in getting married in late March (or perhaps early April) to a wonderful man named Rolando (not my Pastor Rolando).

On your right the last, but far from least is Dona Rut(h). I'm not sure if she uses the "h" or not. It's not pronounced. She is one of the dearest old ladies you will ever meet. She calls me her hermanita, little sister. And she likes to show me her photo albums of her family and other loved ones. I'm pretty sure she was born in Colombia. I'm not sure how she got to Honduras, but as far as I know that's where Jorge and Ester are from.

The Vieras moved to Costa Rica about 2.5 years before I studied abroad there-so now it's been 4.5 years. They came on account of Jorge's work with Chiquita banana. I'm SO glad to know them! This morning I was chatting with Ana and she invited me to live with them after Claudia gets married! She said "there will be room for another sister!" So, I think that will be the plan. I was thinking of living with a family from church at first and then eventually getting my own apartment. But, at the Viera's house, I feel 100% comfortable. Mi casa tu casa is the rule. I am welcome to whatever food is there, I can invite friends over, I can watch a movie, use the wifi, use the phone, etc. So, we'll see. But, at least now you know why I love these people so much!

News from Costa Rica! ...And a Funny Story

The other night I was on Skype, and all of a sudden, a chat window popped up from my pastor. It was pretty late, and he wasn't online at the time. The date from the chat was about a week beforehand-the day after the 6.2 earthquake did its damage near Poas, a volcano about an hour or so from my town in Costa Rica. This is what he said:

Querida Carrie, bendiciones. Disculpa que no he atendido tu correo como mereces. Estoy involucrado en las acciones de ayuda, consuelo y socorro para gente en la zona del terremoto. Necesitamos la solidaridad de todo el pueblo de Dios... hay mucha gente afectada. Apenas pueda te hago una nota. Nosotros estamos deseosos de tu venida... te esperamos entonces para marzo... necesito hacerte luego consultas sobre nuestro trámite con la LAM.

Dear Carrie, blessings. I'm sorry I haven't attended to your e-mail as you deserve. I am involved in the actions of helping, comforting, and getting aid to people in the earthquake zone. We need solidarity amongst the people of God... there are a lot of affected people. I am just barely able to write you a note. We really want you to be here.... we'll expect you then in March... I need to talk with you later about our connection with the LAM.

My favorite part about that was "estamos deseosos de tu venida." Literally, it means "we are desirous of your coming." What joy that brings me! What an uplifting thing to read! I would love to be there right now, helping and serving and whatever way I could. And to just have somebody say that is so meaningful. I love to be invited to be a part of things, to matter, to have people really want me with them. It may seem a little selfish, but I feel like it's just one of those intrinsic desires that we have. I think I would be going too far if I placed my self worth on that (and I know God is the only one who can truly satisfy my inmost desires). For me this is just yet another confirmation that I am supposed to go to Costa Rica. Oh, Lord, please let it be soon!!!

I have been following some of the earthquake's effects. It totally wiped out a chunk of an important "highway" (think winding state route that hasn't gotten any attention in 5-10 years) near a very touristy spot (the La Paz Waterfall Gardens), it destroyed a lot of strawberry crops, it was really close to a volcano so an even closer eye is on it now, and I was just reading that it also is affecting a major hydroelectric plant. There is a lot of dirty water from mudslides that happened, so that water can't be used to make hydroelectricity. Some 95% of the country runs on hydroelectric power, so this is a bit of a concern. They think they have things under control right now, but they may have to have scheduled "black outs" like they had when I was there in 2007 because the previous rainy season had been so dry. The joys of centralized government. (sigh)

At least I've been through the blackouts before. And as long as they're not too long, they're actually kind of fun. It's one of those forced no tv, no computer (forget that the laptop has a battery!) times that can really cause good conversation and bonding with others. And I'm bringing my headlamp, so I'll be ok.

FUNNY STORY!!!

Once Upon A Time.... I went to Guatemala on a missions trip. We were told that we were going to go camping in the jungle. My leaders were instructed to have everyone bring a sleeping bag, pillow, flashlight, etc. The leaders did not pass on such instructions. On purpose. We were going to bring down as many suitcases as we could FULL of donations and my beloved leaders wanted us to have more room for donations, so they figured we could make do without camping gear. I'd brought a tiny flashlight with the name of some drug on the side of it that my parents had given me. I'm not sure why I brought it. I don't think I was told to, but I thought it might come in handy. So, the day we were going to go camping we had a team meeting and the leaders told us the plan. One of them asked, "What do we have for flashlights?" Someone said, "I have a little one, but it's not very good." I offered, "I have a small one with a drug's name on it." And then, one of the guys spoke up enthusiastically, "I have an LED light on my keyring!!" "So," said my leader "we're all set for flashlights!" It was one of the most hilarious moments of the trip. So, if you're ever going to a 3rd world country, bring a flashlight! You never know when you're going to need it!

There and Back Again: A Weekend with Carrie

My trip to Maine was absolutely wonderful. My friends in New Hampshire that served as my airport ride lent me one of their cars for the weekend, which was a HUGE blessing. (And the car is a stick! I was so happy to drive stick again. I was sad in my car yesterday to stick out my left foot for the clutch and not find it. But that's ok, I am still SO grateful for my car!) This allowed me to mosey my way up to Auburn-which means I got to stop and walk on the beach and see my friend Marsha. It was so lovely!
I stayed at my friend Sarah's house in Auburn. She was one of my youth leaders in junior high and just took me under her wing. She is a great person to know because she works in the office at church, so she is in the loop with everything!! It was really good to spend some time with her and staying at her house worked out really well.
Friday evening a few people from the missions committee came over. It was a great opportunity for me to share with them and let them get to know me better.
Saturday I saw one of my friends from high school and his wife. They are expecting. It's neat, but also really weird. When I return somewhere, for some irrational reason I expect things to be how they were when I left. No one is any older, everything is the same, and me coming back is like it being the next day. But that is NOT the case!!!
I experienced this a lot at my church too. I used to babysit a lot for various families, and now all these kids I used to watch are in middle school or high school! They used to be those little twerps, or my friends' younger siblings. Well, they're still younger siblings, they're just not as young! And, of course, they don't remember that I used to babysit them. That part is pretty funny.
So, it's weird, but it's also really exciting, because I can see how these kids have grown and matured. I am thrilled at what I saw this weekend at East Auburn Baptist Church. God is working there, and people are joining Him in His work! It is how things should be! Granted, things aren't perfect there. There is no such thing as a perfect church, not as long as humans are involved. But this is a body that cares about what God cares about and is taking a lot of action to show it, and that is SO wonderful!
Example: some young people in the church felt led to start a special service for youth/young adults. They have taken this and are RUNNING with it! They have their own worship team and the pastor's son does most of the preaching but this weekend, the little brother (who's not so little anymore) of one of my best friends from junior high gave the sermon. It was so neat to see how this 12 or 14 year old boy has matured into a young man with a desire to know and serve the Lord and share the Gospel! These are vibrant youth-a group of them were just in New York City helping at soup kitchens and giving out blankets and stuff to homeless people. This team was also designated to come forward and pray for me after I shared in the service about God leading me to Costa Rica. What an amazing, powerful time of prayer!! It was so beautiful!
When I first got to church on Saturday evening I saw the pastor, Roger. He gave me a huge hug and said, "Welcome home, dear!" Though Auburn doesn't really feel like "home" anymore (see previous post), I am delighted to still be a part of East Auburn Baptist Church.
So, it was a great weekend. I saw a lot of people. My best friend from middle school and high school (who doesn't live in Auburn anymore) came up with her husband in a snowstorm on Sunday to see me! I was pretty sure I wasn't ever going to see her again. I got to share about Costa Rica 5 times. I was able to speak some Spanish because a few latino boys have started to go to church there. I also got to have a nice Sunday afternoon with a couple that was really good friends of my parents. The wife did missions work in Ecuador for some 8 years before she got married. It was great to be with them and listen to her share about her experience with me.
It was a rather full weekend, but I didn't jam pack it so full that I didn't have any downtime. It wasn't until I was enjoying that downtime that I realized the wisdom in not cramming my schedule. I had been thinking the trip was going to be a whirlwind of madness and constant busyness. But, it wasn't. I didn't get to see some of the people I'd wanted to, but that's ok. Having some free time allowed me to relax and be able to process what was happening. And I feel like I had a nice weekend in Maine instead of a crazy whirlwind of a trip. Ah, the joys of la vida tranquila (the peaceful life). :-)

There's No Place Like Home

Home. What a fascinating concept. Yes, concept. Also a place, sort of. I know my true home is in heaven. And I'm glad I've got that, because on earth, this "home" idea is a lot more complicated.
My family moved every 3-4 years while I was growing up. (No, my Daddy wasn't in the military. That's just how things worked out.) When we were still in Maine after 4 years, I couldn't believe it. I went to one high school. Just one! I went to the same school for 4 consecutive years! That was a big deal for me.
Now let me give you a brief timeline so that you can follow what I'm going to talk about next:
June 2004-I graduated from my high school in Auburn (actually my graduation was in the hockey rink in Lewiston. Yeah, I graduated in the hockey rink and had prom at the local ski resort. How Maine is that?)
August 2004-I started college in Grove City, PA
April 2005-my parents moved from Auburn, ME to Old Orchard Beach, ME (about an hour south)
Summer 2005-I worked on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Pisgah Inn (about an hour south of Asheville, NC)
Summer 2006-I worked at the Hannaford grocery store and lived in OOB with my parents
Summer 2007-I worked in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
October 2007-My parents moved from OOB, Maine to Mexico (Ok, Arizona, but only about 15 miles north of Mexico)
Summer 2008-I worked in the Tetons again
I am currently living in Grove City until the rest of my support comes in and then I will live in COSTA RICA!!!!
Now you see why "home" is a struggle for me. I think it might be for anyone who has gone away to college for 4 years. Home may still be home, but time has passed, and people have changed. There is at least a different dynamic. (I can't imagine there not being one, but I could be making incorrect assumptions here).

People ask me where I'm from and I don't know how to respond. First I usually ask them if they really want to know. That is to warn them that they're not going to get an easy answer. Then, sometimes I say "the northeast." Sometimes I say "Partly Maine, part Arizona, part Wyoming, part Pennsylvania, and Costa Rica." That one gets some good looks. I might as well have 5 heads with horns and ugly bumps when I say that. It's kind of fun though. Other times I just tell people, wherever we are when they ask me "Here, for now."

I am going up to Auburn, Maine this weekend. It will be interesting. I am excited. I still know quite a few people there. I have been to visit Auburn a few times since I graduated high school, but I haven't spent 3 consecutive days there since Christmastime 2004. WOW! And each time I go back, life there seems familiar, but more distant. So, I'm on yet another adventure. It will be good to see some of the people I've actually kept in touch with. And I'm really looking forward to visiting my church there and sharing about Costa Rica. I am one of their official missionaries now, so it will be good to strengthen my connections with the people there. Thanks for your prayers-I'll let you know how it goes!

Stop the Madness!!!

Vacation is a great thing. In a way, my life feels like a perpetual vacation since I'm not a student anymore and I am currently not working (though I hopefully soon will be). But, I am raising support to be a missionary and that is a lot of work. And just preparing to live overseas takes a lot of effort. Somehow I manage to stay quite busy. Example-I got an mp3 player for my birthday and burning my CD's onto my computer, keeping them organized and converting them to mp3 format and getting them onto my player is turning out to be a horribly time consuming, dark, frustrating task. I wish I could pay someone to do this. And I am considering giving up and getting an ipod, though I'm not sure how much difference that would make. We'll see.

So, I've been on the road now, living out of my trunk and playing Santa Claus for various members of my family for 2 and a half weeks now. YIKES!!! I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to going home tomorrow! Yet, it seems weird to call a house that isn't mine or my parents' home, especially since I'll only be living in it for about another month and then I'll be moving in with another family (that will be in the house with me. I've been house-sitting). I'm looking forward to it a lot, though I will miss my current place of residence. Asi es la vida (such is life).
I will say though, I have had a GREAT trip. I have LOVED spending time with so many loved ones-relatives and friends. This trip has been a great blessing. Going home is kind of the scary part. I made a to-do list tonight. It's length is frightening. I still have to prioritize it all and categorize a little bit. But, not much on there can really be put off for long. And most of it won't take very long to do, but you know how time just slips by and simple seeming things take 4 times longer than you originally expected. I know that happens to me. I am often too optimistic when it comes to deadlines.
Anyway, now I will tell you more about the wonders of my 2000+ mile journey. I last left you in NC at my Aunt & Uncle's. I hadn't seen them since the oldest cousin on the Gates side of the family got married in 2001. Needless to say, a lot has changed. But I had a really nice time. We had a good visit. In my 24 hours there I was able to spend meaningful time with most of the 6 kids, which pleased me very much.
From North Carolina I headed to South Carolina-I spent most of Christmas week at another Aunt and Uncle's house (same side of the family) with a day at Grandma and Grandpa Gates' on either end. It was nice to spend more than one night in the same bed and I had a total blast with my cousins. There are 4 of them, twins who were born 24 days before me, an 18 year old and an 11 year old. ALL GIRLS!! I have loved visiting them my whole life since I grew up in a "boy" house with 2 older brothers and they are 4 delightful girly girls. Since the twins are extremely close to my age, they are also my closest cousins and I just adore the whole family. We played lots of Dutch blitz, sang, talked, and watched Christmas movies. We got some sleep, but Christianne (one of the twins) and I tended to stay up late talking, so I was exhausted when it was time to leave.
Christmas day went remarkably well. It seems a bit of a blur since I was SO tired and it was so different than most other Christmases I've ever had. I think Thanksgiving was harder for me than Christmas. I was really nostalgic and missed my family and our traditions a lot. Christmas isn't as full of tradition for me, though it has a lot more eternal significance. I've been starting to ponder more what future Christmases will be like for me. I haven't been able to process these things yet. I haven't been able to journal as much as I'd like -I've been starting to ache for some alone time.
Well, time to cut it short. It is late. Blessings on you in this New Year!