Tidbits

I am really enjoying having a blog. I probably could post on it more, but I am already quite busy and I don't know how many people actually read this (at least 10 that I know of, no wait, at least 15. Wow, I guess that's pretty good!). Well, dear readers, thank you for being faithful and caring and taking time to read the things that end up on here. If you don't know or couldn't tell, I am a verbal processor-I have to talk or write things through or else the same thought stays in my head like a lost driver stuck in a rotary. He just goes round and round and doesn't get anywhere. I don't use this as a journal, but I just can't help but process as I write. It's how I work. Bless all you people who listen to me when I talk!!!
So, here are a few things I'd like to share, as in, wow I could have made the May Carrie Chronicle so much longer!

Cousins in Costa Rica!!
My cousin Ian is currently in Costa Rica doing a two week intensive program. I am working on convincing him to study abroad here next spring, but we'll see. I got to see him twice this week. One we just met up and hung out and the second time we had a classic Costa Rican adventure. Samuel (youngest Honduran brother) was asked to play in a concert on Wednesday with an orchestra he doesn't normally play with. They really needed another cello, so he agreed. Well, somehow we were all under the impression that the concert was going to be in the Teatro Nacional. I was really excited because Ian got a tour of downtown San José and was dragged all over the city to everywhere BUT the Teatro Nacional. So this was the perfect chance to show my cousin one of my favorite places that he hadn't been to yet. Well, I am so grateful for my new cell phone because I called Ana at 6 to see if we were going to meet up and she told me the concert was at 7 (not 8 like I'd thought) and it was by La Sabana, the western end of San José. So, Ian and I got to take a taxi and meet up with Ana and things were crazy and I was a little disappointed. But, it worked out. They played a Symphony by Mozart that I recognized. And Samuel was so desperately needed because (he is a much better player than a lot of the other musicians and really because) they played a piece for a soprano and 8 cellos. Josué explained to me that it's like a mix of Bach and Brasilian. Pretty funky. I don't know how the girl could get any notes out her stiletto's looked so uncomfortable. And she couldn't smile either. (I know I wouldn't be able to if I had those shoes on!) Maybe it was a dark piece and she wasn't supposed to smile, but she didn't seem terribly expressive to me. Anyway, after the concert we went out for dinner and hung out. I was SO SO SO glad the Viera kids and Ian got to meet one another. That really meant a lot to me.

Rain!
They say April showers bring May flowers in the States. Well the seasons work a bit differently here. May is the beginning of rainy season. Today I committed the DREADFUL error of leaving home without my umbrella. I had my windbreaker "water resistent" jacket, but that did NOT suffice! I wrang out all my clothes when I got home. And one of the really nice guard men that works at the entry of the condos we live in made me borrow an umbrella to walk the rest of the way home even though I was already looking worse than a drowned rat. I'm going to have to make them cookies or something someday.
Have you ever had the feeling that someone is praying for you about something specific? Like something does or doesn't happen directly as a result of someone interceding for you? That happens to me sometimes. I am convinced that someone is praying hard for me not to get depressed throughout this rainy season. I typically get kind of gloomy and have less energy when it's cloudy and rainy a lot. Granted, there is usually sun in the mornings and I know that helps. And I know in November when it will have been rainy season for 6 months I might not still feel this way. But I know that it IS possible with faith and prayer. God is so beyond weather! I have again been reminded of all my "whether or nots." No matter what, God is ALWAYS worthy of all praise, glory, honor and adoration. And if you happen to be that person praying for me, THANK YOU! You don't have to reveal yourself though you can if you want.
I guess that's enough for now. Thanks for reading. And please know you are always welcome to leave comments or e-mail me. I love hearing what you have to say!

Tico Tuesday, May 26th

Today I would like to dedicate Tico Tuesday to my beloved parents who are celebrating 30 YEARS of Holy Matrimony! And, this is a chance for all of you who have never met these wonderful people to at least see their picture. What to say about Mommy & Daddy? In my (perhaps slightly biased) opinion they are the best parents in the world and Tico Tuesday is too short to describe all the things they have done for me and say how much I love them. They have been a marvelous example for me and I am so grateful to be their daughter!

Check out the blog to read some of my memories of my parents' previous anniversaries! Http://smithcj1.blogspot.com/

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Mommy and Daddy! I LOVE YOU! May you continue to fall more in love with each other and God each day.

Wondering how my church's missions conference went this weekend? Stay tuned for the May Carrie Chronicle coming later this week!

5 years ago and friend of my mom (Andrea) and I threw my parents a surprise anniversary party! Someone made a cake modeled after the one my parents had at their wedding, I brought along the wedding photo album, Andrea played a couple songs on her cello, and we had a really nice little party in the fellowship hall at our church in Maine.

I was really glad when Andrea called me and asked me to help her do something special for my parents' anniversary. Both my brothers were away, so I felt responsible for doing something but I was only a senior in high school and didn't really know what to do. So we sneakily planned for me to “babysit her kids”while she played a “mini cello concert” at church. The evening of the party I was SO hyper at dinner because I was excited for the party I can't believe I didn't blow it! I'm not sure if my parents were starting to get suspicious or not. As you might know, I am a TERRIBLE liar. But, I can keep a secret.

And I think it was that summer that my parents went on a big anniversary trip out west. My mom had been wanting to go back every since we toured the country when I was in 3^rd grade. (check out the post of my Family and it's Adventures to read about it.) So for their anniversary they went to a whole bunch of national parks out west-INCLUDING Grand Teton National Park! For some reason we didn't go to the Tetons on that 3^rd grade journey. How tragic! My parents' trip out there that summer was another factor in getting me to work there summer after my junior year of college. And how much has come from that summer!!Another summer there, friendships from all over the world that are lasting, significant improvement in my Spanish, hundreds of miles hiked, and an addiction to those majestic mountains! Anyway, I remember when my parents came home from that anniversary trip. They told me their mouths were sore from kissing so much. That is so sweet! I have been SO blessed to have parents who love each other and aren't afraid to show it. One thing I noticed a few (maybe several?) years ago is that every meal after we pray they kiss. I'm not sure how that tradition got started but I love it and plan to implement it when I get married too (whenever that will be!).

One of my first memories of my parents' anniversary was their 18^th,, when I was 10 (or maybe it was their 17^th? I think it was their 17^th because we were still in our house in New Jersey and not the apartment. Wow, I'd almost forgotten about living there!). Our friends the Hicks made them a cake in the shape of a heart. It was really sweet of them. How many lifetimes ago was that? Clearly, a lot. But I don't think I have ever forgotten their anniversary since. May God bless their marriage with more than 30 years more!

Missions in Motion

I'm getting really excited for my church's missions conference to start tonight. A guy is coming to give a seminar on the role/importance of missions (especially in a cross cultural context) tonight. Then, in the 3 celebrations (weekly services) Rolando will be talking about missionsy things. I think it's gonna be good. Normally we would invite someone to come, but this has all been sort of last minute since they decided to put off the missions conference until I could help plan it (and the guy we were going to invite got diagnosed with cancer). So, it got a little late to find someone who could come and share with us. Thankfully we already have a speaker lined up for next year-Rolando took advantage of the presence of Steve, the new president of the LAM when he came to visit my church me, and invited him to come next year. Sweet!

I'm also really excited because I GET TO TALK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE!! I love talking in front of people! Rolando asked me to do a presentation about missions in the world-where missionaries come from, where do they go, all about missions Cottton Eye Joe! (Ok sorry, that was weird. I'm in a very bubbly state right now.) Originally Rolando told me to prepare something 5-7 minutes long.

Ok, I started writing this post yesterday and didn't get to finish it. Oops. Well, the workshop last night was really good and there were about 35 people that came for it!! I was thrilled!

Tonight I'll give my presentation for the first time (and I get to give it again tomorrow in both celebrations). Wrapping up the story above-Rolando is letting me have 10 minutes to share! And it is going to be great. The speaker last night touched on a lot of things I'm going to talk about, so that makes me feel good-like I'm on the track with the topics I'm covering. And it will be really good for the people who were at the seminar last night to get some consistency in what their hearing about missions in the world.

I'm praying hard for this conference. And I need a lot of wisdom on how to do follow up. I have people that come to me and say they have a heart for missions. What do they mean? I feel like I'm supposed to do something for them to help them, but what? I can talk with them, listen to them, pray with and for them, but I feel like they expect me to do something amazing for them because I'm the gringa missionary. YEAH RIGHT! I'm just as clueless as they are. I am here to help them. I want to help and motivate and educate and pray for them and get them into action. But I don't know how. I must admit I feel grossly underprepared, unqualified to really help them. I know I do know a lot more than they do about missions. I'm pretty sure they haven't grown up with annual missions conferences with slideshows and people wearing funny clothes and kids singing and waving flags. They weren't in InterVarsity Missions Fellowship at Grove City College for 4 years. So, in my down time I've been trying to read up on stuff. It's just hard. Information dissemination is an issue. People don't look at the announcements or their bulletin. I don't know. Maybe I'm still having expectations of myself that are too high and Groverish. And I guess if people have unrealistic expectations of me that's their problem. I'm from the States, but that doesn't make me a superhero of any kind. And maybe just listening and talking and praying with them is the best I can do for them.

Anyway, I got a generous gift from a friend, so I am planning on using that the pay for the Perspectives on World Missions Class. It actually does exist in Spanish, but I'd like to take it in English first and then be able to refer that people take it. I've only heard amazing things about it and I think it will be really beneficial for me. Funny story about me registering. On the form I have my name (and I'm in Costa Rica), my aunt's mailing address in South Carolina, and my parents' phone number in Arizona. Oh, and it asks for my home church, so I put Grace Anglican (in Pennsylvania). That is my life in a nutshell!!

I feel like I've pretty much bared myself here. Maybe it seems like I'm not doing my job, like I'm a bad missionary or something. Maybe I'm too young and inexperienced. But, in spite of my youth and inexperience I know God has a plan for me. He has brought me here for a reason. Things haven't been quite what I would have hoped or expected, but God is hard at work here-in me and around me. So, stay tuned to see how things pan out. And please, PLEASE don't stop praying!!!

Tico Tuesday, May 19th

Tuesday greetings from Costa Rica!
This weekend I had the opportunity to visit a couple churches in a VERY rural area. We're talking dirt “roads” worse than you ever dreamed of and lots and lots of banana and pineapple plants. Anyway, these 3 churches were planted by people from the States, but they have run into some serious leadership problems and so now a man from our church (who also happens to be a pastor) is there helping restructure and trying to bring health to these churches. Two out of the three are very happy to be helped, but one church (the one pictured below) has not been very responsive and we still have some major concerns for it. Please pray for these churches.
Thanks! More details on the blog http://smithcj1.blogspot.com/
Have a blessed week!
Carrie

Ja! I finally beat you to my blog! Somebody helped me realize that it is smarter to post on my blog first and then send out the e-mail so that all you people that read your e-mail the instant it arrives (don't worry I do that too) and actually desire to read my blog (Yaay! Thank you!) have something to read when you get here. So, thank you whoever you are-I think it was Josué. If you happen to be a sojourning blog reader who doesn't get my e-mails and would like to, please leave me a comment or send me an e-mail and I will be delighted to put you on the list.
So anyway, I went to visit these churches in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. It took about 2 hours to get there. It was a gorgeous drive and I was really disappointed when I rediscovered that my camera battery had died. We got to go through the mountains. They are big a green, covered in poor man's sombrillas (umbrellas) and other lush green plants. The sky was a beautiful blue and it was just lovely. I went with Martha, a lady from my church (who is also the mom of my friends Andrés and Daniel) and her friend Nidia.
When we got to Puerto Viejo (not the one in Limón that is all famous for being Caribbean and Bob Marleyish. This Puerto Viejo is in the province of Heredia) we stopped and had a yummy tico breakfast of gallo pinto (black beans and rice with cilantro, onion, red pepper and sometimes other delicious ingredients) with eggs and Salsa Lizano (the most amazing condiment that food ever saw). Ok, sorry. I get a little parentheses happy sometimes. And I want to make sure you know what I'm talking about. Anyway, don Minor (the pastor guy from my church) met us at the soda where we ate and took us to see the church in Nuevo Progreso. We turned onto a stone “road” and then onto a grassy “street” and then a wide path that was dirt and rocks and potholes. The church is a small building with wooden benches inside. It was locked so I didn't get to see the whole inside. I'm not sure if they have anything that resembles a pulpit or not. This church is the newest of the three and was really just getting started when all the terrible things happened with the first pastor. We didn't go to a service there because of scheduling issues.
So, we headed to La Esperanza (the one in the picture-I don't think it has the sign on it anymore though) for the 10am service. It was interesting and kind of sad. The people there are really hurting and have been greatly misled. I think most (if not all) of them are believers, but they have a severely limited understanding of the Bible and the basics of their faith. They have not been receiving very good teaching. They didn't smile or greet us when they came in. They seem afraid. It's really sad. But in a way, it makes me excited and increases my faith. I have hope for them. I know that God is the only one who can work in and heal these people. It is beyond what man can do (and man can't do anything without God anyway). So, I am glad to put this into God's hands because I believe He can and will work in these churches. I am excited to see what becomes of them. A lot of evil and terrible things have been done, but making good come out of evil is what God does!
We had fish (luckily I was given a tail end- I prefer not to have my lunch eying me as I eat it) for lunch along with -you guessed it!- black beans and rice (and salad). A family from La Esperanza kindly took us in and shared their time, house, and food with us. This is one of the few families from that church that is actually wanting change and new leadership. Pray for them, as they are among the vast minority.
Yikes, sorry. This is getting to be a bit long. I'll try to practice being more concise.
There was a huge contrast between the people at La Esperanza and the people at Las Orquídeas (the 3rd church). The people at las Orquídeas smiled and greeted us. They didn't seem to have that fear gripping their hearts. It was obvious that they love and appreciate don Minor. It was really sweet. These people are also greatly lacking Christian basics, but Minor has started a class to teach them. So, I'm excited for them too.
It was a very long hot day. There were actually a couple times when I feared I might pass out, but God answered my pleas of “Oh God please don't let me pass out here!” I had some good conversation in the car on the way home with Martha and Nidia. So that was a blessing to me. I was really glad that it worked out for us to go together. Martha was great -she would just go right up to people and greet them as if she were welcoming them to her own church. She was so warm and friendly! People like that are so wonderful! Well, I think that's it. Please, please keep these churches in your prayers. Thank you!

Going Grover

In honor of my friends who graduated today and of my own graduation a year ago (WOW!!!!), I would like to address the topic of Groveranalyzation. Actually it's something I've been thinking about again and would like to share with you, but I do want to congratulate my graduated buddies. Anyway, if you are a Grover, you probably already know what I mean (but PLEASE keep reading!!!). If you think Grover and picture your cute, furry, blue little friend from Sesame Street, please allow me to explain. Grovers are students who go/went to Grove City College. Generally speaking, they are well known for being neurotic, overchieving, perfectionistic, Type A people. Any grade less than an A is disappointing. They are very intelligent and think through everything. So, that's basically what I think of when I think “Grover.” I used to be a lot more Grover. Actually, the longer I was at Grove City, the less Grover I became. Ironic, huh? But, I'm pretty proud of that.

You see, it is possible to think too much about things. (I remember in show choir Ms. LaBrie often told us we were analyzing to much and that we needed to just keep singing!) I start thinking about something. But then I realize how silly it is for me to be thinking that. And then I think about me thinking about what I was originally thinking about. Are you still with me? It's just a crazy “downward spiral to destruction” (“Whole Lotta Joels Singing” from high school anyone?) That is what I call “going grover” or “ groveranalyzing.” And I think sometimes it can be a good thing. We start thinking something and then we realize (or God shows us) that we are way off base and need to start again.

But, lately I have been realizing the real danger that comes with Groveranalyzation. I start to think about things like “how am I doing in my relationship with God?” I think it's a fair question to ask myself. But, if I conclude that I'm not growing then I have to think why I'm not growing and what might be wrong and if there is any outstanding sin in my heart/life. That sounds ok, and sometimes it is-but do you see the danger? Sometimes we're plugging along with God and we don't feel like we're making any progress. We haven't had a “mountain top” experience in a while or we're not feeling particularly close to Him. We're going through a hard time. But-I think we often do grow in those times. We just don't realize it in the moment. I have often gone through a hard time spiritually and then looked back once it was over and only then was able to realize just how much I learned and grew. Anybody follow me? I don't feel like I'm explaining myself as well as I could, but, I need to go. So, I encourage you to be careful-especially if you're a Grover. And check out the post on Tranquila.

Tico Tuesday, May 12th

Bonjour from Costa Rica!
Today's feature is the Teatro Nacional of Costa Rica, which is modeled on a 1 to 4 scale from the Paris (hence the bonjour) Opera House. Yes, the National Theater is 4 times smaller!! That makes me want to go to Paris someday to see the big version! But, the intimate atmosphere of the Teatro Nacional is really nice. I wish I could go into all the detail about the Coffee Elite who called for the building, the architecture and decoration that don't fit the time period in which they were built, the errors in the painting on the ceiling, the angel who is always watching you, and the floor that moves up to be even with the stage. But, Tico Tuesdays are brief. So if you want to find out, you'll just have to come see it for yourself! Check out my blog to find out why I got to go to the Teatro Nacional TWICE this weekend!
http://smithcj1.blogspot.com/ (Sorry about the typo last time!)


Yup, you read right. I got to go to the Teatro Nacional two nights in a row! It was pretty cool. It's so fascinating to go to a place with such a rich history. A couple ticos (Costa Ricans) that I went with had never been before, though they'd learned about it in school. (I had been once as a student to learn about it, once with my Mommy to show her when she came to visit, once for a great piano concert by a guy that was about 17, and once the other week for a concert that Samuel played in).

Friday night Josué played in a concert there. It was really good! I'm pretty sure all the pieces they played were by Costa Rican composers. It was so neat! There was a crazy violin solo piece in which I heard THE highest notes ever played on a violin, and one of the last pieces (if not the last piece) that they played was REALLY good. It was fun to watch because I could tell the musicians were really enjoying it too. And one of the pieces they played had some really unique stuff going on. Some snobby musicians might frown upon it, but the ones that have a real appreciation I think would like it. Example- the pianist was given a drumstick (one of the furry ones-sorry I don't know the technical names) and she had to reach under the lid of the piano and strum the strings of the piano! It was pretty cool. And one percussionist got to scrape his fingernails on the gongs they had (but don't worry it didn't make that dreadful nails on the chalkboard screech-that makes me shudder just writing it!). It made a nifty sound. So, that was Friday night.
Saturday, the decision to go to another concert was completely spontaneous. It was right about 6pm when Josué's friend invited him to go to a concert that started at 7. So, arrangements were quickly made and Diana (who had been hanging out at home with us) and I decided to go along too. The concert took place in the upper foyer area of the Teatro, that would have been used as a reception/mingling area back in the day. It has men's and women's smoking rooms attached to it. And it's the room with the angel on the ceiling that is always looking at you (it's not as creepy as it sounds).
Anyway, we saw a flautist and a guitarist that are either finishing up their masters or recently completed it. They are excellent musicians! The first 2 pieces they played were baroque, so they fixed them up good. The flautist used a wooden flute and the guitarist played in such a way that it sounded like he was mimicking a harpsichord! In my mind I was picturing them playing with tights on and white powdered wigs and big ruffly collars standing in the presence of some snobby lord trying to entertain him. It was so fun! They played a wide variety of other pieces, and a lot of them were Latin American in origin. They did a Debussy piece (or at least part of one) though and it was great!!!! There were other pieces in which they got creative with percussion too- the guitarist tapping and drumming on his guitar, and at one point the flautist picked up his music and was rubbing it to provide percussion. It was SO cool!! So, don't ever let anyone tell you that music is boring!!!!

Rainy Season

It's official. Rainy season has begun. The morning is mostly sunny and hot. But, the sky gradually clouds over and around 2pm, ready or not, here it comes! I have witness some of the heaviest rains I have ever seen in my memory recording life this week. It is impressive how much water can fall to the earth. I'm talking basically NO visibility for vehicles, flooding in the streets, and rain falling so loudly it's almost as loud as a concert. It's crazy. Absolutely crazy. Oh, and there are some impressive claps and booms of thunder along with some sweet lightning streaks.
I can't tell you how grateful I am for my new umbrella! But actually it didn't even do me that much good on Wednesday. I had to go to Santo Domingo de Heredia to meet with Emilia (see a previous post about her and Sheila. I think it's "Another Week in Costa"). She picked me up my the plaza (center of town), but I had to wait a few minutes and the downpour had begun. There was a bit of a wind so it was slanting under my umbrella and the rain was coming down so hard it was bouncing everywhere. AND, these hail ice-ish ball things fell for a couple minutes too. It was wild. Needless to say, I got soaked. But thankfully Emilia lent me some dry, warm clothes and dried mine while I was at her lovely house. And thanks be to God, it had stopped raining so I was dry for the trip home.
I had another adventure today due to the rain. I walked home for lunch as always, and it looked like the skies were going to open imminently. But thank God I made it home before getting drenched (though I am leanring to not leave the house without my sombrilla). It started to pour about 3-5 minutes after I got home. I opened the fridge to see what I could find for lunch and all of a sudden the light went out. Oh dear. I didn't think it was the bulb. The microwave helped confirm that, indeed, the power had gone out. Then I realized there was an obnoxious noise coming from inside the house. I walked over to the computer and it was squealing something like the dumb door alarms at Grove City-not quite as terrible as that ridiculous power box in my room in the Tetons this past summer. I was afraid to touch anything so I called Josué (accidentally interrupting his rehearsal for his concert tonight I'm about to go to) to get help. I wasn't sure exactly of what he said, but I got enough to figure it out and stop the noise.
The benefit of the rain is that it cools things off a little bit. The heat has been quite oppressive much of my time here. And this morning at church, someone bought a 4 pack of downsized Oreos for everyone who was working. I ate 2 and saved the other 2 to dunk in milk at home. I am SO my mother's daughter!! I dunked a half of one in cold milk and knew I had to make a cup of hot in order to do my Oreos justice. I was sitting by the slightly open doors (rain wasn't blowing in so it was just nice and coolish and dry there) so I could actually bear to have a hot beverage. It was a delightful experience! What an eventful lunch hour!
Off to the Teatro Nacional for Josué's concert!

Tico Tuesday, May 5th

Tuesday greetings from Costa Rica!
Friday I got the chance to participate in Tierra de Niños (Children's Land), a ministry led by a guy in my church that basically does a field day for kids that teaches them Christian values and presents the Gospel to kids. It's a really sweet setup. I got to co-lead a team with 3 other young people and we came in 2nd place!! (Each team won points throughout the day for winning games, having good behavior, cheering a lot, etc). It was really fun to be with kids-and it reminded me of just how much fun field day can be! I got to participate in a couple games, but I just watched and helped with the rest, even though I wanted to play! I guess I'm still a kid at heart. Can you guess what color our team was? More details will appear on the blog tomorrow http://smithcj1.blogpot.com.
Congratulations on making it here in spite of my brilliant lack of putting the "s" in blogspot in the e-mail! And, somehow my camera hiccuped and the other pictures I wanted to put on here have disappeared into oblivion (insert sympathy song here). I will put up pictures from La Carpio soon though. I promise. ANYWAY, Friday was really fun. This little girl I'm with in the picture is named Rebekah. She's 5 and she was the youngest girl on my team. She has quite a will of her own and didn't want to/was kind of too little to participate in a lot of the games, so I got to keep an extra eye on her for much of the day. She is pretty cute though.
If you look carefully at the picture you can see that her name is painted on the left shoulder of her shirt (other left). One of the first activities of the day is to paint a plain white shirt with your team colors. It was wicked fun! I didn't paint my shirt, but one kid on my team came wearing his plain white shirt already, so I basically got to paint it for him. His name was Bryan and I'd guess he's about 11 or so. I'm guessing you were able to figure out our team was RED! Or rather ¡ROJO! Hence, the shirt was painted red and we all wore pieces of red cloth somehow fixed on us. (The other teams were green, blue, and yellow. Sound like AWANA, anyone?) But, we were also assigned a shape. So we were rhombuses (rhombi?). Actually in English I'd say we were diamonds. But in Spanish our cheer that we made up was "Somos los rombos, somos rombitos, somos los grandes y los chiquitos, como los rombos están con Dios, ¡siempre seremos el ganador!"
The not so exciting translation would be "We are the Diamonds, we are the cute little Diamonds, we are the big ones and the little ones, since the Diamonds are with God, we will always be the winner!"
Back to T-shirt painting. The main symbol used with Tierra de Niños is the handprint. So, all the kids make handprints (with paint) on their shirts. It looks really cool. It was fun helping Bryan peel his hand off his shirt and restore his arm to a normal position after trying to make a handprint on his side/back.
In the middle of the day we did all sorts of fun field day games like an obstacle course, a form of dizzy bat, running around, carrying cups of water to try to fill up the bucket on the other side of the field, kickball, a one on one tug of war over a tire tube, link arms back to back and carry a soccer ball between you and the drop it in a bucket, and of course, FUTBOL. The only thing missing was the water balloon toss. Though I think it's probably better that one was not attempted because it probably would have just been a very wet failure. All the games they did were with the purpose of teaching the values of the day-tolerance and unity. And, I think they did a pretty good job of sreving their purpose.
The last activity of the day that we did was make letters with our team. The person leading the activity called out a letter and we had to creatively form that letter with all our bodies as a team. That was interesting. I think we were supposed to bond more as a team over the course of the day, but it was still pretty much mayhem trying to get everyone in the right spot doing the right thing. It was fun mayhem though. And for the very last letter they had 2 teams make a bit T together and the other 2 teams make a big N (for Tierra de Niños). They had us wave our hands in the air and took pictures. It was sweet. Well, the story just came to an N, so that's all for today!

La Carpio

This is going to be unfortunately brief, but I have very little time before everyone comes home and distracts me. Oh what a social extrovert I am!
I went to La Carpio on Wednesday (pictures to come soon). It is a really poor region close by. The main population is illegal Nicaraguan immigrants. Sound familiar anyone? Yes, Costa Rica and Nicaragua are a lot like the US and Mexico when it comes to indocumented people who come to stay a while. There is a lot of really rough stuff that happens there-violence, drug and alcohol issues, incest, rape, etc. But, Christ for the City has a really good ministry going on with a lot of social action that is making a difference in the community for Christ. They have a medical clinic, a dental clinic, an institute for girls (who can bring their babies along if they have any), a carperntry shop, a computer center and, of course FUTBOL!!! Actually the carpentry shop and computer center aren't running yet-they need teachers and for equipment to be assembled etc. But it's in the works. There are Bible studies and devotions included in pretty much every activity, which is great. For you family members or anyone who might have ever gone to Bethel Baptist Church in Cherry HIll, NJ it reminds me a lot of Salao Soccer-no Bible Sutdy-no play.
So, good things are happening in a rough place but there are still a lot of needs.
Oh, everybody's home. Time to run! More coming soon!