I am now back home in the States. It was a pretty strange transition at first. While Josh, Ali, and I were waiting in the Houston airport, we felt bombarded by all the televisions, filled with useless ads and political news. After coming from a time in my life where my eyes have been more opened to the bigger issues in the world other than the American dream, the emptiness of a lot of the non-worthy things that people chase after seem so blatant. We were also amazed by all the variety of food places available the airport. Our first meal in the States was Panda Express, and we were excited to have Chinese food!
Anyhow, its been great seeing family and friends these couple of weeks. I just moved back to Boulder, Colorado, and am currently seeking what I should do next. I am in hopes of finding a job at an Architectural Engineering firm. I feel like I should pursue a career in this direction for now to see if it is right and to get more experience under my belt. However, I want to dare to live fearlessly and to be open to any new opportunities that Lord puts in my path.
Once again, I would like to thank all of you for all of your support both financially and prayerfully! I wouldn’t have been able to go on this opportunity without your help! I am so grateful for all that the Lord has taught me and for all that I have been able to experience. THANK YOU!!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
What is the true meaning of love?
“If you asked twenty good men today what they thought the highest of virtues, nineteen of them would reply unselfishness. But if you had asked almost any of the greatest Christians of old, he would have replied love. You see what has happened? A negative term has been substituted for a positive, and this is of more than philological importance. The negative idea of unselfishness carries with it the suggestion not primarily of securing good things for others, but of going without them ourselves as if our abstinence and not their happiness was the important point. I do not think this is the Christian virtue of love. The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we follow Christ.” From the “Weight of Glory” by C.S. Lewis
“Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself- to serve for the benefit of another person.” From “The Shack”
“Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself- to serve for the benefit of another person.” From “The Shack”
Don’t waste your life!
“In life we have two plans we can follow- the culture’s plan or God’s plan. Culture’s plan says to find your groove, settle and establish, earn and save, consolidate and maintain speed, and die- or you can choose to run towards God’s plan…’follow me with abandon at every age with eager expectation that I will use your life for my purposes in the world. Risk always. Never completely settle. Always look toward Heaven for answers. Be mine. Be different. Die gloriously. Quote from Louie Giglio
During my time in Costa Rica, we did a bible study on the book, “Don’t Waste your Life,” by John Piper. I recommend this book to anyone who knows there is more to life than what society tells us. This book is changeling and you won’t be the same after reading it!!
During my time in Costa Rica, we did a bible study on the book, “Don’t Waste your Life,” by John Piper. I recommend this book to anyone who knows there is more to life than what society tells us. This book is changeling and you won’t be the same after reading it!!
Goodbye party and a farewell to our church
The last Saturday I was in Costa Rica, we had a goodbye lunch with our host families to get together and celebrate the times that we have spent together these past months. It was a great time of cross cultural fellowship; as we shared lunch together at Tom’s house and really enjoyed each other.
Then that next day at church, all of us interns and Tom went up in front of everyone to acknowledge and thank the church and all of the host families. In order for be to be able to speak in front of a crowd of Spanish speakers, I had to write all that I wanted to say in Spanish on a card to take up with me. It was a real testimony to myself about how far and how much Spanish I’ve learned since I first arrived in Costa Rica. We then presented them beautiful tropical flowers. This was the least we could have done for them!
Then that next day at church, all of us interns and Tom went up in front of everyone to acknowledge and thank the church and all of the host families. In order for be to be able to speak in front of a crowd of Spanish speakers, I had to write all that I wanted to say in Spanish on a card to take up with me. It was a real testimony to myself about how far and how much Spanish I’ve learned since I first arrived in Costa Rica. We then presented them beautiful tropical flowers. This was the least we could have done for them!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Celebrating the 4th of July in Costa Rica….sadly no fireworks here.
Celebrating the 4th of July in another country can be very interesting. There sadly weren’t any fireworks for us to watch, but luckily we did have each other (Tom and his family and us interns) as fellow Americans. After a full day of work at the office, we headed over to Tom’s house for some games and festivities. Tom’s three kids and his wife, Debbie, planned some really fun games for us to do together. We started out with a couple of obstacle course games indoors (it was pouring outside ☺), then to a leapfrog competition, American history trivia, and then a flag-making contest. We then shared a wonderful American type meal with hotdogs, a big salad, baked beans, and a potato salad. After dinner, we watched a very American football movie called, “Facing the Giants.” Then to top off the night we had an excellent chocolate cake decorated as the American flag!
Trip to Bocas del Toro, Panama
Ali, Josh, and I got to take a trip down to the islands off of Panama for a weekend. It took us about 6 hours on 2 different buses and then a 1 hour ride on a speed boat to the island, Bocas del Toro. On the way to Panama, there were tons and tons of banana plantations; I was in shock of how many there were. Seriously Chiquita and Dole know what they are doing.
Anyhow we rode in a speedboat through rivers that had some random houses (wooden shacks) constructed in this very marshy area, it really blew my mind to think that people live there in such primitive conditions. The river then opened up to the ocean and then many islands came into view. It was fascinating to see how people lived on these tiny islands, with only boats to construct all that they had. And there was surprisingly a lot of development in the main part of the island. Our speedboat then docked up to the “boat stop,” where there were over 10 water taxis and a trash boat.
The next day we got to go on a mini snorkel trip, where a boat took us out to a spot in the ocean, and we hopped out and went snorkeling. The water was pretty crystal clear even though the sky was overcast. Under the water, it was a whole new world; with so many varying types of coral and creatures. Ali and I actually spotted a stingray! After getting over the shock of seeing a stingray, we followed behind cautiously in complete awe. The stingray was dark brownish and polka dotted, actually very beautiful. Then a little bit later that day, we were swimming along, and then bam!, we saw a barracuda just resting right in front of us!! After that initial shock, we stared at it multiple times. The barracuda could have easily been as long as 2 and half feet. What an awe-inspiring experience!!
Here are some pictures of our experience in Bocas del Toro:
Anyhow we rode in a speedboat through rivers that had some random houses (wooden shacks) constructed in this very marshy area, it really blew my mind to think that people live there in such primitive conditions. The river then opened up to the ocean and then many islands came into view. It was fascinating to see how people lived on these tiny islands, with only boats to construct all that they had. And there was surprisingly a lot of development in the main part of the island. Our speedboat then docked up to the “boat stop,” where there were over 10 water taxis and a trash boat.
The next day we got to go on a mini snorkel trip, where a boat took us out to a spot in the ocean, and we hopped out and went snorkeling. The water was pretty crystal clear even though the sky was overcast. Under the water, it was a whole new world; with so many varying types of coral and creatures. Ali and I actually spotted a stingray! After getting over the shock of seeing a stingray, we followed behind cautiously in complete awe. The stingray was dark brownish and polka dotted, actually very beautiful. Then a little bit later that day, we were swimming along, and then bam!, we saw a barracuda just resting right in front of us!! After that initial shock, we stared at it multiple times. The barracuda could have easily been as long as 2 and half feet. What an awe-inspiring experience!!
Here are some pictures of our experience in Bocas del Toro:
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Cute as a fish (Yes fish are cute :)
Here are some pictures from the swimming time at the orphanage. These kids are so cute and fun! I had to share their adorable faces!The Lord is definitely blessing our times at the orphanage. Ali and I get to spend half the day there every Thursday, and it has become my favorite day of the week. It truly is so rewarding to work with the kids, something I haven't quite experienced before. So now, I'm brainstorming ways that I can continue to volunteer with kids when I return back to Colorado. My friend Sarah in Boulder volunteered last year with an after school type program at a family-assisted living neighborhood in Boulder. This community also spoke mostly Spanish, so that would be a great place to practice my Spanish too. Anyhow lets hope that I'll have time to volunteer and not get sucked into a crazy working schedule.
Also at the orphanage, Josh and Brad were able to help with the storm draining problems at the orphanage. Josh and Brad were able to do a mini survey of their land and scout out the best solution for the drainage. I know, its cool stuff! :)
Well here are the pictures:
I ate cow tongue- the things a person will do to stay culturally sensitive…and a visit to a finca (farm)…
Since being here in Costa Rica, I have been stretched in many ways. Not in real dramatic ways, but stretching nonetheless. One of those ways being eating meat in general. Before coming down to Costa Rica, I virtually became a vegetarian. This is because I simply don’t like eating meat in general, and I’ve found that my body isn’t too fond of meat. However, just like in many other countries, meat is a main meal item. Here in Costa Rica, a ‘typical meal’ is one with rice, beans, plantains, and of course some sort of meat. So as you can imagine being a vegetarian can become a difficult task, especially when you aren’t able to cook for yourself. My host family loves eating meat, and of course thought it strange that I didn’t. But with my desire to be culturally sensitive, I have learned this means to open my mind and stretch myself in ways I wouldn’t naturally do.
So on Sunday, my host family and I went to my host mom sister’s house located in a very beautiful part of Costa Rica. Their house is gorgeously on top of a big hill surrounded by many green hills/mountains. They also have a pretty spacious farm with many chickens, geese, parrots, corn fields, and many fruit trees. So cool, I loved it. I took tons of pictures and got to hold both of the mini parrots on my hand. They were so beautifully and creatively colored- bright green, orange, blue, and red. They were suprisingly gentle and the two parrotkets were the best of friends. It was so cute to see how attached they were to each other. Anyhow, for lunch the main menu item was cow tongue. At first I thought they were joking, but then realized this was for real. So, since I was already served a plate and everyone else began eating, I decided I had to do it. So there I went from hardly ever eating any meat to eating cow tongue. Something I had never really imagined doing.
There has been several other instances that I have been challenged with making the choice to step down from myself and be culturally sensitive. Another instance was when I was asked to take out the nose ring that I have had for almost four years now. I was asked this because the Christian church here in Atenas that we go to is really conservative in general. And since I live with the pastor and family, they brought it my attention that many people sometimes think that people with piercings and tattoos are assumed to be involved with drugs or have problems with authority. My host family of course knew who I was and knew better than to think this about me, but they wanted to bring it to my attention. So since I am down here to be a servant to the people here, I decided to stay culturally sensitive and take it out. It took a lot for me to not go against the grain of what they were saying and to not attempt to try to change their way of thinking. Through this I am slowly learning to be patient and willing to give up my “rights” as a person for the sake of not causing another brother/sister in Christ to stumble. Also, I’ve realized that we are just so lucky in the US, with so much diversity and acceptance that saving face isn’t completely necessary in light of knowing the truth.
So on Sunday, my host family and I went to my host mom sister’s house located in a very beautiful part of Costa Rica. Their house is gorgeously on top of a big hill surrounded by many green hills/mountains. They also have a pretty spacious farm with many chickens, geese, parrots, corn fields, and many fruit trees. So cool, I loved it. I took tons of pictures and got to hold both of the mini parrots on my hand. They were so beautifully and creatively colored- bright green, orange, blue, and red. They were suprisingly gentle and the two parrotkets were the best of friends. It was so cute to see how attached they were to each other. Anyhow, for lunch the main menu item was cow tongue. At first I thought they were joking, but then realized this was for real. So, since I was already served a plate and everyone else began eating, I decided I had to do it. So there I went from hardly ever eating any meat to eating cow tongue. Something I had never really imagined doing.
There has been several other instances that I have been challenged with making the choice to step down from myself and be culturally sensitive. Another instance was when I was asked to take out the nose ring that I have had for almost four years now. I was asked this because the Christian church here in Atenas that we go to is really conservative in general. And since I live with the pastor and family, they brought it my attention that many people sometimes think that people with piercings and tattoos are assumed to be involved with drugs or have problems with authority. My host family of course knew who I was and knew better than to think this about me, but they wanted to bring it to my attention. So since I am down here to be a servant to the people here, I decided to stay culturally sensitive and take it out. It took a lot for me to not go against the grain of what they were saying and to not attempt to try to change their way of thinking. Through this I am slowly learning to be patient and willing to give up my “rights” as a person for the sake of not causing another brother/sister in Christ to stumble. Also, I’ve realized that we are just so lucky in the US, with so much diversity and acceptance that saving face isn’t completely necessary in light of knowing the truth.
Anyhow, here are some fun pictures from the finca (p.s. I survived from eating the cow tongue ☺)…
(As you can tell I love birds!)
(As you can tell I love birds!) Monday, June 16, 2008
While in Costa Rica do as the Ticos do?
These are all peculiar things that I have noticed and pondered since living in Costa Rica.
- Saying “pura vida,” which means “pure life” can be used in response to several situations. When asked how you are doing, “pura vida” is definitely the choice response. When doing something challenging, yelling out “pura vida” seems to create new motivation. This phrase can definitely pass as Costa Rica’s motto.
- The smell of burning sugarcane is a daily scent in the air. There are tons of sugarcane fields here, where the technique of gathering the sugarcane is to burn the field to get rid of all the unwanted greenery and snakes, and when all that is gone, the sugarcane stalk remains. It’s a mystery to me of how the stalk doesn’t burn. As a result of the burning, there are often brunt flakes floating through the air like snowflakes. Oh it’s Christmas in Costa Rica. ☺
- I know this sounds kinda ridiculous, but dang do I miss carpet!! There is just absolutely no carpet to speak of here in Costa Rica. All the floors in houses are laid with ceramic tile or concrete. I haven’t seen carpet in like 5 months, and I never knew I had an appreciation for carpet until now. So now I long to just have the freedom of laying down on nice comfy carpet…
- The typical Costa Rican dish is called a “casado,” which consists of rice, beans, plantains, some sort of “salad” (usually shredded cabbage with carrots drenched in lime juice, there is no such thing as salad dressing here), and either meat, chicken, or fish. It all sounds good until you have it everyday. I really don’t know how much more rice and beans I can handle, but once again this makes me appreciation how lucky I am in the States to have so much variety of food from so many different cultures.
- Another dish that Costa Ricans can’t live without is called “gallo pinto,” which is a mixture of rice and beans stir-fried together. Gallo pinto is the choice food for breakfast. Also never underestimate the versatility of ham, otherwise know as “jamón.” Jamón comes in pizza, with your hamburger, the choice meat for sandwiches, and sometimes comes with a piece of bread for breakfast. Mmmm…but not for a person like me who doesn’t like meat.
- One method of advertising here is to attach a huge speaker system to the top of a truck and drive around town. Multiple times a day, you can hear loud radio advertisements blasting at full volume from a driving car. Must be an effective way of advertising!
- Costa Ricans are called “Ticos” because they often add the verse “tico” to the end of words. For example the word for “a little” in Spanish is “poco,” but in Costa Rica it is “pocotico.” Its actually pretty cute to hear.
- This one was hard to wrap my head around, but there are no street names or building numbers to speak of. Even in the capital city, San Jose. It truly is a wonder how people find their way. Directions are only given by landmarks and distances. So incredibly confusing. However, the two main highways are labeled luckily.
- Lastly I would like to debut the best cookies in Costa Rica, called “Chicky Blak.” Now Chicky Blak is a chocolate cookie similar to Oreos, but is only one-sided and has chocolate frosting. This cookie is great with milk, but is great general. Here is a picture of the wonder.
- Saying “pura vida,” which means “pure life” can be used in response to several situations. When asked how you are doing, “pura vida” is definitely the choice response. When doing something challenging, yelling out “pura vida” seems to create new motivation. This phrase can definitely pass as Costa Rica’s motto.
- The smell of burning sugarcane is a daily scent in the air. There are tons of sugarcane fields here, where the technique of gathering the sugarcane is to burn the field to get rid of all the unwanted greenery and snakes, and when all that is gone, the sugarcane stalk remains. It’s a mystery to me of how the stalk doesn’t burn. As a result of the burning, there are often brunt flakes floating through the air like snowflakes. Oh it’s Christmas in Costa Rica. ☺
- I know this sounds kinda ridiculous, but dang do I miss carpet!! There is just absolutely no carpet to speak of here in Costa Rica. All the floors in houses are laid with ceramic tile or concrete. I haven’t seen carpet in like 5 months, and I never knew I had an appreciation for carpet until now. So now I long to just have the freedom of laying down on nice comfy carpet…
- The typical Costa Rican dish is called a “casado,” which consists of rice, beans, plantains, some sort of “salad” (usually shredded cabbage with carrots drenched in lime juice, there is no such thing as salad dressing here), and either meat, chicken, or fish. It all sounds good until you have it everyday. I really don’t know how much more rice and beans I can handle, but once again this makes me appreciation how lucky I am in the States to have so much variety of food from so many different cultures.
- Another dish that Costa Ricans can’t live without is called “gallo pinto,” which is a mixture of rice and beans stir-fried together. Gallo pinto is the choice food for breakfast. Also never underestimate the versatility of ham, otherwise know as “jamón.” Jamón comes in pizza, with your hamburger, the choice meat for sandwiches, and sometimes comes with a piece of bread for breakfast. Mmmm…but not for a person like me who doesn’t like meat.
- One method of advertising here is to attach a huge speaker system to the top of a truck and drive around town. Multiple times a day, you can hear loud radio advertisements blasting at full volume from a driving car. Must be an effective way of advertising!
- Costa Ricans are called “Ticos” because they often add the verse “tico” to the end of words. For example the word for “a little” in Spanish is “poco,” but in Costa Rica it is “pocotico.” Its actually pretty cute to hear.
- This one was hard to wrap my head around, but there are no street names or building numbers to speak of. Even in the capital city, San Jose. It truly is a wonder how people find their way. Directions are only given by landmarks and distances. So incredibly confusing. However, the two main highways are labeled luckily.
- Lastly I would like to debut the best cookies in Costa Rica, called “Chicky Blak.” Now Chicky Blak is a chocolate cookie similar to Oreos, but is only one-sided and has chocolate frosting. This cookie is great with milk, but is great general. Here is a picture of the wonder.
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