Pura Vida Mae!

As I sit on my bed trying to think of what to say at 2:00 a.m., while having received a grand total of zero hours of sleep this past evening/morning, I am struck by the sheer fact that I have only a few precious hours left in this country. Three months of new studies, people, and places have boiled down to this one hour before I head to the airport and 4 hours until airplane wheels will be lifting off the ground. 

I have been thankful for my time in Costa Rica. It was unlike pretty much everything that I had in mind, but in a good way--a way that reminded me that, in life, a lot of your expectations will be broken. And yet, somehow, when one has faith in the fact that whatever happens happens according to a greater plan, it doesn't matter which way the scales tip. God is able to bring joy and the building of character in the midst of it all and that is what matters.

Looking back on these three months, I have a lot to be thankful for. My two lovely roommates were a blessing beyond what I had dared to hope for. They were not only somewhat normal, but they became good friends too. And I definitely couldn't leave the Rivera Romero family (Frank, Nielsy, Kevin, Gabriel, Maria Jesus, Diana and Juan Daniel) off of this list of people I am thankful for from this trip. They not only drove out of their way to take me to church, but they brought me into their lives and let me become a part of their family. The youth group from their church was also extremely welcoming, which was a huge blessing to me because it was hard to make friends with ticos my age while being here. They even made me a goodbye poster with pictures from my 4 Sundays with them. 

Altogether, I can say that I am leaving Costa Rica a richer person--definitely not monetarily, but in the relationships I have been blessed to have and lessons I have learned. Thank you, all of you who have been praying for me or have stayed in contact with me throughout my time here in Costa Rica. Your prayers and words have meant a lot and I look forward to being able to maintain that contact this summer as I start my next adventure. And now, 20 minutes until I start to close this chapter and begin another, I will bid you all adieu and go brush my teeth, so I don't have funky breath on the plane. 


Pura Vida Mae! Chau!






P.S.--'Mae' is a slang term used here in Costa Rica to mean friend.

And here is a final picture. I took it from a hill overlooking the Orosi Valley when I was hiking around with the Rivera Romero family.

Coffee Steeping on An Open Fire and Saying Farewell

Easter this past Sunday was much different than the Easter that I have grown up with. In all reality, we didn't celebrate it. I went to church again with Frank and Nielsy's family and the pastor of the church didn't even mention the fact that it was Easter. At first I was slightly shocked and frustrated that everyone was discounting what I had seen my whole life as the basis of the Evangelical Christian faith. But, as I have been thinking about it more, I came to realize that the Easter we celebrate is a a time to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection, but is, nonetheless, an American-made holiday. Nonetheless, we spent wonderful time as a church congregation lifting our praises up to the Lord and then, in the afternoon, hanging out with the youth group at a local park. 

I got to bring Dominique along, which was a lot of fun. She still has a hard time understanding Spanish but I think she enjoyed herself in spite of it all. My favorite part of our time at the park was when we built a fire in an old tire wheel and made coffee with a traditional Costa Rican coffee maker (a chorreador). As we were making it, it started to rain, but we continued with our task and it was lovely drinking hot coffee in the refreshing wetness of the rain. 

Today is the last full day that Jo will be here in Costa Rica. She leaves tomorrow for the airport at 3:30 in the morning. It doesn't feel real when I think that, tomorrow when I wake up, someone who I have gotten to know really well over the past 3 months will be gone and I may never see her again. 2 thoughts come to mind however, in regards to this topic. The first is the quote, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." The second is a hymn called, "God Be with You till We Meet Again". Though I am sad to part ways, I have been so incredibly blessed these past few months with two roommates who are wonderful, funny people and who made my time her memorable. I couldn't have asked for better. 





Pictures from Easter Sunday are attached here:

Dom laughing after having fallen from kicking the ball. This is probably the best picture of her smiling that I have from the entire 3 months. Yippee!

Fire Roasted Coffee!

Soccer!

Nielsy embracing her inner-child.

Nielsy y yo.

The lovely ladies of the youth group.

The family dog, Blackie.

...and the men of the youth group.

A beautiful tree-scape. 

The coolest root system on a tree that I've ever seen!

5 more days...

Chau!