Words of Wisdom

There have been many great speakers this week at orientation, but one particularly got our attention and his words really spoke to us.
His name is John Stam, now Juan Stam. Originally from the US, he and his wife have been missionaries here for 50 years and are now Costa Rican citizens. The Ticos can't even tell that he's a gringo anymore since he has acclimated so much to this culture.
During his talk he gave us tips for becoming trans-cultural, warnings against false theologies, and reported on the condition of the church in Latin America today. All fascinating!
He also encouraged us with some advice about this time of training. "The first thing I recommend is baptism by immersion" he said, pausing to add, "that is, immerse yourself in the culture, appreciate its music, memorize its poetry, pick a soccer team." "Second, get a good hearing aid and Listen! Listen! Listen!" "Lastly," he urged, "get some good camouflage. Try to blend in with the Costa Ricans and learn as Paul did to 'become all things to all men so that some might be saved.'"
Lately, we have been feeling anxious to do what we came here to do... build relationships with nationals and share the love of Christ. It feels like it's going to take forever to settle into daily life here, learn our way around, learn the culture, and learn Spanish! All at a level to be effective in our ministry.
Juan reminded us that Paul, after his calling to the mission field, had at least 13 years before he actually started his ministry. "What was he doing all that time?" Juan Stam asked. "I think he was learning the Gentile culture, learning the language, studying, and being prepared by the Holy Spirit to be a messenger for Christ!"
Just a little reality check.

You can visit Juan's website (en espanol) at www.JuanStam.com

Our First Day of School!

Each of us had our first day of school this week.




Caedon started daycare for the first time ever from 7:30-12. This part has been hard, with all the tears and separation anxiety...but that's just me...he's been fine! He has two Tica mamas, who only speak Spanish, taking care of him, holding him, singing songs, and playing outside. When we come to pick him up he's usually asleep, strewn across their laps along with 3-4 other kiddos, while they play with his hair or rub his back.




Kendyl is in Kindergarten and has made fast friends with the other MK's and Costa Rican kids too. She has an awesome teacher, straight from graduating in the US, and who knows Spanish as well. The classes are mainly in English but she has art, music, and an hour of Spanish every day with a Costa Rican teacher who only speaks Spanish.

Please be praying for Kendyl during this time. She is having difficulty with being over-tired after the full day of school and is tearful and frightened about the Spanish teacher not being able to understand her and vice versa.


Nathan and I have four days of orientation at language school before starting full speed next week. They have had awesome speakers and hilarious skits and we've learned a lot about Costa Rican culture, safety, visas, and the process of language acquisition. We will have placement tests and interviews to determine our current abilities and will be placed in groups of 4-5 people at our same level for classes. Our teachers are all Costa Ricans and only speak Spanish as well!
We are anxious to get started.

Jamie's Big Adventure!

Part of our crash course here has been on personal safety on the streets. Although Costa Rica is one of the safest Latin American countries, San Jose, like any major city, has it's fair share of crime. Luckily violent crimes are rare, although they are on the rise, and it is generally muggings and petty theft that you need to look out for. We've been taking our cues from the Ticos (Costa Ricans) themselves... no flashy jewelry or clothing, carry purses under your arm, spread out your money (some in your wallet, some in a pocket, some in your shoe) etc.

This week I (Jamie) walked to the grocery store...by myself! OK, I admit, it doesn't sound so adventurous but it sure felt like it. Nathan and I were both a little nervous about it, but decided that we couldn't live our lives in fear. Since we don't have cell phones, we figured it would take me about an hour and a half. A half to walk, half to shop, and half to get back. After that Nathan would worry. I got my list, said goodbye, and off I went.
I found myself very alert to my surroundings. There's 2 men standing at the corner, a woman is walking a few paces behind me, a motorcycle just drove by and turned around. Then I started practicing in my head saying, "Ayudame!" (help me) just in case.
I prayed the whole way there, and by the time I did my shopping, gave the correct amount at check out, and even asked someone for the time, I was feeling pretty good. When I got home I was all proud of myself. "You should be." my friend Karen said, "There are many language school students who couldn't do that the whole year!"

The Sidewalks of San Jose

The interesting thing about sidewalks here is that they are not maintained by the city. They are maintained by the homeowner whose property touches it. As you can imagine, this makes for not only a wide variety of styles, but of conditions as well.
Some are bright green or red stamped concrete, some your ordinary variety, some non existent. Most are riddled with cracks, potholes, and dips, rugged enough for a four wheel drive adventure! Not to mention the super slippery moss on shaded areas that is slick as ice in the frequent down pours. It does make the walk to school a bit of a job hazard, especially when you throw in the lack of crosswalks and whizzing taxis.
Actually, we have been throughly impressed with our $20 umbrella strollers that have managed to navigate surprisingly well! We have also enjoyed the exercise it brings as we each maneuver a stroller about 20 minutes up hill to school and back, sometimes twice a day.

Oh, and did I mention the "gringo catchers"? Basically uncovered manholes at the corner of most intersections, named such by the locals who have seen more than one unsuspecting foreigner fall prey to it's depths. In all seriousness, one student of our school a few years back fell in one and broke both legs!
Please pray for our safety as we get back and forth to school each day. We know the Lord is with us, every step!

E-Withdrawals

It's amazing how you don't even notice how much your life revolves around something until it's gone! When we left home I knew it might be a while before we got Internet access and I was looking forward to the reprieve. No emails to check, no searching eBay for items I don't even need, no Google searches to satisfy random curiosities. I'd have more time to enjoy more simple pastimes like...interacting with human beings!
Well, I was right, and I enjoyed it...for about 3 days (to no fault of the present company). All the information that was usually at my fingertips was gone! How would I find the map I needed, how would I check the bus schedule, how would I find a store, what if someone had an important message for me! AHHH!
Then the withdrawal symptoms set in. I found myself playing every standard game that came on my computer just to have screen time... but you can only play so much solitaire. Pretty sad. (On a positive note, I actually learned to play chess, which I find much superior on the computer, largely due to the undo button).
Actually, after 8 long days, I found that what I missed most was not the searches, or information, but the communication with human beings. I realized that the Internet was my porthole to my friends and family...and home. My symptoms were more about home sickness than anything else (at least that's what I tell myself).
So today, for better or for worse, I am now back in cyperspace! It's good to be back! :)
Jamie

Adios Amigos!

Well, we're off! We'll be landing in San Jose Sunday night at 8:45. After baggage claim and customs, our friends Douglas and Karen will meet us at the airport and take us (and our 13 bags plus strollers and guitar) to our new house! Please pray for super-human strength to get all 550 lbs of our stuff through the airports. Phew! We're gonna need it!
We want you all to know how much it has meant to us to have your friendships, prayers, and support! We thank God for you all the time!
Adios Amigos!

Pack 'N Play?

Can you find Nathan amongst all our stuff? He's the one grinning like a child on Christmas. Is it supposed to be so much fun packing our entire lives into 6 check-ons and 3 carry-ons? Nathan sees this as a challenge that he will conquer like the Olympic athletes we've been watching the last few days. As far as I (Jamie) am concerned, I'm happy being a spectator. In fact, wake me when it's over!






Here is the contender now...carefully wrestling the bag into position over the scale, calculating each bag to precisely 49.5 lbs. Just under the 50 lb limit. This is gonna be a close one.

I guess Caedon was hoping he'd make the cut! Don't worry little buddy...we'd never leave you behind! Besides you're way under the limit! Just Kidding!

Hasta La Vista, Baby!

In one week from today we will be on an airplane, half-way to Costa Rica!
Last night we had our Hasta La Vista Party at Jamie's parents house, our final farewell before our departure. We had a fabulous time with everyone and all the swimming, food, and games left us with so many great memories! The only thing that went wrong was... it had to end. We kept putting it off but eventually we gave our final hugs and farewells knowing it would be some time before we saw these beautiful faces again. Up until now our departure was far enough in the future that it felt like a dream, but after we waved goodbye and closed the door, all of a sudden it felt eminent! All that's left now is... to pack!

More Love!

We just couldn't keep ourselves away from the mountains, so yesterday we were up there again. This time we went to Calvary Chapel Lake Arrowhead, the place where we both went to church and school for parts of elementary school, Jr. high, and High school. Needless to say the memories of this campus go way back...all the way back to when we first met in sunday school in 1989!
Although this church has gone through many changes over the years, we still feel so connected here and we were incredibly blessed this Sunday! Our hearts were especially touched by Pastor Tom as he welcomed us, introduced our ministry to the church, and asked people to come up and pray for us. His words were so meaningful and we will cherish them for a long long time. This was the most emotional service yet as we were reunited with our roots and so many faces that we have missed the last few years. As you prayed, we felt your hands carrying our burdens to the Lord and it meant so much! We want to thank all of those who prayed over us that day...every one of you holds a special place in our hearts!