I'm half way through my time here in Costa Rica! Friday was my last day working with the elementary students, and Monday I'll start with the 9th and 10th graders. I'll be with the high school for 5 weeks, then my amazing family comes to Costa Rica! My time here has gone by so fast. It's hard to believe that I've lived in a foreign country for a month and a half. I've become so accustomed to the way of living here, so I anticipate adjusting back to my life in the states will be a little challenging. I still haven't had any serious homesickness yet, but I think about friends and family everyday and miss them all so much.
So the swimming unit with the elementary students went really well. I thoroughly enjoyed being by the pool every day, and the students were all so excited to be swimming that it made my job easier to teach them a new stroke, breaststroke. We worked on breaststroke all 3 weeks. It was a new stroke for most of the students, so they needed a lot of repetition and practice to really learn it. Thankfully it was my favorite (and maybe even best) stroke from when I was on neighborhood and year-round swim teams, so it was fun for me to get to pass those skills on to the students. I talked to the high school PE teacher some on Friday and got the low down on what was going to happen the next 5 weeks. It got me really excited to start with them on Monday.
Now to fill you in on my trip to Panama! So the 5 of us left after school last Thursday (the 16th) for Bocas del Toro, Panama because the other 4 student teachers had to leave the country for 72 hours. You cannot be in Costa Rica for more than 90 days without a visa, and they are all going to be here longer than 90 days, so I jumped on board for the trip (wouldn't you?!). Bocas del Toro is a province comprised of the mainland and several large islands. Our hostel was on Bastimentos island. To give you a quick summary of the location (to not make you too jealous), there was clear water, cream colored sand, tropical fish, starfish, neon coral, delicious food, diverse culture, fire dancing, beautiful sunsets, warm and sunny weather, and sloths! We all had such an amazing experience, and if it wasn't such a pain to cross the border, we would probably go again. Speaking of crossing the border, to cross the border on the Caribbean side, you have to walk across a bridge. This bridge was just wide enough to fit an 18-wheeler, it was made out of rail ties and lose planks of wood, and it crossed over a wide river a looooooong ways down. Cool, right? Thankfully I'm not afraid of heights :) God really did keep us under his wing this trip though. We had no problems crossing the border, with the exception of buying an unnecessary $14 bus ticket. We had beautiful weather, no sicknesses, safe travels both ways, and we got to see even more of His beautiful creation.
Here's part 1 of our crossing
And part 2 (a little boring, but you see what I mean with the bridge...)
A few weeks ago Lauren, Erica and I joined a Bible study on Heaven. The study book we're using is by Randy Alcorn, and so far I'm really into it. We missed the meeting last Monday because we were still on our way back from Panama, so I'm a little behind on the days right now, but I'm starting to get a better idea of what Heaven will be like. To be completely honest, I have never really thought about what Heaven will look like. I've read many verses talking about it, but the only images in my head that I've had are streets made of gold, seeing loved one who have passed away, living with no pain or sickness, and most importantly just being with my Father and Jesus Christ. So from the book I've gathered that the two sides of what people picture Heaven as are that it is either a physical place or completely spiritual (where we don't have bodies and we're just spirits floating around). I believe it will be a physical place, and from the little reading in the book I've done so far, I'm starting to see it as a New Heaven and a New Earth. Now my thinking might be a little off, but basically I'm picturing Heaven as a perfect earth, where there are buildings, gardens, kingdoms, feasts, people, and where everything is living! And this is just the beginning. It looks like this book covers a lot from what Heaven will look like, what we will do, and getting deeper into redemption and Christ's resurrection.
Today Jessica, Kelly and I went on a hike up a mountain about 15 minutes away from our house. It was one of if not THE most challenging hikes I've done. On the way up though, there are 3 giant crosses you pass, each one different from the other. When we started our hike, it was cold, overcast, and very windy, which actually made the hike better than if it had been sunny and hot. At first we weren't exactly sure which trail/dirt road to follow, but once we made it to the first cross, we were straight :) This mountain overlooked Escazu, San Jose, and probably one or two other towns. It was so cool looking out over the cities we've been in for the last 6 weeks! It was so beautiful too because there were still other mountains and fields on the outskirts of the cities, buildings, and homes. On the way back down, the clouds cleared up, so we were able to see from even farther up. I think the pictures will explain it best...
This is the first cross, but the pic was taken on the way down when the sun was out :)
The second cross
The third cross
But anyways, like the title of this blog says, I'm living on a lot of prayers. I know that so many of you who are reading this have been praying for me while I've been here, and even before I left for CR. Let me tell you, they are strongly felt. I've felt God's love for me so much the last 6 weeks, and I know it is ONLY because of Him why this trip has been so amazing. He's opening my eyes even more to the hurting people of this world, and He's continuing to grow a desire in my heart to love on them no matter their background, attitude, values or beliefs. Thank you again for your prayers and support!! I can't wait to get back and tell everyone more about my time here.
Love to you all, God bless, and pura vida
No comments:
Post a Comment