Things are going great. After breakfast, chores were completed without even asking. When the bus was packed, we left for the first site. Well, that is after waiting around a while, of course. We spread out along the street outside the front gate and I enjoyed listening to people notice things, question things to each other, and soak in the fact that they were in Costa Rica. "Wow look how huge that bamboo is!" "Hey did you see that cat across the ditch?" "Is that the footbridge to the slum? Thats not just a foot bridge. Thats a whatever-kind-of-bridge-you-want-it-to-be as long as you aren't on it when it collapses." So rather than impatient North Americans, I found myself surrounded by inquisitive, patient, joking, joyful teammates. We arrived at the church and met the pastor. He told us about the church from North Carolina that did so much to help them and gave so much to them (When helping hurts....anybody?) But was quite relieved to find out how much they have in turn given back to their community and fundraise for themselves. Praise the Lord they have not grown dependent on that church. A number of youth and adults began cleaning the area where the purifier will go, as it was where garden waste, old boards and bricks were thrown. Glenn Roddy and the "water team" (for that day) and I went to the hardware store and met Carlos and got our supplies. While we waited, the youth were thrown back by the hospitality as we were served coffee and cookies while we waited. Roddy explained that he always treated EDGE folks like that since they have developed a good partnership.
Meanwhile back on the ranch (church) the health and hygiene team-for-the-day practiced the skits and prepared to be flexible. One woman in the church teaches cosmetology classes (hair/manicures/etc) to women every day and then leads a group session in the afternoons with women who are abused by their husbands, helping them to love themselves again. At debrief tonight Kim Pickett explained how she was inspired by this woman who had to shut down her own salon because she was volunteering too much at the church. That's right, she gave up her job to VOLUNTEER more!!! She said that sometimes its hard, but she trusts that the Lord will provide for her. Wow, that's faith if I ever saw it. Anyway, the H&H team taught for the afternoon group and then did exercises with them, listened and tasted as they shared recipes, and colored pictures with their children after school let out. One of the girls on our team was touched after finding out that last week a relative of the girl to whom they sang Feliz Cumpleanos (to teach how long to wash hands) died of dehydration, while one of the women there was the mother of another girl that died last week of water related sickness. Both completely preventable.
I watched Catherine and Carolyn light up as Roddy empowered and encouraged them by--after cutting the main water line himself--handing over the T, ball valve, and glue while saying without words, "you don't just have to watch, I trust that you can do it." Mark, Chay, Zach, and Hunter assembled the purifier with confidence and ease, blowing Glenn Roddy away. They knew exactly what to do and how to do it. Thanks Bob for the training. Catherine explained to the group tonight during debrief how she was impacted when she noticed that the simplicity does not limit their happiness, in fact it may even be freeing. We assigned pairs to pick a devotion to share for the next four nights and encouraged them to journal. Some really took that to heart, others we might have to wrestle to pick up a pen. If only they could see the benefit now.
We will be installing tomorrow at Iglesia Episcopal Costarricence Congregaccion Todos los Santos so prayer for them and their many ministries would be great. The mountains are beautiful the people are hospitable, life is beautiful in Costa Rica. Its tempting to just stay. But don't worry. I'll come back I guess.
Light sleepers are hoping Gallo the Rooster next door would take a hike. Maybe tomorrow he will start crowing at 4 instead of 3 AM. Gotta love God's creations.
"Lord, you see
the things you want me to do,
the people you want me to touch.
Left as I am
I can never be an instrument
of your grace to others.
Left as I am
I will be
an impediment,
a stumbling block.
You love me to much
to leave me as I am."
Lord change me.
Pura Vida, Nathan
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