Throughout my time in Costa Rica, I have been writing down the events and adventures that I experienced on a daily basis. Each night I would grab my laptop and put the day into words. The good, the bad, and the unexpected are all recorded here. It has been helpful for me to write every day and process the events with a new perspective. I write this not just for my own sake, but to also to share the journey with you. With that said, enjoy!
This is an excerpt from week one:
Today started real early. Breakfast at 6, and Jherson (our ministry leader) to pick us up at 6:45. We had Gallo Pinto (a favorite Costa Rican breakfast that translates to ‘spotted chicken’), and it is honestly one of the best meals I have had. Leftover rice and beans, scrambled eggs, sour cream, and hot sauce. mmmmmmm, thats good.
We loaded up and headed to Roy’s house. Roy is Beth and Bryan’s (the couple we are staying with) landlord. He is of Korean descent, and his family owns many hotels and apartments around Costa Rica. He has never been open about his faith, but has always been pleasant with Beth and Connexion Ministries. Today we practically unloaded the whole of Roy’s attic. Sheet metal, iron rods, doors, gates, and one of everything else. We would toss light stuff off of the balcony, and carry the heavy stuff down the stairs through narrow doorways. My back is throbbing as I write this. If we continue to do this line of work, I will soon have the shoulders and biceps of Hercules.
After the metal sheets, doors, etc. were all on the road outside Roy’s apartment, we pulled the van and truck up, and started to load it all up. I thought to myself there was no way to fit all this into the truck, but I think I witnessed a miracle. Somehow it all fit. I suppose there is no such thing as a second trip here in Rica. Minutes later, we all loaded up and zipped down the narrow street. Suddenly the van ahead, driven by Don Salvador, stopped. He hopped out— now I say hopped and truly mean it– Don is a 73 year old man with the dexterity and agility of monkey. He climbs ladders, hops onto truck beds, and just about everything else. Arthritis… watch out for Don Salvador. A piece of metal had already come lose and was about to fall off. The solution? More rope! Rope is the solution to just about any minor problem here. Don grabs more rope and ties it up with his brown, leathery fingers. He is a man who has hands that will never be clean no matter how often washed. He is a working man, and has been his whole life. He hops back up into the drivers seat and we head off again.
We drive to the house where we are to begin construction, and Eli and I start to talk with some young boys. It is easy talking to kids in Spanish, as they speak near my level of broken Spanish. We ended up playing soccer before the unloading began. They ask us about out favorite teams, and if we have girlfriends. It was fun to talk with people who you have nothing in common except a love of a sport, and a few words to exchange.
We shortly thereafter unload the truck and say goodbye to the boys. After, we walk down a block to the house to continue the construction started a few day prior. When we enter the gate, we see that the roof is nearly finished, and the painting of the house has already begun. We continue to paint, and make little additions.
Shortly, we are called in for lunch. We were all so hungry, and the large servings of beans and rice, with some kind of fried egg patty, and fried plantains hits the spot! Nothing can beat home cooked food from a generous heart.
After lunch, we sat in the living room and began to doze off. Then Beth walked in and asked us if we want to go on a walk until we began work again. A few of us decide to go, so we grab Eduardo, a teen living in the house, and walk down the dirt roads. In this part of town, walking around with out a local is not smart. We walk off, and people on their porches stare and smile. It is like we were a traveling gringo parade. One guy even called to someone in his house, and another man came running out and greeted us in English. He was equally thrilled and shocked to see us there, and was excited to practice his English.
Soon Eduardo took us on a path that cut through the grass. It was magical. The dirt and dust of the slum faded, and the green lush foliage overwhelmed my senses. We saw coffee trees, and the most unique ants. The ants climb trees, tear apart leaves, and carry it in a single file line back to the hill. It was an incredible event of nature to experience. Soon we walked back to the house, and on the way were greeted by the same excited man who loved us gringos.
We returned home and find out that there is more work to be done, but at a house down the way. It is another family that is part of the Connexion ministry. It was a family that has been torn apart by divorce, but brought back together by familiar roots. This girl, Natalie, is the daughter of divorced parents. Her father was never part of her life, until an electrocution accident left him left him paralyzed and physically disabled. This accident forced him to move back in with his daughter and ex-wife to be taken care of.
Natalie works day and night to ensure the safety and care of her father. This care taker role has rebuilt and reconnected their relationship as father and daughter. Natalie recently got a job, so she could have a life outside of singularly caring for her father. Now that she is away, they needed help patching the roof.
When I saw the man laying on a thin mattress on the floor, I was filled with compassion. I felt like Jesus when He looked at the masses. I could only think to pray. I remember distinctly praying for a healing. I wanted to touch him, and pray aloud, but we were never permitted to enter the house. I asked God to raise him, to heal him. To return him to his normal and healthy state. I said it in my mind, but craved to approach him.
Once the roof job was complete, we all circled up and prayed for him. It was exactly what we needed.
The man did not raise, and he did not begin to heal. I will not lie, and be honest before God. I was disappointed. The only thing I can reason is that God’s plan is ultimate, and His will shall be done. This man’s injury and pain has helped to rebuild this family, and has given a woman a father. Through pain comes hope, and through hope comes joy.
We walked back to the construction site, and loaded in the van. Jherson wanted to take us out to play basketball at a local park. We get giddy and excited at the thought. While soccer is quite popular here, basketball is a close second.
When we get back to Beth and Bryan’s, we relaxed for a while, ate sandwiches and chips, then Jherosn arrived to bring us to downtown San Jose. When we pulled up, we whipped the van doors open, and ran to the courts.
Some local kids wanted to play us, so we played fours. They were nice, and one kid knew English. We won one game, and they won the other. I was dripping sweat, and my dry, light grey shirt transformed to dark grey and was completely wet. We drank all our water, and loaded up in the van, even smellier than before. We all breathed through our mouths, as it was over 24 hours without a shower, plus a sweaty session of basketball. It was miserable. I was in the back of the van, and the windows did not roll down. The AC was weak, and we were hot hot hot.
Luckily, we stopped at a local super market, and Hannah bought us Coke’s. How sweet. It was exactly what we needed. It was a moment of sweet bliss in the back of a hot and sweaty, electric blue van. The Coke commercials really are correct- life is better with Coke.
We finally reached home, showered and got ready for bed. It was a long day, and rest was needed. That shower was one of the nicest showers I have had, and I never wanted to leave. The cool peppermint soap relaxed my sore muscles, and it felt dang good to wash the sweat off. And to top it all off, clean clothes and a soft bed. I was asleep before my blanket covered me.
Tomorrow we have an off day, so we will be sleeping in and relaxing. There were talks of zip lining and farmers markets.
I miss my family.
Buenos noches from Costa Rica.
