I am currently sitting in our Hostel here in Granada, Nicaragua thinking about how much I need to write a blog post. It’s been a little strange to be back with my whole squad for these four days of debrief (basically just processing our first month of the race with our leaders and each other). I’m not exactly sure why, but it almost seems like a culture shock.
The last few days in Costa Rica were a bit of a blur. On Saturday (the 3rd), we helped Conexion put on a concert, which was an all day affair. It was long and tiring but very fun and rewarding. We had car problems on the way home, adding almost two more hours onto our already 15 hour day. But God is good and it was neat to see how the Conexion team pulled together to get the car up and running (this involved other members driving 45 minutes from their home to come help us).
The next two days we had free and spent them exploring with the Tatums.
First, we enjoyed this mountaintop view over the town of Orosi.
Here ^^ is my team with Beth, our ministry host mom.
We also got a chance to check out some old ruins.
The next day we planned on spending at the beach. About two hours into the drive, the front right tire of the Rover started making a horrific clanking sound. We stopped to check it out but couldn’t find anything obviously wrong with it. Bryan figured it must be a wheel bearing. We didn’t have much of a choice, so we continued slowly onto the next town, praying for a car repair shop to cross our path. Thankfully, our prayers were answered when we came upon a gas station with a repair garage just inside the town. A mechanic came over the check it out right away but didn’t have the part. He said he should be able to get it within a few hours. In Costa Rica, people will give you the answer they think you want to hear whether it’s the truth or not (because they don’t want to disappoint you), so who knew how long that really meant it might take the part to arrive. Still, even in the states it often takes an overnight shipment to get a part that’s not in stock, which would require a hotel or someone to pick you up. So with no other choice, we prepared to make the most of the situation.
Thankfully, the shop was connected to a gas station so we were able to use the bathroom and purchase snacks and ice cream. Always a blessing.
We tossed the frisbee around for a bit until it became too dangerous between the cars (hitting them or getting hit) and almost taking out a 2-year-old (fortunately we hit his dad instead, who was a very good sport about it). After that happened, we decided it would be safer to play cards instead. We played a few different games and ate lunch until (praise Jesus) the car was fixed a few hours later.
When we had all piled back in the car, it was 4 o’clock, the time we originally planned on leaving the beach. Bryan said since it was so late we were just going to go home.
Yeah. He was joking. He’s a funny one, Bryan. We would only have about an hour before the sun went down but stayed there until that happened.
The beach was amazing. The water was so warm it felt like bathwater but was still refreshing at the same time. I’d never been to such a beautiful beach where there were no other people, the water was the perfect temperature, and the only things you could see for miles and miles were palm trees, sand and ocean. It was breathtaking.
We jumped and played in the waves, tossed the frisbee, did handstands, attempted double cartwheels, leapt, did back walkovers and absolutely had the time of our life. Unfortunately, I was too busy enjoying it all that I forgot to take pictures. Bryan had his DSLR and got some great shots so I will try to remember to share those with you sometime. We were all filled with thankfulness for the Father’s blessing in such a wonderful day.
Once the sun went down, we rolled back into Jaco (on the way home) and treated Bryan and Beth to dinner at Pizza Hut. It was pretty delicious.
Our last day in Costa Rica was the 7th. After spending most of the day with our host family and saying goodbye to other members of the Conexion team, Bryan and Beth drove us into San Jose and we said goodbye outside the hostel where we were meeting the rest of our squad.
Side note: it was raining on our way in and since there wasn’t room in the Land Rover for all of us and our stuff, we strapped our bags on top. Needless to say, I found out my airporter (the protective bag I keep my big backpack in on travel days) isn’t waterproof after all. That was a bummer. Fortunately, this hostel had AC so I was able to dry everything out pretty well.
The next morning, we headed to the bus stop at 11. After about an hour of check-in and waiting, the whole squad piled onto the bus for our eight hour bus ride to Nicaragua.
The ride went by quickly and smoothly. Even the border crossing didn’t take very long (about an hour). We arrived in Granda and walked about a half mile to our hostel, getting in around 9 PM. One of the teams had arrived a few days earlier and had a snack pack along with a note waiting for each of us (yep, they’re awesome). After a delightfully refreshing shower, I headed to bed and slept like a rock.
This is the third full day the whole squad has been together. Our last day of debrief is tomorrow and we will begin ministry the following day. The entire squad (all teams) will be doing ministry together this month, which will be really different; I have mixed feelings about that, but I’m confident the end result will be a good one.
Here are some photos of the hostel we’ve been staying in the past few days.
The view first walking in.
Almost every building here so far has had its own little garden right in the middle of it, just like this.
My bedroom (shared with 11 others).
Sitting area/walkway to the 2nd bathroom/2nd garden area with the parrots.
One of the parrots!
Our private pool of painted turtles.
My view as I write this blog.
Prayer requests:
Communication in my team. Pray that we would continue to extend grace and love to each other. Praise that we have been able to work out a lot of issues.
Squad/team dynamics. This month will have it’s fair share of challenges with all teams being together and sharing life and ministry. Pray for God’s sovereignty over all that entails.
Physical healing for sickness (mostly just colds) going around the squad, myself included.
Finances. Funds have been dwindling in the month leading up to launch but have stopped completely this past month. Please pray that God would put it on the hearts of those meant to give so I could be fully funded by December.
Love and blessings,
Emily
