Hi everyone! I have wifi so I just wanted to post a little update!
We are no longer in Jaco, but in a very small town called, Vigía! This town is a total 180 from Jaco, but in the best way. I absolutely loved Jaco, so the drastic change has taken me a bit to adjust. This little town is a 30 minute drive to the next town, that has wifi or a restaurant. Here in this town there’s one little snack shop, one giant park, and muchas friendly people. It has been a gift from the Lord for my squad to be here. Going from a place that had access to a lot of amenities to a tiny town has been different. But luckily my Iowan roots love small towns! haha
The people that live here have such servants heart. Little fun fact, we’re in a blue zone! If you don’t know what a blue zone is, I’ll fill ya in! There are only 4 in the world. Nicoya, the Provence we’re in is one of them! People generally live longer in blue zones, and researchers have narrowed it down to these reasons: family, natural exercise, joy, diet, and lifestyle. If you visited this town you would understand. Every person here has such a genuine heart. Lots of smiles!! Even with a mask, smiling with your eyes 🙂 I think my squad has become pros at smiling with our eyes!
Right when we arrived we were so welcomed. They set up a sign that said, “Welcome to Costa Rica you are a blessing for our lives.” How sweet, right away we knew we were going to be loved on. The ministry hosts are so kind. The husband’s name is Basilio and the wives name is Esemara. Basillio is the pastor of this small church, Basillio loves us so well. Esemara is so kind and has the most contagious laugh. I just love waking up and seeing Basillio in the kitchen with a huge smile on his face. Bendiciones is a popular greeting here, meaning a blessing over you. Every morning the Basillio greets us with that saying, it’s great. Everyone here is so joyful naturally, I love it. Esemara always has a smile on her face and is always looking to help us. Whether it’s with our water, giving us a snack, she is always there.
We’re so grateful that this family opened up their church for us. We sleep on the ground all together in the church, where they have church every Sunday. It’s so fun to be altogether, where at Oceansedge(our ministry in Jaco) we had our own rooms. Except we don’t hang out til late here cause our day starts at 5:30 am everyday! I’m normally not an early riser (I’m sure my parents and roommates can atest to that) but this has taught me to be! We eat breakfast at 6 and then we start working after that. We’ve been painting the roof of the church. Which was a little scary at first, but now that we’ve learned where to step and not to step on the roof I feel like a pro (dad you’d be proud, haha). We also have been moving dirt to build a wall. Then in the afternoon we go to the park, which is a huge soccer field, and a basketball court. This is my favorite part of the day! Almost all the kids in this town come to the park every night. It’s so fun. Normally we get a huge game of soccer going, and I get to work on my Spanish skills, (still I work in progress, lol). The kids are so gracious though and love teaching me different words. Then normally we head back right before dinner!
The food here is delicious! Every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) consists of rice and beans. I’ve loved it! I know I‘kk probably get tired of it, in the next 6 weeks but right now I’m still loving it. The people that make the food have showed us so much love. Through broken Spanish I got to know a few of them, and Adrian (one of the chefs) said he used to be a cook for a restaurant! Which makes sense why the food is so yummy.
The church is in the middle of the neighborhood and it’s been so fun to meet the kids around here. A little boy named Mario is here at the church, all day normally and has been such a blessing to me. Right away he reminded me of two little boys, Ethan & Matthew from Jaco. It made my heart so happy. Mario and I love to dab together, and probably dab about 30 times a day:) We like to play “papas calientes, hot potato” and bubble gum, in espanol! Mario loves to smile and my cheeks are constantly sore from smiling when I’m with him.
There has been so many blessings here, I can’t even count. But for now I’m so grateful for the time the Lord has given us here. I’m reading, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” (if you haven’t read it, go read!) But this book reciprocates exactly how life is here in Vigía. Life is slower paced. No cell service. More joyful, time to be with each other, time to be with Jesus. I love it.
Can’t wait for all that God’s gonna teach my squad and I in this sweet time we have here.
Thanks for reading, and all the support!
¡Bendiciones!
