Inspiration.

The rain has let up a little...instead of raining every day for most of the day it now rains every other day. It's getting colder, but nothing compared to the northern hemisphere which I've heard is getting quite chilly. I miss the brilliant fall leaves, but not the inevitable cold that will follow. The month of October passed by so quickly I feel as though it will be no time before I'm back home for Christmas. Rebecca and I had a great month taking care of the house, getting tutoring classes started and continuing our standard mode of trying to communicate with people. My name is pretty difficult for most of the kids to say, but I'm sure they'll get it eventually. Apparently, my name is also "demasiado comercial" according to Tito, one of our neighbors, who said it reminded him of dish detergent. He then proceeded to write the Joy logo on a whiteboard nearby...very clever.

Rodney and Cindy came back from their trip last week, and it's great to have them back. The ideas they bring with them are exciting and a source of inspiration and hope. Looking ahead, our days will be filled with tutoring, visiting people, hopefully taking Spanish classes and getting ready for the next team. I've been put in charge of creating assessments for groups that come to work, and will be helping with organization of our tutoring classes. The difference that an involved parent makes is incredible. We've had a few no- shows for sessions, but have been consistently tutoring Jorge, Andres, Natali and Alison. They are all at different levels but seem to catch on quickly and want to learn.

I was supposed to tutor Winston today at 10 a.m., and was excited about having my first one-one-one session by myself. This would have been his second session. Unfortunately he didn't show up. There are many possible reasons for this since he has a family, a full-time job and other responsibilities. He seems eager to learn, and I hope that we will be able to connect with him and encourage him to come next week...

Next week we're going on a mini-retreat in the mountains to be in the presence of each other and God, and to take time out to listen. It seems like a great idea to get away and rest, think and be inspired. Excited about what will come this month.

Preparation and beginnings.

Rain, house projects, practicing Spanish, preparing for the coming months of busyness...I find myself anxious for that next step and anxious to have a full schedule, along with clear, measurable goals. I have felt God telling me to be patient, to experience things as they come and to just rest in the moment. Enjoy the rainy afternoons when Becca and I work on our house project, which consists of applying Danish oil to all of the unfinished furniture. (I know it might sound random, but part of our job is to maintain the house that has been entrusted to Harvest Hands.) Enjoy the process of settling in, getting to know the people around us and be content to transition slowly. Starting in December we will have teams non-stop, so my goals for October and November are to support Becca with her English classes in whatever way I can, continue visiting people in the community and motivating myself to practice Spanish on my own until we have classes in November.

One thing that has really excited me is the prospect of tutoring children in our neighborhood. Eventually we hope to have more children and some structure to the program, but right now we are just starting out. Last Tuesday, we had our first tutoring session with 11-year-old Jorge. We definitely improvised a lot, as we thought he was bringing his homework and therefore did not bring any material. But it was so neat to engage with him and he was such a great sport as we did our best to figure out what level he was on, what he was studying in his English class and how to help him. It was precious - especially when he gave us looks like, "who are these girls and what are they saying?" I'm looking forward to being a part of this and hope that the kids will benefit from the sessions in some way. I know I definitely will. There's nothing more humbling than being a part of the beginnings of something where everyone proceeds by trial and error and where trusting that God's hand is in it is vital to its success.

I'm here.

I have been struggling with what to share in my first blog. It's been a week since I arrived, and so many things have happened since I landed. Maybe not tangible things, but things that I am still in the process of sorting through.

I am thankful for Rebecca's friendship, and Rodney and Cindy's help as I become a part of the "family." Biscuit did not welcome my presence, but she's getting used to me now and I LOVE having a dog in the family. She's a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and very noble. Noble and hates having her picture taken.

The tangible things that have happened since my arrival were the basic orientation of the house, chores, schedule. I've attended the church (La Vina, in Escazu) and the 20 - something's mid-week service. I've met several people in the community through "visiting," which will be a large part of the ministry here. I've gone with Becca to the kindergarten where she teaches an English class twice a week.

The intangible things that have and are still occurring are all the questions, the feelings of excitement and hope, mixed with fear. I constantly have to remind myself that God has prepared the way for me, and has gone before me. Becca reminded me of that about a week ago and that thought has been a huge source of comfort. Especially when I try to express myself in Spanish. My problem is that I don't want to try unless it's perfect, and I know it won't be. That's the lesson for myself...to be ok with less than perfect.

Rodney and I went down to the "quebrada" yesterday, which means the broken. The quebrada is a section of Los Anonos on the other side of the river where drug addicts hang out, deal drugs and do drugs. There are also families who live in the midst of it. There was a heavy feeling as we walked down the path, avoiding the mud and waste that littered the path. One person said to us, "cuidado" before we walked on our way...be careful. The quebrada evoked a feeling of hopelessness within me - wondering how people can come out of that lifestyle and how to have discipling when they do get out of it. I have to remind myself that there is something inside of everyone that yearns for the eternal, and there is a reason to hope. I pray that these people will see the reason and search for it, and allow others to help them out of it.

As I continue to become accustomed to Costa Rica and learning my role in Harvest Hands, I am certain that my times of discomfort and questioning are all part of the process. And thankfully God is helping me, daily, to have a desire to learn, serve and do my best, even when my best is not perfect.