Wow, a lot of time has gone by...

Please forgive me for the amount of time that has gone by since I last blogged. Our computer has a virus and hasn't allowed us to upload photos and I hate blogging without them. So that's my excuse. Since so much time has passed, I don't know where to start. I'll try to be coherent with all of the information.

Mechanic Falls, Maine
A team of seven from Mechanic Falls, Maine, is here (for a total of 10 days - they leave on Saturday) and it has been such a neat experience to work alongside strangers for a common purpose. The five men on the team have been working in Yasmin, building foundations for houses and the two women have been working in the kinder and in the community with Becca and me. We've also continued our tutoring classes and were able to go to the rehab center at CCA (Center of Christian Praise) and share crafts, gifts and just spend time with the ladies who are struggling with addictions.

This is my first team experience and I am definitely exhausted. There's not really a break until bedtime, but it's fulfilling and I have also been able to get to know the community of Anonos even more since the team has been here. Some of the children actually know my name now (usually they call me Holly). I feel so blessed to be able to participate in the work going on here and am thankful for the team and the time and resources they have spent to be here with us.

Picture on the right: Cherry, holding her brother(?), Joshua during the Christmas party last Saturday

Tutoring/Classes
Kids will sometimes stop by the casita when Becca and I are there to ask us when they can have English classes. It's awesome that the kids are spreading the word and that they know what we are offering. We might actually have to start saying no because of how many students we have...we have four consistent classes with about nine kids between all of them. We also have around three other tentative classes where kids will come once and then not show up again. Becca and I are trying to decide how to gear the learning toward children of different age levels since siblings and cousins will come to the same tutoring session. Pray that we will be able to help and not hold students back or teach above the heads of other students.

I know I probably shouldn't have favorites, but two boys who have a special place in my heart are David and Elmer, ages 9 and 7. They have about six siblings and live in the quebrada. Their mother always has a smile on her face and you would never guess that she has financial difficulties or a house-full to take care of (with a baby on the way). David is the oldest boy (I think) and usually looks like he's carrying a burden, yet is still such a sweet, intelligent boy. Elmer is younger and has a lot of energy. They are so precious and I love interacting with them. They like to give high-fives and usually request to play "Uno" in class - Becca and I have decided that Uno will have to be the ultimate prize since it's gone over so well (just in case you're wondering, Uno helps with colors, numbers and game-playing vocabulary).

What's next...
Next week I'm taking a week-long Spanish class in San Jose from 9-2 and get to ride the bus by myself (so excited!). I'm getting more confident with Spanish but have SUCH a long way to go. And then...I get to see my family and feel cold weather!

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.