We started off two weeks ago with a Mother's Day celebration. We had lots of yummy food...of course...and then a little program and singing done by some of the youth! Everyone had a great time, and I missed my mommy! :) After the celebration, we relaxed a little and then we made coffee and empanadas for the few people that were still hanging out around the church. It was my first time, and I had lots of fun learning. I made them everyday after that for the whole week just because I knew how! hahaha! Here are some pictures of all the fun:
I also did a little shopping with Esperanza this week. We had our second Women's Ministry gathering with the group from La Amistad where the Lawrenceville Group did their VBS, so we had to go out and buy the materials for the crafts and food that we made with the women. We also had lots of fun making samples for the ladies to see. Here are some of the ladies from El Mesias making our samples!
Esperanza <3
We had a great turn out at La Amistad. I am not sure about a final count, but there were well over 50 people in the building, and the message really had an impact on many of them...including me! We talked about following the will of God and how hard that can be sometimes when God's will and your plan differ. It means dying to your plan and knowing that God's will is bigger and better than anything that you can do or make on your own. Do you see how that might be something we all need to hear?! The women had a great time, and we were able to use yarn and scissors that some of the groups left for us this summer! Thank you to all of you who made this possible...Lawrenceville, for getting this started, Bethesda, for your financial support, and for all of you who have been praying for this ministry and the hearts that it will touch!
Kids' Corner :)
You don't invite women to something in Costa Rica without expecting to have lots of children there! Luckily the ladies at El Mesias were prepared!
Craft Time
I also started my Spanish classes two weeks ago.
This is my Spanish teacher Leccy!
I also am going to start teaching English classes to some of the people from the church. Knowing English is a huge asset when it comes to finding a job in Costa Rica, and English classes are generally very expensive, so it is my hope that this free service in the church will open opportunities for some of the people in the community and maybe even draw some people into the church. I already have a few people that will be starting classes in two weeks!
I also wanted to let you know that I have met the man of my dreams! He is a little young, but I just fell in love with his smile! :)
The second week Jonathan and I worked on the pastor's house a little finishing up some of the welding. I am sure you guys know this, but I am not much of a welder, so I left that part up to Jonathan while I measured the pieces and organized them so that the piece that he needed would be easier to find! haha! I take after my momma! The house is coming along. We are moving a little slower now that there are no more groups coming in, but it is still looking great! The family has already moved back in to the bottom floor even though two of the rooms have no walls!
Jonathan welding
Me measuring
My super organization! :)
This week I also did my first haircut! While the Bethesda Group was here my cousin Jessica taught me how to cut hair...well boys' hair at least, and we bought a hair cutting kit so that I could cut hair for some of the people of the church for free, so here are some pictures of me with my first victim! He was a trooper, and it actually looked pretty good for my first time! Thanks Jessica!!
Jonathan looking like he has little confidence in my abilities
I asked Michael to take the picture this way so you couldn't see Jonathan's face anymore!! haha!
We also celebrated Logan's birthday. Even though she couldn't be with us we thought the least we could do would be eat a cake for her! So we went to the bakery and ordered a cake and even put candles on it! We sang Happy Birthday and made a wish for her and everything! Happy Birthday Logan! I love you!
On Friday of this week I was able to go to San Ramon and meet with a couple of the girls that are working there. What they are doing is amazing, and I was so excited to hear all about the ministry and how it is growing and how God is moving! We talked about the possibility of me coming to help one day a week, and I really feel like this is something God is leading me to do. We might even start some English classes out there. We will also be going to visit families in the community and pray for them and for what God is doing in their lives and see if there are any specific needs that we can pray for or help with! I am SO excited about this and about what God is doing through this ministry! Please pray for this opportunity and that God would make clear the path that He wants me to follow. I didn't take any pictures of this trip because I was so excited about everything that we were talking about that I completely forgot, but I promise to take some on my next trip!
Right after my trip to San Ramon I got on a bus and headed to Limon for the weekend. This was such a relaxing trip...like a little mini-vacation! Jonathan's parents are pastors of the Methodist church in Limon, so we went to visit them and see what all is going on at their church. This might be another area where I am able to serve on the weekends. They have some really great things happening in the church and the children and youth groups are really doing some great things.
While we were there we were able to go to the beach for a few hours...my first beach trip since I have been here this summer! It was BEAUTIFUL! We were the only ones on the beach almost the entire day. We cooked out and swam and sat around and talked. It was amazing!
The next day we went to the river and had a picnic lunch and then did a little exploring down the river. Again...beautiful! Then we got back to the house just in time for the Sunday afternoon service. The people were super friendly and were so welcoming! There was such a Spirit filled peace in that place that I can't explain! Thanks to God for little blessings like this!
Rachel, me and Pastor Jose (Jonathan's Dad)
This week's plan is to do a little relaxing by the pool, go to the Yellow Daisy Festival, and to the Fish Fry at Bethesda United Methodist Church, and catch up with some friends! In case that doesn't give it away here are some pictures:
Mom and I at the airport...she was the only one that knew!
Mom and I surprising Logan at work!
Surprising Dad at home
Sitting on my sofa!!
I am home!!! Surprise Daddy and Logan (Mom already knew)! I have to leave Costa Rica every 90 days because that is when my tourist visa expires, so I thought...what better place to come than home! :) I will be home for the next 2 weeks hanging out with my family. I am speaking about everything that is going on in Costa Rica at the 4:00 service at Bethesda on Sunday if anyone wants to come have a listen!
I love you all very much, and I want to, from the bottom of my heart, say thank you for all of your prayers lately. I have needed them for sure, and God has answered them for sure! Pray that these two weeks would be weeks of rest and reflection for me and that God would continue to make clear His path and that I wouldn't get it confused with mine. Pray also that as I return God would continue His process of making me bold and humble even though it may not be fun for me! :) I love you all so very much!
Also, there are a few books that I would love in order to help teach English classes in Costa Rica. If you are interested in purchasing a book and sending it back with me or sending it with my mom and sister when they come visit in a few weeks let me know! There are about 15 or so books on the list, and I really think that they would help a lot with all of the different levels of learners that will be coming to the classes. You can email me or send me a message on facebook for a list of titles. My email address is taylor_brooks09@yahoo.com. Thanks so much! :)
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