I hope this finds you and yours happy, healthy, and maybe a little bit heavier after delicious food over the holidays. (I know I am all 3 haha)
There is so much to tell, but I'm guessing you don't want to read 20 journal pages worth of my life because I know that you have a life as well (which I'd love to hear about, nudge nudge). So here is a summary of the past few weeks. The other details will have to wait for the book that many of you have asked me to write.
I sent my last email almost a month ago and at that time I was feeling pretty sad and lonely. Well, God in his great mercy and infinite wisdom knew that and sent me a huge gift the next day at church. A man came up to me and said this to me during worship: "I know right now you feel alone, but don't need to because God is right there with you holding your hand. He loves you very much and loves your heart. You shouldn't be scared. He wants to use you and you shouldn't be afraid of that or what you are experiencing right now." It was amazing and definitely an encouragement to my heart.
Skip ahead a few days: Wednesday 17. We (Gretel, Estefany, Fredito, Steven, and I) went to Tirasses (the neighborhood of Gretel's family) to attend a memorial service for her cousin. I had a long fight with myself about what to do because here many people believe that Catholics are not Christians (including the family I was living with at the time). So during the service I didn't know what to do. If I cross myself or bow to the crucifix I jeopardize my testimony to those I live and work with, but not doing those things goes against what I believe to be an act of reverence and a beautiful dance-like form of worship. I only finished fighting with myself when the service was over and it was too late to do anything anyway. I still don't really know what to do if I'm in that situation again. I'm glad that Jesus still loves me either way! (Any thoughts on this would be appreciated...)
Okay, skip a few more days to Sunday December 21.Today was a very important day for the family I lived with and the church. The Christmas Play. It was the story of the Prodigal son, Tico Style. It was very well done and I enjoyed it a lot, a good mixture of humor, while still encompassing the serious message of the story. I don't know if I could sound more like a theatre critic.
Tuesday, December 23.
Javier is a neighbor of the family I was living with in December. He is very nice and enjoyed practicing his English with me. He has a guitar and brought it over and I was able to play and sing (playing for the first time in 2 months). It was WONDERFUL. I have missed my guitar a ton, not realizing just how much I used it to worship and as a way to relieve stress.
Wednesday, December 24.
We (Estefany, Steven, Fredito, Javier, his Sister Maria, and me) went to see Madagascar 2. We had decided to split up 3 seeing it in English with Spanish subtitles and 3 watching it dubbed. Well the person responsible for buying the tickets decided that it was a bad idea and bought 6 tickets for Spanish only. So I understood some of it and and the songs. I'll have to watch it again when i get home to really appreciate it.
After the movie we ate Burros. DELICIOUS! While the name means donkey it has nothing to do with donkeys. Then we opened presents and I was surprised when I was given a gift of a doll (to remind me of them when I return home) and a cute polo. They were equally surprised to receive something from me which I had successfully hidden for two weeks! :)
Thursday, December 25.
I talked to my family for awhile that was neat. We ate more yummy food (including Tamales that I helped to make). One huge Christmas tradition for the week before Christmas and a few weeks after is to watch Turros and Chinamo. Chinamo I liked, it was lots of silly games and fun things that people were doing and dancing and music. Turros, not so much. In fact I think I offended the family by admitting that I didn't like it. It's a part of the tradition here, but it's hard for me to watch people getting skewered by bulls, especially when people are dying. I tried to like it or come up with something to say when they asked if I liked it that wouldn't be a lie but wouldn't be offensive either, but the tears in my eyes and the look on my face gave me away. The family really wasn't deeply offended, but they did make sure to tell everyone who visited or who we visited that I didn't like it.
Friday, December 26.
We visited Freddy's brother. I played my first game of Futbol (Soccer in US) and had a lot of fun. I made 15 goals but I know that some of them were illegal and i deserved several penalties (including kicking Fredito really hard in the shin, totally an accident that made for many laughs later). They were surprised at my aggressiveness and competitiveness (learned that from my dad) including two falls (totally dirtying my pants) and running into one tree with prickles resulting in a cut and a splinter, but no pain no game right? It was a fabulous first game of futbol.
Saturday, December 27.
We had to drive to Gretel's mother's house to shower because there was no water at her house (the 3rd time that month). We then went to visit some family about an hour and a half from their house. The drive was beautiful. I can't describe it, but it was breathtaking. After we returned home a family from the Church visited. I really enjoy this family a lot but we played pictionary, in Spanish. This may have been one of the most frustrating moments in my entire life. Seriously, I can't express the torment I felt in losing points for my team (there's my competitiveness) because I can't guess things like "TV Screen" (need to work on Spanish vocab) or I don't hear the difference between words when I'm drawing (after looking the word up in my dictionary to understand what I'm drawing.) For example, I didn't hear a difference between the words "Faros" (the word i was drawing-- the headlamps on a car) and "Farols" (another type of lamp). I was thrilled when it was over and I could go to bed.
December 31- January 1
Many people came over from the church. We had a huge bonfire and ate, laughed, danced (I can now do some of the traditional danced-- horribly but i can do them) and counted down the new year. A new experience saying "cinco, quatro, tres, dos, uno" but many people wished me a "happy new year" instead of "feliz año nuevo" which meant a lot to me for some reason. I have now moved and I really enjoy my new house. I live with three women, each from a different generation which is cool. They are super sweet and have welcomed me in. We have enjoyed doing touristy things together like visiting an important catholic church here (GORGEOUS) and going to the National Museum.
We were going to go to a Volcano on Thursday, but all praise goes to God that Sylbia changed her mind. Near the volcano we were going to visit occurred an earthquake, 6.2. It's absolutely devastated the area and it's been a really hard thing for this country. The news is difficult to watch because the scenes they show are very graffic. My heart is broken for this country and the loss of nearly 200 lives and for the 2000 people who have now been left homeless. It's a horrible tragedy, but I know God is in control of everything, even situations like this. Please be praying for all of those affected by this.
I hate to end on a sad note like that, but that's the most recent thing that has happened.
I am glad to have my own room in this house, which includes time to think and pray and be alone. I guess all of my thoughts will have to wait for the book.
For now I will leave you with this:
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthians 13:14
You are in my thoughts, prayers, and love. Thanks for yours!
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