Fourth of July 2013 - expat style

Nothing reinforces the feeling of being a foreigner more than being out of the country on the Fourth of July; just an ordinary work day in Costa Rica.

Celebrating our U.S. heritage, the office staff and interns got together for the most "American" holiday we could create.



Our intern friends came and played games

Also with us were the Puttcamps, the other staff family spending July in Costa Rica.

The kids and their friends played on the trampoline.

Of course there were games...

And relaxing.

barbequing,



and of course eating!

 

We even had a camp fire...

and roasted S'mores!

The long awaited Trampoline

They were patient.  They saved and saved; Christmas money, birthday money.  They cleaned the neighbor's yard.  They dog-sat. They had a bake sale and lemonade stand.  They worked for it.

I'm proud of Laura and Tanner for working toward a goal.  Both of them wanted a trampoline but we couldn't afford one for them.  So we told them that we would pay for half of the cost if they could save the rest.  They did it!

It took an amazingly long time to assemble, both a Saturday and Sunday afternoon, but the kids helped and when it was done they jumped through sun and rain and even after the sun had gone down.

We started assembly on our porch on Saturday afternoon

By Saturday night we were getting close to completion; but not quite

By Sunday afternoon it was finished!  Intern Aaron came over to help inaugurate the trampoline!

Then of course, mom had to show them how it's done.  Go Cindy!

Working with the Nazarenes

I've been a member of the Church of the Nazarene for over 30 years.  It was through the teaching there and my experience with other members that the Lord brought me to serve Him full-time.  Each time I'm home to the States, I look forward to attending the Nazarene Church where I grew up.

And so it has been very exciting to be able to partner EMI, where I am serving now, and with the Church of the Nazarene for a project on the other side of San José, Costa Rica.

At the end of May, I was joined by Richard, an architect from Nebraska, and Debbie, an intern from Colorado to spend a week getting to know the staff and members of la Iglesia del Nazareno en Los Ángeles de Guadalupe.  We spent the time capturing the vision the Lord has given them and understanding the project site.

It was with great pleasure that we presented them with conceptual drawings of how their church might look so that they can raise funds to pay off the property.  It is with great hope that we pray the Lord's work is fulfilled through the ministry of this church!

Here are some plans and images of what the facility could look like: