"Do you know the way to San Jose?"

August 2012

Culture shock has not set in yet; I (Bridget) still feel like a tourist.

Bridget and Paul at a botanical garden.

Alekcey with his mom, baby Aaron, and Judith.

We had a great time out at Paso Marcos where La Asociacion Proyecto Emanuel (the Association Project Emanuel) has some property, Centro Emanuel. We met all of our mission team there. Dr. Judith Dunteman and Dr. Alekcey Marrillo-Alfaro head up the association. Two other American couples are part of the association. Dan and Lori Friedly live in the community and have a banana/coffee farm, teach English and do discipleship. Mark and Marge Long are in the process of building a house nearby. Marge leads a ladies bible study and assists Judith train Cabécar (Ka-beck-er) women as health workers to treat women and infants on their reservation. Mark is developing an adventure program to reach the youth in the area for Christ and disciple them.

Mudslide wiped out road near Paso Marcos.

Two short term mission teams have come to Centro Emanuel since we have been here. Mark and Marge hosted a team from a supporting church in Florida who came and worked on their house. Just as the team departed it rained 14 inches in 36 hours and caused a number of mudslides in Paso Marcos. Alekcey and Judith had a family from the States come who helped dig out mudslides on the road (from the previous week), build a kitchen for a school and work on Mark and Marge's home. There is always something to do here. Alekcey took us on a tour of a number of places they are doing outreaches. It is amazing all the things going on! (Stayed tuned for more details next time.)

Panadería (bakery) with bread and yummy sweets.

We have been in the sprawling metropolis of San Jose most of this month. I am learning to rethink how I do routine stuff. One or both of us walk to the market or bakery most days for groceries or bread (like French baguette). There are many new fruits and vegetables. I made yuca (you-ka) for dinner one night. It is a starchy vegetable like potatoes that took a lot of chopping, boiling, pureeing, and baking. It is bland, but after adding onion, butter, salt and pepper it was tasty.

Is this the bus to San Jose?  Fare is 375 colones (70 cents US).

One day we took the bus to an appointment near downtown San Jose. That turned out to be quite an adventure, as there are no posted maps or schedules. Everyone just seems to know where to get on the bus to the town they want and where to get off. With God's grace and the help of Judith's sketch of the bus stops, the maid's directions, a gentleman at the bus stop, an amazing bus driver (Watch out Indy 500!), and a taxi driver, we arrived for our appointment on time. Since there are no street signs, the trick is to pay attention to the landmarks. Even when we take a taxi to church on Sundays, the drivers never go the same route.

We continue to work on our Spanish and learn the skills to live in a new country. Thanks for your love, support, and emails. We miss you, our family and friends.

Praise the Lord for:

Fellowship with our mission team.

Figuring out the bus system.

Pray for:

Listening to the Lord's voice.

People in Paso Marcos clearing mudslides.

Completing our visa & driver's license applications.

Serving Him,

Paul & Bridget