We are currently on a visa renewal trip (we have to leave Costa Rica every 90 days to renew our visa). This is our second trip so that means we have been in Costa Rica for 180 days! It is hard to believe that we have been here for 6 months.

The last few months have been filled with many changes….

We began our second trimester of language school, the kids finished up their year at Sojourn, and we moved into a new house. Although we are nowhere near fluent, we are learning the language poco a poco! The funny thing is Matt is able to understand the language more easily, and I am able to speak it more easily. So, when having a conversation with a local, Matt translates into English what is being said, and then I respond in Spanish! Teamwork at its best!

We have been blessed to housesit this trimester for a couple who is visiting the states for their daughter’s wedding.  This house has great space, a garage for our car (no more parking at the school!), and a backyard that is quite big for the neighborhood. The first thing the kids did was have a water hose war in the backyard! What a blessing!

“Bags for Beds”

We had the opportunity to take part in the “Bags for Beds” project in Los Guido, a very poor district here in San Jose. The school and others in the community collected plastic bags. We took these bags to a group of women from a church in Los Guido, and they were taught how to crochet these bags to make sleeping pads.  The ladies were paid for each mat they crocheted, and then the mats were distributed by another organization to the homeless in San Jose.  It was great to see the kids serve and interact with the ladies and the neighborhood kids that were there.

We had our first visitors….

Mom and Dad visited for 10 days during our trimester break. We had a great time discovering more of Costa Rica and simply spending time with family. We spent some time at the hot springs, visited the beach, and Reeves finally got to see her first sloth! It was hard saying goodbye, but we enjoyed the time that they were here.

Thank you for your prayers. We have seen the Lord heal us when we have been sick; comfort us when we have longed for our friends, family and our “normal”; give us peace despite the dangers that surround us; encourage us when we get blank stares from the locals when speaking Spanish; and give us laughter amidst the ants, las cucharachas, and the daily rains. We can see how the Lord is molding our hearts and calming our spirits. Please continue to lift us up!