The Hard Questions... Plus some Fun Pictures =)

I woke up today with the sun. Every weekend, since I have arrived in Costa Rica, has been this way. I haven't slept past 7:00. I also go to bed early almost every night. The pace of life here is very different. I really enjoy being in bed by 10:00pm and waking up around 7:00am (though this blog plus The Office episode I want to watch will keep me up later tonight =) ). This morning I got up and made myself some green tea. I sat in a rocking chair and finished a chapter in this book I have been reading for awhile for called the Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning. The point of the book is learning about having faith and passion for Christ. It is an interesting book. I always feel like I have something to chew on afterwards.

The chapter I read this morning was called Discipleship Today. He focused on three areas in "Jesus's life and teaching" and their relevance to us (pg. 89). The three areas were: 1) Jesus lived for God 2) Jesus lived for others and 3) The simplicity of life. In the first area Brennan Manning speaks of the importance of centering yourself in God daily. The second area is how Jesus looked past the surface of sneers, saddness, arrogance and so forth. Jesus read the hearts of people and discerned their pasts. Thirdly Jesus lived simply. We cannot let the complexities and distractions of life get in the way of our relationship with God.

I can't say I agreed with every idea or thought presented in this chapter. I do think that these three main points are good to think upon. Good to ask ourselves the questions such as "Am I living for God?" If I am not who am I living for?" "Am I keeping an attitude of prayer through out my day, so that I can keep focused on who and what is important?" How do I deal with the stresses in my life?" Am I loving (or at least trying) to love and see people the way God does?" "Am I helping the orphans and widows?" "Am I loving that person who is impossible to get along with?" Am I letting the outside clutter get in the way of my quiet time with God?" "Am I letting my job, what I own, what I wear, who I hang out with, what church I go to, and so forth define who I am or do I let God define who I am?" "What's more important to me the things of this world or God?" ..... I believe these are questions we all need to ask of ourselves. Everyone from the new to the old Christian has their moments. We are all human. We are all a work in progress. So, as we ask ourselves the hard questions, we also need to remember that in God grace is found. So, as we repent and confess, we do not have to dwell there. It is also important to remember that faith and change is a journey.

As Manning writes: "The early days of this discipline are awkard, painful, and rewarding. Awkard because it requires vigilance and discipline Painful because the lapses and relapses are frequent. (When we slip and forget God's presence within, it is self defeating to spend time in regrets and self-condemnation. We begin anew right where we are; offer this broken worship to Jesus Christ, and thank him for the grace to center down once again.) Finally, it is rewarding because life lived in the inner sanctuary is the abundant life that Jesus promised" (pg 90-91).




An old Catholic church built by Spain

Papaya from the Feria (fruit market)

The Feria

I learned how to make Ceviche con Platano today. We had it last night with rice and chicken. I thought it tasted like a salsa and would be perfect with corn chips. So, guess what I am bringing to the Super Bowl party tomorrow...



Me...The picture is kind of dark, but here I am learning how cut platanos and make Ceviche con Platanos. I love cooking, so this was fun. Plus, food is an important part of culture and thus a part of the adapting process.

"Do you still not get it?"

I have been in Costa Rica now for over two weeks. I completed my second week of school yesterday and my first exam. I will find out next week I how I did... My computer is still out of commission. I hope it will be fixed soon. This morning I went to the fruit market and bought a papaya, 2 mangoes and some strawberries. Diani came with me, so I got to practice Spanish. I like the fruit market. I should buy fruit from the market in the United States whenever I am there again... It is a fun experience.

I am reading through Mark right now. In Mark 8 is the story of the feeding of four thousand and also the story of the disciples arguing in the boat about forgetting to bring lunch. The first part of the chapter goes like this:

"At about this same time he again found himself with a hungry crowd on his hands. He called his disciples together and said, ´This crowd is breaking my heart. They have stuck with me for three days, and now they have nothing to eat, If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way - some of them have come a long distance.´ His disciples responded ´What do you expect us to do about it? Buy food out here in the desert?´ He asked, ´How much bread do you have?´´Seven loaves´they said. So Jesus told the crowd to sit down on the ground. After giving thanks, he took the seven bread loaves, broke them into pieces, and gave them to his disciples so they could hand them out to the crowd..."

In the chapter before is the story of the feeding of the five thousand. The conversation between Jesus and the disciples is very similar. Jesus asked them to feed the crowd and they respond in the exact same way ´Are you serious? You want us to spend a fortune on food for their supper?´.

Then back into Mark 8. The disciples and Jesus are now on a boat and the disciples forgot to bring lunch...

"Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said ´Why are you fussing because you forgot to bring bread? Don´t you see the point of all this? Don´t you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?´
They said ´twelve´.
´And the seven loaves for the four thousand - how many full bags of leftovers did you get?
´Seven´.
He said ´Do you still not get it?´

There are many different lessons that can be drawn from these passages. After reading these scriptures this is what hit me the most: I wondered "How many time do I not get it? How many times do I forget the faithfulness of God?" Time and time again he has proven himself faithful to me, just as time and time again Jesus was faithful to the stomachs of his followers. Time and time again I worry about how things will work out. I guess it´s time that I get it...

Just Checking In....

It is Friday. I have finished my first week of classes. I have class from 8:15 in the morning until 12:10 in the afternoon. There is an English chapel 3 days a week in the morning before class and one Spanish class a week in the afternoon after classes. Next week will be a full Monday through Friday week with a completly normal schedule. This week we had orientation on Monday, an introdution to our Interaction class and Cultural Chapel instead of Spanish Chapel. It is was a little different. I am glad it is the weekend. I plan to still study because it is important to be in the language and culture, but it will be nice to have a break from class. Tomorrow I will go to the beach. A group of us are taking the public bus to the Pacific Ocean. This will be fun to get out of the city and enjoy a different part of Costa Rica. My personal computer is temporarily out of use, but as soon is it is up and running I will post pictures. I have pictures of Cincel, a fruit market, an old Catholic church and hopefully soon of the beach or la playa as it is called here. I am going to run now and get some excercise and a brain break! I hope all is well.

Thank you for all your prayers and supports.

Be Blessed!

Claire

I have arrived...

I just wanted to let you all know that I arrived in Costa Rica safe and sound with all my luggage. I survived the earthquake. It was fairly strong in San Jose, but there is minimal damage in the main city. In the areas near the epicenter there was damage and some deaths. You can be in prayer for these families who lost loved ones. My host family is kind. The know my Grandparents Wilson as well as many Vanguard students. This provides a good connection. While I am not close to the school I think that living with a host family was a good decision. I do not have to worry about meals or laundry and I am more immeresed in Spanish. Yesterday I had my placement interview and exam. The professor made it sound like there is hope for me yet in learning Spanish =) Today I toured the downtown of San Jose. Classes will begin Tuesday! I am excited for what the next few months hold. Pray for my Spanish speaking abilities! I hope all is well with you!

Around the World in One Hour...

I just spent the last few days at The World Mission Summit 2. This event is put on by Chi Alpha, US Missions, and Assemblies of God World Missions. The purpose is to give young adults vision and a way to fulfill the Great Commission. Convoy of Hope went to tell those who were interested about the who, the what and the why of Convoy of Hope and their internship program. We had both a booth and a fifty minute session. Working the booth was one of my favorite parts of the event because you get to hang out and tell whoever is interested about Convoy of Hope and the internship. You get to meet and talk to lots of different people. I also was asked on the second day to speak three to five minutes on what it looks like to live missions particularly with Convoy of Hope. I also enjoyed being able to participate in the session in this way. Of course like all big events there are interesting speakers, good worship and a general all around excitement. In some ways because of the number of missionaries it was like a big reunion for many to see friends they have not seen a while.

The Assemblies of God has broken up the world into six different areas: Eurasia, Europe, Africa, South Pacific, Northern Asia and Africa. Then they have international service ministries which organizations such as Medical Missions falls under. It quickly became apparent to me that visiting each section’s booth was a little like being in that area of the world. It was like going around the world in just thirty minutes to an hour. The following photos are a result of that brilliance of thought…



Eurasia

South Pacific

Northern Asia

Africa

Latin America and Caribbean

The Summit

I leave for language school in Costa Rica on the 6th. I will arrive around noon on the December 7th. Please pray for safe traveling, no airport delays and grace in pronouncing the Spanish language!

Happy New Year and good luck with all your resolutions. =)