The beginning days
I am currently sitting here listening to the rain fall in Costa Rica and loving it. I think things have seemed to calm down a little bit. I haven't had anything quite as crazy going on as trying to get down here. I am staying with a couple who actually works with CFCI at one of their campus' that they have in La Carpio. This campus is called Renuevos. This is the campus that I will be spending my first month working at until I start in the clinic. My host family are Alvin, Chio, and their 3 yr old son Caleb. Also staying here are the other 2 volunteers. Julie, who is Canadian and Bruna who is Brazilian and Japanese. Chio speak good English and Alvin as we would say, un poco - a little bit. But it is nice having others around to speak English with.
Yesterday, (Saturday), Alvin, Julie, Bruna and I all went to Renuevos in the morning to eat breakfast and get ready for their kids program that they have in mid morning to afternoon. But before the program starts, Alvin does a teaching for all the helpers in the program and goes over the teaching that is going to be shared with the kids. The teaching that we heard was about leadership and what characteristics we want to see in leaders and have as leaders. Trust was one of the topics that was taught about which meant that we all got to do trust exercises. Some scary and some fun. But it is a good bonding experience for everyone. Once the helpers (young adults from the neighborhood who want to be leaders eventually) teaching was over it was time to get ready for the kids. Which didn't take long and before you knew it kids were arriving. I believe there was around 50 or so kids that came who's ages ran from 8-16/18 maybe. We all gathered in the main room and sang 2 worship songs and then Alvin did a teaching for the kids. After the teaching the kids split into different groups. The groups consisted of: crafts, skateboarding, soccer for both girls and boys, dance, and music. I helped out with the music and was able to help some girls try to learn some chords on the piano. It was very neat to see the joy spread across their faces once they realized that they were getting it! Also in each of the groups they have another mini lesson. These groups lasted for an hour and then it was time to eat lunch. Renuevos provides lunch for all the participating kids.
After this program was over we all came back home because the big game was on and Alvin DID NOT want to miss the game. I'm guessing you probably could have figured out that it was a soccer game. I'm not sure how it works or not but if Costa Rica won the game then there were going to go to the world cup in Russia next year and if not there was a slight chance that they could still go but it would be harder for them. Well to say it was a close game would be an understatement. Honduras had a point and there was less than 2 minutes on left and Costa Rica scored a goal. Which means that they are going to the world cup in Russia next year. To say that they were excited would be an understatement! But apparently in San Jose there is a street that they block off and people go there to celebrate so Alvin and Chio wanted to share the experience with us so we all loaded up and headed out with them. It was quite the noisy ride there. Horns honking, people yelling and blowing horns. it was quite a celebration! But it was fun to experience it with them.
Yesterday, (Saturday), Alvin, Julie, Bruna and I all went to Renuevos in the morning to eat breakfast and get ready for their kids program that they have in mid morning to afternoon. But before the program starts, Alvin does a teaching for all the helpers in the program and goes over the teaching that is going to be shared with the kids. The teaching that we heard was about leadership and what characteristics we want to see in leaders and have as leaders. Trust was one of the topics that was taught about which meant that we all got to do trust exercises. Some scary and some fun. But it is a good bonding experience for everyone. Once the helpers (young adults from the neighborhood who want to be leaders eventually) teaching was over it was time to get ready for the kids. Which didn't take long and before you knew it kids were arriving. I believe there was around 50 or so kids that came who's ages ran from 8-16/18 maybe. We all gathered in the main room and sang 2 worship songs and then Alvin did a teaching for the kids. After the teaching the kids split into different groups. The groups consisted of: crafts, skateboarding, soccer for both girls and boys, dance, and music. I helped out with the music and was able to help some girls try to learn some chords on the piano. It was very neat to see the joy spread across their faces once they realized that they were getting it! Also in each of the groups they have another mini lesson. These groups lasted for an hour and then it was time to eat lunch. Renuevos provides lunch for all the participating kids.
After this program was over we all came back home because the big game was on and Alvin DID NOT want to miss the game. I'm guessing you probably could have figured out that it was a soccer game. I'm not sure how it works or not but if Costa Rica won the game then there were going to go to the world cup in Russia next year and if not there was a slight chance that they could still go but it would be harder for them. Well to say it was a close game would be an understatement. Honduras had a point and there was less than 2 minutes on left and Costa Rica scored a goal. Which means that they are going to the world cup in Russia next year. To say that they were excited would be an understatement! But apparently in San Jose there is a street that they block off and people go there to celebrate so Alvin and Chio wanted to share the experience with us so we all loaded up and headed out with them. It was quite the noisy ride there. Horns honking, people yelling and blowing horns. it was quite a celebration! But it was fun to experience it with them.
At the celebration in borrowed Costa Rican gear
Today (Sunday), us non ticas (Julia, Bruna, and I) wanted to try and make it to the only English speaking church in San Jose. But to say the least it was an adventure. Per Chio the public bus would not have taken us to the church so to get there we would have to use an uber. But here's the thing...none of us have ever used a uber before and our first time was in Costa Rica. Our poor driver didn't speak English and here are us ticas and we don't speak that much Spanish. Long story short we finally made it to the church! It was so nice being able to worship with English songs and hear a message in English.
After church Alvin and Chio picked us up and we went to a fresh fruit and veggie market. It was fun walking around and looking at all the different foods that God has made and wondering what each and everything was. Some booths had fresh spices and they smelled so good!
Some oranges
Plantains
Huge avocado!
That has been pretty much my last to days in a nut shell. Although today we were able to go swimming for a little bit in the pool in Alvin and Chio's community. But we had to leave, one because it started to rain and two we were hungry for lunch! :)
Blessings!
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