these past few weeks have been pretty crazy. I'm sorry I haven't been doing a good job of maintaining my blog. I'll try to update you on big events that have occurred first
-One of my roommates, Hannah, left about a little over a week ago. She had made up her mind about three weeks ago that she was going to leave, and we really couldn't do much besides pray and encourage her. It's been really sad, but her absence has really united the rest of the group.
-I have youth group every other Saturday night from 6 to about 10.. it varies. The second time I went, I asked them if they knew the song "Cuanto Nos Ama" ("How He Loves" in Spanish) and I sang a little for them. Only one of them really knew it, but the next night I get an email from the head worship leader person and he asked me to sing and play the song at youth group in two weeks with them. So I was pumped! … but definitely a little nervous considering I hadn't touched a piano since I had left home and the fact that I could still only make out about 100 spanish words… but YEAH! I was pumped. We had practice the next saturday and at first… it was very rough. hahahahahhahahahaha! I wish I could post a video for you guys to hear my pronunciation. But by the end of the night, we were all really pumped because it was really coming together (AKA I wasn't speaking gibberish)
So THEN…. that next Wednesday…. My body decided to take on some parasite or something.. I still don't really know what it was, but it's gone now. That took me out for a good 5 days. I was so bummed that I couldn't go to youth group.
The next Monday was the ziplining excursion, and Sunday night I was still feeling awful. I hadn't eaten hardly anything the entire weekend, but Sunday night the only two things I could imagine stomaching were vegetable soup (mom's vegetable soup) and lasagna… random I know. We had lasagna. I got a couple of bites down, but I still felt really sick.
We have "Villa Church" on Sunday nights, and I really did not want to miss it. I sat outside while everyone worshiped, and then finally I went in. I listened to the sermon in the back of the room, and then when we worshiped at the end I just felt such a peace in my body. I think I was just too excited about Jesus to worry about the pain. yeah. God's awesome
I ended up going ziplining the next morning. I definitely had a couple of times throughout the day where I thought maybe-this-wasn't-such-a-good-idea, but I did it. God really gave me strength… I mean really. I have never felt so pitiful in my life. Climbing up the mountain was one of the most physically exhausting things I have ever done. I had NO muscle. agh. I did not like that.
Anyways ziplining was awesome. There were 5 different lines we got to go on; I think the view was more overwhelming than the ride. The place was called Fossil Land.
- This past Saturday my church group ( Derek, Emily L. and Will C. ) and I went to a soccer tournament that a bunch of local churches were holding. I never thought I would say this… but I love soccer. It was so much fun. I mean I STUNK, but it was so much fun. I would consider this past saturday one of my first real confirmations that I am learning some spanish. One of the tico girls in my youth group (her name is Sharon and she is so beautiful) said that my spanish was improving. I don't know how much that means… all I know is that I AM making progress.
There is also this guy named Alvaro who goes to our church. He drives us around a LOT. He drove us from the Villa, to the tournament, to one of our church friend's houses, to the church, back to the house and then back to the Villa. We've stayed overnight at his house one time. His parents cook GOOOOOD food. There are three kids: Alvaro, Laura y Rita… and they are all so nice to us.. we're trying to think of some way to repay them.
I had youth group practice later this past saturday, and the song was so much better. They said they want me to learn all of the songs so I can play with them all of the time… So again.. I don't really no what that means yet, but I definitely am becoming a lot closer with this group. The coolest part that night was just going back to Sharon's house and hanging out with everyone. They were teaching me Costa Rican slang, and I was teaching them english words… and more ways to make fun of me.
One thing that would be really awesome for any of you guys praying is just for the heart of the church I go to. It's called Abundant Life. We've been practicing Cuanto Nos Ama.. and I just really want Holy Spirit to hit this church with His love… like crazy. He's jealous for our affection. yeah. woah
-This past monday we went to hike this mountain that has 3 crosses on it. It was so beautiful. The beginning of the hike was really hard because we were walking at about a 60 degree incline… I'm pretty sure.. I wasn't too good at geometry. All I know is that this hill was STEEP. It was so awesome though. I felt like I was in the garden of Eden when I got to the top. It's just crazy! I mean, if there are places on earth that are that pretty… just imagine what Heaven is going to be like.
The weather was so amazing all day… until the hike down. It poured. One of the guys on our trip slipped, fell and got a concussion, but he's fine now. He falls a lot. I don't know exactly what he has, but I feel bad because he is one of the most joyful people I've ever met.
Hmmm let me see what have I left out…
-We have midterms this week
-OH! Two of the tico staff members here have had family member pass away in the same week. Both of the families have handled the deaths with so much faith. They know they are seeing them again in Heaven, so they are hanging on to that hope.
-Oh! This happened a while ago, but internet was becoming a huge distraction for pretty much every student here, so the leadership limited internet to….
Tues-Fri: 6-7 AM, 4-6 PM
Saturday: director's choice
Sunday: random times- this is the day that we get the most though
Mondays: none
The past couple weeks have been really tough because everyone is experiencing a lot of spiritual warfare, whether it's through homesickness, doubting salvation, mind battles, dreams etc. everyone here has experienced some of it. I've come to realize that this semester is mainly about our growth: learning the language, culture and about ourselves. Everyone just has a lot that they are going through, so it is tearing on the rest of the group sometimes. Cleansing can take some time.. and love. Lot's of love.
internet time is up. I know I didn't update y'all on everything, but I'll blog again soon. I'll try to post some pictures too! Love y'all.