Christmas Away from Home

This was our first time away from all things that are normal to us this time of year. Since Karen and I have been married we have either been with my family in the States or in Trinidad with Karen's family on Christmas day. At times this Christmas, we were experiencing the sadness of being away from family, friends, and cookies and Publix egg-nog. But, I believe the Lord knows our limits and ministered His grace to us before we reached our emotional breaking points.

As our break from school began and our thoughts began to think on Christmases past we had the great opportunity of visiting with Jim and June Gorgans (members of the church we served at in Gainesville, Florida). They were heading to the Panama Canal on a cruise and had a day layover in Limon, Costa Rica. They made it possible for us to take in the sights as we traveled through the mountains past a volcano in order to visit with them in Limon.

When we returned to San Jose we began to go about securing items that would enable us to carry on some family traditions. Karen scoured many stores looking for the ingredients to Trinidadian fruit cake. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to find everything that she needed. But, she was able to find everything so that we could have Trinidadian pastelles wrapped in banana leaves ("yumalicious"... as Karen would say). And we also enjoyed the Christmas drink "sorrel," brewed from flowers like an ice tea. J made cutout cookies, apple pie, and (thanks to the brown sugar Jim and June brought with them) sticky buns. As you can see a big part of our holiday traditions is food.

Another surprise we experienced came from a small group at the Fort Gatlin Alliance church that adopted us as their missionaries. Two days before Christmas Karen was out doing some last minute shopping (she was buying Hershey bars for my stocking). I stopped by the school with Jeffrey to pick up our mail. In our mail box we had a notice that the city post office was holding a package for us (we've never received a package that was so big they had to hold it for us). Imagine my surprise when the post office handed me two big boxes (copy-paper style boxes). Jeffrey and I happily juggled the boxes back to our apartment. When Karen got home we sat down and opened the boxes and the presents inside. Those boxes really meant alot to us. This small group has ministered to us greatly this year as they have encouraged us through their consistent communication. They continue to remind us we aren't alone and that there are people standing along-side of us in our mission.

On Christmas Eve we had a special time with the other Christian and Missionary Alliance families studying here in Costa Rica. We went to the home of John and Jesse Ritchey (with their children: Kaitlyn and Justin). Forest and Sarah Schell along with Caleb were there. We spent a good night of fellowship, worship and games. God has blessed us with some great team-mates here.

Finally, the last thing that was accomplished was the redecorating of our living area in our apartment. In Trinidad there is a tradition of redecorating your home for Christmas: painting, reflooring (either puting down new linoleum or painting the floor), reupholstering, and putting up new curtains. Karen and I decided this year we would redecorate part of our home as a gift to one another. Some people from our home church (Hope Community Bible Church, Springhill, Fl) sent us a gift and told us to do something special we wouldn't otherwise be able to do. We bought material and had our couch reupholstered and hung new curtains... which by the way is a very inexpensive undertaking here. We purchased paint, and I took to the task of repainting before Christmas. At 3 a.m. Christmas morning I finished the task. A nice surprise came when our landlord told us he would reimburse us for the paint since he received the free labor. With that money we bought ourselves a painting to hang over our couch.

God really has taken care of us this Christmas. Even though it hasn't always been easy, as we've missed people and traditions, it has been a meaningful Christmas filled with Joy. Praise the Lord!

El Cascanueces (The Nutcracker) and Change

I'm ready for Christmas. Last night we took a break from our studies and headed to downtown San Jose to the Teatro Nacional (National Theatre). For $10 (more or less) we were able to see the Nutcracker performed. It was a great break. Normally we feel compelled to think (either thinking how to say something in Spanish or how to translate). However, last night we found it relaxing not to speak or to hear anyone speak... we just lost ourselves in the vibrant colors of costumes and lighting and enjoyed the music of Tchaikovsky (my personal favorite classical composer). I can honestly say the costumes and lighting were the very best I have ever seen in any show I've gone to.

The "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" and "The Merlitons" really put me into the Christmas mood. If you think I've gone off the deep end with the ballet references I challenge you to sit down with a cup of coffee (or hot chocolate), listen to either of these two selections and then tell me you're not feeling nostalgic for Christmas.

This will be my first Christmas away from all things I know to be familiar. There are no pizelles (italian cookies), no Christmas tree, no candy canes (can you believe that... the only one's I can find are strawberry flavored), no being with extended family on Christmas day... it will be different.

So as not to get lost in nostagia it's important to focus on the positives of my current situation. In the unfamiliar I'm discovering many new things that are exciting. There are parrots flying overhead, we are celebrating in the Trinidadian-way (my wife's nationality) by redecorating our home (new paint, new curtain and new apolstery), my son is beginning to talk and I think he will understand what it means to open a present this year.

Without change where would I be? Living at home? ... Making the same mistakes over and over again? ... Working my first job? Thankfully life never remains the same. It's full and rich with meaningful new experiences. Thank God for change. And Merry NEW Christmas to you!

Worshiping in Costa Rica

We have been enjoying the Sunday morning worship services here in Costa Rica. It's not easy for us to understand everything that is being said on Sunday mornings. But the transparent quality in which the people express their worship ministers to us each week.

I've attached a "worship" movie on the right side of this page. It will take a few minutes to view depending on your internet speed. It gives you an idea of what our worship experience is like here.