If you followed my travels in Mozambique then the phrase Carol in the bush in Mozambique has a different meaning then this picture of Carol in the bush...haha...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Mosaic tiles
The other week a few of us went on a search through downtown San Jose. We were looking for mosaic tiles on a wall that showed the history of Costa Rica. After much walking and asking people we finally found them. I said after all this work I am going to put a picture of the tiles on my blogspot, so here it is....
Children's ministry
Each Thursday students from the institute go to another part of town and work in a children's ministry. Last Thursday I had the opportunity to go and it was a great experience. As there were 15 or so of us together in small van, going over the potholed filled streets, and having people look at us, I thought this feels like home. It reminded me of some of my travels in Mozambique.
We had Bible story time, craft/activity time and play time with the kids. They are kids who are just looking for someone to pay attention to them. It's one of those times when you go, you think when can I do this again.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Who's your hero?
This week is Spiritual Emphasis week at school. It's a time for us, the students, to get our focus back on why we are here and to help us gear up for the last half of the semester. Tonight the speaker asked the question, "Who is your hero?" Then he went on to name the reasons why Jesus is his hero. He also said you should tell people why Jesus is your hero.
He challenged us as missionaries to teach the people to do 5 things. One they should look unto Jesus. Two they should listen to Jesus. Three they should learn from Jesus. Fourth they should live for the Lord. Lastly they should love the Lord.
If you want to find out more read Hebrews 11....
He challenged us as missionaries to teach the people to do 5 things. One they should look unto Jesus. Two they should listen to Jesus. Three they should learn from Jesus. Fourth they should live for the Lord. Lastly they should love the Lord.
If you want to find out more read Hebrews 11....
Dentist trips...oh what fun
Over the weekend I was eating a snack. It was peanuts which had a candy coated hard shell. That was the first and last time I'll eat them because they weren't that good. Plus when I bit down on one of them, I thought that was really hard. Then I thought something doesn't feel right. I looked in the mirror and I had broken one of my teeth. So I went to the dentist today. As it turns out I need to have a root canal done because the tooth had a cavity inside of it and the tooth was almost hollow. I'll have the root canal done later in the week.
I am thankful that there is a dentist who is close by that I can go to. I thought I was in Mozambique for three years and thankfully didn't have any dental problems. I've been in Costa Rica for two months and now I am having a root canal. But God is good because I do have a number of dentists to choose from.
I am thankful that there is a dentist who is close by that I can go to. I thought I was in Mozambique for three years and thankfully didn't have any dental problems. I've been in Costa Rica for two months and now I am having a root canal. But God is good because I do have a number of dentists to choose from.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
If you get lost meet here..
If you get lost then meet here at this rabbit. I just thought it was cute at the park.Doing cartwheels
I bet you thought that would be a picture of me doing cartwheels right?? haha...I must admit I took this phrase from another friend. She said I want to show you picture of my cartwheels. Of course I thought she did cartwheels? Then she showed me pictures of the wheels of the ox carts that she had taken.
An afternoon at the park
This past Saturday after a morning of meetings I went to a place called Puebla Antigua. It's set up like Costa Rica was many years ago. It is so interesting because it is in the middle of an amusement park. But it doesn't cost anything to get into the park. You can go in for free and just walk around and enjoy. However if you want to ride the roller coasters and other rides then you do have to pay.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
It's a small world...
I hope I can explain this so that it makes sense to you. About two weeks ago some new students arrived at the language school. They are here for just one month in an intensive Spanish learning program. Today I was talking to two of the ladies. The topic of Africa came up and a mission trip to Ethiopia one of them had taken to work with the literacy program there.
We started talking about Africa because we were talking about rice. Here, most of the time, the rice is cooked in the microwave in a rice cooker. I commented that I was used to Africa and the way the rice is cooked there over the open fire. When I said that then the lady started talking about her trip to Ethiopia.
I was agreeing with her about what she had said about Africa. Then I said I was in Mozambique for three years and that I worked with the literacy program in the Mozambique. As we continued talking we realized that she and I had emailed back and forth while I was in Mozambique and she was in the United States! She had gone to a workshop and I was the contact person listed for the Mozambique literacy program.
We then talked about the literacy program and different people in Mozambique that we knew.
We said what a small world it is....She and I had emailed while I was in Mozambique. Then she comes to Costa Rica for one month of language study and we are at the same school. And we end up talking about Africa. I guess God's world does get smaller and smaller all the time.
We started talking about Africa because we were talking about rice. Here, most of the time, the rice is cooked in the microwave in a rice cooker. I commented that I was used to Africa and the way the rice is cooked there over the open fire. When I said that then the lady started talking about her trip to Ethiopia.
I was agreeing with her about what she had said about Africa. Then I said I was in Mozambique for three years and that I worked with the literacy program in the Mozambique. As we continued talking we realized that she and I had emailed back and forth while I was in Mozambique and she was in the United States! She had gone to a workshop and I was the contact person listed for the Mozambique literacy program.
We then talked about the literacy program and different people in Mozambique that we knew.
We said what a small world it is....She and I had emailed while I was in Mozambique. Then she comes to Costa Rica for one month of language study and we are at the same school. And we end up talking about Africa. I guess God's world does get smaller and smaller all the time.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
I just liked this picture
I just liked this picture of this lady who was enjoying herself at the tea...
Missionary Tea
This afternoon I had the opportunity to help with a missionary tea for a Costa Rican family who will be going to India as missionaries. It was a good time of fellowship and encouragement for the family who is going. I'm sure they would appreciate your prayers, la familia Soto.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Fishing
On the trip I saw two men fishing. The interesting part was that they were using a string. I'm sure they were catching fish because using string for them is normal for fishing.
Relaxing at the hotel
This is Carol relaxing at the hotel....The rocking chairs on the porch remind me of Cracker Barrel restaurants and the rocking chairs which they have on their porch which I enjoy sitting in.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Good fish
I enjoyed some really good fish on Sunday on the river. It came with all the parts which really disgusted the girl beside me but I enjoyed it and I cleaned the fish bone as good as I could...
Trip to Tortuguero Island
Saturday started with a 6 am departure time from the language institute. There were 10 of us who left that morning to travel to the Island of Tortuguero. It was about a 2 ½ hour bus ride followed by a 2 or 3 hour boat ride. On the bus ride I saw some really pretty scenery. San Jose is located in a “bowl” so you have to climb out to go different places. It was really pretty to see a waterfall on the side of the road. We even went through a tunnel. As I went through the tunnel I remembered how I used to be scared of tunnels as a child.
There was a couple on the trip who had actually been to Mozambique! It was nice to talk to them. They had gone there on an exploratory mission trip. When we were out on the beach on Saturday night she commented to me how there is nothing like the vastness of the African sky and she is exactly right. Nothing compares to the vastness and beauty of it in Africa.
As I thought about Mozambique and I was experiencing a new part of Costa Rica, I was reminded of how blessed I have been in my life. I realized how much of the world that I have seen through my travels. The boat ride reminded me of the mission trip I took to Brazil which involved living on a boat for a week and a half.
As I thought about Mozambique and I was experiencing a new part of Costa Rica, I was reminded of how blessed I have been in my life. I realized how much of the world that I have seen through my travels. The boat ride reminded me of the mission trip I took to Brazil which involved living on a boat for a week and a half.
I also realized how some things in other cultures just become natural, you don’t think about doing them. For instance in Africa shaking someone’s hand and holding the elbow of your shaking hand is a thing I learned in Africa and at times I still do it. It just became natural. I think I thought of that as I was thinking about the Costa Rican culture and Spanish language and how things will eventually become natural to me.
After about an hour on the bus we stopped for breakfast at a hotel in the middle of a forest. It was really pretty. We had gallo pinto (beans and rice), eggs made to order, fruit and cocktail wieners. It was so peaceful and quiet at the hotel. We all agreed that we could just stay there for the day, sleep in the hammock and read a book.
We passed pineapple, coffee and banana plantations along the way. Two of my favorites, pineapple and banana. When we got closer to the port area on the coast we saw the distribution centers for DelMonte, Dole and Chiquita bananas.
Then we ended the bus ride and moved to the boat ride. We would be going 50 miles on the boat and it would take about 3 hours. As I saw different houses along the river I thought I wonder what it would be like to live here and have to travel by boat to go places. If its home to you then it’s just normal. But for those of us who are use to cars, it’s a different life. I wondered where a church was close to them.
Then we ended the bus ride and moved to the boat ride. We would be going 50 miles on the boat and it would take about 3 hours. As I saw different houses along the river I thought I wonder what it would be like to live here and have to travel by boat to go places. If its home to you then it’s just normal. But for those of us who are use to cars, it’s a different life. I wondered where a church was close to them.
I saw two men in a rowboat who were fishing using a string.
I saw horses grazing at the side of the river. I saw cows resting on the banks of the river. I saw the place where the fresh water meets the salt water. I saw lots of birds, crocodiles and a sloth.
About halfway through the boat ride we stopped at what looked like someone’s house but it was a restaurant. It was a good bathroom break and snack place.
I saw horses grazing at the side of the river. I saw cows resting on the banks of the river. I saw the place where the fresh water meets the salt water. I saw lots of birds, crocodiles and a sloth.
About halfway through the boat ride we stopped at what looked like someone’s house but it was a restaurant. It was a good bathroom break and snack place.
We arrived about an hour later at Laguna Lodge on Tortugero Island. As I saw it, it made me homesick for Africa. It reminded me of a hotel in Malawi where we used to stay for meetings. Again I was reminded of how much I have been blessed to see and experience in my lifetime. As many people say who would have thought the shy quiet girl would travel throughout the world?
After a little rest and a good supper we then went to the beach to see if we could see the turtles that came to shore to lay their eggs. We had a guide and we had to do whatever he told us to do. It was a lot like a reality show would be, I think. It was 8 pm when we went out and it was dark. Only the guide had a flashlight. There were scouts on the beach who would send signals to the guides about what was going on with the turtles.
Our turn came and we went on the beach. We saw a 200 pound 35 year old mother turtle that had just laid her eggs and was in the process of covering up her eggs to protect them. We watched as the back legs went as fast as or faster than shovels. It was amazing how fast her back legs went. Then we watched as she left the eggs and returned to the ocean. The whole process of coming shore, laying eggs, and then leaving takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours. As the turtle returned to the ocean, I felt like I had helped her even though I didn’t do anything.
In the afternoon I did get to see baby turtles come out of the nest. They were so cute. They crawled down to the ocean and came to life as they hit the water.
After a little rest and a good supper we then went to the beach to see if we could see the turtles that came to shore to lay their eggs. We had a guide and we had to do whatever he told us to do. It was a lot like a reality show would be, I think. It was 8 pm when we went out and it was dark. Only the guide had a flashlight. There were scouts on the beach who would send signals to the guides about what was going on with the turtles.
Our turn came and we went on the beach. We saw a 200 pound 35 year old mother turtle that had just laid her eggs and was in the process of covering up her eggs to protect them. We watched as the back legs went as fast as or faster than shovels. It was amazing how fast her back legs went. Then we watched as she left the eggs and returned to the ocean. The whole process of coming shore, laying eggs, and then leaving takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours. As the turtle returned to the ocean, I felt like I had helped her even though I didn’t do anything.
In the afternoon I did get to see baby turtles come out of the nest. They were so cute. They crawled down to the ocean and came to life as they hit the water.
As we were at the beach watching the turtles and the process that takes place, the comment was made how anyone can question the fact that there is a God. The turtles can come back to the same place years later. The baby turtles that came out were full of life.
As I was going to sleep that night I started to listen to my Ipod and then I thought why listen to this when I can hear the natural thing. I could hear the acorns hitting the tin roof, the ocean waves, the birds and the bugs. Sunday morning I enjoyed a peaceful morning. Then we left and headed back to San Jose arriving around 5 pm. It was a good weekend of rest and I enjoyed reading a book on the travels. As you know reading is one of my favorite things….
As I was going to sleep that night I started to listen to my Ipod and then I thought why listen to this when I can hear the natural thing. I could hear the acorns hitting the tin roof, the ocean waves, the birds and the bugs. Sunday morning I enjoyed a peaceful morning. Then we left and headed back to San Jose arriving around 5 pm. It was a good weekend of rest and I enjoyed reading a book on the travels. As you know reading is one of my favorite things….
Enjoying the forest...
On the way to Tortuguero Island this past weekend, we stoppe for breakfast at a hotel on the way. It was a nice, peaceful place where this picture was taken.
Friday, October 3, 2008
What is your house like?
What is your house like? Is it big, small, or pretty? How many rooms does it have? That was the assignment which I had for one of my classes this week. I had to give a 7 minute description of the house I'm living in Costa Rica. I did it. After the 5 of us in the class finished our individual presentations, we found out that it was part of our test. This probably doesn't sound like too hard of an assignment until you think of going through your house describing it using the new vocabulary which you are learning, have learned.
Craft store
For those who know me, you know that I am not a crafty person. Whenever I hear the words this is something anybody can make, I cringe. Crafts is not something that I enjoy. I don't think I'll forget the time that mom and I were at a function with Kim. The craft was "an easy one that anybody can do". Well, mom and I asked Kim so many questions and she had to help us that she finally said I'll finish it for you. Mom and I didn't argue, we gladly said ok!
The other day when I went to the mall with a friend I didn't realize that one of the main tasks was to buy CRAFT items for a mission trip she is going on next week. They will be doing a VBS type program and she is in charge of crafts. After about 3 minutes in the craft store picking out beads she knew that crafts was not my thing. I went to the food court and enjoyed a Coke Light....
The other day when I went to the mall with a friend I didn't realize that one of the main tasks was to buy CRAFT items for a mission trip she is going on next week. They will be doing a VBS type program and she is in charge of crafts. After about 3 minutes in the craft store picking out beads she knew that crafts was not my thing. I went to the food court and enjoyed a Coke Light....
Little by little
Little by little is a favorite phrase of many of the teachers at the language institute. I think they know that we, the students, want to know it all now. We want to know all the vocabulary, verb tenses, direct objects, indirect objects, commands and all the language stuff that we just know how to use in our heart language.
I know I'm guilty of getting frustrated with myself especially when I keep getting confused between Portuguese and Spanish. But I have to remember that when I was in Mozambique I was getting Spanish confused with Portuguese. It is nice to know that some of the mistakes I made in Portuguese were because of the Spanish which I knew.
But, little by little, with patience it will all come together. I was reminded that God didn't give me all the language and international exposure that He has just to leave me stranded now. Thank you for your prayers as I continue learning and studying.
I know I'm guilty of getting frustrated with myself especially when I keep getting confused between Portuguese and Spanish. But I have to remember that when I was in Mozambique I was getting Spanish confused with Portuguese. It is nice to know that some of the mistakes I made in Portuguese were because of the Spanish which I knew.
But, little by little, with patience it will all come together. I was reminded that God didn't give me all the language and international exposure that He has just to leave me stranded now. Thank you for your prayers as I continue learning and studying.
Words of encouragement
It's amazing how much words of encouragement to another person can make a difference. Phonetics/pronunication class is a class that is challenging for me. Changing from the Portuguese to the Spanish pronunication is challenging. The other day I said Lord I don't want this class to rob me of your joy. I want to be able to go to this class do the best I can, do the homework and then not fret over it.
Last Friday the teacher commented to me about how much my pronunication had improved. I said thank you. I've been practicing and praying. Thank you Lord.
Last Friday the teacher commented to me about how much my pronunication had improved. I said thank you. I've been practicing and praying. Thank you Lord.
The exclusive jewelry store
The other day I went to the mall with a friend so she wouldn't have to go by herself. I know big sacrifice right?? haha. At the mall I saw a very nice jewelry store. It was an exclusive store where they have a guard to open the door for you and a salesclerk was there waiting for you. I looked at some of the really pretty items in the window and they didn't have prices on them. I commented to my friend that they would probably laugh if we walked into buy something.
Then I thought how many times have I looked at someone and made an immediate judgment about them? How many times have you done that? I know I'm guilty of doing that. I know God has changed my view of people or things after I've made a quick judgment. After all the people at the jewelry store might think oh those two ladies don't have any money to buy something here. Or they may look at us and think two potential customers. I don't know what they thought because we didn't go into the store. But it did make me think about how I look at people. John 7:24 says do not judge according to appearance but judge with righteous judgment. Of course the final judgment comes from God and God alone.
Then I thought how many times have I looked at someone and made an immediate judgment about them? How many times have you done that? I know I'm guilty of doing that. I know God has changed my view of people or things after I've made a quick judgment. After all the people at the jewelry store might think oh those two ladies don't have any money to buy something here. Or they may look at us and think two potential customers. I don't know what they thought because we didn't go into the store. But it did make me think about how I look at people. John 7:24 says do not judge according to appearance but judge with righteous judgment. Of course the final judgment comes from God and God alone.
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