Nicaragua

Well, these next couple of posts are a little late, but I don't think posterity will mind too much!

Because all of our visa forms were lost or stolen, we had to stay in Costa Rica on tourist visas instead of student visas. Which meant that we twice had to leave the country for roughly 72 hours. I have an earlier post of our first trip out that we took to Panama.

For our final trip, we decided to head north to Nicaragua. Some dear missionary friends, the Johnson family, that we went to school with had recently moved to Nicaragua. We would be able to visit with them, stay in their home, and see the work that they are involved in.

We took a pretty nice bus that had a working (albeit, stinky) bathroom that we were very grateful for. At the Costa Rican border we had to get out in the rain and stand in a line with our luggage for 3 1/2 hours. With four children, you can imagine what I was thinking about this situation, but instead of complaining, I decided to pray that God would use this circumstance as a way to strengthen our character (which meant I definitely had to keep a cheerful disposition for the sake of the children). The way Devon, Colleen, Scarlett, & Mary-Esther responded to the challenge can only be called a miracle. I am eternally grateful to God, and so proud of my children for the grace in which they comported themselves.

We were so excited to be back on the bus after waiting for so long, and proud of ourselves, that when we drove for 5 minutes and then had to get off again at the Nicaraguan border and wait another hour, it was almost too much. I compare the experience to giving birth to Devon. How I was happy that the whole ordeal was over, only to be confronted with afterbirth pains. I just wasn't prepared for it! I guess we shouldn't take anything for granted, or get cocky.

We found out later that the Johnsons waited 4 hours on the side of the road for us so that they wouldn't miss us. We didn't have any way to communicate with and tell them of our delays. I am so humbled that they cared so much for us that they gave up their own comfort confined in a van (due to the rain) beside the bus stop.

We immensly enjoyed our time with them and seeing the work that they are doing, but all too soon, we were heading back to Costa Rica. Thankfully, the wait at both borders was less than an hour. Praise the Lord. Our next trip will be to beautiful Mississippi!

Appendectomy and Panama!

This news is a bit on the dated side by now, but I'll relate the details, anyhow. On the 17th of February, Charlie woke-up sick. He first thought it was a virus, and with determination went to school. (Missing a day of school here is like missing a semester's worth of classes in college. Okay, I'm exaggerating a wee bit.)

Anyway, by the end of classes, Charlie was much worse, and wondered out loud whether or not he should go the the hospital. Charlie never wants to go to the doctor, so I began to worry. We went, the doctor ran a few tests, and Charlie was admitted to have an appendectomy that evening. WOW! The medical staff took good care of Charlie, and he came home two days later, minus a little piece of himself, but feeling much better.

Exactly one week later, we had to leave the country for three days, because we are here on tourist visas that last only 90 days. (We had tried to apply for student visas, but all our paperwork was lost or stolen between Miami and here.) There's a good chance there are people in the US walking around with our identities. If you happen to run in to anyone using our names, please be suspicious!

We decided to travel to Panama. The trip included a bus ride of seven hours, a washed out road that we had to traverse on foot. Since we don't have "walking on water" down pat, we all got wet, I obtained some new scrapes and bruises. Charlie, who was still recovering, carried both Scarlett and Mary-Esther across the water at the same time. I have a picture of that. After that unexpected adventure, we went through customs (out-of-doors), and crossed a treacherous bridge on foot with lots of missing planks and railings. We had made it to Panama! Then, after buying return tickets, we took a taxi to the Caribbean and then a 30 minute water taxi to our destination of Bocas del Toro.

Once there we had a good time snorkeling, scuba diving (for Charlie and Devon) (Yes, Devon has his scuba license now. Like father, like son), and playing on the beach. We got to eat on a boat, and actually have shrimp! (All the girls and I ordered shrimp) (Can you say, "like mother, like daughters?)

The way home was basically a reverse of the above without the treading through water bit. The biggest highlight of the way home was sitting right between the smelly bathroom that wasn't functioning and a mother and daughter, where the mother was picking lice out of her daughter's hair and flick them away indiscriminately! Doesn't that just make you itch all over? I was paranoid for a week.

Please believe me when I say I'm not complaining. Just stating the facts. We accomplished our goal, had some fun, and learned to appreciate the simple pleasures of home. What was that Paul said about learning to be content in every circumstance?

Love to you all, and enjoy all the simple moments of life,

Audrey

Preparing for my Day

This morning I was lying in bed, thinking about getting up. I started thinking of the best way to start my day with God when I started comparing what I do to get ready physically with what I do to get ready spiritually. I came to the conclusion that I do alot more to get ready physically.

Physically, I: take a shower/brush my teeth, eat breakfast, get dressed, fix my hair/apply make-up, & feed my family

Spiritually, I: read my Bible & pray, sometimes routine-like, if you know what I mean.

I've decided to apply how I get ready physically to how I get ready spiritually, and see what happens.

Here's my experiment:

1. Just as I take a shower to "clean-up", I will confess my sins to Christ to have them washed in His blood.

2. Just as I eat breakfast to feed my body and give me energy, I will feast on the Word of God, and really let it speak to me.

3. Just as I get dressed for the day, I will put on the armor of God in order to be equipped for whatever comes my way.

4. Just as I do my hair and fix my make-up to "try to look nice", I will sing praises to God Who does all things well.

5. Just as I prepare breakfast for my family to nourish them, I will look for the opportunities that God sends me to minister to other's needs.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for me and my family as I endeavor to seek Him more fervently.

God bless each of you as you follow Christ in your own lives.

Pictures to go with Last Post

Gratefulness and God's Power

It's been a while since I last wrote an entry. I am constantly amazed at how quickly time goes by. This life truly is a vapor. What I really want to share is how easy it is to slip into an attitude of ungratefulness and self-reliance.

The recent earthquake in Haiti has left thousands upon thousands of people homeless, hungry, and vulnerable to to the evil that continues to march on. And these numbers don't include the ones that lost their lives in the earthquake.

Over the last two weeks we have experienced two earthquake tremors (small) that were enough to shake the buildings we were in. They lasted only for 3 seconds, but it was enough to remind me that I am not in control. I can't imagine what an earthquake that lasted for 30 seconds would be like. I am told that those 30 seconds were the longest of many people's lives in Haiti. We make plans, but God directs our steps. (I think that's somewhere in Proverbs or Psalms)

Also, the students at the academy where our children attend, put up signs to remind us to pray for the Haitians, and to be grateful for what we have been given. They were very poignant reminders of how we should direct our thinking. I'm including pictures of them with this blog.

Lastly, my devotion this morning included Psalm 75. God states in verse 3 , "When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who holds its pillars firm." Horrible events happen everyday and sometimes we need to be reminded that God is in control. He has ordered our steps, and will give us the grace to walk therein.

But while we're walking, let's travel with a heart of gratitude and be the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and suffering world.

Blood Letting

Like everywhere, the Christmas season brings with it great joy but also the need for blood. (Blood banks, I mean!) Accidents are always on the rise this time of year, and trauma patients find themselves in desperate need of life-giving blood.

Whenever we can, Charlie and I try to give. It's something that cost us very little (just a tiny bit of fear and a little fatigue - for me, that is ;-). Once given, our bodies begin to replenish the blood, and we have joy knowing that we are helping those in critical need.

So, when our school had a blood drive, we were excited. Thankfully I had been taking my vitamins and my iron level was high enough for me to give. It was wonderful knowing that I was helping people right here in Costa Rica.

This Christmas may we remember that Jesus came for the very purpose of giving us the ultimate blood transfusion, so that we may truly be called "the sons of God." There's enough for everyone, and it's always the right type!

Merry Christmas to all!

Our Turkeyless Thanksgiving

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving away from home this Thursday. It was a unique experience. For one thing, much to my surprise, the rest of the world does not celebrate our Thanksgiving. Imagine that! We had classes on Thursday, but our break time was cancelled so that we could get out an hour earlier. It was also warm for the first time in weeks. My version of warm, that is. It was 81 F. and the sun came out in all its glory for about 2 hours. I really enjoyed that, even if it doesn't seem to go with Thanksgiving.

We gathered for a Thanksgiving "Lupper" at the house of friends (Chris and Laura) with 4 other families. We had a wonderful time relaxing, socializing, being grateful for the little things, and of course, eating. We had quite the feast even though there was no turkey or ham. Chris carved the chickens and I made a roast the way Carla Tyndall taught me (in the crock pot with a whole jar of pepperoncini). We had casseroles, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni & cheese, Texas torte, bread, and lots of desserts. It was great!

We all shared things that we were grateful for, but could not state the obvious of God, family, and friends. I was thankful for our hot shower with good water pressure and the ultra soft sheets that we brought with us. Both of these are truly blessings.

Even though we couldn't say "friends", we are very grateful for our friends and family in the States that haven't forgotten us, and for the new friends that God has given us here in Costa Rica. We feel like we have known them forever. It reminds me of the the Girl Scout song: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." I love all my silver and gold friends. Thank you for your friendship; you are shining treasures.

Happy Thanksgiving or Feliz Dia de Acciones de Gracias