Pictures from my classes

Liesa (Peru), Brian (Argentina), me, Brian (Guatemala), Rita (our conversation teacher), and Rick (Costa Rica)


Rick, Bubba, Brian, Tara, Cathy, Liesa, Crystal, me, Brian and our Grammar teacher Oscar


with Ana our phonetics teacher

To Panama

We had to go to Panama this past week in order to renew our visas. We had to leave Costa Rica for 72 hours, and then could return for another 3 months. It was quite a trip! Definitely a third world travel experience. God's protection and provision for us were huge, as He took care of all the details. The kids did great - they really were troopers! We had a driver take us from San Jose to the border. He dropped us off, we crossed a rickety old train bridge, went through immigration, got a taxi for a 30 minute ride to the water taxi. It was a 45 minute boat ride to the island town of Bocas del Toro, only accessible by boat or plane. Once in town, we had a 20 minute ride down a 3 mile very bad dirt road to the inn where we were staying. We stayed for 4 nights and had great family time. It was the first major travel we've done since being here. Both of our parents have come to visit (we never got to blog about our times with them, but it was super having them here and showing them around!) and we did some sight seeing/ day trips with them. But going to Panama certainly gave us a bigger picture. We passed through extreme poverty. I found myself struggling with huge issues - I was praying for God to protect us and keep us safe, while at the same time I was seeing families in dire poverty who probably pray everyday for enough food to eat, for clothes, and shelter. Why should He answer my prayers when others have needs that are so much bigger than mine? I know God cares for me and my family as much as he does for the poor, but I know he has a special love for the poor, too. These are deep issues, issues that I know I will wrestle with and be confronted with again. I do feel extremely blessed. Blessed by the life I have, and the experiences God is giving us.