There is a town here in Costa Rica called Sarchi. It pretty much sounds like it is spelled (Sar-chee). It is a neat little town. Here are three pictures of three pretty cool young people. These three missionary kids are depicting a big tradition here in Costa Rica. They are pretending to paint the wheels on a painted cart. Painted carts are a national symbol here in Costa Rica. It looks like it takes a long time to do. I was talking with a gentleman at this place the last time we were there. He is 77 years old, and he has been painting cart since he was 7. He introduced me to his son, grandson, and great-grandson. They were all there painting. He said from start to finish, it takes 7 days to paint one cart. So, you can imagine the work put into each cart. He also told me there is no pattern or stencil made to trace or paint with. It is all done by hand and imagination. What is really neat is that each side is an exact duplication of the other side. I don't know how they do it, but it is really impressive.
I imagine it takes a lot of patience and perseverance. I have been thinking a lot about these two fruits of the Spirit lately. The Spanish language is beautiful, but man is it hard to learn. There are so many words that are close to English, but they are pronounced different. Sometimes, they mean something totally different. It takes a lot of patience (which I am learning) and perseverance. I just keep on keeping on, and eventually, I will be able to speak this language well. That is my goal.
Ministry is another difficult, yet beautiful thing in life. If we call ourselves Christians, then we are also ministers of the Gospel. We represent Jesus Christ wherever we are, at all times, and to a world that desperately needs Jesus Christ. What a responsibility! Sometimes, we get tired, frustrated, or we just don't feel like ministering to people. We don't feel good, and we don't want to show people the true love of Jesus. Well, ministry, just like learning a language, requires patience and perseverance. As we learn to trust in God and to be patient with others and with our self, then we can minister more effectively. Also, if we just keep on keeping on, we can win people to Jesus Christ.
I received an email, yesterday, from a very dear friend here in Costa Rica. His name is Jose Antonio Perez. I have written about him before, but this email really touched my hear and gave me a great deal of encouragement. In the email he writes, in Spanish of course, about our friendship and how much I mean to him. He encourages us by telling us that God is going to give us many blessing in the work we are about to begin in Paraguay. He also told me that I am the friend he never has had here in Costa Rica. Now, I don't know about you, but sometimes I don't feel like I really do that much to deserve such kind words. I do know that this man is like a brother to me. He has helped me, encouraged me, blessed me, taught me, and shown me many things. I would not have had this friend without patience and perseverance. Patience to learn and understand what I know of the Spanish language. Patience in trying to speak it and communicate with Jose Antonio. Perseverance to keep trying even after I fail or mess up with trying to speak. Perseverance in going to their house and visiting even though it takes a long time to get there. Patience and perseverance in developing a friendship that I believe will last a lifetime.
Did this friendship happen overnight? No, just like it takes a long time to paint carts here in Costa Rica, it takes a long time to develop true friendships, especially when you are trying to communicate in another language. With God's amazing grace and help and with a lot of patience and perseverance, I have a new friend. I am really going to miss seeing him every week. Con mucha paciencia y con la ayuda de Dios, yo tengo un amigo nuevo. Él es mi hermano en Dios y yo voy a extrañarlo mucho.
Blessings to all,
Charley
Friendships are important in life. When we first came to Costa Rica, we did not know anyone. Now, we have several friends from Costa Rica.
On the top left are sisters, Francini (right) and Natalia (left). This picture was taken on Chariti's birthday. Can you believe Chariti is 14 years old now? I know, I cannot believe it, either. The little baby is Fabiana. Isn't she adorable? I am her Gringo Uncle. She loves when I hold her and talke to her. She has me wrapped around her little finger. The picture in the middle is my friend, Randy. I call him "big" brother, and he calls me "little" brother. The picture on the top right is Fiarella. She is the oldest daughter of Francini. Fabiana is her baby sister.
The picture on the bottom left is my friend, Jose Antonio. He has helped me tremendously with my Spanish, and he has taught me a lot about Latin American culture. On the bottom right is one of our teachers and a good friend of ours, Roxanna. She is a riot! We have lots of fun with her and her husband, Jose Antonio. They live in Ciudad Colon, and we visit as often as we can. She can flat-out cook! Wow! We eat more than well when we visit there home. They have three children: Marianell, Jose Andres, and Gabriel. If you would, add their names to your prayer list. They have such big hearts, and they really want to minister to as many people as they can. Their immediate nees are health for their children, money for a micro-bus for taking people around Costa Rica and teaching them about their country, and another prayer request is for their business. There is a piece of land near their home that they would love to purchase. They want to use this land to build a cabin. They want to use this cabin to bless missionaries and students while they live here in Costa Rica.
Friendships are very important in life. Friends help us through tough times. In fact, a true friend loves us when we are ugly and when we are beautiful. A true friend will not kick us when we are down. A true friend will not put us down or build us up too high. These people are examples of true friends, and I am proud to call them my friends. They have blessed our family in more ways than I can count, and we are going to be sad to leave them in a couple of months.
Blessings,
Charley
I finally downloaded the picture from September. These pictures are from the 14th and 15th of September. September 15th is Independence Day in Costa Rica. On Friday night at exactly 6:00 p.m., all of Costa Rica stops and sings the national anthem together. If they are in their homes or in the cars, they stop and sing. Then, all of the children gather and parade through the streets with "faroles." The picture on the left is of Chaz and his friend, Gabriel. They both have a "farole." The only word I can think of that can be used to translate "farole," is lantern. The story behind the farole is that on their day of independence, there wasn't any light. So, all of the children lit candles in a farole, or lantern, in order to read the letter of independence from Spain.
The other picture is of Gabriel in the parade on Independence Day. He was playing drums in the parade. Pretty much all of the children are in the parade. If you didn't know before, Costa Rica is one of two countries in the entire world that does not have an army. Our friend, Jose Antonio Perez, told me that this is their army. When I asked him what he meant, he said that our children make up the army of Costa Rica. Our army is education, the schools. The children even greet foreign dignitaries like armies do in other countries. When a foreign dignitary visits Costa Rica, the streets are lined with children welcoming them.
The national pride shown during this time was amazing. It was awesome to see children singing, dancing, and marching through the streets. Chaz was able to take part in this with his friend. He had fun, and he also was able to learn a lot about Costa Rica.
Do not forget where God has placed you. If you live in the United States, give God praise for allowing you to live in a free country like Costa Rica. Democracy and independence are great, but they will not last unless we stand up for them. The best way to stand up for democracy and freedom is on your knees. In Costa Rica, there is an important agreement up for vote this weekend. It is a trade agreement with the United States. In the United States, next year is an important presidential election. Both of these votes could change the future of both of these countries. We all need to get on our knees and ask God for His guidance.
May God bless you! May He keep you safe! May His face shine upon you, and may He give you peace!
Charley
There is a town here in Costa Rica called Sarchi. It pretty much sounds like it is spelled (Sar-chee). It is a neat little town. Here are three pictures of three pretty cool young people. These three missionary kids are depicting a big tradition here in Costa Rica. They are pretending to paint the wheels on a painted cart. Painted carts are a national symbol here in Costa Rica. It looks like it takes a long time to do. I was talking with a gentleman at this place the last time we were there. He is 77 years old, and he has been painting cart since he was 7. He introduced me to his son, grandson, and great-grandson. They were all there painting. He said from start to finish, it takes 7 days to paint one cart. So, you can imagine the work put into each cart. He also told me there is no pattern or stencil made to trace or paint with. It is all done by hand and imagination. What is really neat is that each side is an exact duplication of the other side. I don't know how they do it, but it is really impressive.
