http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/default.stm
go to this site and watch the video "How the gift of a goat has helped one Rwandan community" and see how a 15 year old girl has made a difference. Ethical gifts to the developing world enjoyed bumper sales over Christmas, with Oxfam taking 5,000 orders a day. Teenager Eleanor Paish, who bought a goat, was invited to Rwanda to see how the gifts have helped communities."
christmas - a time of giving. what about the rest of the year?
how much are you spending for valentines? for one day to show someone how much you love them. what about for the same amount of money you could buy a piglet, or 2 rabbits or 2 ducks to help feed a whole family or seed packets and tools to enable them to grow their own food and/or earn income... or if you were really doing it up big with a night on the town you could buy a goat for the same amount... now that would be love.
matthew 25:35 for I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.
if a 15 year old girl, still in school, can make a difference... you can too... if you love enough.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
i dare you
I heard a story about a small church that was having a reunion. A former member who attended the celebration had become a millionaire. When he testified about how God had blessed him over the years, he related an incident from his childhood. He said that when he earned his first dollar as a boy, he decided to keep it for the rest of his life. But then a guest missionary preached about the urgent need on the mission field. He struggled about giving his dollar. "The Lord won, however," the man said. Then, with a sense of pride he added, "I put my treasured dollar in the offering basket. And I am convinced that the reason God has blessed me so much is that when I was a little boy I gave Him everything I possessed." The congregation was awestruck by the testimony—until a little old lady in front piped up, "I dare you to do it again!" from our daily bread feb 3/06.
from bbc news "Before Christmas I asked Zambia's finance minister, Peter Ngandu Magande, who is to blame for the poverty of so many of his countrymen.
He wrote: "Poverty . . . Most times is the perception of other people who decide to give a tag of poverty to another person . . . Only two days ago, someone in Europe defined me as being poor because I receive a monthly salary of $1,400 against his $5,000".
$1400 a month is poor by some standards but $1.00 a day is extreme poverty by anyone's standards and yet most of the world's population live like this daily.
check out bbc news on other countries and learn about poverty. we, one of the wealthiest nations, know nothing about real poverty.
Dominic Nkhata, 29 and his wife Patricia, 27 are a young Zambian couple with a two-year-old daughter. Dominic works as a factory hand while Patricia is a housewife. The couple are also responsible for four orphans, the children of Dominic's deceased sisters. The family live in two rooms in one of Lusaka's poorer neighbourhoods, a shanty town called Garden Compound, about five kilometres outside Lusaka city, and are typical of the millions of Africans who live on less than a dollar a day.
can you imagine trying to feed 7 people on less than $1 a day? oh did i forget to mention that most of their income goes to pay rent. or that they are dying of aids so they will leave 5 young children to care for themselves.
what are you doing to end poverty? are you doing enough? are you doing anything?
or are you buying another new cd, a new set of dishes or towels or decorations to go with the new paint job?
what do you perceive as poverty? your $3,000 a month, $2,000 a month. it's true the more you have the more you will spend. have you ever thought of spending it on someone other than yourself?
do you already sponsor a child somewhere? or two? if you can do one you can do two. if you can do two you can do three.
what would you give to have clean drinking water? food to eat?
can you not find it in your heart to deny yourself one new cd a month or one timmie's or starbucks coffee a day and send it to support a family in africa or india that is literally starving to death.
i dare you.
from bbc news "Before Christmas I asked Zambia's finance minister, Peter Ngandu Magande, who is to blame for the poverty of so many of his countrymen.
He wrote: "Poverty . . . Most times is the perception of other people who decide to give a tag of poverty to another person . . . Only two days ago, someone in Europe defined me as being poor because I receive a monthly salary of $1,400 against his $5,000".
$1400 a month is poor by some standards but $1.00 a day is extreme poverty by anyone's standards and yet most of the world's population live like this daily.
check out bbc news on other countries and learn about poverty. we, one of the wealthiest nations, know nothing about real poverty.
Dominic Nkhata, 29 and his wife Patricia, 27 are a young Zambian couple with a two-year-old daughter. Dominic works as a factory hand while Patricia is a housewife. The couple are also responsible for four orphans, the children of Dominic's deceased sisters. The family live in two rooms in one of Lusaka's poorer neighbourhoods, a shanty town called Garden Compound, about five kilometres outside Lusaka city, and are typical of the millions of Africans who live on less than a dollar a day.
can you imagine trying to feed 7 people on less than $1 a day? oh did i forget to mention that most of their income goes to pay rent. or that they are dying of aids so they will leave 5 young children to care for themselves.
what are you doing to end poverty? are you doing enough? are you doing anything?
or are you buying another new cd, a new set of dishes or towels or decorations to go with the new paint job?
what do you perceive as poverty? your $3,000 a month, $2,000 a month. it's true the more you have the more you will spend. have you ever thought of spending it on someone other than yourself?
do you already sponsor a child somewhere? or two? if you can do one you can do two. if you can do two you can do three.
what would you give to have clean drinking water? food to eat?
can you not find it in your heart to deny yourself one new cd a month or one timmie's or starbucks coffee a day and send it to support a family in africa or india that is literally starving to death.
i dare you.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
you are so not worthy
I love you so much I gave my son's life for you.
ok so who are you going to believe. if you're a christian you have to believe the 2nd one because it's God telling you how much He loves you. right out of the bible - john 3:16.
how many of us had / have parents or other people in our lives telling us we weren't worthy.
well we're not, not in and of ourselves. it's only because God loves us so much that we become worthy. He gave us His Holy Spirit to live in us so how can we say we're not worthy. He made us co-heirs with His only Son Jesus, so how can we say we're not worthy.
so there's the truth - that's from God. and there's the lie - that we know is from satan because he is the father of lies.
who are you going to believe?
believe it - you are worthy. you are a precious, worthy, child of God.
ok so who are you going to believe. if you're a christian you have to believe the 2nd one because it's God telling you how much He loves you. right out of the bible - john 3:16.
how many of us had / have parents or other people in our lives telling us we weren't worthy.
well we're not, not in and of ourselves. it's only because God loves us so much that we become worthy. He gave us His Holy Spirit to live in us so how can we say we're not worthy. He made us co-heirs with His only Son Jesus, so how can we say we're not worthy.
so there's the truth - that's from God. and there's the lie - that we know is from satan because he is the father of lies.
who are you going to believe?
believe it - you are worthy. you are a precious, worthy, child of God.
Monday, January 30, 2006
my point is
i fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 1cor12:20
a perverse man stirs up dissension and a gossip separates close friends. prov 16:28
without gossip a quarrel dies down. prov 16:20
if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. but if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. matt 6:14,15
if any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone john 8:7
do not judge or you too will be judged. for in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? how can you say to your brother, let me take the speck out of your eye when all the time there is a plank in your own eye. you hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye. matt 7:1-5
not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. matt 7:21... then i will tell you plainly, I never knew you. away from me you evildoers. matt 7:23
i like how greg did his sermon yesterday. he spoke God's truth, right out of the bible. the truth - it's staring you right in the face, you can't miss it.
ok so yesterday i used harsh words to make my point. i spoke my truth - lies and gossip hurt. today is God's truth, right out of the bible.
my command is this: love each other as I have loved you. john 15:12
even though we have sinned / are sinners... He loves us! and He wants us to love others... the same way.
if anyone says i love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. 1 john 4:20
a perverse man stirs up dissension and a gossip separates close friends. prov 16:28
without gossip a quarrel dies down. prov 16:20
if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. but if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. matt 6:14,15
if any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone john 8:7
do not judge or you too will be judged. for in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? how can you say to your brother, let me take the speck out of your eye when all the time there is a plank in your own eye. you hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye. matt 7:1-5
not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. matt 7:21... then i will tell you plainly, I never knew you. away from me you evildoers. matt 7:23
i like how greg did his sermon yesterday. he spoke God's truth, right out of the bible. the truth - it's staring you right in the face, you can't miss it.
ok so yesterday i used harsh words to make my point. i spoke my truth - lies and gossip hurt. today is God's truth, right out of the bible.
my command is this: love each other as I have loved you. john 15:12
even though we have sinned / are sinners... He loves us! and He wants us to love others... the same way.
if anyone says i love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. 1 john 4:20
Sunday, January 29, 2006
love for enemies
matt 5:44-48 but I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise and fall on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. if you love those who love you what reward will you get? are not even the tax collectors doing that? and if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? do not even pagans do that? be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
whoa - that's a tough one. love your enemy. love those who persecute you. that is so hard to do. but it is possible. God makes possible the impossible.
i know when i was in high school and people were persecuting me i could never have forgiven them. i didn't have it in me to forgive them. i was crushed in spirit. but God says in psalm 34:18 that He is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
it's true - believe it.
whoa - that's a tough one. love your enemy. love those who persecute you. that is so hard to do. but it is possible. God makes possible the impossible.
i know when i was in high school and people were persecuting me i could never have forgiven them. i didn't have it in me to forgive them. i was crushed in spirit. but God says in psalm 34:18 that He is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
it's true - believe it.
christian love
how does that song go - you can tell we are christians by our love.
omg - if we are an example of christian love the rest of the world's in trouble.
sharing the gospel. what is that? what is the gospel? God's truth? what is God's truth? love Him above all others. love others. john 13:34 as i have loved you so you MUST love one another. He didn't say speak it - He said DO it.
1 john 4:19-21 we love because He first loved us. if anyone says i love God yet hates his brother he is a liar. for anyone who does not love his brother, who he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. and He has given us this COMMAND: whoever loves God MUST also love his brother.
so - do you love God... or are you a liar?
omg - if we are an example of christian love the rest of the world's in trouble.
sharing the gospel. what is that? what is the gospel? God's truth? what is God's truth? love Him above all others. love others. john 13:34 as i have loved you so you MUST love one another. He didn't say speak it - He said DO it.
1 john 4:19-21 we love because He first loved us. if anyone says i love God yet hates his brother he is a liar. for anyone who does not love his brother, who he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. and He has given us this COMMAND: whoever loves God MUST also love his brother.
so - do you love God... or are you a liar?
breaks my heart
it breaks my heart that we christians who are supposed to be living like Christ are the most unforgiving lot. if it breaks my heart what do you think it does to the heart of God. He who has told us to love each other and forgive each other as He has forgiven us.
He tells us to lift up the body of Christ. that's our job. He tells us not to judge - that's His job. and yet we're slamming each other, spreading lies, spreading gossip. who's side are we on? who are we fighting? we are supposed to be fighting the enemy. WE are not the enemy. that's satan. if you are not fighting FOR Christ you are fighting AGAINST Him.
who are you living for? Christ? are you sure?
or are you living like and for satan?
He tells us to lift up the body of Christ. that's our job. He tells us not to judge - that's His job. and yet we're slamming each other, spreading lies, spreading gossip. who's side are we on? who are we fighting? we are supposed to be fighting the enemy. WE are not the enemy. that's satan. if you are not fighting FOR Christ you are fighting AGAINST Him.
who are you living for? Christ? are you sure?
or are you living like and for satan?
stix and stones
i tell myself that if i am living for an audience of One that i am not going to care what people say about me. right now people aren't accusing me of anything, (at least not that i know of although we seem to have a way of being nice to each others faces but saying ugly, hurtful things behind each others backs) but that was not always the case.
when i was in grade 8 i had a reputation. people i didn't even know called me a slut, described in the dictionary as a)A woman considered sexually promiscuous, b) A woman prostitute, and c) A slovenly woman; a slattern. why? because in their dirty little minds i was not following the socially acceptable role they thought i should be?
i wore black eyeliner and i wore skirts a bit shorter than others. that was the only thing that made me different than everyone else. did that make me a harlot? it's what i was accused of. it was hurtful. girls rejected me - were they jealous? boys paid attention to me. why? because 1 boy that i went out with lied and bragged to others saying he had 'scored' with me so the rest of them thought they could too.
it was the same at home. accused of things i had never done. i finally ran away and after a couple of times i was placed in a foster home.
i changed schools and when i started at the new school i changed my name and i started making friends. then someone discovered my real name and learned that i was 'that girl' from the other high school that had that bad rep. they couldn't believe i was the same person that the bad rumours (malicious lies) were about. i was accepted. they didn't throw stones.
who are you accusing?
who are you spreading malicious lies about?
why are you spreading malicious lies?
and you call yourself a christian? in the dictionary a christian is described as
a) Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
b) Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
c) Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
d) Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
e) Showing a loving concern for others; humane.
how can you if you are throwing stix and stones. first of all if you are without sin then go ahead and throw stones but we all know none of us are.
second are you showing loving concern for others? spreading lies and malicious gossip is not loving concern. it is not manifesting the qualities of Christ. it does not relate in any way to the teachings of Jesus.
so who do you think you are?
and you call yourself a christian.
i call you a liar.
when i was in grade 8 i had a reputation. people i didn't even know called me a slut, described in the dictionary as a)A woman considered sexually promiscuous, b) A woman prostitute, and c) A slovenly woman; a slattern. why? because in their dirty little minds i was not following the socially acceptable role they thought i should be?
i wore black eyeliner and i wore skirts a bit shorter than others. that was the only thing that made me different than everyone else. did that make me a harlot? it's what i was accused of. it was hurtful. girls rejected me - were they jealous? boys paid attention to me. why? because 1 boy that i went out with lied and bragged to others saying he had 'scored' with me so the rest of them thought they could too.
it was the same at home. accused of things i had never done. i finally ran away and after a couple of times i was placed in a foster home.
i changed schools and when i started at the new school i changed my name and i started making friends. then someone discovered my real name and learned that i was 'that girl' from the other high school that had that bad rep. they couldn't believe i was the same person that the bad rumours (malicious lies) were about. i was accepted. they didn't throw stones.
who are you accusing?
who are you spreading malicious lies about?
why are you spreading malicious lies?
and you call yourself a christian? in the dictionary a christian is described as
a) Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
b) Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
c) Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
d) Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
e) Showing a loving concern for others; humane.
how can you if you are throwing stix and stones. first of all if you are without sin then go ahead and throw stones but we all know none of us are.
second are you showing loving concern for others? spreading lies and malicious gossip is not loving concern. it is not manifesting the qualities of Christ. it does not relate in any way to the teachings of Jesus.
so who do you think you are?
and you call yourself a christian.
i call you a liar.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
kids on the internet
there are other stories to share with your kids about the dangers of disclosing personal information on-line at the following link.
http://www.operationlookout.org/pred/warning_for_kids.htm
http://www.operationlookout.org/pred/warning_for_kids.htm
Missing Teen
Abused By Man She Met Online
September 13, 2004
By Kim Riemland
The 14-year-old girl was found after reportedly being kidnapped, raped, and beaten by a man she met on the internet.
FIRCREST - A teenage girl who disappeared from her home in Camas nearly two weeks was reportedly kidnapped, beaten and raped by a man she met on the internet.
The girl's mom used her daughter's web postings to help track her to a home in Fircrest.
A Fircrest police officer knocked on the door and found the 14-year-old girl lying on a bed inside. She was nearly naked and dazed.
The officer also found rooms filled with what investigators believe is evidence of abuse.
The girl suffers from a form of Autism. Detectives say she met her suspected abuser, a father of three, online. What police say happened after that is sickening.
"We recovered a lot of sexually related materials. It looks like he had a couple of rooms set up in the house for videotaping and hardcore sexual activity," said Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
"And we've recovered digital cameras and computers so we still have a lot of evidence to go through," he added. "We believe that there were some things going on there that may have been going on for some time."
The 47-year-old man is charged with kidnapping, rape of a child, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Court documents detail numerous allegations of sexual abuse.
Documents say the girl told detectives he also hit her with a whip, put a hood over her head, and hit her with a bamboo stick. When he left the house he would chain her to the bed.
After being missing for nearly two weeks, the girl called her mom from the hospital Sunday night.
"I didn't even know it was her, I thought it was her sister at first," said the teen's mom through her tears. "Then she said 'mommy, it was a bad man.' I realized it was her and all we could both do is cry."
The prosecutor says toxicology tests will determine whether the girl was drugged. Video tapes and computer drives seized at the home may tell investigators even more about what went on inside.
The girl is now home and away from the man who she calls "the bad man she met on the internet."
Prosecutors believe there could be other victims in the case. Other people might have also been involved in committing the crime.
The suspect is being held on $250,000 bail.
Copyright 2004 Fisher Communications, Inc. (KOMO TV)
September 13, 2004
By Kim Riemland
The 14-year-old girl was found after reportedly being kidnapped, raped, and beaten by a man she met on the internet.
FIRCREST - A teenage girl who disappeared from her home in Camas nearly two weeks was reportedly kidnapped, beaten and raped by a man she met on the internet.
The girl's mom used her daughter's web postings to help track her to a home in Fircrest.
A Fircrest police officer knocked on the door and found the 14-year-old girl lying on a bed inside. She was nearly naked and dazed.
The officer also found rooms filled with what investigators believe is evidence of abuse.
The girl suffers from a form of Autism. Detectives say she met her suspected abuser, a father of three, online. What police say happened after that is sickening.
"We recovered a lot of sexually related materials. It looks like he had a couple of rooms set up in the house for videotaping and hardcore sexual activity," said Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
"And we've recovered digital cameras and computers so we still have a lot of evidence to go through," he added. "We believe that there were some things going on there that may have been going on for some time."
The 47-year-old man is charged with kidnapping, rape of a child, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Court documents detail numerous allegations of sexual abuse.
Documents say the girl told detectives he also hit her with a whip, put a hood over her head, and hit her with a bamboo stick. When he left the house he would chain her to the bed.
After being missing for nearly two weeks, the girl called her mom from the hospital Sunday night.
"I didn't even know it was her, I thought it was her sister at first," said the teen's mom through her tears. "Then she said 'mommy, it was a bad man.' I realized it was her and all we could both do is cry."
The prosecutor says toxicology tests will determine whether the girl was drugged. Video tapes and computer drives seized at the home may tell investigators even more about what went on inside.
The girl is now home and away from the man who she calls "the bad man she met on the internet."
Prosecutors believe there could be other victims in the case. Other people might have also been involved in committing the crime.
The suspect is being held on $250,000 bail.
Copyright 2004 Fisher Communications, Inc. (KOMO TV)
shannon's internet friend
please share this with your kids - it's worth repeating over and over.
Shannon could hear the footsteps behind her as she walked toward home. The thought of being followed made her heart beat faster.
"You're being silly," she told herself, "no one is following you." To be safe, she began to walk faster, but the footsteps kept up with her pace. She was afraid to look back and she was glad she was almost home. Shannon said a quick prayer, "God please get me home safe."
She saw the porch light burning and ran the rest of the way to her house. Once inside, she leaned against the door for a moment, relieved to be in the safety of her home. She glanced out the window to see if anyone was there. The sidewalk was empty.
After tossing her books on the sofa, she decided to grab a snack and get on-line. She logged on under her screen name ByAngel213. She checked her Buddy List and saw GoTo123 was on.
She sent him an instant message:
ByAngel213: Hi I'm glad you are on! I thought someone was following me home today. It was really weird!
GoTo123: LOL You watch too much TV. Why would someone be following you? Don't you live in a safe neighborhood?
ByAngel213: Of course I do. LOL I guess it was my imagination cuz' I didn't see anybody when I looked out.
GoTo123: Unless you gave your name out on-line. You haven't done that have you?
ByAngel213: Of course not. I'm not stupid you know.
GoTo123: Did you have a softball game after school today?
ByAngel213: Yes and we won!!
GoTo123: That's great! Who did you play?
ByAngel213: We played the Hornets. LOL. Their uniforms are so gross! They look like bees. LOL
GoTo123: What is your team called?
ByAngel213: We are the Canton Cats. We have tiger paws on our uniforms. They are really kewl.
GoTo123: Did you pitch?
ByAngel213: No I play second base. I got to go. My homework has to be done before my parents get home. I don't want them mad at me. Bye!
GoTo123: Catch you later. Bye
Meanwhile...... GoTo123 went to the member menu and began to search for her profile. When it came up, he highlighted it and printed it out. He took out a pen and began to write down what he knew about Angel so far.
Her name: Shannon Birthday: Jan. 3, 1985 Age:13 State where she lived: North Carolina Hobbies: softball, chorus, skating and going to the mall.
Besides this information, he knew she lived in Canton because she had just told him. He knew she stayed by herself until 6:30 p.m. every afternoon until her parents came home from work.
He knew she played softball on Thursday afternoons on the school team, and the team was named the Canton Cats. Her favorite number 7 was printed on her jersey. He knew she was in the seventh grade at the Canton Junior High School.
She had told him all this in the conversations they had on-line. He had enough information to find her now.
Shannon didn't tell her parents about the incident on the way home from the ball park that day. She didn't want them to make a scene and stop her from walking home from the softball games.
Parents were always overreacting and hers were the worst. It made her wish she was not an only child. Maybe if she had brothers and sisters, her parents wouldn't be so overprotective.
By Thursday, Shannon had forgotten about the footsteps following her. Her game was in full swing when suddenly she felt someone staring at her. It was then that the memory came back.
She glanced up from her second base position to see a man watching her closely. He was leaning against the fence behind first base and he smiled when she looked at him. He didn't look scary and she quickly dismissed the fear she had felt.
After the game, he sat on a bleacher while she talked to the coach. She noticed his smile once again as she walked past him. He nodded and she smiled back.
He noticed her name on the back of her shirt He knew he had found her. Quietly, he walked a safe distance behind her. It was only a few blocks to Shannon's home, and once he saw where she lived he quickly returned to the park to get his car.
Now he had to wait. He decided to get a bite to eat until the time came to go to Shannon's house. He drove to a fast food restaurant and sat there until time to make his move.
Shannon was in her room later that evening when she heard voices in the living room. "Shannon, come here," her father called. He sounded upset and she couldn't imagine why. She went into the room to see the man from the ballpark sitting on the sofa.
"Sit down," her father began, "this man has just told us a most interesting story about you." Shannon moved cautiously to a chair across from the man How could he tell her parents anything? She had never seen him before today!
"Do you know who I am Shannon?" The man asked. "No," Shannon answered."I am a police officer and your online friend, GoTo123." Shannon was stunned. "That's impossible! GoTo is a kid my age! He's 14 and he lives in Michigan!" The man smiled. "I know I told you all that, but it wasn't true.
You see, Shannon, there are people on-line who pretend to be kids; I was one of them. But while others do it to find kids and hurt them, I belong to a group of parents who do it to protect kids from predators. I came here to find you to teach you how dangerous it is to give out too much information to people on-line.
You told me enough about yourself to make it easy for me to find you. Your name, the school you went to, the name of your ball team and the position you played. The number and name on your jersey just made finding you a breeze." Shannon was stunned. "You mean you don't live in Michigan?" He laughed. "No, I live in Raleigh. It made you feel safe to think I was so far away, didn't it?" She nodded.
"I had a friend whose daughter was like you. Only she wasn't as lucky. The guy found her and murdered her while she was home alone.
Kids are taught not to tell anyone when they are alone, yet they do it all the time on-line.
The wrong people trick you into giving out information a little here and there on-line. Before you know it, you have told them enough for them to find you without even realizing you have done it. I hope you've learned a lesson from this and won't do it again."
"I won't," Shannon promised solemnly.
"Will you tell others about this so they will be safe too?" "It's a promise!"
That night Shannon and her dad and Mom all knelt down together and prayed. They thanked God for protecting Shannon from what could have been a tragic situation.
Please send this to as many people as you can to teach them not to give any information about themselves.
This world we live in today is too dangerous to even give out your age, let alone anything else.
Thanks to: http://community-2.webtv.net/imcraftee2/AWarningforKids for this vitally important word of warning to kids and parents regarding Internet Safety.
Shannon could hear the footsteps behind her as she walked toward home. The thought of being followed made her heart beat faster.
"You're being silly," she told herself, "no one is following you." To be safe, she began to walk faster, but the footsteps kept up with her pace. She was afraid to look back and she was glad she was almost home. Shannon said a quick prayer, "God please get me home safe."
She saw the porch light burning and ran the rest of the way to her house. Once inside, she leaned against the door for a moment, relieved to be in the safety of her home. She glanced out the window to see if anyone was there. The sidewalk was empty.
After tossing her books on the sofa, she decided to grab a snack and get on-line. She logged on under her screen name ByAngel213. She checked her Buddy List and saw GoTo123 was on.
She sent him an instant message:
ByAngel213: Hi I'm glad you are on! I thought someone was following me home today. It was really weird!
GoTo123: LOL You watch too much TV. Why would someone be following you? Don't you live in a safe neighborhood?
ByAngel213: Of course I do. LOL I guess it was my imagination cuz' I didn't see anybody when I looked out.
GoTo123: Unless you gave your name out on-line. You haven't done that have you?
ByAngel213: Of course not. I'm not stupid you know.
GoTo123: Did you have a softball game after school today?
ByAngel213: Yes and we won!!
GoTo123: That's great! Who did you play?
ByAngel213: We played the Hornets. LOL. Their uniforms are so gross! They look like bees. LOL
GoTo123: What is your team called?
ByAngel213: We are the Canton Cats. We have tiger paws on our uniforms. They are really kewl.
GoTo123: Did you pitch?
ByAngel213: No I play second base. I got to go. My homework has to be done before my parents get home. I don't want them mad at me. Bye!
GoTo123: Catch you later. Bye
Meanwhile...... GoTo123 went to the member menu and began to search for her profile. When it came up, he highlighted it and printed it out. He took out a pen and began to write down what he knew about Angel so far.
Her name: Shannon Birthday: Jan. 3, 1985 Age:13 State where she lived: North Carolina Hobbies: softball, chorus, skating and going to the mall.
Besides this information, he knew she lived in Canton because she had just told him. He knew she stayed by herself until 6:30 p.m. every afternoon until her parents came home from work.
He knew she played softball on Thursday afternoons on the school team, and the team was named the Canton Cats. Her favorite number 7 was printed on her jersey. He knew she was in the seventh grade at the Canton Junior High School.
She had told him all this in the conversations they had on-line. He had enough information to find her now.
Shannon didn't tell her parents about the incident on the way home from the ball park that day. She didn't want them to make a scene and stop her from walking home from the softball games.
Parents were always overreacting and hers were the worst. It made her wish she was not an only child. Maybe if she had brothers and sisters, her parents wouldn't be so overprotective.
By Thursday, Shannon had forgotten about the footsteps following her. Her game was in full swing when suddenly she felt someone staring at her. It was then that the memory came back.
She glanced up from her second base position to see a man watching her closely. He was leaning against the fence behind first base and he smiled when she looked at him. He didn't look scary and she quickly dismissed the fear she had felt.
After the game, he sat on a bleacher while she talked to the coach. She noticed his smile once again as she walked past him. He nodded and she smiled back.
He noticed her name on the back of her shirt He knew he had found her. Quietly, he walked a safe distance behind her. It was only a few blocks to Shannon's home, and once he saw where she lived he quickly returned to the park to get his car.
Now he had to wait. He decided to get a bite to eat until the time came to go to Shannon's house. He drove to a fast food restaurant and sat there until time to make his move.
Shannon was in her room later that evening when she heard voices in the living room. "Shannon, come here," her father called. He sounded upset and she couldn't imagine why. She went into the room to see the man from the ballpark sitting on the sofa.
"Sit down," her father began, "this man has just told us a most interesting story about you." Shannon moved cautiously to a chair across from the man How could he tell her parents anything? She had never seen him before today!
"Do you know who I am Shannon?" The man asked. "No," Shannon answered."I am a police officer and your online friend, GoTo123." Shannon was stunned. "That's impossible! GoTo is a kid my age! He's 14 and he lives in Michigan!" The man smiled. "I know I told you all that, but it wasn't true.
You see, Shannon, there are people on-line who pretend to be kids; I was one of them. But while others do it to find kids and hurt them, I belong to a group of parents who do it to protect kids from predators. I came here to find you to teach you how dangerous it is to give out too much information to people on-line.
You told me enough about yourself to make it easy for me to find you. Your name, the school you went to, the name of your ball team and the position you played. The number and name on your jersey just made finding you a breeze." Shannon was stunned. "You mean you don't live in Michigan?" He laughed. "No, I live in Raleigh. It made you feel safe to think I was so far away, didn't it?" She nodded.
"I had a friend whose daughter was like you. Only she wasn't as lucky. The guy found her and murdered her while she was home alone.
Kids are taught not to tell anyone when they are alone, yet they do it all the time on-line.
The wrong people trick you into giving out information a little here and there on-line. Before you know it, you have told them enough for them to find you without even realizing you have done it. I hope you've learned a lesson from this and won't do it again."
"I won't," Shannon promised solemnly.
"Will you tell others about this so they will be safe too?" "It's a promise!"
That night Shannon and her dad and Mom all knelt down together and prayed. They thanked God for protecting Shannon from what could have been a tragic situation.
Please send this to as many people as you can to teach them not to give any information about themselves.
This world we live in today is too dangerous to even give out your age, let alone anything else.
Thanks to: http://community-2.webtv.net/imcraftee2/AWarningforKids for this vitally important word of warning to kids and parents regarding Internet Safety.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
cat
looking for a good home for my cat. susan / liz has been taking care of my cat while i've been gone but i need to find a home for her. she is fixed and is used to a quiet environment. my granddaughter talked me into getting a kitten but as it turned out she is allergic to cats and now as well i can't have any pets in the apartment.
my new apartment
a friend suggested maybe God wants me to be in abby. i wasn't looking in abby, i didn't want a ground floor apartment, i wanted a view, i didn't want a busy street. actually when i think of what i didn't want i wonder how i got the apt i did.
friday i had driven by an apt in mission and there was nothing for sale. saturday after i put an offer in on my apt i learned that there was another showing 3 hours later. then tuesday i saw a for sale sign on the apt in mission. i called about it yesterday. s/w corner, top floor, view. i would have put an offer on it. it was more money than mine, and less square footage and had a balcony. mine is a ground floor garden apartment where i can plant flowers, veggies. it is just so me i can't wait to be in it.
not sure if God wants me to be in abby or not but it's weird how it's all come together.
friday i had driven by an apt in mission and there was nothing for sale. saturday after i put an offer in on my apt i learned that there was another showing 3 hours later. then tuesday i saw a for sale sign on the apt in mission. i called about it yesterday. s/w corner, top floor, view. i would have put an offer on it. it was more money than mine, and less square footage and had a balcony. mine is a ground floor garden apartment where i can plant flowers, veggies. it is just so me i can't wait to be in it.
not sure if God wants me to be in abby or not but it's weird how it's all come together.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
for sale
yamaha piano in mint condition - offers??? (i don't know it's value and am trying to determine same)
extra heavy duty lawn mower - used one month (like maybe 3 times) - $225 or???
extra heavy duty lawn mower - used one month (like maybe 3 times) - $225 or???
Monday, January 23, 2006
disposable income
talking to a friend about this recently, before i bought the apartment, and i thought wow what is that. will i really have some???
was going to rent an apartment - $750 / month
wanted to buy a sweet little mobile home in mission - spend all my money on the purchase then still pay $425 pad rental + heat.
thought about buying a mobile home out in deroche - spend all my money on the purchase, plus some, then still pay $325 pad rental + heat + huge amounts on gas back and forth.
bought a cute little apartment in abby where i can walk to almost anything or take the bus (definitely used to that) and my mortgage + a smaller maintenance fee (includes heat) will be way less than renting; equal to or less than buying either mobile home and it is mine and won't lose the value like a mobile home will.
will i have disposable income? nah but never had before so i won't be missing something i never had. but maybe after i get a job???
and the apartments that i looked at to buy in mission were $12k to $25 more than what i paid.
thank You Lord. and like a dear friend pointed out i have only been back 3 weeks. and the apartment is so bright, it is so me. i am so excited.
wow God is so very good to us.
was going to rent an apartment - $750 / month
wanted to buy a sweet little mobile home in mission - spend all my money on the purchase then still pay $425 pad rental + heat.
thought about buying a mobile home out in deroche - spend all my money on the purchase, plus some, then still pay $325 pad rental + heat + huge amounts on gas back and forth.
bought a cute little apartment in abby where i can walk to almost anything or take the bus (definitely used to that) and my mortgage + a smaller maintenance fee (includes heat) will be way less than renting; equal to or less than buying either mobile home and it is mine and won't lose the value like a mobile home will.
will i have disposable income? nah but never had before so i won't be missing something i never had. but maybe after i get a job???
and the apartments that i looked at to buy in mission were $12k to $25 more than what i paid.
thank You Lord. and like a dear friend pointed out i have only been back 3 weeks. and the apartment is so bright, it is so me. i am so excited.
wow God is so very good to us.
cable tv
ok so i'm not just computer illiterate - what is all this?
Shaw Cable TV
Shaw Digital TV
Shaw On Demand
Shaw High Definition TV (HDTV)
Shaw High Definition Personal Video Recorder (HD+PVR)
obviously you can't just plug your tv in, turn it on and watch something anymore.
have i been gone that long? has it really only been 15 months???
Shaw Cable TV
Shaw Digital TV
Shaw On Demand
Shaw High Definition TV (HDTV)
Shaw High Definition Personal Video Recorder (HD+PVR)
obviously you can't just plug your tv in, turn it on and watch something anymore.
have i been gone that long? has it really only been 15 months???
internet service
since i have been away for awhile and it has changed so much i'm wondering if anyone can tell me who is a good isp.
i am so not computer literate so don't know the difference between - for example
Shaw High-Speed Lite Internet
Shaw High-Speed Internet
Shaw High-Speed Xtreme-I
Can't decide which High-Speed Internet Service is right for you? Choose your speed???? what is this - greek?
also price is a factor as well.
i am so not computer literate so don't know the difference between - for example
Shaw High-Speed Lite Internet
Shaw High-Speed Internet
Shaw High-Speed Xtreme-I
Can't decide which High-Speed Internet Service is right for you? Choose your speed???? what is this - greek?
also price is a factor as well.
impact
talking to a friend about mercy last week. she said maybe she wasn't feeling very merciful this particular day.
i met a woman at the pool yesterday who sang praises about my friend. telling me how awesome she is, about how she is so compassionate. this woman is struggling in life right now and when her father passed away recently my friend was always there to offer her comfort and support.
compare it to a woman (or man) who goes to work to support her family or stays home to raise her children. we are not all meant for the same thing. we are not all gifted with the same things. but whatever or wherever we are we can make an impact in someone's life.
another woman at church on sunday said she wished she could do something more besides 'make teddies' wow! we have no idea how valuable we are. i couldn't make a teddy if my life depended on it. but when children are traumatized the police give them teddies. they cling to them like they are life supports. i can imagine the faces of the children around the world receiving her teddies. they have probably never received such a glorious gift in their lives. nor will again. and she wishes she could do more. it's too bad she can't see the joy she brings to these children. what joy it would give her.
it doesn't matter where God has placed us. it matters what we do with what God has given us.
i see very ordinary people all around me that are doing such amazing things for God and they aren't even aware of it. awesome!
i'm in awe of God's majesty. i'm in awe of His love for me.
i met a woman at the pool yesterday who sang praises about my friend. telling me how awesome she is, about how she is so compassionate. this woman is struggling in life right now and when her father passed away recently my friend was always there to offer her comfort and support.
compare it to a woman (or man) who goes to work to support her family or stays home to raise her children. we are not all meant for the same thing. we are not all gifted with the same things. but whatever or wherever we are we can make an impact in someone's life.
another woman at church on sunday said she wished she could do something more besides 'make teddies' wow! we have no idea how valuable we are. i couldn't make a teddy if my life depended on it. but when children are traumatized the police give them teddies. they cling to them like they are life supports. i can imagine the faces of the children around the world receiving her teddies. they have probably never received such a glorious gift in their lives. nor will again. and she wishes she could do more. it's too bad she can't see the joy she brings to these children. what joy it would give her.
it doesn't matter where God has placed us. it matters what we do with what God has given us.
i see very ordinary people all around me that are doing such amazing things for God and they aren't even aware of it. awesome!
i'm in awe of God's majesty. i'm in awe of His love for me.
furniture and stuff
ok so because i have bought a place i will be needing all the furniture and furnishings that everyone in church was so kind as to store for me in their living rooms or kitchens or bedrooms.
i don't need anything immediately but wanted to give you all notice so if you are using it you will have time to replace it with your own. and thank you all so very much.
i don't need anything immediately but wanted to give you all notice so if you are using it you will have time to replace it with your own. and thank you all so very much.
bought a home
i was going to write bought a place but it came out bought a home. so many places in my life have been just that - a place. it's where i sleep at night. i think this is going to be different. it is so bright and homey.
for as much as i was so very excited to buy it, it all came together amazingly fast and unexpected, when i got into bed saturday night i got very sad.
a small, literally falling apart, dumpy house in costa rica has been my home for 15 of the past 17 months. obviously it wasn't the house that made it home but the family. my suitcase was my closet/dresser which was zipped up immediately so as to keep out the huge freaking spiders. for a couple of months i had been feeling that when i finally left cr at the end of december it would be the last time i would ever be there. now having bought a home here the financial reality of it hit home and the thought of never seeing "my family" again brought me to tears. but as ever thanks to God for His supernatural peace i am as excited as ever again.
for as much as i was so very excited to buy it, it all came together amazingly fast and unexpected, when i got into bed saturday night i got very sad.
a small, literally falling apart, dumpy house in costa rica has been my home for 15 of the past 17 months. obviously it wasn't the house that made it home but the family. my suitcase was my closet/dresser which was zipped up immediately so as to keep out the huge freaking spiders. for a couple of months i had been feeling that when i finally left cr at the end of december it would be the last time i would ever be there. now having bought a home here the financial reality of it hit home and the thought of never seeing "my family" again brought me to tears. but as ever thanks to God for His supernatural peace i am as excited as ever again.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
cool pool
the kids took me to the new mission pool today. we were in the water for over 3 hours. i spent most of the time in the hot tub. it was wonderful - finally some warmth. it was fun playing with the kids.
new chemicals in the pool are a lot better than the old chlorine. i can see we're going to be spending more time in the pool.
until the summer comes. the kids have an above ground pool at their house.
new chemicals in the pool are a lot better than the old chlorine. i can see we're going to be spending more time in the pool.
until the summer comes. the kids have an above ground pool at their house.
feeling used?
i have been used many times by many people and i have used people. it was never a good thing. the connotation was always something bad.
not so anymore. now to be used is a good thing. i long for, i desire to be used... by God... for His joy, for His purposes. now to be used, by God, for His glory, is such a blessing, such a joy.
not so anymore. now to be used is a good thing. i long for, i desire to be used... by God... for His joy, for His purposes. now to be used, by God, for His glory, is such a blessing, such a joy.
joy
the presence of God in your life.
church in amparo - a long time ago i told the pastor i didn't see a lot of joy in our church. he said people came but they were always expecting miracles. before christmas i bought a nativity scene for the church and the pastor said some people had approached him and said it had to go. it was idol worship. we talked about it and both felt that they were like pharisees, living under the law of moses and not knowing the joy of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
last night in church as we were worshiping i noticed a man with his hands in his pockets. i wondered why he was there. i didn't sense any joy about him at all and wondered how can you worship God with your hands in your pockets.
later at club 365 scott talked about joy. it was wonderful last night. you could see and feel the joy. and i have to add, except for 1, i knew all the songs by heart and could sing them all. it was awesome.
actually that's why i wondered about being a christian. joy. a friend i had known for 30 years had become a christian and she always seemed so joyful. i wanted what she had. i asked her how she got it and she said she had just prayed about it. well not having a clue as to how to go about it i went to a couple of churches. found one i liked better and started attending regularly. the people were very warm and welcoming. the church bulletin had an email address for the pastor. i started emailing him about all the crap in my life and a barrage of questions - how did you get that joy, how did you become a christian. i was new to the internet and thought i was completely anonymous. not! little did i know. then one day in church he called me by name and i just about fell over. omg he knew all this stuff about me. thankfully now (in a way) he has bad memory so he wouldn't remember any of it.
thank you scott. for telling me about joy and helping me to find it. God is my life saver but you threw me the life-line.
joy - in case you missed it - it's the presence of God in your life. it's an intimate love relationship that fills your being. it doesn't matter whatever else may be happening in your life, if you have this relationship with God you have joy. He is internal and eternal. everything else is external and is not what gives you joy, happiness maybe, but that doesn't last.
you know Christ as your Lord and Saviour but don't have joy? what is coming between you? to have this joy you have to be in a right relationship with God. it's agony to have unconfessed sin in your life and feel separated from God. nothing is more important than to restore that relationship with God. nothing can compare to know the joy again of being in that right relationship.
if you don't have it and don't know how to get it ask God. He loves you so much He wants to have that relationship with you. He wants you to know the joy of loving Him and being loved by Him.
nothing else in life is more important.
church in amparo - a long time ago i told the pastor i didn't see a lot of joy in our church. he said people came but they were always expecting miracles. before christmas i bought a nativity scene for the church and the pastor said some people had approached him and said it had to go. it was idol worship. we talked about it and both felt that they were like pharisees, living under the law of moses and not knowing the joy of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
last night in church as we were worshiping i noticed a man with his hands in his pockets. i wondered why he was there. i didn't sense any joy about him at all and wondered how can you worship God with your hands in your pockets.
later at club 365 scott talked about joy. it was wonderful last night. you could see and feel the joy. and i have to add, except for 1, i knew all the songs by heart and could sing them all. it was awesome.
actually that's why i wondered about being a christian. joy. a friend i had known for 30 years had become a christian and she always seemed so joyful. i wanted what she had. i asked her how she got it and she said she had just prayed about it. well not having a clue as to how to go about it i went to a couple of churches. found one i liked better and started attending regularly. the people were very warm and welcoming. the church bulletin had an email address for the pastor. i started emailing him about all the crap in my life and a barrage of questions - how did you get that joy, how did you become a christian. i was new to the internet and thought i was completely anonymous. not! little did i know. then one day in church he called me by name and i just about fell over. omg he knew all this stuff about me. thankfully now (in a way) he has bad memory so he wouldn't remember any of it.
thank you scott. for telling me about joy and helping me to find it. God is my life saver but you threw me the life-line.
joy - in case you missed it - it's the presence of God in your life. it's an intimate love relationship that fills your being. it doesn't matter whatever else may be happening in your life, if you have this relationship with God you have joy. He is internal and eternal. everything else is external and is not what gives you joy, happiness maybe, but that doesn't last.
you know Christ as your Lord and Saviour but don't have joy? what is coming between you? to have this joy you have to be in a right relationship with God. it's agony to have unconfessed sin in your life and feel separated from God. nothing is more important than to restore that relationship with God. nothing can compare to know the joy again of being in that right relationship.
if you don't have it and don't know how to get it ask God. He loves you so much He wants to have that relationship with you. He wants you to know the joy of loving Him and being loved by Him.
nothing else in life is more important.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
home
heard a song on the radio today, "praising under open skies". the words "wherever you are, wherever you've been, He's been there" made me think of my own situation. i am looking for a place to call my own. Jesus never had a home to call His own.
Monday, January 16, 2006
end of the spear
movie about the true story of 5 missionaries killed in ecuador and how their deaths transformed lives. an amazing story of forgiveness.
coming to theatres jan 20th. i was so looking forward to going - and then i read that it's not being released in canada... just yet.
please pray for overwhelming attendance this weekend that would encourage the producers to show it in theatres in canada. also pray for transformation in the lives of everyone that has an opportunity to see this movie.
great website too. one person suggested taking the movie to people in prison. awesome idea. to show violent people how violent tribespeople were transformed.
coming to theatres jan 20th. i was so looking forward to going - and then i read that it's not being released in canada... just yet.
please pray for overwhelming attendance this weekend that would encourage the producers to show it in theatres in canada. also pray for transformation in the lives of everyone that has an opportunity to see this movie.
great website too. one person suggested taking the movie to people in prison. awesome idea. to show violent people how violent tribespeople were transformed.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
church
went to a spanish church tonight. didn't know a soul but i knew the music. i could worship in spanish and it was wonderful. afterwards most of the people welcomed me and invited me to come back. met a couple who moved here from costa rica so it was cool to talk to them. even though i didn't know a soul i felt very at home there.
nh - must be a lot of new english music out there cuz i haven't recognized most of the songs sung in church last week or this. it makes me sad cuz it's hard to worship when you don't know the songs.
nh - must be a lot of new english music out there cuz i haven't recognized most of the songs sung in church last week or this. it makes me sad cuz it's hard to worship when you don't know the songs.
obedience
thought i was. when God said "but only for one year" for me to be in costa rica. i thought what harm could it do to stay a couple of extra months so i could be with the family at christmas. i wanted to be with them.
last night i had a very emotional time with God asking Him if i have been obedient to give me more. i want more, use me, send me. somewhere, anywhere, i want to go. notice - i want, i want. what does God want?
ok what about the part where He very clearly said "but only for one year" and i stayed longer. i was staying for me not leaving for Him as He had told me to do.
david inquired of God and God said attack and gave him victory. david inquired of God again and He said do something different then attack and again He gave him victory. each time David talked to God and was obedient. he depended on God. 1 chron 14:14
how often do we live our lives thinking we know best, better than God. what if God has a different plan for our lives. He says He knows the plans He has for us. jeremiah 29:11 and i believe Him. if we want to have God's blessing we have to be obedient and listen to Him.
last night i had a very emotional time with God asking Him if i have been obedient to give me more. i want more, use me, send me. somewhere, anywhere, i want to go. notice - i want, i want. what does God want?
ok what about the part where He very clearly said "but only for one year" and i stayed longer. i was staying for me not leaving for Him as He had told me to do.
david inquired of God and God said attack and gave him victory. david inquired of God again and He said do something different then attack and again He gave him victory. each time David talked to God and was obedient. he depended on God. 1 chron 14:14
how often do we live our lives thinking we know best, better than God. what if God has a different plan for our lives. He says He knows the plans He has for us. jeremiah 29:11 and i believe Him. if we want to have God's blessing we have to be obedient and listen to Him.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
rain
everyone is complaining about the rain. i'm surprised that i am not. i guess i would be too if i hadn't spent the past 14 months living in costa rica where it rains every day for 10 months. flooding, mud/landslides, bridge washouts, yeah. i'm just thankful that it's not snow. i just wish it was warmer.
bible
i've read it front to back a couple of times and i've read the nt many more times. each time i seem to glean a new insight, something i've read several times suddenly becomes clear and has meaning.
but this time - wow! i started at the beginning again, thinking i would do my daily reading to read the bible through in one year. as i've been reading it, it's like i don't remember reading this before, it's almost like reading a new book and i can hardly put it down.
but this time - wow! i started at the beginning again, thinking i would do my daily reading to read the bible through in one year. as i've been reading it, it's like i don't remember reading this before, it's almost like reading a new book and i can hardly put it down.
lies, aldultery, murder
king david. guilty. it took the life of his child to bring him to repentance yet when he did God blessed him because he was a man after God's own heart.
God asked for the life of abraham's son yet He spared him when He saw that abraham was faithful.
Jesus suffered and died the same horrible death for your lie, my adultery, ted bundy's murders. but He is faithful and forgives us when we repent.
are you faithful? are you repentant? do you need forgiveness?
God asked for the life of abraham's son yet He spared him when He saw that abraham was faithful.
Jesus suffered and died the same horrible death for your lie, my adultery, ted bundy's murders. but He is faithful and forgives us when we repent.
are you faithful? are you repentant? do you need forgiveness?
Friday, January 13, 2006
forgive
if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. but if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
matthew 6:14,15
and who among us is without sin.
think about it.
matthew 6:14,15
and who among us is without sin.
think about it.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
please
don't know what to do with myself but know i want more of God and want to do more for Him.
susan is planning a mission trip to mexico city in june but i don't feel called to go on that.
just checking out world vision's website and there are 2 trips that really got my heart going. one to el salvador and the other to honduras. one to build houses, the other to build gardens/irrigation systems.
sent an email to world vision to see if there is space. completely wired and probably won't sleep thinking about it. part of the deal though is that when you volunteer with world vision they ask that you find sponsors for 3 children in the country where you will be going.
blew me away 3 years ago in that i was blessed by 5 other people wanting to sponsor children. it was obviously such a God thing.
now i want to go again and again need sponsors for 3 children in each country.
i also think i need to talk to God about it to determine His will in the matter but when it touches my heart so deeply i can't imagine that it isn't His will.
please pray about this and if you feel you would like to sponsor a child in el salvador or honduras please let me know.
thank you and God bless you.
susan is planning a mission trip to mexico city in june but i don't feel called to go on that.
just checking out world vision's website and there are 2 trips that really got my heart going. one to el salvador and the other to honduras. one to build houses, the other to build gardens/irrigation systems.
sent an email to world vision to see if there is space. completely wired and probably won't sleep thinking about it. part of the deal though is that when you volunteer with world vision they ask that you find sponsors for 3 children in the country where you will be going.
blew me away 3 years ago in that i was blessed by 5 other people wanting to sponsor children. it was obviously such a God thing.
now i want to go again and again need sponsors for 3 children in each country.
i also think i need to talk to God about it to determine His will in the matter but when it touches my heart so deeply i can't imagine that it isn't His will.
please pray about this and if you feel you would like to sponsor a child in el salvador or honduras please let me know.
thank you and God bless you.
Monday, January 09, 2006
tests
hated taking tests in school but taking them on-line when it doesn't matter what the results are is ok. took one tonight that says i'm ready for clergy. that would be no.
i just love God and my heart has been aching for more of Him today. i am in need of more worship.
i need my own place. my own private space where i can talk with God. my time with God is usually very emotional and i want to sing out loud. i cry and people want to know if i'm ok. i'm ok. i just want to spend more time with God, alone. and it's hard when you don't have your own space.
i talk to Him as i'm driving down the road but driving becomes difficult when i can't see through the tears. tears of joy, tears of loving Him, tears of wanting more of Him.
i just love God and my heart has been aching for more of Him today. i am in need of more worship.
i need my own place. my own private space where i can talk with God. my time with God is usually very emotional and i want to sing out loud. i cry and people want to know if i'm ok. i'm ok. i just want to spend more time with God, alone. and it's hard when you don't have your own space.
i talk to Him as i'm driving down the road but driving becomes difficult when i can't see through the tears. tears of joy, tears of loving Him, tears of wanting more of Him.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
tickle tests
Congratulations, Teri!Your IQ score is 127
This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Facts Curator. This means you are highly intelligent and have picked up an impressive and unique collection of facts and figures over the years. You've got a remarkable vocabulary and exceptional math skills — which puts you in the same class as brainiacs like Bill Gates. And that's just some of what we know about you from your test results.
and for $12.95 you too can purchase your complete iq report. i think they have me confused with someone else. either that or we are all geniuses.
like when several bloggers were checking to see the value of their blogs. never figured out how that worked - i did that too and scored an amazing zero.
This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Facts Curator. This means you are highly intelligent and have picked up an impressive and unique collection of facts and figures over the years. You've got a remarkable vocabulary and exceptional math skills — which puts you in the same class as brainiacs like Bill Gates. And that's just some of what we know about you from your test results.
and for $12.95 you too can purchase your complete iq report. i think they have me confused with someone else. either that or we are all geniuses.
like when several bloggers were checking to see the value of their blogs. never figured out how that worked - i did that too and scored an amazing zero.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
need to nest
i have a pillow for my head but need more. i have a room with friends while i search for a home. thought i'd found something and was ready to buy it - it got an accepted offer 4 days ago.
there's not much out there in my price range, and i considered this property high but am so anxious to have a place i can call my own that i would have taken it.
feeling lost, so far from home, with no place to call my own.
there's not much out there in my price range, and i considered this property high but am so anxious to have a place i can call my own that i would have taken it.
feeling lost, so far from home, with no place to call my own.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
ikea
ikea - who's going to ikea. i need to go and buy all new bedding and whatever else i can't find that i gave away.
call me if you're going but don't leave a msg yet cuz i can't figure out how to get my messages out.
call me if you're going but don't leave a msg yet cuz i can't figure out how to get my messages out.
Monday, January 02, 2006
prospero ano nuevo!
happy new year!
back in canada. it's freaking cold here, i hate it. 7 degrees in abby today. 30 degrees lower than if i was at home. in costa rica.
can not believe the housing costs here. will never be able to afford to buy a house again. looking at buying a single wide mobile home but couldn't believe you still have to pay $425 each month for a pad rental.
back in canada. it's freaking cold here, i hate it. 7 degrees in abby today. 30 degrees lower than if i was at home. in costa rica.
can not believe the housing costs here. will never be able to afford to buy a house again. looking at buying a single wide mobile home but couldn't believe you still have to pay $425 each month for a pad rental.
being a mom
i sucked at being a mom. and it was only in the last few years that i realized that although my mom sucked at it too it was the best that she knew how to be. thankfully, with God's grace, we have a better relationship now than we have ever had.
mothers - we aren't perfect. we do the best we can with what we have. sometimes it isn't enough. sometimes we get lucky.
mothers - we aren't perfect. we do the best we can with what we have. sometimes it isn't enough. sometimes we get lucky.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
think you're in control???
think again.
yesterday am jonny, dany, mefy, eitel and i are sitting at the bus stop at 6.00 waiting to go to the bus terminal to go to playa jaco. eitel flipped over backwards and dany picked him up and was going to call him a clown when we saw that he was having a seizure. foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back in his head, shaking uncontrollably.
we didn't get to jaco. i spent yesterday holding eitel's hand all day in the hospital. although he walked into the hospital he had no recollection whatsoever from sitting at the bus stop to waking up in the hospital.
he is ok now and has gone home in a car with marco, the oldest brother that is a nurse. the ct scan was normal and everything else appeared to be normal. the doctor said some people may have one seizure in their whole life and never another but he has referred him to a specialist.
i had thought i would have gone to the internet yesterday in jaco to wish everyone a merry christmas, like a private more intimate note to friends, i thought today i would have been at the beach with the boys. instead i am here in the internet and they are playing ps2 and getting their hair cut. it's not how i thought i would have been spending christmas.
they want to go to a place that's like playland tonight and i'm coming down with a cold so that's about the last thing i want to do.
for whatever reason eitel had the seizure yesterday at the bus stop it was definitely a God thing. it could have happened in jaco where there is no hospital or in the water and had serious consequences.
we are not in control. we are at God's mercy and i thank Him that He is merciful.
yesterday am jonny, dany, mefy, eitel and i are sitting at the bus stop at 6.00 waiting to go to the bus terminal to go to playa jaco. eitel flipped over backwards and dany picked him up and was going to call him a clown when we saw that he was having a seizure. foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back in his head, shaking uncontrollably.
we didn't get to jaco. i spent yesterday holding eitel's hand all day in the hospital. although he walked into the hospital he had no recollection whatsoever from sitting at the bus stop to waking up in the hospital.
he is ok now and has gone home in a car with marco, the oldest brother that is a nurse. the ct scan was normal and everything else appeared to be normal. the doctor said some people may have one seizure in their whole life and never another but he has referred him to a specialist.
i had thought i would have gone to the internet yesterday in jaco to wish everyone a merry christmas, like a private more intimate note to friends, i thought today i would have been at the beach with the boys. instead i am here in the internet and they are playing ps2 and getting their hair cut. it's not how i thought i would have been spending christmas.
they want to go to a place that's like playland tonight and i'm coming down with a cold so that's about the last thing i want to do.
for whatever reason eitel had the seizure yesterday at the bus stop it was definitely a God thing. it could have happened in jaco where there is no hospital or in the water and had serious consequences.
we are not in control. we are at God's mercy and i thank Him that He is merciful.
Friday, December 23, 2005
feliz navidad
y prospero año a todos.
merry christmas and happy new year to everyone.
i am in san jose today and going to playa jaco, the beach, very early tomorrow morning with jonny, dany, mefy and eitel for christmas. we will go to another beach, pajaros, just north of puntarenas, to spend 2 days at the house of patricio's father. everyone, all the brothers and sisters and their families will be there. dany and i will come back to san jose 28th and i will leave for canada 29th.
looking forward to seeing everyone.
Dios le bendiga.
God bless you.
merry christmas and happy new year to everyone.
i am in san jose today and going to playa jaco, the beach, very early tomorrow morning with jonny, dany, mefy and eitel for christmas. we will go to another beach, pajaros, just north of puntarenas, to spend 2 days at the house of patricio's father. everyone, all the brothers and sisters and their families will be there. dany and i will come back to san jose 28th and i will leave for canada 29th.
looking forward to seeing everyone.
Dios le bendiga.
God bless you.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
needing a ride / room / apartment / basement suite ??
the ride is a definite need from the airport to mission. arriving 10:42 p.m. thursday dec 29.
also if someone has a spare room, basement suite, apartment i can have until i can find something.
does anyone need a housesitter for a week or 2 or month until i can find something?
also if someone has a spare room, basement suite, apartment i can have until i can find something.
does anyone need a housesitter for a week or 2 or month until i can find something?
Thursday, December 08, 2005
tourists
the more i meet the more i don't like. most of the ones i have met are european and american. they seem to want to drink and be stupid. they want to go topless or naked on the beaches of costa rica and panama. i find them arrogant.
for as sexual a people as the ticos are they are offended by the nudity on the beaches because they take their children there. the tourists don't care.
i am more at home and comfortable with the locals.
the people in bocas del toro were not at all what i expected. most were very warm and friendly to me. the ones that weren't basically ignored me as they did other tourists and i felt it was because the rudeness of the majority of tourists has turned them off all of them.
for as sexual a people as the ticos are they are offended by the nudity on the beaches because they take their children there. the tourists don't care.
i am more at home and comfortable with the locals.
the people in bocas del toro were not at all what i expected. most were very warm and friendly to me. the ones that weren't basically ignored me as they did other tourists and i felt it was because the rudeness of the majority of tourists has turned them off all of them.
on the road again
the time is flying by now and soon i will have to leave. got back last night from a 3 day whirlwind shopping tour to golfito and paso canoas in the south west corner of costa rica at the panamanian border. almost two days on the bus.
went to the south east corner of costa rica and panama for 4 days before that.
tomorrow i am going to tortuguero, the north east corner of costa rica. most of my time is spent on buses but this country is so beautiful i haven't wanted to miss any of it but at least i will see a bit of it.
i saw the northwest corner when i went to nicaragua one time.
it is a paradise for anyone but in particular for a horticulturalist. i have a friend who is one and he would be beside himself looking at the flora here. the plants are so beautiful and the trees are amazing.
when i went to panama last week i was so busy taking pictures i wasn't paying attention. (if you know me you won't be surprised) i ended up crossing the border and had to be called back because i hadn't gone through customs. again!
went to the south east corner of costa rica and panama for 4 days before that.
tomorrow i am going to tortuguero, the north east corner of costa rica. most of my time is spent on buses but this country is so beautiful i haven't wanted to miss any of it but at least i will see a bit of it.
i saw the northwest corner when i went to nicaragua one time.
it is a paradise for anyone but in particular for a horticulturalist. i have a friend who is one and he would be beside himself looking at the flora here. the plants are so beautiful and the trees are amazing.
when i went to panama last week i was so busy taking pictures i wasn't paying attention. (if you know me you won't be surprised) i ended up crossing the border and had to be called back because i hadn't gone through customs. again!
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
bocas
i wasn't sure about coming here. in sept i met a young couple from nelson, actually she has family in mission, and they came here for their 3 days out. they said it was absolutely gorgeous.
i had no reservation and no idea about what i would find when i got here. i read something about this place saying that the locals were descendents of slaves. and i recalled that the young couple mentioned that almost everyone smoked pot. i thought it might be similar to puerto viejo in cr. when i visited there with the team the first year i felt an evil, ominous presence there. it was very uncomfortable. i didn't decide right away to come here because i felt quite uneasy about it. i certainly didn't want to go to the beach by myself for 3 days if i was going to feel that way. after i talked to God about it i no longer felt the uneasiness and decided to come. it's been an adventure and i'm looking forward to laying on the beach.
i had no reservation and no idea about what i would find when i got here. i read something about this place saying that the locals were descendents of slaves. and i recalled that the young couple mentioned that almost everyone smoked pot. i thought it might be similar to puerto viejo in cr. when i visited there with the team the first year i felt an evil, ominous presence there. it was very uncomfortable. i didn't decide right away to come here because i felt quite uneasy about it. i certainly didn't want to go to the beach by myself for 3 days if i was going to feel that way. after i talked to God about it i no longer felt the uneasiness and decided to come. it's been an adventure and i'm looking forward to laying on the beach.
international relations day
i am in bocas del toro for my 3 days out of the country. i took a bus from san jose at 9.00 this am and checked into a hotel on this little island in the caribbean at 6.15.
while talking to other bus passengers while waiting in line at the border i found out that we were all going to basically to the same place and so we shared a ride to get to the dock, about one hour drive, (cost $6 us each) to take the boat here.
6 of us in the car. the driver, from panama, obviously, a girl from switzerland, another from germany, a man from costa rica and another from australia. the foreigners (?) were all in their early 20's and travelling throughout central america, and all more fluent in spanish than i who have lived here for a year.
it's been an adventure getting here and i'm looking forward to tomorrow when i can see this place in daylight.
i had to laugh when the aussie exclaimed in a strong accent 'he can't see s--t' as we drove down gravel roads, going like a bat out of hell, passing big trucks that were causing huge dust storms. basically driving blind. i told the group they probably didn't want to hear about my dream last night where i was in a vehicle that was broadsided right where i was sitting.
while talking to other bus passengers while waiting in line at the border i found out that we were all going to basically to the same place and so we shared a ride to get to the dock, about one hour drive, (cost $6 us each) to take the boat here.
6 of us in the car. the driver, from panama, obviously, a girl from switzerland, another from germany, a man from costa rica and another from australia. the foreigners (?) were all in their early 20's and travelling throughout central america, and all more fluent in spanish than i who have lived here for a year.
it's been an adventure getting here and i'm looking forward to tomorrow when i can see this place in daylight.
i had to laugh when the aussie exclaimed in a strong accent 'he can't see s--t' as we drove down gravel roads, going like a bat out of hell, passing big trucks that were causing huge dust storms. basically driving blind. i told the group they probably didn't want to hear about my dream last night where i was in a vehicle that was broadsided right where i was sitting.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
leaving costa rica
there is a new law here that non-ticos must leave the country for 3 days every 3 months if you don't have a visa. if you don't and you are stopped by immigration (and we stop at immigration all the time on the bus and i have been checked several times) they will deport you and you cannot return to costa rica for 10 years.
just in case i am ever able to return here i want to make sure that i won't be refused entry so i have to leave the country again. not sure but expect i will go to panama again but only just over the border. going to panama city takes a very long time and is very tiring.
just in case i am ever able to return here i want to make sure that i won't be refused entry so i have to leave the country again. not sure but expect i will go to panama again but only just over the border. going to panama city takes a very long time and is very tiring.
news from cr
right now i have a ticket to return to canada dec 29th. after that i have no idea what i will do or where i will live. i have no job and no home in canada right now. i don't know if i will ever be back. i do not feel i will be returning with the team in march. but i have no idea of anything i will do. only God knows and He hasn't told me anything that He would have me do. i guess i will return to mission and look for an apartment or basement suite and look for a job. i won't return to my job as secretary at the police office. i always enjoyed serving coffee at church - maybe i will become a waitress. who knows??
sylvia isn't married yet but her baby is due in febrero. yasar, her novio, is a few years younger than her but he is very nice.
at times i have wondered what i have accomplished here and most times i feel that i haven't done anything. i have come into a closer relationship with God. and maybe that's why He allowed me to come. i have wondered if i have followed my own heart and He has taken care of me while allowing me to do so. or if i followed the desire He gave me. i don't know. i know i love the people here, i love the country. but i do feel that my time here is up for now. which is why He told me oct 2nd last year that i was only here for one year. thinking of that now i do feel that He just allowed me to come because it was the desire in my heart. maybe He will give me a desire for something/somewhere else. or maybe He will give me something to do here and i can return.
sylvio has never returned and no one has heard any more of what happened to him. i can only guess that he stayed in nicaragua because he is wanted by the police here.
there is a grand new church for pastor henry. it's been under construction for several months and a friend that works at the parada said they will have a big fiesta to celebrate it's opening in febrero.
the church in amparo celebrated it's 5th year last weekend. there were a lot of people and we served food and coffee after service.
i don't know if you know these people in amparo or not but sharo, marta watson's daughter, is expecting a baby in 6 months. lydia, santo's wife, had a baby 3 weeks ago. not sure if gerry is the father of the baby of the girl he was walking hand in hand with last week in los chiles.
this is part of an email i sent to lisette who was here with her family 4 years ago as missionaries. thought i would share it for those who have been here on missions trips before and would know these people.
sylvia isn't married yet but her baby is due in febrero. yasar, her novio, is a few years younger than her but he is very nice.
at times i have wondered what i have accomplished here and most times i feel that i haven't done anything. i have come into a closer relationship with God. and maybe that's why He allowed me to come. i have wondered if i have followed my own heart and He has taken care of me while allowing me to do so. or if i followed the desire He gave me. i don't know. i know i love the people here, i love the country. but i do feel that my time here is up for now. which is why He told me oct 2nd last year that i was only here for one year. thinking of that now i do feel that He just allowed me to come because it was the desire in my heart. maybe He will give me a desire for something/somewhere else. or maybe He will give me something to do here and i can return.
sylvio has never returned and no one has heard any more of what happened to him. i can only guess that he stayed in nicaragua because he is wanted by the police here.
there is a grand new church for pastor henry. it's been under construction for several months and a friend that works at the parada said they will have a big fiesta to celebrate it's opening in febrero.
the church in amparo celebrated it's 5th year last weekend. there were a lot of people and we served food and coffee after service.
i don't know if you know these people in amparo or not but sharo, marta watson's daughter, is expecting a baby in 6 months. lydia, santo's wife, had a baby 3 weeks ago. not sure if gerry is the father of the baby of the girl he was walking hand in hand with last week in los chiles.
this is part of an email i sent to lisette who was here with her family 4 years ago as missionaries. thought i would share it for those who have been here on missions trips before and would know these people.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
omg i'm gonna freeze
just checked the cnn weather for abbotsford. 4 degrees. and it's not winter yet. omg i was freezing here in san jose yesterday and it was maybe 20. but it was very windy so it might have only been 15. freaking cold anyway.
35 - 38 degrees with almost 100% humidity is stinking hot. but i've become accustomed to it. i will never get accustomed to cold weather. hate it now and always have.
san jose today is 26 high and 18 low. there is no weather recording for up near the nicaraguan border where i live. i just go by the thermostat i have.
35 - 38 degrees with almost 100% humidity is stinking hot. but i've become accustomed to it. i will never get accustomed to cold weather. hate it now and always have.
san jose today is 26 high and 18 low. there is no weather recording for up near the nicaraguan border where i live. i just go by the thermostat i have.
Friday, November 25, 2005
cold spell
last night i woke up so cold i had to put another shirt on and this am i put a sweater on to come to san jose and i was still cold. right now in the internet i'm freezing. i need the sun. we've had a few cold nights lately. i checked the thermostat when i got up this am. 25 degrees.
i wonder how i am going to handle the canadian weather. i was cold the whole time i was there in april/may.
25 degrees is cold when it's normally 35 or higher. i guess you could compare it to being in canada and it's hot at 25 so when it dips to 15 you're really cold.
i have become so acclimatized i will need my own apartment where i can crank the heat up to keep from freezing.
i wonder how i am going to handle the canadian weather. i was cold the whole time i was there in april/may.
25 degrees is cold when it's normally 35 or higher. i guess you could compare it to being in canada and it's hot at 25 so when it dips to 15 you're really cold.
i have become so acclimatized i will need my own apartment where i can crank the heat up to keep from freezing.
when God speaks - listen
when God tells you something you should listen. He knows everything and has a reason for everything He says. like telling me "but only for one year" when i was thanking him for bringing me home to costa rica oct 2nd 2004.
the family calling the puppy canda bothered me. today different family members were speaking in whispered voices telling other people how i reacted to the puppys name.
and as if to taunt me the 2 year that the mom cares for was saying it repeatedly over and over about 50 times while the dad just laughed.
the more he said it the more upset i got. it was time to clean up and pack up. i thought about changing my ticket i was so upset. but then i thought of how much i knew i would miss the boys when i returned to canada so i didn't want to rush that.
i talked to dany about it. the man was homeless, lived under a bridge, was nica and had a long record. i suggested that the man might have been looking for shelter. maybe not. but he was still a human life. 2 dogs took 2 hours ripping this man apart while police watched. the police said they couldn't shoot the dogs cuz they might have hit the man, yet the video camera that caught the action showed the dogs walked away a couple of times.
dany told his parents they had to change the name and it's now canelo (cinnamon). dany was upset that i was upset.
i felt like cinderella - when the fairy godmother told her to have fun but to be sure to be home by midnight. and things started changing when she stayed longer than she should have.
today i came to san jose for the weekend.
costa rica still feels like home and i would still want to live here but i need to listen when God speaks.
the family calling the puppy canda bothered me. today different family members were speaking in whispered voices telling other people how i reacted to the puppys name.
and as if to taunt me the 2 year that the mom cares for was saying it repeatedly over and over about 50 times while the dad just laughed.
the more he said it the more upset i got. it was time to clean up and pack up. i thought about changing my ticket i was so upset. but then i thought of how much i knew i would miss the boys when i returned to canada so i didn't want to rush that.
i talked to dany about it. the man was homeless, lived under a bridge, was nica and had a long record. i suggested that the man might have been looking for shelter. maybe not. but he was still a human life. 2 dogs took 2 hours ripping this man apart while police watched. the police said they couldn't shoot the dogs cuz they might have hit the man, yet the video camera that caught the action showed the dogs walked away a couple of times.
dany told his parents they had to change the name and it's now canelo (cinnamon). dany was upset that i was upset.
i felt like cinderella - when the fairy godmother told her to have fun but to be sure to be home by midnight. and things started changing when she stayed longer than she should have.
today i came to san jose for the weekend.
costa rica still feels like home and i would still want to live here but i need to listen when God speaks.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
pregnant teens
the 16 year old daughter of a lady that helped cooked for the team 2 years ago is now pregnant. and no husband. so now her single mother will be raising her and her child.
gerry, a 15 year boy from los chiles, was walking home yesterday am walking hand in hand with a very pregnant young girl. i didn't ask him if he was the father but i got the feeling he was.
i read in the paper today that the president of costa rica is meeting with other latin american presidents to find ways of combating aids. they are challenging the catholic churches stance against the use of condoms.
gee maybe they could also suggest it might cut down on teen pregnancy. sex education isn't working.
ok so i was kidding about the girls 4'' skirt at the dance, it was really about 8''. however there was a young girl, about 15 or 16, that came to a soccer game and she honest to God was only wearing a skirt that was 4'' wide. she couldn't get into the back of the truck and had to sit in front. she couldn't sit down without her boyfriends shirt to sit on and another to hold across the front of her lap. she drew stares from everyone everywhere, including a little boy about 5 who just couldn't believe his eyes as they followed her across the field.
it truly gives new meaning to the short shorts, except they weren't shorts.
last night, as almost every night, they have girls, young women, parading in front of the camera in underwear that can only be described as g-strings, to see who is the most beautiful. the newspapers are full of their pictures. men don't need to buy porn magazines.
it's heartbreaking.
gerry, a 15 year boy from los chiles, was walking home yesterday am walking hand in hand with a very pregnant young girl. i didn't ask him if he was the father but i got the feeling he was.
i read in the paper today that the president of costa rica is meeting with other latin american presidents to find ways of combating aids. they are challenging the catholic churches stance against the use of condoms.
gee maybe they could also suggest it might cut down on teen pregnancy. sex education isn't working.
ok so i was kidding about the girls 4'' skirt at the dance, it was really about 8''. however there was a young girl, about 15 or 16, that came to a soccer game and she honest to God was only wearing a skirt that was 4'' wide. she couldn't get into the back of the truck and had to sit in front. she couldn't sit down without her boyfriends shirt to sit on and another to hold across the front of her lap. she drew stares from everyone everywhere, including a little boy about 5 who just couldn't believe his eyes as they followed her across the field.
it truly gives new meaning to the short shorts, except they weren't shorts.
last night, as almost every night, they have girls, young women, parading in front of the camera in underwear that can only be described as g-strings, to see who is the most beautiful. the newspapers are full of their pictures. men don't need to buy porn magazines.
it's heartbreaking.
angry
i have told the boys before that they are racists but they say they aren't.
about a month ago 2 rottweilers, over a period of almost 2 hours, killed a homeless nicaraguan as he, along with 2 others, were trying to enter a private property in costa rica. it was caught on camera and showed police who stood watching.
this has escalated the tension between the 2 countries which is already running high due to the conflict along the border at the san juan river.
last night the boys told me they were getting another dog. i asked them why, they hadn't taken care of the last one they had. they forgot to water it, feed it, bathe it, brush it. i felt sorry for it. it was lousy with ants and fleas and the subsquent millions of bites from them.
they said they were getting a rottweiler to kill nicas. it was almost spoken in unison. i got angry. again i told them were racists. again they denied. they wanted to name it natividad, the victim of the rottweiler attack. i was happy to see that the puppy looks more like a teddy bear than a rotty. it was so filthy. the mom had been killed 5 days earlier and the pups had been without food.
we hadn't thought of a name for it last night. we had named the last one smeagle but patricio, the dad, kept calling it oso so i didn't figure we should name this one cuz he'd change it anyway.
this am dany told me they had decided on a name. canda - the last name of the victim.
how do you get through to people who make racists remarks then deny that they are? i find it hard to believe that they think they aren't. any racists i have known in the past have almost been glad to point out that they are.
about a month ago 2 rottweilers, over a period of almost 2 hours, killed a homeless nicaraguan as he, along with 2 others, were trying to enter a private property in costa rica. it was caught on camera and showed police who stood watching.
this has escalated the tension between the 2 countries which is already running high due to the conflict along the border at the san juan river.
last night the boys told me they were getting another dog. i asked them why, they hadn't taken care of the last one they had. they forgot to water it, feed it, bathe it, brush it. i felt sorry for it. it was lousy with ants and fleas and the subsquent millions of bites from them.
they said they were getting a rottweiler to kill nicas. it was almost spoken in unison. i got angry. again i told them were racists. again they denied. they wanted to name it natividad, the victim of the rottweiler attack. i was happy to see that the puppy looks more like a teddy bear than a rotty. it was so filthy. the mom had been killed 5 days earlier and the pups had been without food.
we hadn't thought of a name for it last night. we had named the last one smeagle but patricio, the dad, kept calling it oso so i didn't figure we should name this one cuz he'd change it anyway.
this am dany told me they had decided on a name. canda - the last name of the victim.
how do you get through to people who make racists remarks then deny that they are? i find it hard to believe that they think they aren't. any racists i have known in the past have almost been glad to point out that they are.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
my inner child
| Your Inner Child Is Sad |
 You're a very sensitive soul. You haven't grown that thick skin that most adults have. Easily hurt, you tend to retreat to your comfort zone. You don't let many people in - unless you've trusted them for a long time. |
ok this is close. i'm a mush but the sadness is only ever a temporary thing. when i left the family in april to return to canada with the team i was very sad and crying. after a very short while talking to God i was then crying tears of joy. He really is very close to the broken hearted. whatever i have or have not done over the past year i have come into a closer, more intimate relationship with God and whatever happens i know He will never leave me broken hearted or sad.
Monday, October 31, 2005
sad
today is mefi's 16th birthday. i have watched him grow up over the past 5 years. little boys that are becoming young men. they have been my family. i love them and will miss them terribly.
today while i was sitting on the bus waiting for it to leave i looked up and down the streets of amparo and thought how this has become my home and i was saddened thinking i might never return here.
it's not with anticipation that i look forward to returning to canada. it's not that i haven't missed my family and friends in canada but it's with dread having to leave here thinking i won't be back.
maybe it's the empty nest syndrome. i worked all my life and never had a close relationship with my daughter so i've never felt the empty nest loss. there are 8 of us at home now. even if i were to return the family dynamics will have changed. chico is gone, dany and jonny hope to get scholarships to go to university and/or work next year (school starts in february) and they would be leaving home. jose thinks he may get another teaching position further away.
mimi said that as soon as patricio retires they are outta here leaving the boys to fend for themselves. don't know how soon that would be, eitel is only 14 and now mefi is 16.
today while i was sitting on the bus waiting for it to leave i looked up and down the streets of amparo and thought how this has become my home and i was saddened thinking i might never return here.
it's not with anticipation that i look forward to returning to canada. it's not that i haven't missed my family and friends in canada but it's with dread having to leave here thinking i won't be back.
maybe it's the empty nest syndrome. i worked all my life and never had a close relationship with my daughter so i've never felt the empty nest loss. there are 8 of us at home now. even if i were to return the family dynamics will have changed. chico is gone, dany and jonny hope to get scholarships to go to university and/or work next year (school starts in february) and they would be leaving home. jose thinks he may get another teaching position further away.
mimi said that as soon as patricio retires they are outta here leaving the boys to fend for themselves. don't know how soon that would be, eitel is only 14 and now mefi is 16.
dance / sex
went to a dance saturday night. dany and jonny graduate next month and their class held a dance to raise money so they can go to the beach for 3 days after graduation.
the music was basically the same sound all night long. i could not detect a change in any of the music. boys and girls danced in a circle together, sometimes the boys dancing outnumbered the girls. every so often they would have to dance in couples and then it was very cool to watch them. different styles of dance, salsa, merengue, whatever, but they basically reminded me when people used to jive.
there was one girl that was dressed and danced in such a way as to invite boys to have sex with her. with hand and body motions she beckoned boys to her and they responded with equal fervor. high black boots, about a 4'' skirt and an equally as skimpy top.
she was a high school student and as i feared for her safety i found myself praying for her.
i was enjoying watching the couples dance together but when they went back to dancing in circles, everyone dancing together i suddenly got a very black feeling. as i watched this one girl and others writhing and gyrating i felt like i was witnessing the destruction of sodom and gomorrah as the participants immorality lead them into an orgy. it was weird, a very heavy black feeling. it changed the atmosphere and i found i no longer wanted to be there. it was more like a sexual offering than a dance.
the kids have to wear uniforms to school here but afterwards - girls and some women wear the tightest, skimpiest, most revealing outfits they can find. from jeans with 1'' zippers barely covering their public bone to the extent they show plumbers butts. one tv show has a mother that wears bikini bra tops in every show. variety shows that have women wearing as little as possible and dancing (?) for the entire program.
this is a very sexually aggressive culture. hot latin nights? you betcha and it's more than the temperature although at 35, or more, degrees i can't imagine.
the music was basically the same sound all night long. i could not detect a change in any of the music. boys and girls danced in a circle together, sometimes the boys dancing outnumbered the girls. every so often they would have to dance in couples and then it was very cool to watch them. different styles of dance, salsa, merengue, whatever, but they basically reminded me when people used to jive.
there was one girl that was dressed and danced in such a way as to invite boys to have sex with her. with hand and body motions she beckoned boys to her and they responded with equal fervor. high black boots, about a 4'' skirt and an equally as skimpy top.
she was a high school student and as i feared for her safety i found myself praying for her.
i was enjoying watching the couples dance together but when they went back to dancing in circles, everyone dancing together i suddenly got a very black feeling. as i watched this one girl and others writhing and gyrating i felt like i was witnessing the destruction of sodom and gomorrah as the participants immorality lead them into an orgy. it was weird, a very heavy black feeling. it changed the atmosphere and i found i no longer wanted to be there. it was more like a sexual offering than a dance.
the kids have to wear uniforms to school here but afterwards - girls and some women wear the tightest, skimpiest, most revealing outfits they can find. from jeans with 1'' zippers barely covering their public bone to the extent they show plumbers butts. one tv show has a mother that wears bikini bra tops in every show. variety shows that have women wearing as little as possible and dancing (?) for the entire program.
this is a very sexually aggressive culture. hot latin nights? you betcha and it's more than the temperature although at 35, or more, degrees i can't imagine.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
argh!"#$%&!
sunday chico and i went to san jose so we could be in line early monday am for him to apply for a passport to come to canada. what we didn't know was that there was a national holiday and all offices were closed monday. so we stayed another night and went to nicaraguan immigration tuesday am. after waiting in line for 2 hours we were told he didn't have the right documents, that there was no place in costa rica for him to get them and that we had to go to nicaragua. also chico needed his birth certificate which was with his sister in la fortuna. so we left san jose for la fortuna to got his birth certificate. this am we went to costa rica immigration in los chiles to get approval to go to nicaragua. the man stamped my passport saying i was leaving costa rica. then he looked at chico's documents and said he needed a cedula (like a social insurance card). this was what we were going to nicaragua for. the man said he couldn't go to nicaragua cuz although he has been living here for the past 12 years he had not entered cr legally so they couldn't give him legal passage to say that he was leaving costa rica when according to them he had never arrived.
he needs a document to say he can leave but he can't leave because he doesn't have that document. makes sense to you??? so we've determined that he has to sneak across the border to get the cedula so he can re-enter the country legally but now the man has his name on a list and if he comes back in legally will they then say he entered illegally and get sent back to nicaragua.
so we leave immigration and go to the bus stop to go back home and i remember my passport has been stamped to say that i have left costa rica. previous experience tells me i have to return to immigration to get it cancelled.
it's pouring rain so chico waits at the bus terminal for me. i get soaked walking back to immigration, the guy says it's a big problem, that they can't cancel it and basically that i have to leave the country. i told him i wasn't leaving if chico wasn't leaving with me, then he said something to me that i didn't understand but knew it meant i had to leave and i reiterated i wasn't leaving. he asked someone for help and she phoned somewhere to find out what to do. meanwhile a boatload of people arriving from nicaragua came in to the office and the man is getting mad cuz i'm holding everything up and there are all these people. after a lengthy conversation i understand that they now know how to cancel it. the woman cancels it in the computer and the guy gives me another form to complete and tells me to wait 1/2 hour. ok don't want to - the bus is leaving in 20 minutes. i complete it and want to give it back to him and he makes me wait 15 minutes, stamps it annuled, finds the first identical form, stamps it annuled, writes a note on it and tears up the second one he had me complete. i make the bus as it's pulling out.
ok so i don't know God's reason in this, only that i am frustrated and tired. so i came to san carlos (for another reason as well) and i'm going to get a big tub of ice cream and go to the movies.
oh i forgot to mention chico said WE could go to nicaragua next week. i am not sneaking into nicaragua. it means finding someone with a boat to take you across the river where there are armed nicaraguan soldiers and tanks. and armed costa rican police. please pray for chico as he goes alone to nicaragua.
like i know God has a reason for everything. i just can't understand what it is. unless chico is not meant to go to canada for some reason.
he needs a document to say he can leave but he can't leave because he doesn't have that document. makes sense to you??? so we've determined that he has to sneak across the border to get the cedula so he can re-enter the country legally but now the man has his name on a list and if he comes back in legally will they then say he entered illegally and get sent back to nicaragua.
so we leave immigration and go to the bus stop to go back home and i remember my passport has been stamped to say that i have left costa rica. previous experience tells me i have to return to immigration to get it cancelled.
it's pouring rain so chico waits at the bus terminal for me. i get soaked walking back to immigration, the guy says it's a big problem, that they can't cancel it and basically that i have to leave the country. i told him i wasn't leaving if chico wasn't leaving with me, then he said something to me that i didn't understand but knew it meant i had to leave and i reiterated i wasn't leaving. he asked someone for help and she phoned somewhere to find out what to do. meanwhile a boatload of people arriving from nicaragua came in to the office and the man is getting mad cuz i'm holding everything up and there are all these people. after a lengthy conversation i understand that they now know how to cancel it. the woman cancels it in the computer and the guy gives me another form to complete and tells me to wait 1/2 hour. ok don't want to - the bus is leaving in 20 minutes. i complete it and want to give it back to him and he makes me wait 15 minutes, stamps it annuled, finds the first identical form, stamps it annuled, writes a note on it and tears up the second one he had me complete. i make the bus as it's pulling out.
ok so i don't know God's reason in this, only that i am frustrated and tired. so i came to san carlos (for another reason as well) and i'm going to get a big tub of ice cream and go to the movies.
oh i forgot to mention chico said WE could go to nicaragua next week. i am not sneaking into nicaragua. it means finding someone with a boat to take you across the river where there are armed nicaraguan soldiers and tanks. and armed costa rican police. please pray for chico as he goes alone to nicaragua.
like i know God has a reason for everything. i just can't understand what it is. unless chico is not meant to go to canada for some reason.
God Has a Reason
copied from the purpose driven life daily devotional
Our reflection today comes from an eleven-year-old who wrote the following poem after hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast. Keep in mind this is a child tackling a very big problem. I'm not sure any of us could do any better. Besides, faith comes easier for children than it does for us, which I'm sure has something to do with Jesus mentioning that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them (Matthew 19:14).
God Has a Reason
by Ryan MacDonald, Age 11
In times of sadness and cruelty,
God has a reason.
When the most horrid disaster dwells upon the land,
God has a reason.
The things that one would think would tear us apart,
Pull us into a brotherhood with God.
A shadow has fallen upon this nation
Only to be reshaped by love and hope.
Hearts have been broken from this storm,
And yet -- like a rose --
The thorn is sharp, but the velvet red petals are magnificent.
When this black hood of sorrow is lifted from our heads,
We will have learned.
We will have been changed by the Lord to love one another,
To help each other at any cost,
Whether the cost is life or death.
Blood has been shed.
Tears have dripped.
Now it's your turn to make a difference.
God has a reason.
So Ryan set out to make his own difference as best he could. He set up a brownie and lemonade stand. In spite of the questionable wisdom of this odd taste combination, he raised $274 for relief. That doesn't seem like a lot, but it's a lot for an eleven-year-old and I bet God turned it into gold.
So how about it? Ryan says it's our turn. My guess is that what's happening now in this desperate region is a little like what happens when someone suddenly loses a loved one. There is an initial outpouring of love and support, but soon after the funeral, everyone goes back to their normal lives and the loss is even greater because, for that loved one who remains, there will not be a normal to return to. It's that “second wave” of loss that usually comes later and is even harder to bear because everyone else has gone on. Indeed, these people must forge a new “normal,” and it will take time.
Not to mention the rising death and homeless toll in Pakistan where disaster has started all over again. The world is a hurting place right now, and believers all over can and will make a difference. Perhaps this is one way we can be a part of God's reason.
Our reflection today comes from an eleven-year-old who wrote the following poem after hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast. Keep in mind this is a child tackling a very big problem. I'm not sure any of us could do any better. Besides, faith comes easier for children than it does for us, which I'm sure has something to do with Jesus mentioning that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them (Matthew 19:14).
God Has a Reason
by Ryan MacDonald, Age 11
In times of sadness and cruelty,
God has a reason.
When the most horrid disaster dwells upon the land,
God has a reason.
The things that one would think would tear us apart,
Pull us into a brotherhood with God.
A shadow has fallen upon this nation
Only to be reshaped by love and hope.
Hearts have been broken from this storm,
And yet -- like a rose --
The thorn is sharp, but the velvet red petals are magnificent.
When this black hood of sorrow is lifted from our heads,
We will have learned.
We will have been changed by the Lord to love one another,
To help each other at any cost,
Whether the cost is life or death.
Blood has been shed.
Tears have dripped.
Now it's your turn to make a difference.
God has a reason.
So Ryan set out to make his own difference as best he could. He set up a brownie and lemonade stand. In spite of the questionable wisdom of this odd taste combination, he raised $274 for relief. That doesn't seem like a lot, but it's a lot for an eleven-year-old and I bet God turned it into gold.
So how about it? Ryan says it's our turn. My guess is that what's happening now in this desperate region is a little like what happens when someone suddenly loses a loved one. There is an initial outpouring of love and support, but soon after the funeral, everyone goes back to their normal lives and the loss is even greater because, for that loved one who remains, there will not be a normal to return to. It's that “second wave” of loss that usually comes later and is even harder to bear because everyone else has gone on. Indeed, these people must forge a new “normal,” and it will take time.
Not to mention the rising death and homeless toll in Pakistan where disaster has started all over again. The world is a hurting place right now, and believers all over can and will make a difference. Perhaps this is one way we can be a part of God's reason.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
pigs
after working at a school yesterday we were invited into the kitchen for lunch. there was a huge freaking pig on the table and some guy was slicing the skin off. you fry it for a while and it's called chicharrones. it might sound gross but it's really good. the pigs head was elsewhere thank goodness. at first my stomach did a flip but then it settled as i watched the process. at least the blood wasn't dripping.
plants and trees
there were so many beautiful different plants and trees in the central valley of cr that i took several pictures and made a cd. then when i returned home i looked at all the plants and saw the beauty in them. although i never failed to see their beauty i had become accustomed to seeing them everyday.
do we get so accustomed to seeing the same people every day that we fail to see their beauty?
i saw rubber trees so big some of them you would need 3 people to surround them, others you'd need 6. they were magnificent 4 or 5 stories high. i had always had rubber plants but to see a rubber tree was very cool.
do we get so accustomed to seeing the same people every day that we fail to see their beauty?
i saw rubber trees so big some of them you would need 3 people to surround them, others you'd need 6. they were magnificent 4 or 5 stories high. i had always had rubber plants but to see a rubber tree was very cool.
escalators
something we take for granted. having been in a few malls in the month i was in san jose (wow it went by fast) i watched as people, unfamiliar with escalators, faced them, in fear of the unknown. one woman was almost in tears as her friends tried to coerce her into stepping onto the escalator. others watched in wonder at this moving staircase.
when i went to the mall with the boys eitel watched me step onto the escalator and ascend to the next floor before stepping on himself and then he put his foot on two steps and quickly had to step down.
we take so much for granted.
when i went to the mall with the boys eitel watched me step onto the escalator and ascend to the next floor before stepping on himself and then he put his foot on two steps and quickly had to step down.
we take so much for granted.
denominations
there is a new church being built in los chiles. i went there to ask if they were methodist or free methodist. he understood me completely but the look on his face made me wonder why we are all so divided inter-denominational.
if someone asked me what i am i could tell them i go to new heights which is a free methodist church but that wouldn't define me. and it shouldn't define you.
i could be baptist or presbyterian and wouldn't know the difference if we were all just Jesus freaks. it wouldn't matter which church i went to as long as i could worship in the same way.
we don't 'DO' anything for God. it's whatever God uses us for and that stems out of our worship of Him which is what He wants from and for us.
why do we have to argue about which church is right or better? why can't we all just submit our individual lives to God and leave the rest up to Him?
if someone asked me what i am i could tell them i go to new heights which is a free methodist church but that wouldn't define me. and it shouldn't define you.
i could be baptist or presbyterian and wouldn't know the difference if we were all just Jesus freaks. it wouldn't matter which church i went to as long as i could worship in the same way.
we don't 'DO' anything for God. it's whatever God uses us for and that stems out of our worship of Him which is what He wants from and for us.
why do we have to argue about which church is right or better? why can't we all just submit our individual lives to God and leave the rest up to Him?
ywam guatemala
just a bit of info on guatemala. there have been major storms and flooding resulting from hurricanes, whole villages completely buried. not sure where but there are 1,200 homeless children in one area from the recent disasters to hit guatemala.
our pastor in amparo just returned from guatemala. he said the people are even poorer than in cr. especially the larger population of indigenous people.
Children's Ministries
One of the main focuses at the YWAM Guatemala campus is children's ministries. Many children in Guatemala are in physical need and in need of love, acceptance, and Gods message. We have the following weekly outreaches to help and teach children in Guatemala City.
Visiting the Children's Hospital Ward at Roosevelt Hospital to play and read Bible stories to the children confined in the public hospital.
Bible club and weekly lessons for the children living in the city dump. (HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LIVING IN THE CITY DUMP???) Lunch is also supplied to the children by another participating ministry.
Baby weighing and baby food handout in Tierra Nueva (a squatter community on the north side of the city) We weigh the children, ration out baby cereal and counsel the parents on care for their child.
Bible lessons for a daycare in Tierra Nueva. We share Bible stories and play with the children in the daycare.
Pastor Ministries
Cooperation among different denominations and churches in Guatemala is rare. YWAM Guatemala facilitates, and often hosts, prayer breakfasts for the pastors in our community. This ministry helps to bring local pastors together for fellowship, cooperation, and communication so that they can work together on their common community goals.
Healthcare Ministry
Since the YWAM Guatemala offers the Intoduction to Primary Health Care School occasionally the students and staff run dental or medical clinics in some of the poorer neighborhoods in the city. These outreaches are part of the training process for the health care students.
Street Ministry
We have regular outreaches to the homeless in the downtown sector of Guatemala City at night. We minister to their needs and talk with them about getting off the street and how to get back on their feet again.
www.ywamstreetrevolution.com
our pastor in amparo just returned from guatemala. he said the people are even poorer than in cr. especially the larger population of indigenous people.
Children's Ministries
One of the main focuses at the YWAM Guatemala campus is children's ministries. Many children in Guatemala are in physical need and in need of love, acceptance, and Gods message. We have the following weekly outreaches to help and teach children in Guatemala City.
Visiting the Children's Hospital Ward at Roosevelt Hospital to play and read Bible stories to the children confined in the public hospital.
Bible club and weekly lessons for the children living in the city dump. (HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LIVING IN THE CITY DUMP???) Lunch is also supplied to the children by another participating ministry.
Baby weighing and baby food handout in Tierra Nueva (a squatter community on the north side of the city) We weigh the children, ration out baby cereal and counsel the parents on care for their child.
Bible lessons for a daycare in Tierra Nueva. We share Bible stories and play with the children in the daycare.
Pastor Ministries
Cooperation among different denominations and churches in Guatemala is rare. YWAM Guatemala facilitates, and often hosts, prayer breakfasts for the pastors in our community. This ministry helps to bring local pastors together for fellowship, cooperation, and communication so that they can work together on their common community goals.
Healthcare Ministry
Since the YWAM Guatemala offers the Intoduction to Primary Health Care School occasionally the students and staff run dental or medical clinics in some of the poorer neighborhoods in the city. These outreaches are part of the training process for the health care students.
Street Ministry
We have regular outreaches to the homeless in the downtown sector of Guatemala City at night. We minister to their needs and talk with them about getting off the street and how to get back on their feet again.
www.ywamstreetrevolution.com
ywam costa rica
DTS students impact San José!
We are now almost halfway into our first Discipleship Training School, here at YWAM San José. We have 11 students from many different nations, including the USA, Costa Rica, Jamaica & more! God has been good and we are seeing Him move in the lives of these students and are really excited about the upcoming outreach.
On Mother's Day (August 15th) here in Costa Rica, our students hit the streets of downtown San José with bouquets of flowers to give out to mothers. Many of the women welled up with tears as our students walked up to them with the simple message that Jesus loves them.
A few students went to an area with many prostitutes to give out bouquets. One girl in particular quickly took the flowers from a student while passing by. When she reached the end of the block she read the card attached to the bouquet, which had a scripture written on it. She turned towards the student with tears in her eyes, the Lord was ministering to her through that little act of love. Our students were hit with tremendous love and compassion for these women. Many were astounded by the number of divine appointments that day!
The Virgin of Los Angeles
On August 2nd, our DTS along with a team from Indiana traveled to Cartago, which was the finishing point for thousands of Catholics who were participating in a journey by foot from different places around Costa Rica to celebrate the Virgin of Los Angeles.
Our team had received a word from the Lord to go to Cartago to wash the feet of the travelers. So we headed out with medicine, band-aids and water to give out, and set ourselves up outside the Catholic church.
As people passed by, they looked at us as if we were from a different planet! After washing the feet of one women, she began to share how hard her life had been with her siblings always treating her badly. She spoke of the unforgiveness that she held in her heart towards them. We talked about God's forgiveness for His children and prayed with her, she decided at that moment to forgive her siblings for all of the pain they had caused her. She said, "I have prayed for many years to get rid of this hate, and after talking to you young people, God has truly done something in my heart!"
We are now almost halfway into our first Discipleship Training School, here at YWAM San José. We have 11 students from many different nations, including the USA, Costa Rica, Jamaica & more! God has been good and we are seeing Him move in the lives of these students and are really excited about the upcoming outreach.
On Mother's Day (August 15th) here in Costa Rica, our students hit the streets of downtown San José with bouquets of flowers to give out to mothers. Many of the women welled up with tears as our students walked up to them with the simple message that Jesus loves them.
A few students went to an area with many prostitutes to give out bouquets. One girl in particular quickly took the flowers from a student while passing by. When she reached the end of the block she read the card attached to the bouquet, which had a scripture written on it. She turned towards the student with tears in her eyes, the Lord was ministering to her through that little act of love. Our students were hit with tremendous love and compassion for these women. Many were astounded by the number of divine appointments that day!
The Virgin of Los Angeles
On August 2nd, our DTS along with a team from Indiana traveled to Cartago, which was the finishing point for thousands of Catholics who were participating in a journey by foot from different places around Costa Rica to celebrate the Virgin of Los Angeles.
Our team had received a word from the Lord to go to Cartago to wash the feet of the travelers. So we headed out with medicine, band-aids and water to give out, and set ourselves up outside the Catholic church.
As people passed by, they looked at us as if we were from a different planet! After washing the feet of one women, she began to share how hard her life had been with her siblings always treating her badly. She spoke of the unforgiveness that she held in her heart towards them. We talked about God's forgiveness for His children and prayed with her, she decided at that moment to forgive her siblings for all of the pain they had caused her. She said, "I have prayed for many years to get rid of this hate, and after talking to you young people, God has truly done something in my heart!"
soldiers and tanks
are now posted along the san juan river that separates costa rica from nicaragua and the nicaraguan ambassador has left costa rica indefinitely. the dispute between the 2 countries over the rights to the river has increased the military presence along the border and the nica gov't has threatened to add a 35% tax on all goods imported from costa rica.
nicaragua owns the river and does not want armed cr police cruising the river. cr maintains they need to bear arms to patrol the river. a tico cop was arrested on nica soil and charged with kidnapping. turns out (arresting) a nica cop who had come to cr and illegally detained 2 ticos and returned them to nica and put them in jail for 6 days.
the nica president said he will never negotiate with cr to allow them to patrol the river with arms. they will only allow commercial navigation. the ticos patrol the river to keep out nicas.
costa rica has appealed to the international court at the hague which has outraged nicaragua even more. now nica is threatening to counter-sue cr to strip them of all rights to the river.
armed aggression. it's all so stupid.
nicaragua owns the river and does not want armed cr police cruising the river. cr maintains they need to bear arms to patrol the river. a tico cop was arrested on nica soil and charged with kidnapping. turns out (arresting) a nica cop who had come to cr and illegally detained 2 ticos and returned them to nica and put them in jail for 6 days.
the nica president said he will never negotiate with cr to allow them to patrol the river with arms. they will only allow commercial navigation. the ticos patrol the river to keep out nicas.
costa rica has appealed to the international court at the hague which has outraged nicaragua even more. now nica is threatening to counter-sue cr to strip them of all rights to the river.
armed aggression. it's all so stupid.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
disasters
just reading about the storms and flooding in guatemala, earthquake and storms in india.
while north americans sit comfortably in their warm cozy homes with plenty of food to eat and clean water to drink the rest of the world is either starving, freezing, homeless, dying of disease or something.
walking around san jose today and saw several people sleeping in the open on the sidewalks.
it's hard to think of our excess when there are so many doing without the very basics necessary to sustain life.
did you get that???
so many people without the very basics necessary to sustain life.
do you understand that? it's called starvation. it's what's happening to millions of people around the world each day. it's what killing hundreds of thousands of people around the world each day.
think you can't make a difference? one person CAN make a difference.
but will you?
while north americans sit comfortably in their warm cozy homes with plenty of food to eat and clean water to drink the rest of the world is either starving, freezing, homeless, dying of disease or something.
walking around san jose today and saw several people sleeping in the open on the sidewalks.
it's hard to think of our excess when there are so many doing without the very basics necessary to sustain life.
did you get that???
so many people without the very basics necessary to sustain life.
do you understand that? it's called starvation. it's what's happening to millions of people around the world each day. it's what killing hundreds of thousands of people around the world each day.
think you can't make a difference? one person CAN make a difference.
but will you?
christmas
it's still a couple months away but christmas decorations and shopping started september 1st. the family doesn-t have much in the way of christmas decorations so i bought some stuff to make something for them. the store was packed with shoppers like it was the week before christmas. the store was filled with tons of toys of every shape and size. there was a very tiny display of nativity scenes. it was so very commercialized. people so intent on buying all the glitter and glamour of A holiday season. people with money to buy all the latest fashions, latest gimmicks, newest cd's, games or toys.
and people up north (cr) without enough money to buy food. living in shacks without lights, without water. people forgetting to celebrate the birth of christ. people forgetting the humble place of His birth. people forgetting His humbleness, His holiness. people forgetting His mercy and compassion for others and forgetting that He asks us to be like Him. His mercy and compassion extended to feeding the hungry. and He asks us to do the same. what will you do this christmas?
one person CAN make a difference. fill a shoebox or 2 or more? donate to a gospel mission to provide a christmas dinner for people that would otherwise have nothing? donate blankets to a shelter? donate winter clothes / boots to a shelter or thrift shop? donate money to buy seeds and tools or chickens or goats or fruit trees to world vision or another charity. ask your friends, family, class mates or co-workers to donate a can of food, a pair of sox, a dollar or ??? don't think your $1.00 won't make a difference. if 20 people each gave $1.00 you would have $20.
as you sit in your nice warm comfy house filling your face with more food than your stomach can possibly handle, drinking your third latte of the day, or you've bought your 20th pair of shoes, or the newest gameboy game, the latest cd, new towels to match the new paint job, i ask you to think about the other 97% (this may not be exact) of the world's population that don't have shelter never mind food.
there are storms, fires, earthquakes, floods, disasters of every kind, all around the world. the news depicts scenes of death and destruction that countries live with each and every day. almost every country in the world is facing one or another disaster it seems.
and then there are the people that have just existed without what north americans consider the necessities of life. microwave, tv, stereo, washing machine and dryer, dishwasher, stove, fridge.
if you have the money to buy food that requires refrigeration you would buy it each day but rice and beans don't require refrigeration. neither does yucca (cassava). it's a root you dig up from the ground and eat.
Jesus says if someone asks for food or water we are to give it to them. it's pretty humbling to have to ask. but where do you go when all the people are poor. who do you ask then? so for the people that can't reach out, don't know how or where to reach out, we need to reach out to them.
it's like if you want your village to be included in a world vision project you have to ask world vision to include you. but what if you don't know who or how to ask?
we that know need to help those that don't. we that can need to help those that can't.
please. remember those in need this christmas.
and people up north (cr) without enough money to buy food. living in shacks without lights, without water. people forgetting to celebrate the birth of christ. people forgetting the humble place of His birth. people forgetting His humbleness, His holiness. people forgetting His mercy and compassion for others and forgetting that He asks us to be like Him. His mercy and compassion extended to feeding the hungry. and He asks us to do the same. what will you do this christmas?
one person CAN make a difference. fill a shoebox or 2 or more? donate to a gospel mission to provide a christmas dinner for people that would otherwise have nothing? donate blankets to a shelter? donate winter clothes / boots to a shelter or thrift shop? donate money to buy seeds and tools or chickens or goats or fruit trees to world vision or another charity. ask your friends, family, class mates or co-workers to donate a can of food, a pair of sox, a dollar or ??? don't think your $1.00 won't make a difference. if 20 people each gave $1.00 you would have $20.
as you sit in your nice warm comfy house filling your face with more food than your stomach can possibly handle, drinking your third latte of the day, or you've bought your 20th pair of shoes, or the newest gameboy game, the latest cd, new towels to match the new paint job, i ask you to think about the other 97% (this may not be exact) of the world's population that don't have shelter never mind food.
there are storms, fires, earthquakes, floods, disasters of every kind, all around the world. the news depicts scenes of death and destruction that countries live with each and every day. almost every country in the world is facing one or another disaster it seems.
and then there are the people that have just existed without what north americans consider the necessities of life. microwave, tv, stereo, washing machine and dryer, dishwasher, stove, fridge.
if you have the money to buy food that requires refrigeration you would buy it each day but rice and beans don't require refrigeration. neither does yucca (cassava). it's a root you dig up from the ground and eat.
Jesus says if someone asks for food or water we are to give it to them. it's pretty humbling to have to ask. but where do you go when all the people are poor. who do you ask then? so for the people that can't reach out, don't know how or where to reach out, we need to reach out to them.
it's like if you want your village to be included in a world vision project you have to ask world vision to include you. but what if you don't know who or how to ask?
we that know need to help those that don't. we that can need to help those that can't.
please. remember those in need this christmas.
happy thanksgiving
oct 7 my utmost - God made His own son ''to be sin''... (that we sinners may become saints) and ''endured in His own body the complete cumulative sin of the human race.''
it's beyond my comprehension that Jesus suffered the agony of separation from His beloved Father. i know the heartache i feel when i sin, before repentance and forgiveness and He took sin on Himself for every member of the human race, past, present and future. billions of sinners. the physical agony would have been nothing in comparison. the song i can only imagine - no i can't.
but i am so thankful.
it's beyond my comprehension that Jesus suffered the agony of separation from His beloved Father. i know the heartache i feel when i sin, before repentance and forgiveness and He took sin on Himself for every member of the human race, past, present and future. billions of sinners. the physical agony would have been nothing in comparison. the song i can only imagine - no i can't.
but i am so thankful.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
fear
before we went to the game last night eitel freaked that i was wearing earrings, dangly earrings. he was very emphatic that i take them out cuz i couldn't wear them cuz there were people that would rip them right out of my ears as well as a very thin, simple silver chain with nothing on it. then dany said the same things. they are from the country and i was surprised that eitel said that. they're just cheap things, not gold. other strangers on the street in san jose have told me the same things.
people live in fear here. they live behind high fences with razor wire.
it's sad.
people live in fear here. they live behind high fences with razor wire.
it's sad.
propaganda
last week i ended up telling my 3 different teachers about the poverty i have seen in the northern part of costa rica as well as the story about the family living underground with rats, excrement, etc. in a different area.
they could not believe it. they could not believe that there were such poor people in costa rica. i could not believe that they could not have known this. there are poor people sleeping on the main streets of downtown san jose. people in each block asking for money. people get on the buses to present their case for asking for money, ie they can't work and need money to feed their families.
then i had lunch with the lady that was the coordinator with world vision when i volunteered last year. turned out she lives about a block from the school. i was telling her the same stories of poverty i had told my teachers. she knew. she's been there. she's seen it.
she said costa ricans don't know about the poverty in their own country because the tourism board and the government only show the good things of costa rica. the beautiful beaches, the beautiful parks, theatres, the touristy type things. they show propaganda so when people might talk to people or visit in other counties they will speak of the beauty here. not the poverty, not the ugly scenes of garbage.
they could not believe it. they could not believe that there were such poor people in costa rica. i could not believe that they could not have known this. there are poor people sleeping on the main streets of downtown san jose. people in each block asking for money. people get on the buses to present their case for asking for money, ie they can't work and need money to feed their families.
then i had lunch with the lady that was the coordinator with world vision when i volunteered last year. turned out she lives about a block from the school. i was telling her the same stories of poverty i had told my teachers. she knew. she's been there. she's seen it.
she said costa ricans don't know about the poverty in their own country because the tourism board and the government only show the good things of costa rica. the beautiful beaches, the beautiful parks, theatres, the touristy type things. they show propaganda so when people might talk to people or visit in other counties they will speak of the beauty here. not the poverty, not the ugly scenes of garbage.
priceless
friday the boys, jose, jonny, dany, mefy and eitel, came down from amparo to go to the big soccer game last night between costa rica and usa. 3 - 0 for costa rica.
it was pouring rain as we left the house and they said i couldn't take umbrellas cuz they weren't allowed in the stadium cuz the fans could use them to throw at the players. we had to walk a way to get the bus so we were soaked through before we even got on the bus.
we could see the lights as we approached the stadium and even though it was pouring rain we opened the windows so the boys could see. jose and dany have been to a big game before but the others hadn't. eitel was SO-O excited, he was almost beside himself with excitement, he was squealing with delight. i had moved to sit beside jose so eitel could look out the window and he put his arm around me and kissed me and said that this was one of those times that you just can't put a price on something. oh so true. it was priceless
it was cold and we were soaking wet and shivering but the excitement of being there in the stadium watching their favourite players was almost too much.
children in north america get really excited at christmas to see what awaits them under the tree christmas morning. i've always thought of the expression 'more excited than a kid at christmas' it didn't apply to their lives because they have never had christmas presents before last year because they've never had the money.
this was more priceless. i don't know who had more fun. them watching the game or me watching them watching the game. and of course every time we scored a goal we, as well as everyone else, went wild. we sang, we cheered, we jumped (we were standing on our seats) we waved our arms and we didn't sit for 3 hours.
the rain subsided long enough to take a few pictures so i gave my camera to eitel and he just couldn't stop grinning and taking picture after picture.
after the game we had to walk back to san jose. there were just thousands of fans (sold out game) and not enough buses. it was several kms but along the route there were people cheering in front of their houses, trucks, buses, motorcycyles and cars honking their horns and people cheering. the people were ecstatic and going wild.
it will be a night to remember for the rest of our lives.
it was pouring rain as we left the house and they said i couldn't take umbrellas cuz they weren't allowed in the stadium cuz the fans could use them to throw at the players. we had to walk a way to get the bus so we were soaked through before we even got on the bus.
we could see the lights as we approached the stadium and even though it was pouring rain we opened the windows so the boys could see. jose and dany have been to a big game before but the others hadn't. eitel was SO-O excited, he was almost beside himself with excitement, he was squealing with delight. i had moved to sit beside jose so eitel could look out the window and he put his arm around me and kissed me and said that this was one of those times that you just can't put a price on something. oh so true. it was priceless
it was cold and we were soaking wet and shivering but the excitement of being there in the stadium watching their favourite players was almost too much.
children in north america get really excited at christmas to see what awaits them under the tree christmas morning. i've always thought of the expression 'more excited than a kid at christmas' it didn't apply to their lives because they have never had christmas presents before last year because they've never had the money.
this was more priceless. i don't know who had more fun. them watching the game or me watching them watching the game. and of course every time we scored a goal we, as well as everyone else, went wild. we sang, we cheered, we jumped (we were standing on our seats) we waved our arms and we didn't sit for 3 hours.
the rain subsided long enough to take a few pictures so i gave my camera to eitel and he just couldn't stop grinning and taking picture after picture.
after the game we had to walk back to san jose. there were just thousands of fans (sold out game) and not enough buses. it was several kms but along the route there were people cheering in front of their houses, trucks, buses, motorcycyles and cars honking their horns and people cheering. the people were ecstatic and going wild.
it will be a night to remember for the rest of our lives.
Friday, October 07, 2005
God is so amazing
even in such simple little things. i finished school today and packed up to go to marcos' house in san pedro near san jose. i had about 30 pounds in my pack on my back, about 20 pounds (all books) in my other pack on my chest, and i was carrying a palm tree i had bought. i walked to the bus in san joaquin (about 1 km) the bus was sitting there waiting. i took the bus to san jose and got a taxi to the bus stop i wanted. marcos' moved a month ago and i was so anxious to get on the bus and put my packs down i got on the wrong bus. it was the bus i used to take to his other house. i was so relieved to be without my packs it didn't even dawn on me til i was getting close (within a few kms) when i realized it i thought ok no problem i'll get off after the turn off and wait for the right bus. several stops before the turn off it came into my head to get off the bus. i didn't have to wait long before the right bus came by and i got on. it went a couple of stops when i realized i would have taken the turn off and been waiting forever for a bus that wasn't coming. the right bus took me to almost right in front of the street where they live.
God is like that for me. without Him i would have been wandering around with my heavy packs wondering where the heck i was, waiting forever, or walking back to the where i'd got off the bus.
i get these thoughts, ones that i know i would not have thought about. they are so clear i just know that i have to act on them.
He just always takes such good care of me. i am so thankful that He is so faithful. always. even when i am not.
He is so amazing.
i just love Him so much. that is why i'm here. if for no other reason.
God is like that for me. without Him i would have been wandering around with my heavy packs wondering where the heck i was, waiting forever, or walking back to the where i'd got off the bus.
i get these thoughts, ones that i know i would not have thought about. they are so clear i just know that i have to act on them.
He just always takes such good care of me. i am so thankful that He is so faithful. always. even when i am not.
He is so amazing.
i just love Him so much. that is why i'm here. if for no other reason.
problems brewing
between costa rica and nicaragua. there is a border dispute and it's escalating. the san juan river that separates the two countries is owned entirely by nicaragua. it's only 1 of about 3 countries in the world to own the river separating it from another country. the costa rican police cruise the river looking for nicaraguans crossing illegally into cr. the nicaraguans don't want the cr police using the river. they have an army, cr doesn't. ticos make no bones about hating nicaraguans and after many years of wars in nicaragua they have been accustomed to violence.
the team comes to los chiles each year which is only 4 kms away from the border. pray there will be a peaceful resolution to this situation.
the team comes to los chiles each year which is only 4 kms away from the border. pray there will be a peaceful resolution to this situation.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
worms
last night when i got home there was a huge freaking worm on the kitchen floor, your regular garden variety, except that nothing in costa rica is regular size. not having any fear of worms, i tried to pick it up. man i thought that sucker was gonna jump up and eat me alive. both ends shot up to grab my hand. startled the crap outta me. needless to say i didn't try again. the mom in the house scooped it up in paper.
Monday, October 03, 2005
shopping
there are an unbelieveable number of handguns and shotguns on the street. as many stores have armed guards at the door as don't. when i go shopping it's more to look than to buy. i scan the racks for something that might catch my eye. when it does i ask for help. several times i have gone into a store and they dog my steps. literally 2 steps behind me. i pause to look at something they stop too. i take 2 more steps they take 2 more steps. i could turn around and touch them. i know they have to be careful of shoplifters but when that happens i make a beeline right out the door.
our eternal home
as i think about this longing to go home i think of my eternal home. i went to a funeral for someone in church. as tears were shed by family and friends i found myself smiling, thinking of the deceased with joy. joy that they had gone to their heavenly home and were in the presence of Glory.
longing for home!!!
yesterday when i arrived at the bus stop in san jose that would take me back to san joaquin i noticed a san carlos bus sitting across the street. that's the bus that would take me back home.
my heart swelled with a longing for home, it was such a physical yearning, before it registered in my brain.
i wondered what it meant. it was not a longing for canada. it was for costa rica.
i miss the boys but i was lonely there even with 8 or 9 people around all the time. i spent a lot of time in my room reading while mimi spent the evenings in her room with her husband and the boys played play station 2.
we have been infested with chicken mites that had been driving me crazy with scratching. i don't miss that at all. we made a vegetable garden but nobody ever did any work in it and in a very short period of time it was grown over and i was told it was easier to buy the food in the store than to do the gardening.
i don't miss the humungous spiders, the rats, the ants, cockroaches or snakes in the house. the rain in the house, the bug nets, the mosquitoes, the red clay that is almost impossible to get out of your clothes, the garbage, the smells, the 38 degree temperature. i miss the hugs, the kisses, the enthusiasm when they get home from school, going to their soccer games, watching soccer games with them, cooking and cleaning for them. i miss them.
the weird thing is that i didn't really feel that the longing was to go home either. i miss them terribly and will return home next week. but i wonder if that is where i'm supposed to be.
i was talking to God and wondering about the intense longing to go home but not being sure where that was when i realized what date it was. october 2nd. one year exactly to the day that i arrived in santa rosa and had this feeling of coming home, it was like a cloud that descended on me and enveloped me, yet i was in a place i'd never been before, and when i was thanking God He said 'but only for one year' it would have been exactly one year yesterday except that i returned to canada april 8 and didn't come back to costa rica until may 13th.
i woke up again at 4.00 this am wondering about it. what this longing is for? is there something or someone in santa rosa i should do or see?
november 7 will be 365 days here. i have a ticket to return to canada 12/29th. will i change it? will i need it? will i use it?
my heart swelled with a longing for home, it was such a physical yearning, before it registered in my brain.
i wondered what it meant. it was not a longing for canada. it was for costa rica.
i miss the boys but i was lonely there even with 8 or 9 people around all the time. i spent a lot of time in my room reading while mimi spent the evenings in her room with her husband and the boys played play station 2.
we have been infested with chicken mites that had been driving me crazy with scratching. i don't miss that at all. we made a vegetable garden but nobody ever did any work in it and in a very short period of time it was grown over and i was told it was easier to buy the food in the store than to do the gardening.
i don't miss the humungous spiders, the rats, the ants, cockroaches or snakes in the house. the rain in the house, the bug nets, the mosquitoes, the red clay that is almost impossible to get out of your clothes, the garbage, the smells, the 38 degree temperature. i miss the hugs, the kisses, the enthusiasm when they get home from school, going to their soccer games, watching soccer games with them, cooking and cleaning for them. i miss them.
the weird thing is that i didn't really feel that the longing was to go home either. i miss them terribly and will return home next week. but i wonder if that is where i'm supposed to be.
i was talking to God and wondering about the intense longing to go home but not being sure where that was when i realized what date it was. october 2nd. one year exactly to the day that i arrived in santa rosa and had this feeling of coming home, it was like a cloud that descended on me and enveloped me, yet i was in a place i'd never been before, and when i was thanking God He said 'but only for one year' it would have been exactly one year yesterday except that i returned to canada april 8 and didn't come back to costa rica until may 13th.
i woke up again at 4.00 this am wondering about it. what this longing is for? is there something or someone in santa rosa i should do or see?
november 7 will be 365 days here. i have a ticket to return to canada 12/29th. will i change it? will i need it? will i use it?
sin and forgiveness
you had a broken heart, now you don't.
so i should shoot you??? who are our worst critics? those who can't empathize with us? those who are so happily married or have had perfectly happy lives that they don't understand, have never felt the pain and loneliness of a broken heart?
so when we try to mend our broken lives and screw up in the process or don't do it according to what's expected of us we should be ostracized?
there is a family in los chiles where the father has been committing incest with his adult daughter for 4 years. she was afraid to report him to the authorities. until he threatened to kill her child.
once he knew he had been reported he escaped to nicaragua and hasn't been seen or heard from since.
at the time my friend told me about it scripture came to mind to cast him out of the church. and then i thought of the forgiveness of Jesus. i was reminded that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. we need to repent and ask for forgiveness from Him. and make amends to those we have hurt. we do not need to confess our sins to the rest of the world.
no one could think worse of me than myself when i sin because i know it breaks the heart of God. and that breaks my heart. i don't need a bunch of pious, self-righteous critics to remind me i screwed up. i need their mercy, their compassion, their forgiveness and their love.
i know who you are and i know what you did. and i love you anyway.
so i should shoot you??? who are our worst critics? those who can't empathize with us? those who are so happily married or have had perfectly happy lives that they don't understand, have never felt the pain and loneliness of a broken heart?
so when we try to mend our broken lives and screw up in the process or don't do it according to what's expected of us we should be ostracized?
there is a family in los chiles where the father has been committing incest with his adult daughter for 4 years. she was afraid to report him to the authorities. until he threatened to kill her child.
once he knew he had been reported he escaped to nicaragua and hasn't been seen or heard from since.
at the time my friend told me about it scripture came to mind to cast him out of the church. and then i thought of the forgiveness of Jesus. i was reminded that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. we need to repent and ask for forgiveness from Him. and make amends to those we have hurt. we do not need to confess our sins to the rest of the world.
no one could think worse of me than myself when i sin because i know it breaks the heart of God. and that breaks my heart. i don't need a bunch of pious, self-righteous critics to remind me i screwed up. i need their mercy, their compassion, their forgiveness and their love.
i know who you are and i know what you did. and i love you anyway.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
costa rica
this is a map of costa rica. i live about 25 kms south of los chiles (at the very top in the middle) but where i am going to school and staying is near heredia (right above san jose, the star in the centre)
http://www.mapquest.com/atlas/main.adp?region=cstarica
san jose is not a pretty city. the whole country has a problem with garbage. the people live behind locked gates and have bars on the windows. last night and one night last weekend i stayed at patri's house. (the oldest daughter in my family) she lives just south of san jose. the city and the suburbs (except for the newly developing neighbourhoods) are very poor, dirty and not pretty. last week as i was walking to patri's house a rat walked across the street in front of me. frequently when i go to her house i wonder if i am on the right street. the rain erodes the asphalt (what there is left of it) and the street changing it from time to time.
previous team members have mentioned having a bad experience driving in a taxi here. storefronts have metal doors that roll down at closing time turning a once busy, bright street, lined with popular shops, into a dark, intimidating alley where even the locals fear to tred.
shops and houses are built onto each other. side yards??? they are lucky to have a few square feet for a front or a back yard.
the rat crossing the dirty, littered street in front of me reminded me of movies i have seen of london and paris a few hundred years ago.
the hordes of people, shop front to shop front, and buses curb to curb, reminded me of poor streets in movies i have seen of china or other asian cities. too many people and not enough space to contain them all.
the flowers and plants are unbelievable though. like none i've ever since in canada or magazines. the countryside. absolutely gorgeous. it is easy to envision the garden of eden. (just checked iraq (the euphrates) - 30 degrees north.)
but this is where my heart is.
http://www.mapquest.com/atlas/main.adp?region=cstarica
san jose is not a pretty city. the whole country has a problem with garbage. the people live behind locked gates and have bars on the windows. last night and one night last weekend i stayed at patri's house. (the oldest daughter in my family) she lives just south of san jose. the city and the suburbs (except for the newly developing neighbourhoods) are very poor, dirty and not pretty. last week as i was walking to patri's house a rat walked across the street in front of me. frequently when i go to her house i wonder if i am on the right street. the rain erodes the asphalt (what there is left of it) and the street changing it from time to time.
previous team members have mentioned having a bad experience driving in a taxi here. storefronts have metal doors that roll down at closing time turning a once busy, bright street, lined with popular shops, into a dark, intimidating alley where even the locals fear to tred.
shops and houses are built onto each other. side yards??? they are lucky to have a few square feet for a front or a back yard.
the rat crossing the dirty, littered street in front of me reminded me of movies i have seen of london and paris a few hundred years ago.
the hordes of people, shop front to shop front, and buses curb to curb, reminded me of poor streets in movies i have seen of china or other asian cities. too many people and not enough space to contain them all.
the flowers and plants are unbelievable though. like none i've ever since in canada or magazines. the countryside. absolutely gorgeous. it is easy to envision the garden of eden. (just checked iraq (the euphrates) - 30 degrees north.)
but this is where my heart is.
the guys rules
hilarious. rotflol. thanks sushi i loved this. i sent it to everyone i know that i thought would not have already received it.
christopher columbus didn't ask directions cuz the rest of the crew were men too and they didn't have any more of a clue where they were than he did.
i have been exploring a bit by taking buses just to see where they go. last week i was looking for a specific bus stop so i asked for directions. one said 6 blocks that way (north) the next 2 said 4 blocks that way (also north but in the opposite direction). they pointed out streets on my map and called them by name. i pointed out on the same map where the streets were marked and they were different names. i was pretty sure if the map said 6 street that it was 6 street and not 0 street as the men said. another told me something else. i thanked each of them and carried on my way just as before. once i saw a landmark i was on my own and knew where i was.
another day i asked where a certain bus stop was and got the same reponse. the difference being they were all bus drivers that i asked. there can be as many as 9 buses in an intersection. 3 leaving it, 3 in the middle of it and 3 entering it. i kept asking other bus drivers cuz i didn't believe what each of them was telling me. they just didn't have that air of confidence. finally i got one that told me it was the stop behind him.
the only reason men discovered new lands was cuz they couldn't find the ones they were looking for.
in church or bible study we have talked about putting men down. i love men. i'm just speaking the truth.
christopher columbus didn't ask directions cuz the rest of the crew were men too and they didn't have any more of a clue where they were than he did.
i have been exploring a bit by taking buses just to see where they go. last week i was looking for a specific bus stop so i asked for directions. one said 6 blocks that way (north) the next 2 said 4 blocks that way (also north but in the opposite direction). they pointed out streets on my map and called them by name. i pointed out on the same map where the streets were marked and they were different names. i was pretty sure if the map said 6 street that it was 6 street and not 0 street as the men said. another told me something else. i thanked each of them and carried on my way just as before. once i saw a landmark i was on my own and knew where i was.
another day i asked where a certain bus stop was and got the same reponse. the difference being they were all bus drivers that i asked. there can be as many as 9 buses in an intersection. 3 leaving it, 3 in the middle of it and 3 entering it. i kept asking other bus drivers cuz i didn't believe what each of them was telling me. they just didn't have that air of confidence. finally i got one that told me it was the stop behind him.
the only reason men discovered new lands was cuz they couldn't find the ones they were looking for.
in church or bible study we have talked about putting men down. i love men. i'm just speaking the truth.
tanning salon
the boys are coming to san jose next weekend to go to the costa rica / usa soccer game and i'm thinking maybe we could go to a pool (indoor) if it's not too freaking cold. but i'd have to go to a tanning salon... in costa rica. can you believe it. i can't. i'd have more of a tan in canada.
we're at 10 degrees north of the equator. and it's 35 c at home and they're at 11 degrees north. we should be warmer???
we're at 10 degrees north of the equator. and it's 35 c at home and they're at 11 degrees north. we should be warmer???
i'm a mush
went to church in zapote (not far from san jose) last night and this am. last night as i was praying someone came up and prayed over me. a while later someone else did. that in itself would have made me cry if i wasn't already.
it's a huge church, about 3,000 people, the services are in espanol (could you have guessed) so i don't understand everything. i have needed to go. i need to worship and have missed going up to the garden in amparo.
several speakers in this church speak in tongues. it's an involuntary thing. their speech flows and they switch from spanish to tongues as fluidly as a dolphin glides through water.
sometimes i am on a bus, other times walking down the street, other times maybe in a restaurante or some other place and i get choked. i think of how much i love God and i'm filled with such joy it brings tears to my eyes. i have to tell Him (like He doesn't know) that i'm in a public place and don't want to cry so i have to choke back my feelings. as i am thanking God for His love, His presence in my life, i am filled with the joy of loving Him and i become a mush.
for as much as i can say i don't care what people think of me, that i live for an audience of One, why do i tell Him i will talk to Him later when i turn to mush in a public place? if i really did live for an audience of One would i care that i might look stupid?
it's a huge church, about 3,000 people, the services are in espanol (could you have guessed) so i don't understand everything. i have needed to go. i need to worship and have missed going up to the garden in amparo.
several speakers in this church speak in tongues. it's an involuntary thing. their speech flows and they switch from spanish to tongues as fluidly as a dolphin glides through water.
sometimes i am on a bus, other times walking down the street, other times maybe in a restaurante or some other place and i get choked. i think of how much i love God and i'm filled with such joy it brings tears to my eyes. i have to tell Him (like He doesn't know) that i'm in a public place and don't want to cry so i have to choke back my feelings. as i am thanking God for His love, His presence in my life, i am filled with the joy of loving Him and i become a mush.
for as much as i can say i don't care what people think of me, that i live for an audience of One, why do i tell Him i will talk to Him later when i turn to mush in a public place? if i really did live for an audience of One would i care that i might look stupid?
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