Bethany Visits!

This July, Bethany came down to visit!  She took a few days off between moving and the job search to hang out with me in Quepos.  It was incredible to have her.  She had the chance to see my work, meet my boss, hang out with my friends, go to church, walk into town, go to the market, watch a soccer game, tutor english classes, and got fried at the beach!  Pretty much do life with me for a few days.  As I have said before, God continues to BLESS me with my visitors...  there is something about the fact that the people closest to me know the people in my life, the places I go, the roads I walk that never ceases to encourage me! Needless to say, there were MANY cups of coffee, Costa Rican pastries, and hours of talking on my porch.  I am embarrassed that I only have a handful of pictures documenting her time here!  It is by no means a reflection of the quality of the visit!  (Unless to say we were having a great time with no time for photo opts!)

Eating Mamones Chinos (Chinese Snot Balls) while waiting in mine at the bus station.  

Watching the sunset by the harbor.  I'm wearing the new earrings we bought...  $2 at the stand by the harbor.

As you can see, when the tide is low, the small canal in route to the docks becomes increasingly shallow and difficult to pass.  If you remember the post where My parents and I went fishing, you can now see how our small boat got stranded on the sand bar.  

Just a note.  While we were enjoying the sunset over the harbor, there was "Festival de Quepos" going on behind us, which involved a beer tent, a few vendors, and a very very loud speaker blasting the talents of local Karoke-ers.  We enjoyed it thoroughly.  

Panama Trip

This June, I headed to Panama to visit the Bliss Family.  Steve and Jenny started the fellowship in Quepos, and moved to a small town outside of David, Panama to work on their ministry with indigenous indians in Central America.  Steve has been working on creating a safe and efficient wood burning stove for these communities.  Currently, the number one cause of death among these indigenous groups are health related sicknesses caused by  the smoke produced by their current stoves.  The stove that Steve has been developing is one that not only omits minimal smoke, but also burns efficiently, addressing the problem of deforestation as well.  

While I was there I had the chance to get away from cell phone service, relax, and recharge.  I spent one afternoon at a cafe overlooking the valley of Boquette.  This area is known for producing some of the best coffee in the world!  The cloud-forest climate produces coffee, some of which sells for over $500 a pound!   While I was there, I had to adjust to the the cooler climate, bringing my one long-sleeved shirt from Costa Rica.  The climate and beauty was a refreshing change, if only for a few days.