Johan, my famous friend

This week Johan Estrada, 9th place in this year's Latin American Idol competition (yes, just like American Idol, but throughout all of Central and South America) played in Quepos!

I met Johan 10 years ago, when he was a student leader in Sonlife-the missions organization that hosted our Ridge Point group. We have touched base a couple of times in the last three years, but I was SHOCKED when I saw him singing on my tv screen! He is so talented, and it was great to get the chance to hear him play again!

Out with the old...

Those of you who have come down have not failed to notice the size and weight of the Costa Rican coins... if you aren't diligent in spending them, they will quickly weigh down your pockets. You may also have noticed that there are different sizes and colors of the very same coin... below is 5 colones.. three different forms... all worth about 1/10th of a US cent each.

The government decided to get rid of the multiple coins, choosing to eliminate the larger, heavier coins in favor of the smaller, shiny, fake feeling ones. I found out when the bus driver yelled "MUCHACHA!" one day, yelling at me to tell me that my 10th of a cent was no longer a valid form of payment... off to the bank to redeem my riches...



Above, the 20 colon in comparison to the dime. So much bigger, but worth about 4 cents- also discontinued...

Cantamos!

One of my favorite things to do is lead our class in singing! We sing in English and Spanish, and the love it (and dont even notice how tone-deaf I am!)

Here they are singing their favorite new song: Quien es el rey...

Quien es el rey de la selva? (Who is the king of the Jungle?)
Quien es el rey del mar? (Who is the king of the sea?)
Quien es el rey del universo? (Who is the king of the universe?)
Y quien es el rey de mi? (And whose the king of me?)
Te digo! (I tell you!)
J-E-S-U-S, JESUS!

National Park Field Trip Cont.

More Pictures of El Puente Costa Rica kids in front of the camera!

They will be on the local am news this week Monday and Tuesday, canal 7!

WHO CAN SEE IT FIRST????

National Park Field Trip

Today we had the opportunity to go on a one-of-a-kind field trip, Costa Rica style! I received a phone call from the director of Kids Saving the Rainforest, asking if our kids wanted to take part in a demonstration of their program for a local tv channel.

Kids Saving the Rainforest was started by a young girl and her mother in order to raise awareness and help protect the natural habits in Costa Rica. Since then, the organization has grown, and has its own animal rehab center that works with sloths, monkeys, and other animals native to the Manuel Antonio area. They were even highlighted on Extreme Home Makeover! It is a great organization that loves working and empowering kids to help do their part in conservation.

We brought the kids to the Mono Azul Hotel, the Kids Saving the Rainforest headquarters, where they learned all the reasons why we should NOT feed the monkeys... including our ability to make them sick by our germs. (Check out all 10 reasons on KSTR's website, www.kidssavingtherainforest.org)

After learning all about it, we went to share it, visiting the National Park. There our students brought information to tourists in the park, explaining why feeding the monkeys is harmful. A film crew followed us around, documenting the event and El Puente students will be on National TV next Monday night! Our kids did a great job, doing their part to raise awareness!

Above: at the park enterance, handing out fliers and talking to individuals about what we had learned.

Below: walking through the park and sharing with more park visitors

For a few of our students, this was their first time in the National Park! It was a great opportunity for them to see why the park in their hometown is the second most visited National Park in Costa Rica! We saw monkeys, sloths and frogs!

Looking for the sloth... can you find it?

Looking for the red-eyed tree frog... can you spot it?

First Female President

Last Sunday while many of you were watching the Saints and the Colts duke it out in the Super Bowl, Costa Ricans headed to the polls. Cars carrying various party flags drove around town, picking up people from rural neighborhoods, bringing them to the closed public school to vast their votes...

At the end of the day, Costa Rica elected Laura Chinchilla, their first female president! From a more conservative party, Laura wants to crack down on security, fighting the raise in drug trafficking through Costa Rica. Google her and read more about her platform and this step for Costa Rican politics...

On another note, during national elections, the country normally holds ban on alcohol sales the weekend of the election. The local municipality comes out to all local businesses and literally tapes up their liquor and beer refrigerators. However, this year they nationally removed the band... why?!?!? Because of the Super Bowl of course!! Just another reminder of how much tourism affects Costa Rica...

The New Classroom

Welcome to the New

La Escuela Cristiana El Puente!!

Today we celebrated day one in our new school building! We have moved into a condo complex where we will be able to continue to grow and develop as an institution! Praise God for help moving, for permits being pushed through, and for a smooth transition!

I will be moving into the second story... and look in the picture to the right... a pool for gym class! (and maybe some down time for the teachers :) )

Work Team Jan 2010

Work Team

January 2010

This January we were blessed to have a group come down to help us prepare the new classrom! Over the course of the week the team worked, despite the summer heat, volunteering their time and energy to help us paint and finish our new classroom, as well as help out at a local drug and alcohol rehab center.

I am continually amazed at the people that God brings down, their heart for service, and connections he is making- using His people to do His work to show the love of Christ worldwide!

Thanks to everyone who helped out this week!! We couldn't have made the move without you!

Above: the condo before.... and after! Marge displaying all her hard work!

Above: Dave getting on his hands and knees to finish the base coat on the steps. And the whole painting crew! (Kathy, Marge, Dave, Gabi, and Tom)

Above: Diego scaling to get the upper corners, Caitlin and Diego finishing the stairwell, and Caitlin and I finishing the upstairs preschool room...

Painting and cleaning and painting and cleaning!

Kathy and Diego

After the room was ready, it was moving time! In two days time we packed up our old classroom, and headed for the new location!

Car Loads of books, desks, and school supplies! All the kids helped!

Below: Diego by the beautiful garden he put in, red palms and all

Before..... and After!

The first day of school! Thanks EVERYONE for all the hard work and sweat! We couldn't have made the move into our new facility without you!!

The team also helped paint and put screens on the old drug and rehab center- the new home for the director of the program. They had a chance to work along side of a group of men who have decided to leave their addictions and give back to their community. Their time and energy was a blessing to another cause that seeks to see God glorified in Quepos!