Through someone else's eyes

Life in Quepos, through the eyes of Sarah Hamm... I love seeing the pictures that people who come to visit me take... enjoy these as much as I have.

Sarah, I love you and seeing Quepos through your eyes! Thanks for an amazing month, roommate! I miss you, laughing together, beading together, praying and studying together, and making home-made wristguards... good.times.

National Park Adventure and Henderson the Sloth

Sarah and I went to the national park! And it was an epic trip :) we found new trails and made some of our own! check out some of the beautiful sights...

White-faced monkey and baby

Viper. One of three snakes I have seen in three years... and this one is a dangerous one!



This places me in awe of our creator...

This makes me think God has a great sense of amusement and humor in his created things

Wow. Thats a big leaf...

And last but not least... we got to see a three toed sloth, eye level. Sarah named him Henderson. Check out the video...

First Week of School

Back to school!

While I am feeling the affects of getting back on a schedule and being surrounded by children all day long, I am thankful for a new school year, new students, and a relatively smooth start! We are still looking for a preschool teacher, but have a few prospects and are trusting that God will put the right person in place... until then, I've put on my preschool-teacher hat!

It wouldn't have felt like a normal week without Kai's show-and-tell. Last year he brought his pet dog, baby crabs, various insects, and a chicken (he even took the liberty to throw the chicken off the stairwell, to show the others how it could fly).

This week, Kai brought in a baby turtle. He said his name was "escalera", which means "stair"... when I looked at him quizzically, he proceeded to explain to me what a stair was ("You know teacher, those things you climb up to get to the classroom"), not thinking that I would question why a turtle would take on such a name.

This prompted a discussion about the future careers of our students. Aleasha thinks Kai will be a veterinarian. Maybe a zoologist. We laughed, because Keilyn, (age 4) spends most of the recess time looking down the drains, gathering objects off the playground and dropping them in to see how they fall and land. Maybe this is the start of her physics career.

While it was in good fun, it brought us back to our childhood, and the common question we heard-

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

The average child is Quepos is not asked this question. Perhaps because most do not have the means or are not given an education that allows them to pursue such aspirations.

We've connected with a college teacher who wants to Skype in and have her class give a presentation and have a dialogue with our students. We asked if they would talk about college, what they are studying and why. We hope to that our students will understand that college could be part of thier future.

As we start this school year, I am reminded of the importance of dreaming big dreams. Not just because.

But because we have a God who wants us to embrace who he is.

Because to dream big, we need to let God be as big as he really is.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

At El Puente, it is our prayer that we will be able to love and equip our students in such a way that a door is thrown open before them. May they dream big dreams and believe in a God who can do immeasurable more than they ask or imagine! May they live lives in the power that comes from Jesus Christ and may God be given glory through each one of them, influencing the Quepos community for generations to come!

I love asking the question: What if my dreams were bigger? Where would I begin to see God work? It is a challenge, not only as I look at the school, but as I look at my personal life as well.

Thank you for your continual support, encouragement, and prayers!

Dios te Bendiga! Y espero que nos veamos pronto!

God bless, and I hope to see you soon!

Love, Anna

Jewelry!

To raise money for the school, we are selling handmade jewelry made from Tagua. Tagua is a unique and beautiful seed that is known as the "vegetable ivory". It is dyed various colors and is cut to different sizes and in different shapes.

We will be holding a jewery open house on Sept. 2nd, in Holland. All are welcome! If you would like more information, let me know or check out the event page on my facebook!

All proceeds go to support the school (and kids like Michele who would otherwise be unable to afford a private education!).

Sometimes I forget...

It is easy to forget that I live in a very beautiful place...

Reminded once again of Romans 1:20


For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Open your heart

Haver

This is one of my favorite quiet places.

It is a small park just past the pier in Quepos. Past the busy construction of the marina, tucked into a quite cove off the Pacific Ocean. The gaudy hotels are hidden by the peninsula that protects it.

Fishermen climb the costal rocks, spearing crabs to use as bait.

The tide fills pools between the rocks along the shore.

And I love resting my feet upon the painted red fence.

Sarah and I have started a routine. A routine rooted in the Jewish tradition- of spending time in the word together, discussing it, letting it disect us. It is the practice of haverim. Friends and comerades.

And I couldn't think of a better place to sit. To be in the word. To speak and share its truth.

Pez Vela Marina

A quick look at the Pez Vela Marina in Quepos- they continue to work on it and boats are starting to dock. It will be interesting to see how the new port will affect the economy, demographics, and tourist industry in Quepos...

Click on the picture to see it larger and clearer..

New School Blog

Dear Friends and Family-

I am back, safe and sound here in Quepos, getting ready for the upcoming school year which starts on August 16th!

I wanted to let you know that I have started a new blog, where I will exclusively be posting updates regarding the school. You can check out this page at elpuentecr.blogspot.com

I will continue to be updating my own blog, which will include personal pictures and stories at aslenk.blogspot.com

Thank you all for your continual support and encouragement! I am excited to see where God takes us this year! Please continue to pray that his will is done and that we follow with joy!

Love, Anna

Back in Costa Rica

After a great month in the states with family and friends, I am back in Costa Rica. While I miss the cool Michigan summer weather (well, at least less muggy), it is good to be back. AND, I am especially excited becuase a close high school friend (Sarah Hamm) traveled back with me and will be spending the upcoming month here in Costa Rica. I am excited about the chance show her my world, and, I must admit, was thrilled to have an extra hand (and suitcase) with everything I had to tote back!

Gallo Pinto- I missed this typical Costa Rican breakfast! And got to share it with Sarah!

Sarah and I got to spend a few days in San Jose, visiting Michele, a close friend of mine. It was a great way to transition- back in the Spanish world, with a little bit of time to take advantage of all that San Jose has to offer (and a great trip to Pequeno Mundo- one of my favorite shopping centers- think Big Lots for clothes :) ).

Sarah and Michele- I love how my worlds collide!

AND we got to hang out with Judah! Michele's 3 month old son... He is growing so quickly!!

Tia Anna

I am not only taking full advantage of Sarah's company, but am putting her to work! We bought about 50 lbs of Tagua that needs to be strung into necklaces and bracelets by the end of the month, to be shown at our Jewelry Fundraiser in September! Just a preview of what is to come...

It was wonderful being back in Michigan, and thanks to all of you who called and made an effort to catch up with me while I there. It is great to be back here in Quepos, and I am excited about getting the upcoming school year started and seeing what God has in store.