Scribblings from a twenty-year homeschool veteran about homeschooling, life after homeschooling, occasional peeks into the world of writing for children, and the ups and downs of life in general.
It's Show and Tell time again. I missed Mary being gone last week! Click the graphic for more.
If you think the sermons at your church are long, try listening to a sermon in Spanish! I was doing pretty well one-on-one, as long as folks spoke s..l..o..w..l..y to me (¡Más despacio, por favor!). However, general talking (preaching, television, shopping) might as well have been in Chinese for as much as I understood it. I'm a visual learner--not audio at all. So I did OK reading La Biblia as Erick preached, but....
Come along with me for a peek inside a typical Sunday afternoon worship service in Costa Rica.
Here is their new building. About 50 people gather together to fellowship and worship.
Here is the worship team. Erick is the preacher, but he is also the worship leader.
"Alabad al Señor porque El es bueno" says part of the wall decoration. "Praise the Lord, for He is good."
The entire congregation really knows how to worship the Lord during this time--the kids are actively involved. One highlight of the service is when we sang "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High." I knew the motions for the song, so I was doing them. Pretty soon the gal next to me got into the act. It was fun singing in English while she sang in Spanish, and doing the same motions. As long as there was an overhead of the words, I could sing in Spanish, but without the visual...uh..no.
Erick really tries to include the children. Here the little ones are doing an interpretive dance to a CD. They were adorable! I always tried to grab a pew where I could sit with the kids. We were drawn to each other.
On my last Sunday there, I had to talk in front of the congregation. "You talk; I'll translate," Erick promised. By now, I was understanding more, but I couldn't speak well enough to say anything important.
Erick was preaching through the Purpose-Driven Life book (2004). You'd think I could catch some of it! He even passed out sermon "notes." I understood those.
Even Ryan participated--but not vocally. Note the glassy eyes. This whole trip wore him out, but at the end of the 2 weeks he said he wanted to stay (but he probably said that knowing we couldn't really stay). Pastor Erick's son, Erick José, is the left teen in this trio.
Notice the corrugated metal roof. Very typical. I don't think there is any such thing as a furnace or heat source in Costa Rica. And not many "ceilings" either.
It looks like Eric is ready to come home. If he is like my daughter, after a couple of days it is time to come home.
I can read some Spanish, but people have to talk really slowly to me too. DD can speed along and pick up whatever they are saying.
Pam
At least you tried and I am sure it was very encouraging to them that you stuck it out. Now you probably understand how someone feels when they come to one of our churches from another country.
Jenn
Very interesting to read about your excursions there!
I thought about you yesterday. I was getting ready to leave and our tame squirrel came running up to me. Dh told me there was a bag of sunflower seeds in the garage. Before I could get them opened, she starts speedily climbing my leg! I was screaming, "GET HER OFF OF ME!" LOL! I was afraid that she might bite if I didn't give her food quickly enough.
The other day, I was leaving, and she ran up to me as I stepped out the back door. She continued to run after me as I walked down the sidewalk toward the driveway. I began to walk up the steps to the car, and she continues to follow me. I open the car door, and I actually thought she might try to jump in the car with me!
I am wondering if we might be wise to call animal contol. If we try to go outside, and she is anywhere nearby, she follows us everywhere. While it is kind of cute, it gets annoying to constantly be watching to make sure she isn't going to bite!
As for your comments, I do not consider myself a prophet. However, I have had MANY dreams that have come true, and I know those dreams were specifically from the Lord. I didn't want to post specifics on the dream I had, but if you want to know, email me or send me a PM. I am cautious about putting too much stock in dreams, but at the same time, when I've seen so many come true, I know that when I have some that rattle me like this one did, it's best to take it before the Lord.
Edited by proverbsmama on May. 2, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I took Spanish in college but wouldn't be able to follow anything I am sure. I love the part about you singing in English while the lady next to you was singing in Spanish and you were both doing the motions! How awesome!
Toni
http://thehappyhousewife.com
Wow, it sounds like you had a great trip! Thanks for the pics, very, very fun. Hope all is well with you! Would you please pray for my Maggie? She's having a difficult time these days with our erratic schedule.
Neat ! I remember listening to sermons in Spanish too. I can't remember if I told you I went on missionary trips to Encenada (sp?) Mexico with my youth group two different summers. I have really enjoyed your testimony.
Sending you blessings and ((hugs)) my SSiC
In HIm<><
-Mary
What an awesome post! This is my favorite of your trip.
Iodine - that's a good question. I'll be looking that up and I'll report back to you what I find out.
What an awesome opportunity! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Can't wait for the goofing off in Costa Rica post. Thanks for your love & prayers while I was away from blogland. They've meant so much.
I'm just catching up now. What a great post! I love these stories because I finally get outside of my world for a while and see someone else's. Thanks for sharing these with us.
Your son does have a "look" on his face. *giggle* Perhaps not enough Pringles? ;')
Thank you for the fun pictures and story from Costa Rica. I have a friend who is trying to teach me Spanish, but as soon as he starts speaking at normal speed, I'm completely lost, lol!
Betty
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May. 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment
I can read some Spanish, but people have to talk really slowly to me too. DD can speed along and pick up whatever they are saying.
Pam