Week 8: Critters & Criminals

Walking through the jungle

This past weekend we took an opportunity to take a bus to a well-known, national park called Manuel Antonio. It's located about 3 1/2 hours from Atenas, nestled in a cove along the Pacific Ocean. After the long bus ride, the five of us (interns) checked into a hostel and promptly began to explore the town. We spent the whole day Saturday walking around through jungle trails, relaxing on the beaches and looking at wild animals.  We did well in spotting wildlife, as we found three species of monkies, iguanas, birds, lizards, giant butterflies, and the elusive two-toed sloth. While frolicking on the beach, we were visited by a couple of renegade raccoons. I trust a raccoon about as much as a trust a squirrel--never. I tried to rough talk the animal back into the brush, but the persistent critter was bent on taking a bag of tasty trailmix. We moved from "rough-talkin" to stick-wielding, which probably horrified a few Europeans standing nearby---who wanted to feed the creatures.  Rather than create a big scene, we moved our bags to a different location and let zie Germans hand feed the rascals. There's nothing worse than a wild animal that loses its fear of man, which is exactly what was happening.
 

Critters



The criminal's handy work

 Our long day at the park was met with an even longer night. Upon returning to our hostel room, we found the lock to our locker busted and valuables stolen out of our packs. Wallets, Ipods, a watch, an electric razor, and passport were some of the things missing. Fortunately for myself, I had my valuables and backpack with me and lost nothing. Because we were in a dormitory-style room, there were two other people staying with us. More than likey, it was the quiet guy from San Jose that was traveling without typical traveler's gear. He waited until we left for the day, and then busted into our locker. It was an incredibly frustrating evening filled with a visit to the police department and two hours of Spanish translating. At the end of the day, though, we were reminded that he had only stolen things--things that could all be replaced. It's also a humble reminder not to place too much value on the material things of this world because they are all things that are passing away---some much quicker than we expect! 

A small cove within the park

When I woke up this morning, I was so glad to be back in Atenas; back in my little bed in my breezy, little room. The weather was much, much warmer in Manuel Antonio, with a humidity level near 100%. Without air conditioning, it's difficult to sleep--and little I did. Thankfully, Atenas has a much milder climate with cooler evenings. It's good to be home.

I'll let the monkies have the last say in this blog post:


Week 7: Hidden Treasures



300 steps or one long tumble down!





Sunday afternoons are usually a time of mental recovery from a weekend of Spanish, but this afternoon was different. My host father and brothers took a stroll down the street, across a neighbor's parcel, and down a long, steep set of stairs. Our street is mix between residential and pasture land. The land is quite pleasant but it conceals its sacred jewel with the help of a few hills and thick forest. Once to the bottom of the stairs and around one river bend, it finally revealed itself.  

 A hidden tresure 

  

 Last of the Mochians?

 

A refreshing swim



It was great to finally get out and see some of the natural beauty that makes Costa Rica famous. Typically we don't have many activities during the weekday afternoons, and weekends are often similar. Because I live with a host family, I don't really have the luxury to go wherever I want. During my free time I often read (very unlike myself) or study Spanish. As someone who enjoys being out in the woods, it's easy for me to catch a little bit of cabin fever. Today was much needed--praise the Lord for that provision!



Me and my brothers. Check out Gabriel's sweet suit!





Week 6: Far & Away

"Just a castaway, an island lost at sea..."

Lying awake in my bed this morning, I realized that it has now been six weeks since I left the United States. It's not of great importance, but it does mark the longest time I have been outside of my home country. In 2005, I spent six weeks studying at Universitaet Innsbruck in Austria. With the six week mark now being matched, I couldn't help but compare my experiences in both places. A few things are similar: I speak Spanish about as well as I spoke German and I miss BBQ, sweet tea, and busciuts just as much as I did in the Alps. Some things just weren't meant to be forgotten.



My little brother monkeying around.

 Looking back, and hindsight is 20/20, I really do believe my experience abroad has been radically different the second go around. In Austria, I had a difficult time adjusting to cultural differences and I was often homesick---the kind that makes you want to put on your Ipod and escape into dreamland. Fortunately, I learned from my first trip and I believe God has really shown me an incredible amount of grace. From the moment I learned about EMI, the Lord has been steadily tearing down walls in my heart; walls, that if left unbroken, would have made life very difficult here in Costa Rica. Many of those walls revolve around comfort. Comfort can, at times, be deceitful--especially if that is the end goal. EMI orientation prepared me well for the cultural changes, mainly because it was centered on the truth of Scripture. That truth is becoming more and more real to me. God's word offers a plethora of advice to those far away from home...Or as Sting said: "A hundred billion castaways, looking for a home." 

Practicing for the lumberjack olympics

My time in Austria was often marred because of my desire to be somewhere else. I was discontent in where I was, despite the amazing opportunity I was given. I lost many more opportunities because of my discontent attitude. A well-known quote from John Piper comes to mind: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." In Austria, I was more concerned with being back in the known comforts of life rather than in Christ and His comfort. There is quite a difference. I don't pretend to be free from those desires of worldly comforts. I miss all the same things I missed in Austria. But I hope and pray that those desires do not prevent me from glorifying God here. Please pray that I will use this time well and not be afraid to invest my all here.