And I Still Don't Understand Spanish
7-22-13
Church was such a different experience. I know pretty much zero Spanish and Costa Rica is a Spanish speaking country. Which means church is in Spanish. Even though I couldn't personally sing the songs or understand everything that was going on, it was clear that these people love Jesus and want to sing and dance about it. There was such a happy, worship-fulness in the small church building. What really "hit" me as I stood there was how much I think inside of a box.There are believers all over the world; different languages, nationalities, skin colors, ages, etc. Heaven will be filled with all of these differences in the beauty of oneness in Christ. so often I think American believers think that Christians are these "perfect", disciplined, tidy, dressed up, choir-singing, perfect-attendance people. The truth? While that may be true for some, and that's great, there are believers all over the world. You don't need a beautiful church building, fancy clothes, or perfect attendance to be the "right kind of" Christian. True believers have the love of Jesus in their hearts and sing and dance about the joy they have in Christ. I'm not saying because some people may be the definition of a "perfect" Christian that they aren't true believers, it's just that a true relationship with Christ doesn't require anything more than a desire to love and serve Him. It really just opened my eyes seeing worship in culture. True belief comes from the heart being so in love with Jesus that everything one does overflows with a pure joy and praise for our Creator. Church was such a blessing.
After church we went out to eat and enjoyed typical Costa-Rican meals. Fried plantains are what some were calling "God's candy." I, however, didn't really find them THAT good. When we had finished eating, we took an adventure to Steve's house to meet another pastor whom is associated with the Iglesia Biblica in Atenas. You wouldn't believe the roads here. I legitimately feared for my life. Angela and I held on to each other for dear life(I mean that wholeheartedly), while James(of course!) commented on the dead snakes laying on the sides of the "road." The van overheated so we had to stop. After filling something or other underneath the hood with water bottle after water bottle, we tried again. It was a no go. We were able to make it back to Hogar De Vida, but never made it to our destinations. Pastor Oscar, however, was able to meet us at our stopped van. This trip has been full of crazy, awesome adventures. Scaling rocks on the side of a river(which I am pretty sure had some snakes and other unfavorable creatures living inside) is another example. James and I climbed a fallen tree laying over the stream that had some interesting thorns and bugs on it..
As usual, I could write for hours more, but we're off to have devotions and sing with the children and then Angela and I are rocking babies for the day:)
(I forgot to post my highlights from the day before, so both are included here) Highlights: Watching Julio worship, Tatiana scaring me and giggling then giving me a big hug, Brenda teasing me, holding Roy, Axel chasing me with a giant fake spider and thinking it's the most hilarious thing ever, deep conversations, rain, Helen's testimony.
And some photos:
Church was such a different experience. I know pretty much zero Spanish and Costa Rica is a Spanish speaking country. Which means church is in Spanish. Even though I couldn't personally sing the songs or understand everything that was going on, it was clear that these people love Jesus and want to sing and dance about it. There was such a happy, worship-fulness in the small church building. What really "hit" me as I stood there was how much I think inside of a box.There are believers all over the world; different languages, nationalities, skin colors, ages, etc. Heaven will be filled with all of these differences in the beauty of oneness in Christ. so often I think American believers think that Christians are these "perfect", disciplined, tidy, dressed up, choir-singing, perfect-attendance people. The truth? While that may be true for some, and that's great, there are believers all over the world. You don't need a beautiful church building, fancy clothes, or perfect attendance to be the "right kind of" Christian. True believers have the love of Jesus in their hearts and sing and dance about the joy they have in Christ. I'm not saying because some people may be the definition of a "perfect" Christian that they aren't true believers, it's just that a true relationship with Christ doesn't require anything more than a desire to love and serve Him. It really just opened my eyes seeing worship in culture. True belief comes from the heart being so in love with Jesus that everything one does overflows with a pure joy and praise for our Creator. Church was such a blessing.
After church we went out to eat and enjoyed typical Costa-Rican meals. Fried plantains are what some were calling "God's candy." I, however, didn't really find them THAT good. When we had finished eating, we took an adventure to Steve's house to meet another pastor whom is associated with the Iglesia Biblica in Atenas. You wouldn't believe the roads here. I legitimately feared for my life. Angela and I held on to each other for dear life(I mean that wholeheartedly), while James(of course!) commented on the dead snakes laying on the sides of the "road." The van overheated so we had to stop. After filling something or other underneath the hood with water bottle after water bottle, we tried again. It was a no go. We were able to make it back to Hogar De Vida, but never made it to our destinations. Pastor Oscar, however, was able to meet us at our stopped van. This trip has been full of crazy, awesome adventures. Scaling rocks on the side of a river(which I am pretty sure had some snakes and other unfavorable creatures living inside) is another example. James and I climbed a fallen tree laying over the stream that had some interesting thorns and bugs on it..
As usual, I could write for hours more, but we're off to have devotions and sing with the children and then Angela and I are rocking babies for the day:)
(I forgot to post my highlights from the day before, so both are included here) Highlights: Watching Julio worship, Tatiana scaring me and giggling then giving me a big hug, Brenda teasing me, holding Roy, Axel chasing me with a giant fake spider and thinking it's the most hilarious thing ever, deep conversations, rain, Helen's testimony.
And some photos:
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| Roy! |
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| Julio! |
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| Sweet little girl in her church dress:) |
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| Typical Costa Rican Meal! |
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| Footprint by the river |
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| Scaling the river |
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| Climbed the tree! |
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| Church! |
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