Costa Rica 2012 July 24-29

So this ticket bought with miles somehow flew us first class. (We're still trying to figure out how that worked out) Economy, how will we ever fly with you again??

Either way it got us here, The Admirals Club while we waited for our flight.

Yep, just chillaxing. With this guy and that guy. Ok so we didn't actually talk to him but we did sit near him.

Cartago English Cong. The day we flew in they had their School and Service Meeting. They have 33 publishers. 5 Elders 3 MS and 9 Reg Pios. They have additional pioneers that will be added but when coming from another country you have to resubmit another application to the current branch. Its a longer process than just transferring publisher cards. Part of this cong will be separating to form the Tres Rios English group very soon. Including the family we are staying with in Tres Rios...

...Jamie and Brian Niles and their kids Sierra and Eli

Costa Rica is beautiful and lush. Especially right now in the rainy season. Blue cloudy skies during the morning. Heavy rains, thunder and lighting in the afternoon-night. The weather has been fairly cool in Cartago. Cool enough for jeans and long sleeves if we wanted. But it's Costa Rica. We're wearing shorts no matter what! This photo is taken at the Mirador Ujarras. Beautiful.

Ruinas de Ujarras. The oldest Church in Costa Rica. Being built in 1570 starting as a hut.

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The Ruinas de Ujarras. Free flowing water everywhere.

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The Romeros as the locals call them. Make a pilgrimage to the church shown below every year on August 2nd. They come from all over Costa Rica on foot, as they get closer, some on knees. There are so many along the sides of the main roads. As we get closer to the date there will be even more joining them. At Sunday's meeting they even canceled Weds and Thurs meeting for services due to the fact that most of the area will be inaccessible.  Where do they spend the night along their walk? Where will they spend the night when the 10,000's get there? No clue. I'm told they just walk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeria

Making traffic difficult

To where the Romeros are making their trek for Aug 2nd.

We made our own trek today. Saturday service group.

And just like the Romero's we didn't let a little or at times hard rain stop us either. (Ok, to be honest I did subtlety suggest a movie day.) We went door to door in Tres Rios where the new group will be formed. Right now its a census work. Which consists of us knocking, asking in Spanish if anyone in the house speaks English. Amazingly the parents are all for the witnesses studying with their children. Nothing could be better than someone coming to their house for free to help their children learn English. For some it becomes apparent that it is only an English course and studies may be stopped. For others, what started as an "English course" truly becomes a love for Jehovah and a "bible course".

We witnessed even to the Fireman. Then I took the truck for a spin. Just kidding. I was never given the keys. No comments grandpa.

This lovely witness couple in the Spanish Cong, Nancy and Gilbert got rained out in service. On their way home they saw us "drowned rats" preaching on their street. They invited us in. Made fresh coffee, tea and bought refreshments. Then proceed to give J & I the low down of what beaches to visit while in CR. (those pics to follow later on of course). The brotherhood is something else.  Only with Jehovah can you stay with family you've never met before. Take shelter with family you don't know. Yet.

After service we made a special anniversary dinner for this couple Mia and Daryl Homier. They are serving as Need Greaters in Limon. They spent the weekend staying with the Niles also. Full house.

Anniversary dinner. Ribs, Irish Potatoes and homemade cornbread. Yummy!

CR living

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