Saturday/June 28, 2003
We rise, still early, with sadness that we will leave the farm - and the people - and our unfinished projects. It is hard to watch the other team leave to work on "our" house…it is amazing how we have a tendency to make everything about "me"…it is Sophie's house. Marion tells us a group of about thirty are coming on Tuesday without making prior arrangements!! He is not sure where they will all sleep, two in a twin bed?! One team will soon becoming, with Christian athletes, to hold sports camps…I hope they don't think they need to teach them how to play soccer! The "activity center" at the farm, and I didn't even know there was one, does not have a roof on it, yet. I suppose they will sweep out buckets of water between cloud bursts. I wonder why some of us didn't work on a roof? Don't think for a minute that there isn't enough to do to warrant coming again and again. This mission is a tapestry of Christian work in this community.
Today is our tourist day. Most of us will experience the zip line from tree to tree in the rain forest and play in hot springs. The zip line is incredible, perhaps you have experienced the ropes course at Ceta Canyon, but you have never experienced anything like this. I expected Tarzan or Jane to swing across the vines at any moment.
The hot springs were relaxing. It started to rain (again). Half of your group was caught on the zip line. The remainder of us just laughed as the cool drops of rain showered us as we sat in the hot springs. We shared some Pina Coladas (virgin, of course) and sang about a "getting caught in the rain". I know that I am, at least for now, living in the moment, not on "fast forward". How do we transfer this peace, this spirit of community back to Canyon?
After a great lunch, including "carne", for a change, we travel back to the fame to load up to head to the seminary. Jeb really would like to go the see the house, Melvin really wishes the parts were in…. Tears flow as we hug goodbye. Our church ahs been so faithful with our support that they really hate to see us go and are counting on our return.
We take a different route to Alajuela. It is a scenic route up the mountain.
The views are absolutely breathtaking. There are wild hydrangea bushes as large
as our miniature fruit trees.. One side of the road is hilly, verdant pastures
with cows contently grazing. Every home, regardless of stature, has flower and
vegetable gardens. Fruit trees are everywhere.
We stop at the Peace Falls, which is a tremendous waterfall thundering down
the mountain. You really must see the picture. There is no way I can describe
the beauty and I know the pictures will not do it justice.
We pass through several small villages and see families walking to the Saturday service at the local Catholic Church. Some of the churches are small and plain, others are magnificent. When there is a Protestant church it is usually Methodist, or so it seems to me.
As we enter San Jose, the tempo changes. The people do not look as peaceful - there is a lot of drinking out in the open. The traffic becomes congested yet still "polite".
We eat a fairly traditional Western meal and enjoyed it, before returning to the Seminary. At the Seminary we all stay in a remodeled duplex. The private shower with hot water is welcomed.
I can hardly believe that the younger group (plus Betty and Alvis) are going swimming - the rest of us cannot wait to go to bed.
