Our Costa Rican debut, God works in mysterious ways!!!

This looks pretty official doesn't it!  Well, it is!!  A public school here in San Jose has let us come and do VBS with their students for two days.  Today, they wanted our help for their English Festival. We had known about it, but we really weren't exactly sure what it would entail.  Actually is was a regional competition of several schools.  The winners would move to the district and could possibly go on to the national competition.

Many of us were asked to be judges for Impromptu Speaking, Spelling Bees, & Public speaking.  I agreed to judge the primary Spelling Bee, it couldn't be too hard.  Well, this folder had our rules in it.

(They requested that we look professional.  Here you can see some of us reviewing the rules.  It was very detailed and I don't know who was more nervous, us or the students!)

Primary Spelling Bee group

The day was full of many things that were all things English.  A young Costa Rican girl sang, Titanium.  A group danced to "Your the One I Want".  (They were very serious!). 

They were playing new and old American pop music all day.  It was especially cool when they played "We are the Champions" when they recognized the winners!  

They also had us Americanos sing "Dust in the Wind".  We had taped music, but I have to say that we sounded quite good!!!

(We are getting ready to sing "Dust in the Wind".  We also gave the "I Will Call Upon the Lord" as an extra.

Those who weren't judging help teach students English songs and game.  All in all, it was an amazing day.  Minor Perez & Diego Rojas are two young Costa Rican ministers who have been helping us translate.  They pointed out a man and women who are members of the local church.  Isn't it amazing how small the world really is??

(Jasmine from Gulf Shores & Jeremy Crump, who just moved from the Tampa area to Texas)

Breakfast

The day started early and we stayed until at least noon, but they fed us both breakfast and dinner.  At the end, we got to visit quite awhile.  That was very enjoyable.  The principal even asked for all of our emails so she could be in contact with us.  We were thanked over and over.

We have rice for many meals.

Julia, Benjamin, Jeremy

(We also got to sing, "BINGO".

I know that many of our group took the time to invite people to our church service for the night.  We invite many people, but we often don't get much of a response, especially in this type of situation.

We were almost treated like celebrities & we all left the school with huge smiles on our faces!!

Yes, I know that sounds like a full day, but, no, it was not over.  We headed back to the church for our afternoon church activities.

Just random pictures of the city.

This lady worships at La Fortuna.  She and her husband travel all of the way for our church activities this week.  Her name is Justina.  We enjoyed the adult coloring so much last year that someone brought more for us.

Believe it or not, it was my night to help prepare dinner.  The local church planned the meals, but we take turns preparing because the ladies' Bible class is such a treat for them that they don't want to miss it.

We might call these tostados, but they called them chalupas.  I may have to try to make them at home.  (Refried beans, chicken, lettuce, tomato & cheese)

We finished dinner and it was delicious if I have to say so myself.  That meant it was time for evening service.  We have been have a few visitors and many of the local children come to the children's class. Our service got started and who walked in............the principal of the school.  We were so happy!  After church, we spend at least 30 minutes chatting and we all had the translators tell her how happy we were that she came. 🙏🏻 So our work in the school with the children ended up bringing the principal to this church.

What will God do tomorrow?  I can't wait to see!!