Week #7 Update 02.27.08

Dear Friends & Family,

We had a blast today. We are currently in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, the most visited national park in the country. As we hiked through the park today we saw all kinds of birds, iguanas, chameleons, three-toed sloth’s (yes, I counted), and what can best be described as a R.O.U.S. (rodent of unusual size, per The Princess Bride). However, since it wasn’t such an unusual size, it is probably more of a R.O.S.U.S (rodent of slightly unusual size). The R.O.S.U.S. looked like a cross between a rat, a rabbit and a squirrel. I have no idea what the actual name of the R.O.S.U.S., but I feel confident that R.O.S.U.S. will catch on soon.

Even with all these fun creatures, the highlight of the day was the monkeys. I’ve never seen so many monkeys, nor been as close as I’ve been today. These sneaky devils know the drill. They come out in packs and ham it up for the tourists. All the while they are looking for the unsuspecting foreigner. We witnessed a beautifully orchestrated heist today. The culprits made off with what looked like PB&J sandwich. Jessica and I tried to warn the unsuspecting couple, but our cries were too late (or possibly in the wrong language).

I was also the target of an attack. To set the scene, Jessica and I had just witnessed the heist of a man’s snorkel. As they were making their getaway, the monkeys had to jump across the trail. As we were watching two monkeys make the jump, we were distracted from what was happening directly above us. High above another monkey had a few small coconuts at the ready. I could have used the warning “bombs away!” Getting hit from forty feet up with a small coconut on the shoulder hurts. I looked up in time to see him drop the second coconut and was able to dodge. Quite the rascals.

We’re now watching American Idol with Spanish sub-titles. It’s great getting a bit of American culture every now and again.

Our seventh week at Hogar de Vida was also eventful.

After church on Sunday we were invited to a fund-raising event held in honor of Hogar de Vida. The event was a gringo-style chili cook-off held at a beautiful home in Atenas. (In Costa Rica, gringo is an endearing term used for those with light skin who don’t speak Spanish.) We were all surprised to see how many English speaking people were there; most of them are American and Canadian fixed-income retirees who have moved to Costa Rica in the last few years. We guessed there were at least a hundred there eating chili and having a good time. We gave a sample of the chili to the kids we took with us. They hated it. I had a good time talking in English. The review of the party from the kids was “too many old gringos” and “bad music”. I guess songs like Elvira and Unchained Melody aren’t their style.

After the fund raiser, we were invited to Olga’s house for Sunday afternoon coffee. Olga, and her husband, Enrique, have worked at Hogar de Vida for over ten years and are the house parents of the upper house, where Jessica works. We took a taxi to her home with Kimberly, one of the tias, and Priscila, one of the kids, and had a great time chatting it up with her family for their regular Sunday afternoon family time. Olga and her siblings grew up in the home and just recently Olga and her husband, Enrique, purchased the home from her mom after building Ma a new home in the back yard.

For those of you keeping score at home, we have now killed three tarantulas and three scorpions. We have talked to the Ticos (Costa Ricans), and they pretty much said that tarantulas are bad, but scorpions are really bad. To make matters better (or worse), the scorpions were killed in the hallway outside our bedroom. Despite Jessica’s major fear of spiders and insects in general, all her practice of spider-spotting is finally paying off.

Monday was Kimberly’s last day, but before she left she wanted to milk a cow. So we joined Ben (one of Tim and Dena’s sons) and Josiah (Ben’s cousin) for milking duty. When you have twenty-three kids in the houses, fresh milk every day is very useful. Jessica had some previous experience from going to the Big Butler Farm Show. This was my first experience. We had a good time - tasted fresh warm milk, filled a bucket and most importantly didn’t get kicked. So, all in all it was a successful experience.

We also welcomed four new kids to the upper house on Monday. Three of them are siblings - a five-year-old girl and a set of two-year-old twins. The children are very sweet, but it was apparent that the older sister has been mothering the twins versus being a kid herself – which is probably why they’re now here. We also welcomed a two-week-old baby girl. All in all, I think getting new kids might have been harder for Jessica than losing kids was a few weeks ago. Four absolutely beautiful children who need love and now don’t have parents – if she could sign adoptions papers right then, we would have been coming home with kids of our own.

All in all, the week was full of emotions. As we’re drawing close to the end of our two months, our thoughts have been turning towards our return – which is exciting and unnerving once again.

We have six days left and return Wednesday night March 5th. We are use to 80’s and sun, so if someone back home can place the order for warmer weather on the 5th we would appreciate it. Hope all are well.

Lots of Love,
Jon & Jessica

Video Blog #5 - 02.22.08

Week #6 Update 02.20.08

Dayaret & Gipsy - saving some spaghetti for later

Kimberly - learning how to use the computer

Jerbin & Tania - hamming it up for the camera

Antonio, Maria & Jacksel - how to get 3 two-year olds to sit still - blowpops

Jessica - walking through the markets in San Jose

Hello Family and Friends,

Well, last Thursday was pretty tough. The kids’ mom came to pick them up at lunch time. The kids were very excited to be going but were also a bit anxious about the unknowns. Since they had lived with their mom, she has moved into a new house and gotten a new boyfriend. We hugged them and shared a few tears. At one point I decided to pick up Dayaret just to have some comfort. They yelled “Adios! Adios!” out the window as they drove away in the taxi. Please pray for these three kids and their mom. Since they left a week ago, she has called here many times asking for help concerning discipline.

I talked with Dena (she and her husband, Tim, are the head missionaries here) that night, and she said how she can still remember the first ones to leave. All in all, I would rather love them as much as I can while they are here and have a broken heart when they leave versus not giving them my all just to protect myself. They are the ones that need it. Though I will probably always remember them, I was feeling better the next day.

I was feeling better emotionally the next day, but not physically. I got pretty sick on Friday. I got all the symptoms of the 24-hour flu. I haven’t been sick in seven years – quick shout-out to the Howats for that one. In the middle of my day in bed my wife came down to check on me, bringing a little one with her. Hania was pretty nervous when she first looked at me. But even though she didn’t want to talk, she walked over and picked up my football off the floor and handed it too me. Even a three year-old Costa Rican knows that football is just one of those things that can cheer me up.

Continuing our week of firsts - first kids to leave, first time I’ve got sick in seven years, and the first rain of the year. February 16th. The Costa Ricans said this is much earlier than in past years. It typically doesn’t start raining until May. They don’t mess around here with rain. We have had several good soaks since the 16th. The power goes out fairly quickly, but that’s alright. I grabbed some Oreos and milk and went out on the porch and watched the rain.

We took the bus to San Jose yesterday for our off day. A bus ride to San Jose costs ¢585 Colones, or about $1.20 US. San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica. We had a great time seeing the sites and taking in a bit of inter-city culture. Wanting a taste of home, I ate a Big Mac. No matter where you go in the world you can always find Coca-Cola & McDonalds. We walked the streets and went to the parks. They have a beautiful national theatre which reminded us of Heinz Hall back home. In the end we bought tickets for the tour because Jess wanted a little culture.

I was amazed at the hundreds of small tiendas (stores) that line the streets. I don’t know how anyone could find anything. One store would have a giant spool of wire, women’s clothing and children’s toys all together. However, in one of these random stores I did happen to find a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey. When we first went into the store the Denver Broncos jersey was on the front of the rack. I promptly switched it with the Steelers jersey and told the lady working the store that the Steelers are “La Mejor” (the best). She nodded; she must be a big fan.

Since Jessica works until six or a bit later each night, we’re always there for the bedtime routine. I typically clean up from whatever I have been working on and head up for a bit of after-dinner playtime and then send them off to bed. This week I have been painting in the upper house.

Note to self: when painting a children’s home, make sure you block all access to the room you are painting. This way you will not have to clean up little shoe prints of paint up and down the stairs. End of Note to Self.

So, we were up at the upper house giving goodnight kisses and saying “Buenas Noches” to all the kids. As we were walking out the door, Jerbin called both Jessica and I back and said “Jessica, te amo.” (I love you) and “Jon, te amo.” It was almost as if he knew we needed that.

Today for our second day off we’re spending the day here cleaning house, grocery shopping, going to the internet café, and then having some kids from the lower house over for dinner this evening. When the kids from the lower house heard that the upper house kids had gotten to cook with Jessica, they wanted in on the fun. They’re going to make cookies and then pancakes, two things that require lots of hands-on time so everyone gets a chance to help. One of the tias, Kimberly, is also going to come to dinner. It should be a good time.

One thing that we haven’t talked about in the blog as of yet is our thoughts on the future. There are days that we want to go home, and there are days that we feel like we could stay here. Above all else we want to do what God has planned for us to do. As of now we aren’t sure what that is. There are needs here that we could fill, and they’re been praying for a married couple to move down here. There are needs back in the states that we could fill. So, we are asking for God’s direction. If you could remember us in your prayers - and specifically direction for the future - we would greatly appreciate it.

Jon

P.S. Our computer had the blue screen of death this week. She recovered from the first wave, but past experience tells me this is the beginning of the end. We will continue to post to the blog, but we might have to do them all from the internet café. Only two more weeks to go…..

Week #5 Update 02.12.08

Hello Family & Friends.

I was chatting with my mom tonight, and she was saying how many people are reading this. So to all of you who are reading, I say thank you.

We went camping this week at Hogar De Vida. Well we didn’t actually go anywhere, but the grandes (big kids) slept outside one night. We had a good time. I went into the vault of games from when I was a camp counselor at Seneca Hills http://www.senecahills.org/ and played Alien Egg Hunt with the kids. Alien Egg Hunt goes like this. First, hide a watermelon somewhere on the property. Second, give a dramatic speech about how aliens layed an egg here, and we need to find it before it hatches. Then, run around screaming. Finally, when the kids find the watermelon, throw it on the ground and eat all of it. It is a lot of fun. I probably have more fun than the kids.

The actual sleeping aspect of camping outside was a different story. We had four in a tent that would sleep two comfortably. Between the snoring, the ground, the bugs & the little hands hitting me every few minutes…I didn’t sleep much. I think I’m getting older.

Before bed we had a time to share around a campfire. When it was my turn, I talked about how this time here has helped me see God for who He really is. As a father figure at the Home, I do a fair amount of discipline. We usually have the kids sit for five minutes whenever they are bad and then say "I’m sorry" to whomever they just bit or kicked, etc. After the five minutes are up, we always end the punishment in hugs. Just because they are bad doesn’t change my love for them. I wait eagerly for the chance to hug them. If I, a sinner, don’t change my love for them when they are bad, how much more does our Heavenly Father continue to love us when we sin and wait patently for us to say we’re sorry a receive our hug.

So, what else is going on at Hogar De Vida? Summer has officially ended and school has begun. There was some moaning on Sunday night, but I think I can officially understand why parents enjoy the start of school every year. The picture is of Brandon and Kimberly, the two kids from the upper house who started school this week.

I can officially be called a killer of tarantulas (plural). The second was wasn’t nearly as exciting as the first. I killed it without much fanfare. I ask you dear reader, which is worst the first or the second? With the first you are awaken to the fact that they exist but then can keep it in the back of your mind that this was a one-time thing. The second isn’t as shocking at first, but now we know it wasn’t a one-time thing and there are probably more out there.

I had to go to town to the hardware store this week. Jessica was going to go with me, but it didn't work out with her schedule. In the end it actually went pretty well, and I must have looked like I knew what I was doing because a lady came up to me and asked for help. I had no idea what she was asking for so I hope I told her that I didn't work here and wasn't sure where that was, but I never really know what I'm saying.

Jess held a second cooking class. This time it was Peanut Butter Cookies. I like the fruits of these cooking classes. It was kind of fun to watch. Five kids really wanting to eat the cookie dough and Jessica doing her best to make sure they didn’t. Lots of finger licking that resulted in another trip to “Lave sus manos otro vez” (wash your hands again).

Jessica also had what I am dubbing the day of bodily functions. I won’t go into great detail but it was the day all the kids decided to do all their business - in various means and ways. Some with diapers, some without diapers. I enjoyed hearing her stories of never-ending trips to the bathroom. Here in Costa Rica men don’t change diapers.

Finally we just received word that Brandon (age 6) Pamela (almost 5) and Jacqueline (age 3) will be leaving Hogar De Vida this Thursday after visitation time. Jacqueline, besides being my co-anchor on my Superbowl Commentary, is also my favorite. I tried hard to not have a favorite, but I just can’t help it. Every time I see Jacqueline she gets this huge smile on her face that says “Hello you again. Why of course I would love to have you hold me.” And then runs with her arms up to me. Her first words are “Esta Suyo?” (Is this yours? - pointing at my t-shirt, water bottle, anything I am holding) After we establish that yes the clothes I am wearing are indeed mine, she asks “Tiene caca?” (Do you have to go to number 2?) I let her know that I am fine and thanks for asking.

Thinking about them leaving has left me pretty sad. When we found out they would be leaving, Jessica and I took all of them out for a paseo (a trip to town). We walked around town, watched a volleyball game and had some ice cream. It is a blessing that they are going home to their mom. Their situation should be better than the one that brought them to Hogar De Vida in the first place. However, it won't be perfect by any means, especially when two of the three kids suffer from major anger and ADHD tendencies. No matter how we feel about it now, all we can do going forward is pray for them. God’s word doesn’t come back void. They have heard the message of salvation for a year, and all we can do is pray for them - for salvation, protection and continued physical and emotional healing.

Thanks for reading. Please continue to send us your e-mails at jonandjessica@gmail.com. We enjoy reading what is going on in all of your lives. Please remember to pray for us as we finish out our final three weeks here, and especially remember us Thursday. It will be a tough day.

Love,

Jon & Jessica

P.S. - Gipsy is the cutie on the couch. She's almost two and loves to run and smile - and take off her shoes.

Video Blog #4 02.12.08

Video Blog #3 - 2.05.08

Week #4 Update 2.05.08

Hello friends and family.

I hope everyone was able to enjoy the slice of Americana that is the Superbowl. It definitely has a different feel when all the commercials are just promos for some Mexican Soccer League. I think the SportsGuy (a writer for espn.com page 2) said it best. Giants fans were crying, hugging, jumping for joy all around him. They looked like castaways who had just seen the rescue boat. Isn’t football great. Tom Petty and Jordin Sparks were the only things we heard in English. We still haven’t seen the commercials. Maybe we’ll pull up some commercial ratings website and watch the best ones.

The painter took a break this week and became a carpenter. My brothers-in-law would be proud. We have several kids who have gotten to the point where they can climb out of their cribs. It is kind of dangerous. I was assigned to take a crib and cut it in half horizontally to make two toddler beds. I’ve made 4 of them so far. They actually look pretty good, and the rewards are the smiles on their little faces when they receive their camas nuevas.

So we had a birthday party here at Hogar De Vida. It was a birthday party for all the ninos that had birthdays in October, November and December. I’m not sure if it was a month and a half late or really early. Actually here in Costa Rica it was probably right on time for them. Anyways, it was a lot of fun. A Christian couple from San Jose drove in to throw the fiesta. My wife revealed a hidden talent of balloon animal making. We played pin the tail on the rabbit, ate lots of sweets and we even had a piñata. I however missed the piñata because I had to take Brandon, my little buddy (5th picture), up to the house for stabbing Jerbin with a ruler. You’ll have that.

I have a new exercise plan. The house received a new bicycle yesterday. Running behind a bike with seven 6-8 year-olds for a couple hours is great exercise. We had one small wipeout where I almost annihilated the little girl. No blood though. All in all it was great fun.

You know your Spanish is coming around when you start to hear the kids mispronouncing words. As you know, we have several cows on the property. The cows frequently get out of their areas and come for a visit. Cows in Spanish are vacas. However, when Jerbin sees cows he says “Macas.” Everyone corrects him by saying, “No Jerbin, Vvvaca”, and Jerbin responds, “Si, Macas!” Speaking of the vacas. Two of the cows are going to have babies here shortly. I hope we get to see it.

We started working on colors with some of the children. We had two Duplos, one blue (azul) and one green (verde). We went back and forth saying this is blue and this is green. Blue, Green, Blue, Green, Blue, Green. When we asked Jerbin which one was blue, he of course pointed to the green. When we asked Jacqueline what color this one was, she said siete (seven). I think I have a future as a teacher.

I’m off to play futbol with the other guys. Here’s Jessica.

Hola –

Another week has gone by, and we’re half way through our four weeks here. It has really flown by – not that we’re skipping days, but that the days go quickly.

This past week we got a new girl in the upper house. Pricila is four years-old and her younger brother was already placed at Hogar de Vida in the lower house. Typically they try to keep sibling groups together but the beds just didn’t work in her favor this time. She calls me Jescala, but I haven’t quite caught onto it yet. So I don’t always know that she’s talking to me. It’s been interesting to watch the integration of a new kid into the mix. Unfortunately the tias and kids tend to treat her differently – myself included I hate to admit. For the kids, she’s the “muchacha nueva” (new girl) so they prefer others over her. For the tias, it’s hard to love on her because she has lice and all of her teeth are rotting out. Neither of these things are her fault at all. They’re both very visible examples of her poor home situation. I’m working on my lack of love for her. I’ve decided that lice isn’t that bad. There are easy remedies for it. And if all else fails, I can stand a haircut. And teeth can be dealt with. All kids in Costa Rica have free health care, so we’re going to take care of that too. She needs love – probably more than all the other kids right now. So I’m working on that – for her sake – and asking for forgiveness concerning it – for my sake.

Last week it was the tarantula – this week it should have been a lot of dead bugs because the exterminator just came. However, no such luck. There is a counter in the kitchen that was always dirty. I kept thinking that I forgot to wash it. Finally I realized that dirt was falling from the trim near the ceiling. So I got the broom and tried to wipe it down. I ended up breaking up an ant farm of the biggest black ants I’ve ever seen. Of course I start yelling for Jon. The ceilings are really tall so I couldn’t reach to kill them with the fly swatter. He emptied our bottle of Raid as I swatted the ones that fell. All in all – really gross. So we washed all the dishes again.

We keep getting questions about food so to answer a few of those – we typically eat breakfast and dinner at our house and then have lunch in the upper house with the kids and staff. For breakfast, it’s the usual for us – cereal or toast. For breakfast in the upper house – they usually eat some form of beans and rice. For lunch, we typically have the almuerzo casado (married lunch) which bears the name because it’s what they used to send with their husbands to the field for lunch. It consists of black beans, rice, a small portion of meat (usually beef) and a bit of salad (typically some sort of cole slaw). Once in a while there will be pasta or fish. But always beans and rice. Dinner for us is whatever we get around to doing – most often the same as breakfast – cereal or toast. However we have also had mac and cheese, spaghetti, soup, grilled cheese, and pb&j. Tonight or tomorrow will be hot dogs. If we did have dinner in the upper house, it would be…….beans and rice. Having our largest meal at lunch time has been a bit of an adjustment, but it’s the Costa Rican way. Overall, we’ve found pretty much everything we’ve wanted American-food-wise in the three grocery stores in Atenas. Things are slightly different but overall we’re definitely not suffering in the food department.

We’re off to Atenas once more today to post this blog, and then I think we’re going to go to one of the volcanoes tomorrow.

Talk to you next week!

Love,
Jon & Jessica