These two photos are of Volcanos in Costa Rica. The volcano is called Poas. The lake is called Botos Lagoon, which is an extinct volcanic crater filled by rainwater.

Oh the beauty of God's creation. These are a few of the plants we saw during our trip to Poas, a volcano in Costa Rica. The moutainside is filled with coffee bean plants in the middle photo.

Sunday, December 10 Today we spent the afternoon saying goodbye to missionaries who are graduating the week and will be leaving for the countries in which they will serve. From left to right, please pray for the Rains family, the Austin family, Howard Hicks, and the Woody's. Pray that as they go to their countries, that God will be preparing the way, and that they would have a bold witness to the lost.

Saturday, December 9

Today we went to a neighboring town called Moravia with Allen & Jane and Erica. They have lots of touristy shops. One young man from one of the shops brought out his traveling marimba and played some songs for us. He was quite talented.

On Thursday and Friday, Nov. 30 & Dec. 1, we got to go out to an area called Pavas to help a small Baptist church there do some canvassing in their neighborhood. We handed out the Gospel of John in Spanish and invited folks to a movie the church was showing that night, called La Esperanza (The Hope), which conveyed the Gospel, from creation to Pentecost. This little guy is Ricardo - we had visited his home and he and his grandmother came. She is Patricia and is now a brand new sister in Christ!! There were two others who prayed to receive Christ as a result of seeing the film and hearing the message afterward.

Kenny figured out that even though he couldn't read the Spanish tracts he was passing out, he could get the kids to read them to him and at least they were introduced to the Gospel that way.

On Wednesday, November 29, we went to a men's drug and alcohol rehabilitation home. The men live and work here, making products such as white boards and desks, the sale of which helps to support the home. Christ is taught and they are learning that letting Him have control of their lives is the only way to deal with their problems. Keith talked about safety in the workplace, Mike talked about interpersonal relationships, and Matt & Kandi taught them how to make banana bread - all in Spanish.

This is where we meet for our language classes, and the lady in the light purple top, standing up, is Olga, who has been teaching us. She is VERY good at her job, and we appreciate her help very much.

Kenny's birthday was Sunday, and Kathy's was Tuesday, so we celebrated together on Monday. Allen & Rebecca had gotten flowers for Kathy, so got a bouquet for Kenny also, suggesting I might get more enjoyment from them! Reminded me of the church's present to us. I like this gift thing!! When we got home with the flowers, our house mom looked at us strangely and finally asked if flowers were usually a gift for men in the US. Kenny quickly assured her that this was indeed, an unusual gift. Fun day for all.

What a fun day, and a good way to spend Kenny's birthday.

Today we had the pleasure of going into downtown San Jose to see the national ox cart festival and parade. I realize that I have posted lots of pictures of this, but this was as much as I could narrow it down.

The first picture is a statue of the patron saint of ox cart drivers. The carts are painted beautifully, and the oxen are amazing in their variety and size.

These two precious little girls are Daniela (6) and Diana (3). They are the granddaughters of Aida and visit the house often. The other day I came in and Diana asked me about my "novio". I quickly went and got Kenny and explained that he is my husband (esposo) and not my boyfriend (novio)!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Aida has put up her Christmas decorations today. This is Aida and her son, Carlos in front of the tree.

Some folks had asked about my latest project. One of the young missionary couples in the language school is expecting so I made a quilt for the shower.

A baby shower in Costa Rica is quite a production, lots of food, games, and fun.

Who can guess what these are?

Answer: bananos rojo (red bananas)

What a view. We saw this valley during our trip to Cartago. Here we are in front of a beautiful flowering tree. Notice the umbrella between us. They say you know you're in Costa Rica when the sun is shining and you don't leave home without an umbrella (sombrilla).

Here we are in the nearby town of Cartago. That's Glenna with me in the top photo. Below, from left to right are Keith & Glenna Bartley, Rebecca & Allen Alexander (our mentors), Kandi, Kaitlyn, McKenzie and Matt Ostertag, Kenny, and Kathy & Mike Kemper. We are the new kids on the block with all of us new to Spanish except Rebecca & Allen who have been in Mexico for many years and have just recently transferred to Costa Rica to look after the rest of us.

These are some pictures of our room. As you can see, Kenny is having a hard time relaxing.