Sickness and Studies

Monday, January 14

“Gripe” is taking over!  Everyone seems to be sick.  Eddie stayed home from class today because he was sick.  Jaden’s nanny was sick all weekend with a sinus headache.  I had one for a few days, too.  But, praise the Lord, it did not develop into anything more. Deidre went home from class today because she was out-of-it and needed to sleep.  We practiced using more past tense irregular verbs by reading newspaper articles and telling what they were about in our own words.

Patricia is still our teacher this week and my class still consists of 4 students: Deidre, Rysen, Stevenson, and I.  I love it because Patricia has us interact with each other and then corrects us when we make mistakes.  It has helped me to understand a lot more of why what I say is wrong sometimes.

After lunch, Amanda and I went to La Suiza to go grocery shopping.  I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to carry everything we needed, but surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad.  Also, it was a much shorter bus trip than when we go all the way to Turrialba.  There is no Maxi Pali (a store similar to Walmart) in La Suiza, but there are three supermarkets that are all bigger than the ones in Tuis.  We got most of what we needed so it was a successful trip.

Praises:

-    our healthy son

-   a comfortable home to live in

-       a super “ama de casa” (housekeeper)

-       beautiful weather

-       growing relationships with the youth and other locals

-       answered prayers

-  increased fluency

Please pray for:

-       restored health for Eddie

-       greater fluency in the language for all of us

-       deeper relationships with the locals

-       God to use us through the Bible study we will be hosting at our house each week

-  direction from God for our future after March

Tuesday, January 15

Everyone seems to be feeling a bit better, but prayers are still welcome. Deidre and Eddie returned to class today, and we are enjoying our time with new teachers.

We discovered today that we are all on the same page in book 3… that means that I have caught up with Eddie… but it does not mean that I have as much vocabulary memorized as he does.  He surprises me everyday with what he knows and how he is able to speak.   He always attributes it to the “app” he bought on his iPhone back in July.  It is called Brainscape and it is a great “app” to supplement our studies here.  I use it also, but he is pretty faithful with it and it has really made a difference.  If anyone wants to learn any language, we would recommend that “app.”

When we got home to eat lunch, we discovered that Gatica had made shepherd’s pie, and that is Amanda’s favorite food!  It was delicious and we love her… but not just for her great cooking.  She is repeatedly grateful to us and to God for her job.  Her appreciation is apparent and we don’t rightfully deserve it.  Many of you reading this blog deserve the appreciation… for God used you and your support to get us here.  So, thank you!  Thank you for you financial support, your support in prayer and your encouragement.  Without it, we would not be living here.  

Your prayers are much needed today (and every day) because tonight at 7:00 pm, Eddie is leading his first Spanish Bible study for anyone from the church and local community to attend.  We are hosting it in our home and we have no idea what the turn out will be.  Hector announced it from the stage on Sunday, and opened the invitation to the whole church (approximately 40-50 people).  Please pray that the gospel reaches open ears and soft hearts in the coming days, weeks and months that we have left here.