Frustration from movies & television

Here are some items that have been getting me frustrated lately:

1. Capitalism: A Love Story. This was Michael Moore's latest film, and only the second one by him that I've seen (the first was Bowling for Columbine). I'm not a huge supporter of Moore, but he does shed light on some interesting information that you don't hear about in mainstream media. The movie is a good one. I would recommend seeing it. So, pair it up with what continues to happen in our current economy and you'll see why it's frustrating.

2. Food, Inc. This documentary is about the food industry in America. So pathetic. I know and have known for years that what typically makes up the American diet isn't the most nutritious offering, but this film will just make you sick. Don't even get me started on the political side of it all. Just last evening, Aaron and I ate at Five Guys Burgers for the first time. They proudly displayed that "today's potatoes" were from Idaho. Do potatoes really need to travel ~1,750 miles to get to us?

3. A&E: Intervention and Hoarders. These two shows are great. Depressing too. They really shed light on addictions and the subsequent affects on family and friends. These shows get me frustrated because of how they show others as enablers and how quick we are to judge when we shouldn't.

There is, however, a remedy for my frustration with all this "entertainment". It's called The Office. Thursday evenings at 9 p.m. Nothing but laughter.

After a year...

Nelson Mandela said, "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. "

It has been over a year since I returned from what seems now like such a short time spent in Costa Rica. So many things are the same in my circle of influence, but like Mandela discovered, I too have altered.

I hope to start using this blog again... even if for my own use to get my thoughts written down about current issues. No promises though. (So, Mom... don't check it everyday. But I still love you.)

It's been awhile...

I hear people say, "I never thought a [insert span of time] ago that I'd be here." Here, implying, a situation or circumstance or who they've become. I've been saying this recently.

Now, the thing is, is that when people say this it can go both ways... positive or negative. All around me people are being laid off from their jobs, moving, getting engaged/married, having babies, grieving someone or a relationship, etc.

For me, it seems everything is new. A year ago I was in Costa Rica, and I never thought that I would be here. Here, meaning... blogging again, living with my dad until I can move until my first apartment by myself next month, volunteering at the free medical clinic, having experienced love and heartbreak, still learning Spanish, and not thinking about moving back to Costa Rica as soon as I can.

Where I will be when this month rapidly ends, I don't know. I'm hoping that I will have grown as a person, learned more about myself, and learned more about who Jesus is.

Cindy

The last, but certainly not least, person that I would like to introduce you to is Cindy. She is our rock here at Harvest Hands. Cindy keeps things under control, knows what's going on when things seem like they could get crazy, and keeps us in good spirits.

There's no doubt that part of keeping us in good spirits is due to her fabulous cooking! Cindy can cook up anything... really. We will eat vegan much of the time, especially when teams aren't here. So, we eat very healthy and tasty! Asian dishes are some of her specialties, as well as great Costa Rican meals. You can't do a short-term trip here and think that you will lose any weight - there's just too much great food!

While we are all still in the process of learning Spanish, Cindy has it down the best. When the phone rings or someone comes to the door, we give it our best shot. However, usually Cindy is called to the scene to clear up any uncertainties in translation.

She is a nurturer, encourager, great supporter and always looks out for our best interest... as a team, a family, and in doing ministry. Her faithfulness and dedication to any task is an amazing example. Cindy, I will miss you dearly!!!

The sounds

I'll be flying out of Costa Rica in less than two weeks. I'm already thinking about things that I'll miss. Mostly I'll miss people. My family here: Rebecca, Rodney, Cindy, and Tito; those in Anonos, friends from church, and the staff at Funda Vida.

When short-term teams leave the house, Rodney always prays that they would remember the sounds. There are so many sounds that seem like they only fall on my ears; they belong to no one else. I hope that I will not forget them.

Rebecca's faux-phone alarm going off in the morning; the egg-man's muffled megaphone screams "trenta huevos para un mil"; a kid in 'little managua' plays on his flutophone late at night; a bird outside my bedroom window sings the same tune all day long; the doorbell at Supernova indicates that more friends have arrived at church; and not lastly, but my alarm going off in the morning, telling me that God has granted me one more day in Anonos, to be with His people.

The visionary

To continue my blogs on introducing you to those that I live/work with, allow me to introduce Rodney. Rodney is the "D" in the house. The "D" is in reference to the DiSC Inventory. D for dominance... the man with the plan. I believe that we actually have all four letters represented here at Harvest Hands, which makes for a great team!

Rodney is originally from Massachusettes, but has spent most of his life living in Maine. He is a surfer at heart, has successfully planted a Vineyard Church in Mechanic Falls, ME, where he served as Associate Pastor. He used to travel to Costa Rica for the surfing years ago, and that led him eventually to bringing down short-term teams to do missions work. He and Cindy have been living here full-time since December 2006. His background in contracting also makes him invaluable when it comes to setting up and overseeing work projects.

Rodney has a big heart for the poor and tons of compassion for those that are addicted to drugs. His vision to see a church planted here in Los Anonos is just one of many visions that he has. He would like to see a Harvest Hands in Nicaragua in the future - a much more difficult area.

Meet Rodney, and it won't be five minutes later that you will get the privilege of hearing a great story of what God has done in his life, or in the lives of those in Anonos. He sees where God is moving, and I hope that I can learn how to dream as he does.

Gahanna Team

This past week, we hosted a team of seven people. Six were from New Life Church in Gahanna, Ohio and one person from New Hampshire. They were all amazing (and that's an understatement)!

I have been praying that someone would come to Anonos that was capable of painting a great mural... low and behold... they came! There used to be a mural in the local gym that was depressing (and that is also an understatement). It was old, dark, had no relevance to the community, was not of good quality, etc. The team from Vineyard Columbus cleaned the wall and primed it to be ready to receive a mural. See pictures below for before and after. Everyone here was saying how great it is and how it brings joy, light, and happiness to the area.

The team also did work in the school, painting at 25 de Julio where there will soon be a new Funda Vida center, took a woman into rehab, helped a guy with getting to the hospital that had been stabbed with an ice pick, home visits, and much more.

I sincerely hope to see each one of them return to Anonos in the future: Pastor Brian, Patti, Amanda, Cat, Steve (he has my vote for President), Eric, and John.

Before - Ugly mural, ugly back wall...

After - Great mural in Los Anonos!!! Very bright and happy!

After - Multi-colored back wall that is very fun!!!

Team in front of their work!!! :-)

Surprises

I made it into Newark, NJ at about 1am on Tuesday. The pastor from Rodney and Cindy's church picked me up. I've been staying with their family and friends at the Vineyard Eastern Regional Pastors' Conference in Bushkill, PA. The conference has been great, and I'm enjoying getting to represent Harvest Hands here. Our hope is to make some connections with other churches that would be interested in partnering with the ministry long-term and/or through short-term mission trips.

While being here at the conference and in the States, I've experienced some surprises...

1. It is hard to break the habit of not throwing TP into a wastebasket. Flushing TP is a luxury that we in the States take for granted.
2. Fuel and fast-food are more expensive than I remember them being five months ago.
3. I can understand everyone's conversations around me. I am even noticing that I am understanding stranger's conversations/comments that pass by me. Oh, how I pray I don't lose what little Spanish I have acquired over the past four months!!!
4. Some worship songs are just better in another language... I prefer Dulcemente Quebrantado about ten times over to Sweetly Broken.
5. The church family from Rodney and Cindy's church feels like extended family. I feel so welcome and supported by them. I hope the relationship continues.
6. My grandma, aunt, and cousin surprised me at the hotel last night! They were driving through PA (about 8.5 hours from home) and made a point to see me. I was able to have dinner and spend a couple of hours with them after the evening session. :-) It was great to have a surprise visit from those that I love so dearly.

There are only five weeks remaining for my stay in Costa Rica, but for now I am looking forward to being back home in Anonos on Saturday.

Columbus Team

I'm sitting in the dining room right now listening to the youth team from Vineyard Columbus. They are in the living room going around the room and sharing what they are thankful for from each of the other people on the team. There is a lot to be said for each of them, and that is an understatement.

This team is led by Chris and Chantelle Traut, and Brett Evans. I am thankful to this team for a number of reasons. It was Chris Traut who last year invited me to assist him with leading the first youth missions trip to Los Anonos. It was through that amazing experience that brought me back here now. I am so thankful to have a team here from my home church... my extended family. Katie McConnell and Gabe Botkin are the only non-rookies on the team and it is sweet to see how God has given them so much compassion for the people in this community. I hope that there will be more repeaters next year.

Tomorrow, the team is traveling to Jaco for their one day off at the beach. I will be traveling to Pennsylvania to represent Harvest Hands at the Vineyard Eastern Region Pastors' Conference. I am sad that I will miss spending the remainder of the week with this team. However, I am pleased that I will have this opportunity to share with others the ministry that is occuring here.

To Vineyard Columbus: "I thank my God every time I remember you." - Phillipians 1.3

Grand Rapids Team

This past week, we hosted a team from Grand Rapids, in "that state up north." The team consisted of nine absolutely amazing people! They were great to have in the house to spend time with and the activities we were able to participate in with them was also wonderful.

Among doing work projects in the community, they also did work at a future Funda Vida center in Veinticinco de Julio. We hung out with teens at a teen center, assisted with a Fathers' Day event, played a serious game of basketball with the locals, and much more.

One of the things that the team had planned on doing while they were here was a skit. It is acting that goes along with a song. It was great because they didn't have to speak Spanish to get the message across. While we had originally only scheduled two performances, they actually got to do it four times! The first was at a Kids' Club for Funda Vida, then at a church service, after that at a rehabilitation center, and then lastly here in Anonos for our Wednesday night children's program. The skit was well received at all four places; people responded by crying, wanting prayer, etc. It was a great experience.

Grand Rapids Team - We loved having you here! You are each a blessing and we are grateful for your support and friendship. We hope that you will return to Los Anonos - each one of you: Mike, Lori, Courtney, Breezy, Naomi, Delaney, Jill, Chad, and Pete.

While their skit varied from this one, please check this out on YouTube if you haven't already seen it... I think it is worth watching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA.

Mail time!

We got a post office box for Harvest Hands! Yay!!! I'm really excited about this... as you can see. I will only be here for another month and a half; however, my birthday is just around the corner, and I guess some of my family members wanted to send me a "happiest of birthdays, to you" card to me. :-) My new address is provided below (don't put my name on the outside... we'll figure it out). ATTN Family: If you do happen to send me a birthday card... please include a picture of yourself... I miss your faces!

Cynthia LaFrance
Apdo 1336-1200
Pavas - San Jose - Costa Rica
America Central

Hospital de San Juan de Dios

On Saturday, I had the privilege of visiting Martin in the hospital. I took his mother in to see him. Martin is one of the men in Anonos that is addicted to crack. He had to go to the hospital because he had problems with his asthma the day after Rodney had taken him to rehab.

The hospital was definitely below my "normal" standard. It wasn't spotless clean, we couldn't find the room easily because there were no directions, and there definitely wasn't an element of comfort for someone to recover well.

While we were visiting, Martin reached into his hospital gown and pulled out a plastic bag. It contained all the money he owns... which probably amounted to about ten dollars. He gave his mother about three to help her out. It was humbling to witness this generosity. He had so little, and his mother was so thankful.

We took in some personal items for Martin and he was pleased to receive a razor to have a clean shave. I prayed for Martin and asked him what his plans were after recovering in the hospital. He shared that he plans to return to rehab for about five or six months. Praise the Lord!

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

I traveled to Nicaragua last week to renew my passport. In Costa Rica, foreigners are only allowed to be in the country for 90 days at a time, and then leave for three days before they can reenter.

The trip to Nicaragua was a great time, but I am not able to capture it in words nearly as well as Rebecca has. So, I will let her. Here is a portion from her blog (there is a link to her blog on the right, check it out if you haven't):

Nicaragua was a wonderful/eventful trip. The border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica has quite the developing world feel. There's this no man's land where old, tired dogs join you in the pursuit of the other side. The dusty ground hides the tracks of previous travels. Thankfully, we met a Canadian that had made the treck before, and helped us out. Scores of Ticos and Nicaraguans alike crowd around gringo travelers, such as Holli and I, hoping that their services would receive a tip. Sometime between getting in Marlo's car (not a taxi driver, but a friend of a taxi driver) and transfer from an overheated taxi to another non-taxi, Kia Racer for transportation, I decided this was by far the most adventurous experience I have ever had. We met a ton of European travelers and a few North Americans in the hostel where we were staying. San Juan del Sur is one of those little beach towns full of wanderers. One friend we made, Aoife from Ireland, was traveling by herself. She had just gotten stabbed by someone who robbed her. In a long conversation that started with the IRA, over dinner we discussed the church today. Her insights on the church in Europe, what she thought of Jesus, and her own life, pierced my heart. I value her honesty, as she did ours. Aoife is a woman that has felt judgement from the church. How wonderful that Jesus is love and frees us from the judgements we put on others and ourselves. He is the one true God that loves. He is love. Aoife told us that the church is dead in Europe, and I thought, "Good!" A religion for the sake of culture. The world has too much of that. My prayer for those dead church places is for the Holy Spirit to come for a people, thirsty and disilliosned. There are many people like Aoife that are resisting the culture of religion and wanting Jesus. We talked about Jesus and she responded, "He sounds like the best friend everyone wants." Amen, Aoife, He is. Thinking about Aoife makes my heart leap out, Jesus! Have mercy on us. Holy Spirit, come! Near the end of our three days in Nicaragua I was ready to return to Los Anonos. I love the people here. I feel at home here now. I want to be a part of what God is doing in this community.

I'm being careful.

With that said, I have experienced two incidents of attempted robbery in the past week. I'm fine; nothing was taken. Both occured when Rebecca and I were in downtown San Jose walking to the buses to go home.

Incident #1: I have a bookbag on with many components. I hear a zipper opening. I look back and no one is there... I guess they are fast. If they would have taken anything from the component they opened, they would have only gotten my glasses, deodorant, and some Q-tips.

Incident #2: I am walking along with my semi-new Cheers purse. I hear a knife cut through fabric. I look at my purse and find a slit in the side of it about seven inches long. Fortunately, nothing fell out before I was able to grab it. If they would have gotten anything this time, it could have been my wallet, digital camera, keys, or my coveted Spanish 501 Verbs book.

I'm lucky. Well, I don't believe in luck actually. I was fortunate, and perhaps protected. And I'll travel lighter now. Oh, and I sewed up my purse; it will survive.

Biscuit... aka Chicken Dog

While not human, Biscuit is a dear part of our team here at Harvest Hands. She brings us laughter every day. Biscuit sort of came with the house when it was purchased, and she does have a good bark that serves as a good alert when we have visitors.

She is a Rhodesian Ridgeback. They come from Southern Africa and are used to hunt lions. Part of her breed name comes from the fact that her breed has a strip of hair along her back where the hair grows in the opposite direction.

Now, Biscuit comes across as a normal dog most of the time. However, when it thunders (which is a daily occurence now that it is rainy season in Costa Rica), she becomes hysterical. And I don't mean like a stand-up comic. When the first crack of thunder strikes, she runs in the house, takes cover wherever she can find it, and trembles so much it's like someone is holding her at gunpoint.

Rebecca and I left her outside a couple of weeks ago when we went to a meeting. Upon arriving back at the house, we found her like this (see picture below). She was unable to enter the house when it was thundering and therefore tried to make cover in another way. She rearranged the furniture on the porch, knocked over a plant, and was a mess! We honestly don't know what gets into her sometimes. She brings us much joy though... and a good target for jokes.

A trip to rehab

Last Wednesday evening, we met a man at the gym that was homeless. Again last night, we saw him there. His name is Edwin. Edwin shared that he is addicted to drugs and had not eaten in almost four days. While Rodney had offered to take him to rehab several months ago, he wasn't ready then. He was ready last night. So, after we took him dinner, we made arrangements to pick him up today to take him to rehab.

We picked him up today and drove to Oasis, a Christian rehab center for men in San Jose. Upon arriving, two workers told us that they were full and could not admit him. We were puzzled for what to do. We deinitely didn't want to bring him back to Anonos to live in the streets. What else was there to do but pray for Jesus to provide a place for him?

Not five minutes later, the man who is in charge of the rehab center showed up. Rodney explained our dilemma and he said that he would make room. They took Edwin in, gave him food, and gave us all hope. I have much to learn from their willingness to make room for Edwin in their life.

Matthew 25.40 says, "... the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'"

Allow me to introduce...

I thought it would be good to introduce you to "my team" or my family here at Harvest Hands. So, unless something else pressing happens, you will be introduced to Rebecca, Cindy, and Rodney (not necessarily in that order). First Rebecca...

Rebecca Grace Dunning (aka Becca) is my roommate at Harvest Hands. She arrived mid-April from North Carolina. Rebecca is 25 and a graduate from Appalachian State University in international politics. She used to work in a refugee office in the States and would like to return working with displaced peoples upon her return next April. She has a passion for assisting others and putting herself in other's shoes while here learning a new language and culture.

On the lighter side: she is a lover of words, capable of driving a standard, wears fashion that I prefer over that of Sarah Jessica Parker, can make a killer chayote squash soup, has introduced me to Flight of the Conchords, and well basically... her hair says it all. We are a good team. She excels at teaching the children English in the Kinder and being brave enough to attempt speaking Spanish with everyone. I'm grateful for her contribution to the team and her friendship.

John Gilbert

On Thursday evenings, I am attending a Bible and basketball group that meets in the gym with a leader from our church, John Gilbert. Each time, we go home with an interesting story. John, Rodney, and I take down some refreshments, share a lesson from the Bible, play basketball, and sometimes John even demonstrates some martial arts. There is anywhere from 10-15 boys that come.

During the basketball time, John leaves his car parked outside the gym, unlocked. He doesn't keep anything valuable in it, but sometimes the snacks. A couple of weeks ago, a young man notified John that one of the boys was in his car (presumably looking for something to steal). John checked the car out and nothing was missing. John asked which boy was in his car and started for his home. The mother of the boy answered the door and said her son wasn't there. So, John gave the mother a bag of cookies that was going to be that evening's snack. He told the mother that her son had been in her car and must have needed the cookies. The other boys looked on in disbelief.

As they were leaving the house, John asked the boys what they should do when someone slaps them in the face, and they replied, "Turn the other cheek."

John reminds me of one of the men in Donald Miller's book, "To Own a Dragon." He is a good father-figure to the young men in this community, and I am so privileged to be able to participate with him every Thursday.

Playa Quiones

Two weeks ago, we took a mini-break from work and went to the beach for three days. After a five hour drive to the west coast, we arrived at Playa Quiones. I have been to the beach once before in Costa Rica in June of last year (Punta Leona), but this was different.

A friend from our church here allowed us to stay at her rancho on the beach. We felt like we were camping on the beach. It was amazingly beautiful, quiet, and the locals were extremely kind. Most of the time we swam, surfed, read books, cooked great food, and chatted. One morning we purchased fresh red snapper from the fisherman. The amount of shells we collected was astronomical.

Check out the link to my photo album to see other pictures including the howler monkeys in the backyard, bats, crabs, and some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. I definitely would like to visit Playa Quiones again in the future. Strangely enough though, after three days there I was ready to head back "home" to Los Anonos.

A visit with Doña Carmen

Doña Carmen is 96-years-old, fragile, and one of the cutest elderly ladies I have ever met. Her smile is lacking teeth, but certainly no joy. She has lived in Los Anonos for almost her entire life. Most of her family members have passed away, or she is estranged from them. Her two previous houses built on the same property where she currently resides have been destroyed in fires. We have learned from a past visit that she really enjoys a cup of coffee.

So, yesterday, we arrived at her home with a mug of black coffee thinking we were just peachy! We had no idea what was about to happen...

Upon entering Doña Carmen's home, we greeted one another, and she invited us to sit down. She shared that she was feeling better, as she was sick the last time we saw her. We offered up the coffee and she was grateful. After I poured it into one of her dirty looking mugs for her, she took a swig. No sooner was the coffee in her mouth and there was a look of disgust on her face. Very slowly she bent forward in her bed, stuck her head over the edge, and then spit it all out onto the floor of her home. I was rolling laughing at this situation, and at the same time felt awful for being the cause of such an unpleasant experience for her. Yes, she wanted sugar!

I'm not a coffee drinker, but next time I visit Doña Carmen it will be with more coffee and LOTS of sugar.