Centro Evangelistico

In 1990 Ken and Marcie Dahlager started the Evangelistic Center right across the street from CINCEL. Today was our first time to visit the church. It was exciting and a birthday celebration. The cburch celebrates 29 years today. I thought it was so precious that the pastor had Ken and Marcie address the church. Really Special! The Dahlager's really special people to Denn and me. They were here in Costa Rica when we first came to language school in 1986. They took really great care of us language school students. I taught their daughter Jenny piano. It was such a great experience for me. We are so grateful to God that they are back in Costa Rica again and it is while we are here! He is so good!

Missiology is ongoing in CINCEL

The first week of each CINCEL's trimester begins with the seminary coming in and conducting a week long class that has to do with ministry cross-culturally. After AGTS left, we received the ministry of Rod and Sherry Boyd. Beautiful missionaries serving in Panama. There ministry is wide and it is deep. They have served in Panama almost 20 years. It was a great 4 days! Rod taught 2 missiology classes on Monday and Tuesday, then on Wednesday he preached in our CINCEL Spanish chapel. It was great!

The car wash experience

Funny how everything in a new culture sticks out to you! In Jamaica the car washes were something unique. They did everything by hand. They cleaned the inside vents with toothbrushes, they swept the interior with a little scub brush. They didn't use many bubbles to clean the outside. Although the supplies are limited, that car will shine. We didn't have a car wash to drive through, Jamaicans clean the car spic and span by hand. In an underdeveloped country it is interesting how they do things and do it well.

Here in Costa Rica the car wash is in whatever parking lot. While you run your errands or do your shopping they bring the little cart to your car and clean it with very little water. Amazing!

When the grad school comes to you!

The beginning of each trimester for the CINCEL students always begins with an intense week of missiology. AGTS sends DeLonn and Valerie Rance 3 times a year and it is wonderful in every way. The students even have the availability to take the 3 classes for credit. Little did I realize that this is how my last class before graduation was going to happen. I take it as a gift from God.DeLonn and Valerie are missionaries, so it is not just an educational experience but how better to have missionaries teach than a non missionary. The students realize that the professors know experientaly what they are talking about. It is a joy for us to host them and spend time together for a week. CINCEL is a language/cultural school as well as a missiology training center. So much to learn!

YAY! Time for school!

When a new trimester begins in CINCEL it is quite exciting!
We spend the first day at the airport with our CINCEL sign, waiting for the singles and families to come through customs. Some have 20 bags, some have 3. It all depends on how long they will live in Costa Rica and how many people are in the family. It is so exciting. If they don't have any Spanish, their senses are on full alert as the taxista's are screaming out TAXI, TAXI....then they see Denn and me holding the sign. Relief! We get their bags in the van or our car and zoom our way to their new home. It is so very wonderful. We love this position!

When they arrive at the school, their big brother gets them acclimated into their apartment, have their meal prepared and basically answer all those initial questions!

The next day is Orientation and their oral exam to see where they are in conversational Spanish. By the time they arrive in CINCEL they have already taken their written Spanish exam online and when they arrive it is already graded. So many details. Then in the afternoon we take them for their first walk to the grocery store. We have started a new tradition, a first night cookout! Fun!

The next day they have a tour to get on the bus, pay their toll, stroll through San Jose, find the major places they will need and really get their barings on directions.

On their first Saturday the students take them for their first feria run. The outdoor market for fruits and veggies. Sunday is church and usually when it really hits....I can't understand a thing they are saying!

Monday morning always begins with AGTS and their first missiology course on CINCEL's campus. The next week they start their Spanish classes every day. As I write this blog everyone is settled in and comfortable, ready to learn.

Our first cookout!

The dreadful goodbye

Denny and I fully agree that the sacrifice we make in being missionaries is that of saying goodbye to our children. It is indeed the hardest thing we do. It literally tears our heart our every time we have to say goodbye.
We did not look forward to January 7th. The inevitable came and we survived yet again!