Week Three...Already!

The Internet Saga Continues:

This has been an interesting process…and certainly one we were warned about. But given the rapid pace of life in the US, and the advantages of free enterprise and competition, we find it very interesting.

We started investigating the internet connection process a week after we arrived. Here in Costa Rica there is one company, ICE, That is responsible for phones (house and cell), electricity, and internet…and of course we would call that a monopoly. And with a monopoly comes an attitude of “do it our way…you really don’t have a choice!”

We already have a modem in our house, so we thought that would make the process easier – so we ordered the service, paid the deposit, and followed the directions…a tech came to the house, only to tell us that our computers with Windows 7 were too advanced and not compatible for the system. But he told us we would probably be able to get DSL lines. So we said okay. That was going to take up to 10 days for someone to come and access whether or not we were in range for DLS. Found out we are not! However, if we have a cell phone signal, and we do, we could connect that way (somewhat like a Cricket broadband connection). So we go to ICE, wait in line, get sent to three other places, only to return to the same person in ICE where we started…and guess what?!...we couldn’t get that either because our proof of income comes from the US and not Costa Rica.

So here we are…and we are not done yet!

Starting Foundations:

We are excited to have the opportunity to start the Foundations class with three people who actually are as excited as we are.

The Family in Perez Zeledon:

While we were in PZ this weekend we stopped to see and pray with the family of the mechanic who fixed the brakes. If you remember, he recently lost a brother in his mid-thirties to alcoholism, and the family is devastated. We brought a bible to give them and it was another of those instances of the Lord’s perfect timing. The mother was the only one that stopped to listen and share how she felt, and accepted the bible. She was pleased because she had no way of finding the scriptures that she was recommended to read. We listened, we prayed, and shared very gently that Jesus is the only one who can fill the void in their hearts.

We also gave a bible to Josué (Geiner´s 9 yr old nephew) who had asked for one. He uses it to learn to read, to learn his numbers, but also to learn scripture. He is actually beginning to memorize verses Geiner gives him. He has a very strong temper and does not have consistent discipline. But we see how he longs for attention, so we want to use that to minister to him and bring the peace of God to his young life.

We are confronting situations with others who have been indoctrinated with non-biblical teaching such as prosperity gospel and faith movement. As Peter said, we have to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have within us.

Ministry opportunities go on and the need is great. We will continue to keep you informed. Thank you for your prayers!