Greetings from Vilonia! - Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A Good Trip

Another overseas trip is in the books.  It was a very good trip with no mishaps.  It was a trip in which Curtis and I were in uncharted waters… trying something new in a city that we had not worked in before.  Curtis said something this week that I have thought about many times.  He said, “You have to play the hand that is dealt to you.”  He was right.  This trip did not turn out exactly like I had planned it but many trips happen that way.  God blessed it, and over a thousand households now know that the Lord’s church is alive and well in Alajuela and that the church is interested in them.  We were able to introduce the church and its Savior to a number of people through the English lessons that we taught.  Those seeds that we planted will have many opportunities to be watered by the church members here.  It was a good trip.

Viernes (Friday)

Friday was another hot day.  Brother Roberto decided that we had passed out enough material for one trip so our morning was free.  We slept a little later than usual and ate breakfast at McDonald’s again.  We were fed a wonderful meal by Mama Juanita.  On the way back to our hotel we stopped at a couple of souvenir places.  Curtis watched one of his movies and I typed on my report.  Every time there is a break I take it as an opportunity to catch up on these ramblings so you will know exactly what is happening.  Six years ago, Michal and I decided that we would do this for those interested in our mission work.  We have over 400 pages of reports since we started this work. 

Our class tonight started at 7pm and this time we were early.  Our classroom was full.  Most of our students were return students from the previous nights.  Again, there were lots of questions and lots of laughs.  We played the game Jenga as we answered questions.  We also read verses in English about the plan of salvation.  Again, the students went home with the Bible lesson in Spanish and English.  I have invited all our students to attend worship on Sunday.  We ate a late dinner and then hit the sack early… or earlier that usual.

And then there was One

Saturday was scheduled as a day off between the end of our English/Bible classes and Sunday worship with the church here.  We had talked about driving up to the Poas volcano some 25 miles from Alajuela.  Everything changed when Curtis announced when we got up that he was homesick to see his family and wanted to change his ticket and leave Saturday afternoon.  It was a surprise but I had no problem with that.  He had come and he did what he had set out to do.  I was scheduled to preach on Sunday.  He had no more responsibilities and wanted to go home.  We had a great breakfast of eggs, bacon, rice and black beans with the Sarmientos.  Curtis was successful in switching his ticket online and we took him back to the hotel to pack.  Roberto and I said our goodbyes to him there.  I cannot thank Curtis enough for being my partner on this journey!

Two Roberts

Brother Roberto Sarmiento does not speak English.  I don’t know much Spanish and struggle to use what I know.  It is amazing how much you can communicate with someone in spite of a language barrier.  We had a good time Saturday morning.  We traveled to the little town of Rincon where Roberto had worked with the church for many years.  He still owns a home there and wanted to check on some repairs that were happening to the sidewalk in front of the house.  On the way back to Alajuela we stopped by the zoo and walked around.  I was interested in seeing it for a possible activity for future groups to the city.  I thought that Roberto was doing this for me but when we got inside he was like a kid in a candy shop.  He enjoyed it as much as I did.  We returned and ate lunch and I spent the afternoon in my room typing and preparing my lesson for Sunday.

A Day of Worship

I awoke to Curtis’ alarm going off.  He had loaned me his watch since my alarm wasn’t working.  Something leaked in my travel bag in the suitcase and caused a problem with the clock.  I studied my notes as I waited to be picked up.  At 8:30am we arrived at the building that the church rents for worship services.  The building was nice and spacious and will accommodate a growing church.  I believe that they only have access to the building on Sundays.  We sat up the chairs, pulpit and table for the communion.  There were 25 attending worship.  Joshua led the singing and a brother by the name of Carlos presided over the Lord’s table.  I preached and Barnaby translated for me.  After worship services we all shared a potluck meal together.  After the meal we disassembled the chairs and locked up. 

Presidenta Laura

Sunday was a special day at home with the Saints winning the Super Bowl.  It was a special day in Costa Rica too.  Costa Rica elected their first female president on Sunday, Laura Chinchilla.  It was fun to watch the political excitement in the city.  Car loads of people have been driving up and down the roads, all hours of the night, waving political flags and honking their horns.  Even in the Sarmiento family there are supporters of different parties.  This presidential election had five candidates.

Dinner with Friends

I packed my bags Sunday afternoon for my flight on Monday and caught up with my report.   At 7pm I was picked up by Barnaby, Roberto and Steven (in his new car!)  and they took me to a restaurant for dinner.  The restaurant was outside the city on the mountainside. What a beautiful view of the whole central valley!  We had a very good time although a lot of the conversation turned into friendly banter about politics between Barnaby and Steven.  Steven supported Laura and Barnaby certainly did not!  Brother Roberto has residency in Costa Rica but his citizenship is still in El Salvador.  He was not allowed to vote in the election because of that, although he has been here for 37 years.  After dinner I returned to the hotel for my last night in Costa Rica.

Saying Goodbye

At 8am I had breakfast with the family who treated me so well this past week.  Steven stayed the night to see me off at the airport.  I spent an easy morning visiting and taking care of last minute things.  Joshua and Barnaby said their goodbyes early due to work schedules.  I got phone calls from Karen and Beatrice wishing me safe travels.  Around eleven I said goodbye to Roberto and Juanita and Steven took me to the airport.  I was the first American out of hundreds to be taken to the airport in this car.  I told Steven to be good and to take care of Michal and Barbara when they come next month.  I had no problems leaving the country or arriving in the U.S.  It was when I got to the states that the problems started.

It was ALL Curtis

When traveling to Costa Rica we didn’t have any problems and even were lucky enough to be put into first class for the first time ever.  Curtis said that it was all about him and now I believe him.  When I landed in Houston Monday, I did not have very long between my flights and I had to go through immigration and customs.  I went as fast as I could and finally got through only to find that my flight to Little Rock had been cancelled due to the seven-inch snow in Arkansas.  Since the snow was an “act of God” the airline did not help.  I could not fly out until the next afternoon, so I was stuck.  A hotel stay was not in our budget so I was looking at a night on the airport carpet.

Uncle Randy

While I sat in the airport feeling sorry for myself, I called Michal on the phone. She suggested that I calld my Uncle Randy and his wife Terri who live in Houston.  Randy is just a few years older than I am and is more like a brother than an uncle.  I was reluctant to call them in the first place because for over a year he has been on a waiting list for a heart transplant. He was always so active in sports and became a high school coach until a few years ago when he started to have trouble with his enlarged heart.  He had to retire early and move to Houston to be close to the hospitals until a donor could be found.  They were delighted that I called and made the 45 minute trip to pick me up.  This little family reunion was a blessing for me.  We stayed up late visiting and catching up with family news.  Randy took me back to the airport Tuesday around noon.  Thank you Randy and Terri for your hospitality! 

Mr. Nearly Perfect

I didn’t have any more delays on Tuesday back to Little Rock.  When I arrived in snow-whitened Arkansas, my good friend and nearly-perfect brother Thomas Martin     was there to pick me up.  Thomas serves as one of the elders of the Mars Hill congregation.  He is also my point man at the congregation who takes care of the support that people and churches send for our work.  Thomas is a very important part of our work.

Not Home Yet

One more thing of note, before I end this report.  When I returned to our home I checked the dog and the fish in the aquarium.  I then drove through the snow and ice to my mom’s house to pick up Jamie.  When we left for home I realized that I could not get out.  I could not get he car up the driveway due to the ice, and eventually got it stuck.  Jamie and I had to stay the night with Mom and call the tow truck on Wednesday morning.  Finally, my traveling days for this trip are over.

Thank You!

Thank you again for your prayers for us and our work.  Thank you for your concern for my family while I was away.  If you ever have questions about our work please let us know. 

In Christ, 

Robert Swain