In April Lynn and I were able to travel to some of the places that tourists go to in Costa Rica. We traveled to the city of Fortuna, which is near a large lake and the Arenal Volcano. Our son & daughter generously subsidized our trip. We jammed a lot into a short time period: shopping, horseback riding, a 3-kilometer hike uphill to see a waterfall, and a dip in the hot springs. More about that below. We also were able to return to Pennsylvania over our Spring Break. This month we only had two weeks of classes because of Semana Santa and Spring Break. |
Juan Santamaria courageous Act. 
| My name in the program
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Chapel
We celebrated a national holiday this month at our school, and I had the privilege of praying at this event. The Costa Ricans celebrate this day annually with great fanfare. They celebrate the sacrifice of one man, Juan Santamaria. He set fire to a house where some Americans were fighting to exploit the lucrative trade across Lake Nicaragua in the south near Rivas. He lost his life, but this mercenary venture of the Americans was halted. Since that time Costa Rica has continued to defend itself with a volunteer militia. They are one of the few countries that does not have a standing army. This is a blessing and a tribute to the patriotism of its people.
Last Projects & Trip to Fortuna
For the end of the year projects, my students will be choosing to write their personal testimonies, writing an argument to convince me to become a Christian, or writing a song with original lyrics and melody. My students have worked hard all year, and I am proud of them. Lynn’s students have two exams per trimester, but she is also squeezing in a few more writing projects for each class.
On our trip to Fortuna, we got to experience Costa Rica as tourists for a couple of days. On a nature hike we saw a toucan and a sloth in the wild. Our horseback riding experience was a two-hour excursion into the wilds not far from the volcano. On our hike to the waterfall, we saw a pit viper snake which is very deadly. By the end of the day, I was feeling tired and achy, so we took a dip in the hot springs. I chose the jacuzzi option, and I stayed a little too long. When I got up out of the spring, I got very light headed and collapsed right in the middle of a walking path. Needless to say, I caused quite a scene. We met two Christians while I was recovering, and Victor Ko was able to advise me by phone that certain people with low blood pressure are prone to this kind of thing, and Lynn should not worry.
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A Toucan in the wild 
| Waterfall 
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A Trip Back to the States
For the last week of April, we were able to go back to Pennsylvania for the week. It was our school’s Spring Break. While we were there, I was able to celebrate my sister-in-law, Lori Parris’s 70th birthday. Lynn and I were also able to visit Risen Hope Church on Sunday and spend some time encouraging our church members.
Unfortunately, some unexpected disappointments happened during our trip. First, my brother Bill’s wife of close to fifty years passed away. So, we made plans to attend her funeral in Pittsburgh. More significantly, I learned that my cousin, who lived two houses away from me growing up, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This was shocking for me because we are the same age and played together daily while growing up. I was able to spend the morning with him. It seemed to raise his spirit as we reminisced about old times, and he told me some stories about his naval career. I was also able to share the gospel with him and to pray for his healing. Please pray for my cousin Bob. He is not in much pain, but the doctors no longer offer hope for recovery. I believe in miracles and told my cousin that God can do all things.
Cartago Church
This month Lynn and I continued our marriage mentoring meetings. We meet every two weeks with couples to watch the Paul Tripp marriage series, “What did you Expect?” The second session went really well. We plan to finish the video series before we head back to the States. |
Please pray…
For my cousin Bob’s recovery from terminal illness.
For my brother Bill’s comfort after losing his soulmate this month.
That we would be able to finish our service to Sojourn Academy with strength and joy.
That all of the insurance details about our car accident would be resolved.
Thanksgiving
I always tell my students that we should remember answers to prayer as much as our prayer requests This month...
I want to thank God for our brief respite in Fortuna and Pennsylvania.
Thank the Lord for arranging my Spring break so I could visit my brother Bill and my cousin Bob.
I am so thankful for my friendship with Pastor Allan Monge. He is handling all the details for the auto accident.
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