Costa Rica Campaign--Tuesday

After devotions on Tuesday morning we went downtown San Jose to shop for souvenir and share the gospel on the street.  Everyone found a place to eat lunch on their own, meeting back at 1:30 so we could rest a bit before going out for the evening campaign.

 

We left the hotel at 4:00 and arrived at the neighborhood for the family festival about 5:00 a.m.  Although the traffic is not as bad as Colombia or Guatemala, it's still not easy to get across town.  The team visited homes, invited the adults and children to the family festival and shared the gospel with as everyone who would listen.  The festival was well-attended and there were 25+ decisions for the evening.

Bogota Campaign, Part 3

Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning we went downtown Bogato to share along the "Septima," or 7th Avenue.  The street is closed to traffic for at least a mile, so there are pedestrians everywhere.  There is cross traffic to watch out for and people on bicycles, but otherwise it is wide open to walk and share the gospel.  We ran into several people who spoke English--one pair was Jehovah Witness and the other pair was Mormons!  

There is a little bit of everything on this street, including two beatiful Catholic cathedrals, typical fast food places, souvenir markets, bookstores, street musicians and dancers, people with carts selling everything from bread to Colombia soccer jerseys to ice cream treats.  There are also many people who will stop to talk and listen to the gospel.  There were 25-30 professions of faith each morning.

Show in Santa Cruz

Jon had a Maker's Market Pop-up show on Tuesday night.  We drove down to Santa Cruz in the afternoon, walked around the quaint downtown and bought a couple more gifts for the grandkids.  About 6:00 we drove out to Chaminade Resort and Spa where the show was being held.

There were probably 12-15 artisans showing their wares, including hand-made soaps,  organic jelly and jams, beautiful jewelry and much more.  Jon's showed his live-edge cutting boards, walnut/brass serving trays, wooden coasters, hanging lamps and more.  

It was fun hanging out with Jon during the show and watching people admire his work.  We also had a chance to eat at Bantam again--their gourmet pizzas are amazing.

Anniversary Trip in the Works

Our 40th anniversary is coming up at the end of May.  We have been talking for the last year about what to do to celebrate. 

I started suggesting a cruise before we celebrated 30 years, 35 years and again this year. Unfortunately, while a cruise is on my bucket list, it's definitely not on Stephen's list.

We've spent the last several months looking at options--all over the world.  What about going to Europe?  What about staying in Central America?  What about Colorado?  What about Hawaii?  What about _____________?  

We made so many trial itineraries with flight info, hotels and cost estimates; however, none of them felt quite right to us.  About three weeks ago, we finally made up our mind.  

Drum roll--we're going to the San Francisco area.  Our decision was based on the fact that we don't get to see our children/grandchildren enough, so if we're going to fly somewhere, we want to be close enough to see and spend time with them.  Stephen and I will spend the first three days downtown San Francisco

 after which our kids/grandkids will join us at a vacation home on Stinson Beach. 

We'll end our trip with a few days at Daniel/Shannon's home in Sunnyvale.  Sounds perfect to us!

Just Like the Good Ol' Days

We came on our first mission trip to El Salvador in March 2007, and we spent our mornings in the central park downtown.  We set up a generator, sound system and a platform that the Salvadorans used to share a couple of math games to attract a crowd.  After the game, one of the guys preached every 15 minutes or so.  The rest of us shared one-on-one with the people in the park.  


Since we've been here in El Salvador it has become difficult for the church to get permission to share in the park.  On a few occasions we have received permission to share, but not to use the sound system.  However, today was like the good ol' days.  

Gathering a crowd with the math game

Preaching the gospel

Sharing one-on-one

 

Praying after sharing--lives changed

Pictures with new members of God's family