¡Saludos desde Costa Rica!

Greetings from Costa Rica!

CATCHING UP . . .

Since our last post, we completed a month in Idaho by getting in some more skiing (downhill and cross-country), and a last minute visit from Ethan with a few of his ski bros.

We returned south to Utah for some medical “tune-ups” and next venture prep. The day after returning to our home “base”ment in Lehi for a month, Jeff had a hernia repair and gall bladder removal. Ten days later, he followed up with ligament repair surgery on his
thumb that was injured last October dirt biking in Wyoming. One challenge with the nomadic life is being in one place long enough to get needed medical care, so we have to cram it in when we can. Also during March, son Jordan (wanting to compete with his dad?) had some UN-planned surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon, due to a wrestle with his snowboard.

With tax season in full swing, as well as other projects, plus a week at the office in California during March, there was little time to pursue service opportunities. We enjoyed tending the grandkids and having some good times with our local adult children.

The horrible war in Ukraine has struck home, even more so with Karen’s partial Ukrainian heritage. We found an opportunity with Lifting Hands International to provide backpacks for some of the Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.

With the marvel of instant information via technology, the atrocities and unjust attacks directed by one individual focused on ill-gotten gains and power have been almost surreal to watch. We have always struggled to understand how Hitler manipulated an entire population to do the things that were done, and now we are watching it in real time, as media and falsehoods direct and mold the attitudes of good people in ways that are outright inhumane. As the good book says, contention is of the devil, and unfortunately this seems to be a trend . . . abroad and sometimes at home. On the other hand, it is inspiring to witness the selfless service of Ukraine’s neighbors and friends who have welcomed fleeing citizens. The help given to Ukrainians and other refugees worldwide is an important and ongoing service need.

Some happy and not-so-happy news from our Nepalese missionaries. Janak has arrived in Bangalore, India and is adjusting well to missionary life. His sweet sister, Ramila, who served in that area for almost 10 months, has been diagnosed with TB (Tuberculosis) and was released to go home to Kathmandu and get better. It will be a long road, but she is getting good care and can expect a full recovery. Sister Adhikari gave her whole heart and soul during her time as a full-time missionary.

CURRENT NOMADING LOCATION = COSTA RICA

On April 4th, we departed Utah and flew south to spend a little over two months in the country of Costa Rica.

Our first seven weeks will be in the San José area, where Jeff is working remotely and Karen is taking Spanish immersion lessons for 4 hours each day. Karen loves her school and her teachers. In just 4 days of class, her ability and confidence are budding.

Friday night she successfully placed a pizza order on the phone for delivery. It arrived to the right place, at the right time, and amazingly with the correct toppings too! Learning Spanish will open doors to more humanitarian work we plan to do in Spanish-speaking countries.

So far we have found the food to be very tasty, with perfectly ripened fruits and vegetables, fresh-squeezed juices, crispy salads with delicious salad dressings, rice with the yummiest dark refried beans ever, fried plantains, salmon, shrimp, chicken, beef, pork, and SO many tasty baked goods. Some things are familiar, and some are interestingly different . . .

The lush and diverse flora . . . even in the city . . . is beautiful, contrasted with the iron gates and tall fences that secure properties everywhere in the San Jose area. We have a rental car, and driving is “exciting” to say the least. Many roads are extremely narrow, bumpy, and windy, with deep drainage ditches on the sides instead of safety shoulders. The traffic is heavy, with large buses and trucks passing you within centimeters, motorcycles weaving in and out, many pedestrians walking and cyclists pedaling in the streets. Stoplights and signage and parking spots are sparse. ¡Ay!

The insects here are abundant and we have developed various experiments after killing one type of bug, leaving it on the floor for a few minutes, and observing how quickly the little ants arrive and go to work. We have also increased kitchen cleanliness awareness, as any microscopic morsel is found and swarmed within moments of leaving it. Other than a friendly 4” inch tarantula on Night #2 (victim of a flip flop smackdown) and our “pet” kitchen gecko, it is entertaining and a reaffirmation of the circle of life.

The Ticos (locals) are very friendly and we look forward to meaningful participation in lots of culture, activities, and service during our time here in the wonderful country of . . .