You can see from the photo how happy Carlos and I are at the completion of renovations to his home. He and his family live among 45,000 others that have moved into Los Guido, what was an old coffee plantation southeast of San Jose. It is a noted crime area, most are from Nicaragua, most are here illegally and finding work is difficult. Carlos and his family fit the profile, however he has work. He is self employed collecting metal and possible recyclables. He loads them on his bicycle that he has outfitted with a basket above dual front wheels. A reverse tricycle I suppose. He pedals miles daily checking out places to pick up material. He may be netting about $50 a week. His children, 3 girls and a boy are all under 7. They are sweet, helpful and always with bright smiles. The two in school are working hard at their studies under mom’s watchful and caring eye.
At the dedication ceremony we sang, prayed and celebrated the blessings of the Lord for His provision. A few folk from a local church across town made some funds available and a couple of us provided the labor to make the transformation.
A few of the notable changes were a bathroom and a hot shower for the first time, some extra elbow space, electricity through out almost to code, and a roof that shouldn’t leak for the next 10 years. It is a mix of some new materials and plenty of recycled materials from the original dwelling.
Carlos is full of energy, a caring husband and father and fun to work with. He is forging ahead here in Costa Rica after arriving some 15 years ago. He left Nicaragua where there was little to do to make money, and less opportunity for him as he never went to school and doesn’t read and barely writes. He has been working steadily since childhood. One beautiful example that he is to his neighbors is that though he has little, he always gives some food to the drug addicts that knock on his door. The family is a great witness for Christ in their community.
So that is Carlos and his family in transition. I, Bob, am also in transition. There are endless places to lend a hand here and I will keep a hand involved for sure. (I’m helping build a home church in one of the roughest areas south of the city currently). But on a more permanent note I am starting to transition into being the administrator at a local seminary, ESEPA. They have a need of a CFO type person who also knows maintenance. ESEPA was launched about 30 years ago to train pastors and send them out. They offer an excellent education through the Master’s level, with a mix of North American and local professors. About ¾ of the students are from Costa Rica and the rest are from other Latin countries.
B and I will celebrate 38 years of marriage this month!! We hope to take in a few Pacific sunsets to celebrate the date and reminisce of the great blessings we have in each other, our family, our friends and supporters like YOU!
If you have friends or a church community that you think would like to hear us share about our time here or missions in general, let us know and we’ll work up a plan to visit and share while we are in Maine during this August..
Blessings to all, Bob n B
