Some new pics…

These pictures were taken just below the hotel. They are upstream from the falls which you only get to see the top of here. By the way… that is someone’s idea of a bridge going across the river – it is a skinny little metal pole and a guy wire to hang on to.

There were too many people down below when we were there to get a better shot of the falls – but maybe next time. It is like another world though and it is just below –within a 2 minute walk of the hotel to this awesome jungle.

Tracey y Jeramias, Gracias for your post. The food is good here and we at first loved the novelty of eating all the time at a restaurant. But Kev and I broke down and went to a automercado (might mean a super market) , we originaly thought it was for cars. It looked like any market you would see in USA but the fruits and vegtable isle was awsome. The largest green onions I have ever saw. Kevin and I took a picture I will try to get him to download the picture for you all to see. The little girl watching us had such a funny puzzled look on her face! The beer here is cheep! called Imperial and about 2.00 for a 6 pack. so we got salami and cheese and fresh bread and carried it all in bags on the bus back to the Hotel. You dont want to buy too much cause you have to pack it a long way. We had made arrangements with a sister to meet there as her house is near and we are assigned to that book study. We waited for an hour in the rain..( we had umbrellas) but she didnt show up. and there is no addresses. or steet names. We think she might have had something happen and forgot or we got the wrong place , we will find out on Friday what happend. I was actually a little sad as this was our oportunity for the last bookstudy in Revelation. but what a study it was personally! There is not a doubt that we are being prepared for exciting times ahead.
We had a lovely dinner at the P>O> and his wifes house. I am avoiding useing names as this is on the internet and dont know how they feel about it. Also the brother who works at bethel as the lawyer was there too. LOvely home they are using and the american sister made beautiful stew and bread. It was extreamly nice. The brother from bethel had me laughing most of the time. He is lebonese/costarican and reminds me of Steve Johnsons sense of humor. ( a little bit like Sienfield)
What else?
Trish and Christiansens dont wait for my kids to come and visit! We are bugging them constantly and they are holding firm on April 1st of 2009. That goes for the rest of you too. If we plan it right this is a hotel and can hold more that one family at a time!
Sorry about not writitng personal emails but honestly this ding dong system they have for internet is very unreliable. Just as soon as you start typing it will go down... for DAYS! Kevin gets highly frustrated, as this is his major means for updateing the web and IT stuff he does here. So when he starts complaining I have been finding cleaning, fixit and auditing projects for him.(smile)
My boss just gave me the responsiblilty for the horses here. One threw a shoe so I have a potential shoer what is the word for that? Cobler? sounds like a desert, I will have to look it up in spanish. It took me 6 hours of hard labor to make one translated sheet of instructions for the crew here. Comunication is still labored. But like the scripture says "love covers a multitude of sins" I would so be in trouble with all of you if you could here how I am still speaking handicaped spanish. Oh well.
We do not have any bible studies yet. We went from one search, find and census in spanish in Radcliff, to the same here in English. I do have a call that is a potential. Young girl in her 20's. So if anything changes I will quickly tell you.
This weekend Kevin has a surprise planed for me. It is our 25th and what better way to celebrate than on vacation in costa rica! He wont tell me what it is but this is the INTEL I have gathered so far. We get to use the bosses toyotal pick-up. We ge to stay in a different hotel. That it can take 8 hours to get there *( I think he said that to throw me off) I am suposed to bring the whale suit ( others call it a bathing suit) and we are going to stop and get food suplies before hand. We have friday -monday off. Meeting is Friday, so we will be there for that, Kevin has his first official talk, speach quality I think. Then the rest will be a surprise and I will tell you more next week.
We finally took the time to walk down to the falls. and it was beautiful! Gorgeous and full just like you see in pictures of Haawaaii or here. There is a pool at the bottom of it you can jump into or go under the falling water, incredibly natural and presurved in proper habitat. You have to see it to believe it. We are maybe 2 blocks as the crow flys above it and I never heard it! We have pictures of that too, I will try to get kevin to put it on the blog if not, then the other web sight he set up for pictures will have it...dont remember the address, and it is only 4 am and he is snoring away like an oso! ( bear) I have insomnia alot of the time, but it doesnt seem to be effecting me too bad. Just part of the adjustment. I usully wake by 5 am and am ready for bed again by 9.
What else?
We have had offers of sending care packages, but we are hesitant to process this. We have a new mailing address to recieve and a different to send. Something like DSL I dont understand it Kevin will have to let you know. Everyone here says it is very unlikely you will recieve what is sent. We have been telling those with too much cash on them to send it to the girls and they are in charge of our checking account. we use this in costa rica as it is easyer to use the atm than figure out colones ourselves and it gives a acurate exchange rate. We really have been living simply. And yes Kevin has his own toothbrush now!
Thank you very much for all the suport you have given us. Mostly the "you can do it" suport. I still dont feel like this is real that in reality it is just a long dream. Maybe I am getting loopy from insomnia...think I will go turn the bear and see if I can get some zzzz's my self.
Guess What? I love you just a little bit. Thanks for reading and noting the blog love to all the parents, kids , family , and friends.
Katalena,

I think Jehovah is up to something, dont you? with all the people we know (Dad and Brad) who are extending themselves to serve Jehovah more fully. It gives me goose bumps to See and hear of this going on. It doesnt take moving out of the country to get Jehovahs job done!

We had cops and drama here last night. There is a disgrunteled (un happy) employee that we had to fire but she and her husband live on property and they wewre given till friday to move out. she is trying to cause MAJOR PROBLEMS for the owner, us and any in her lazer eye target. He is smater and nicer than her. I think when people go off thier rocker they just get dumb. He has hired two other guards with guns to patrol our hotel. We do not have gates and it is just like in Tahoe lots of terrane ( cant spell for the life of me). We actually got to sit and talk and laugh with the other workers last night with out her aura of hate and problems. We were all so happy.
We just got an email invite from one of the brothers in the english congergation. We get to go to thier house for dinner on sunday. Woo hoo. that is better than restaurant food any day.

Also on a repentent note: I was grumpy nervous and tired when I hit the Bethel for the first time and made it seem it was unloving. Well I am stupid and Jehovah shows me so. we were late for service/ early for meeting one day, so went at a proper time and got one of the best and most loving tours ever. He could have done it in 15 min it is so little, but explained all departments and a little about the overseers there. And we got to meet the original missionarys who started this home many years ago. 2 tiny little women in thier 80's fleshly sisters, dark skin and beautiful smiles. One of them sat with us for an hour as we waited after for the meeting to start next door. It was as they say....priceless.

The brothers all look young and have the maturity of ancient ones. They let sisters work there. They used to have 2 full time single sisters there but something happened ( he hinted they got married). There is a ton of work for sisters that care to comute, and they get boy jobs, one little sister 5 ft tall and size2 was hefting boxes and carrying trash...hard workers for sure.
did you know that Costa rica is under the special program of 3 world country ...lands with less means. they do not have money for nothing. everything is kept simple and used a hundred times before disposal. Our world wide donations going to good use.
well thats it for now will try to write later
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT AND RESPONSE I LOVE YOU ALL..PS Jerry and Marlene could you teach my Dad how to use this blog thing? thanks

In response to Daniel, we went to the assembly before we hit Costa Rica, and they had theirs here about the same time. Save your money for a visit, Tia Katalena.

Would you believe that we are being accustomed to living here. In my mind I think of it as luxury camping. Like when you pull a 5th wheel to go do camping. Its just hard to keep things clean, dishes laundry, bedding etc.

funny thing Kevin is known for always having to have ice in his drinks. He now drinks lukewarm coke a cola with happiness, I dropped his toothbrush in the toilet by accident, he used mine ( with permission) we are getting creative with using "things" Like the soda liter bottle was cut and used as a pitcher for carrying water from the one water cooler here to our room. My shoes were falling apart and or giving me blisters. We stopped at a local market looks like a dollar store place, and got Italian thick sandals for 6 dollars. wow. All the food items are expensive, so we take our lunch and eat it where ever we end up. Kevin is waiting impatiently while I write, to go get a cup of coffee at the restaurant, so I will sign off for now
Love Katalena

This was on Monday night the brother beside Kevin came to pick us up even though he only lives down the street a half a mile because the return in the night is dangerous and usually rains. The little brother on the side did the reading and gave the opening prayer. He is baptized and already working hard for Jehovah. He is only aprox. 10 years old, and reads very well. The sisters were very loving and welcoming and had the same sense of humor as I do. The two girls close to you are regular pioneers and I hope to get them working here soon. The older sister owns this house and I couldn't really understand how many live here and how many live in one of the 3 houses on this property, much like a compound. They are so willing to work with us in service with the English references here because they aree hard to fill out on s 41 form because how do you tell them where they live? No address, No street, nada nunca. Very tempting to serve in this congregation but we may get the best of both congregations.
Side note...I mean no disrespect or hurt anyone's feelings but if I don't know you personally I will not be responding to any unfamiliar email persons. And remember this information is just from our perspective. It is not all holy! MOre like Wholey!
Thanks for all the encouragement from all of you.
Chad and Misty ... Kevin refers to your email about once every hour on how encouraging you were and your understanding of our difficulties and blessings. Thank you sweethearts.
I seem to have a "gusano" in my stomach and don't feel too good, so I might take it easy tomorrow, with exception of my weekly horseback ride.
Love to all
Katalena...Kathleen...Kathy...Me.

Here is some of the pictures of our first driving adventure in Costa Rica... The other pictures are of Brother and Sister Scribner - the CO here in English.

A new chapter begins...

Now it's time Ladies and Gentleman, Brothers and Sisters, Boys and Girls, for the continuing saga of... Los Haanpää's en Costa Rica.

We begin our story in a truck -specifically a Toyota Hilux truck. Our great boss, Alex, let us borrow it Tuesday night to go to the School and Service meeting. One must bear in mind that from our hotel to the Kingdom Hall is a mere 10 or 12 miles. Simple you say. No problema you say. Yes, we have been on the bus already, so we knew kind of what the roads and traffic and all of the other things were. But let me tell you my friends - the fun just begins when you get behind the wheel of an automobile in this country!

Now we were fully equipped with a GPS all loaded up with our destination. And so off we go - and there are people to watch out for. There are animals all over to watch out for. There are cars and motorcycles passing you on the right -on the left- and any other way they can to get around you if they think you are going too slow to watch out for. Then there are those that will not pass, but instead ride attached to your bumper -flashing their lights -honking their horns. All the while you are trying to keep an eye on the oncoming traffic which may or may not be in their own lane -or may be passing. All the while you are trying pay attention to the GPS telling you to turn - and there is no place too turn! Also picture a narrow country road - with most of the sides of the road eroded away over time - and potholes, and rocks that have been used to fill in potholes at some point in the past. And a very large Greyhound style bus is oncoming - and there is no room for you and him to pass - yeh. Its fun. We will probably be looking at the local transport system a bit differently now. So, after getting lost twice - even with the GPS - we arrived to the Kingdom Hall.

I must tell you - the spirit of this congregation is tremendous. We have not felt this kind of spiritual energy since the days of Vine Grove Spanish group. High quality speakers, and enthusiasm for the ministry even in these challenging circumstances. Real love being displayed from the Brothers - and, well - it really is a true spiritual refreshment to be there -especially after what it takes just to travel to get there.

Jehovah has truly blessed us by allowing us to come here and have true joy and happiness in serving again.

And as a special treat - we are just in time for the visit of the Circuit Overseer. Abel and Vivian - this part is just to you. Brother and Sister Scribner send their love and greetings to you both!
Yes, it truly is a small world in Jehovah's organization. To everyone else, the Scribner's served in the Kentucky and Tennessee Spanish Circuit some years back. Brother Scribner also taught a Branch Language Class with Abel in Tennessee. Here now they serve in both the English circuit and the Sign Language circuit. It is always more fun when there is some connection with people you know and love. I will post the pictures of them - and Abel, he is waving specifically at you! Its your twin brother from a different mother!

So we are going to do all that we can to enjoy the visit this week - we will get off a bit early Thursday so that we can go to the Pioneer meeting and the Elders/Servants meeting and some service in the afternoon.

We love everyone out there that reads this - and we really do love your feedback and comments - so keep them coming!

Until next time... but, probably not the same bat time or same bat channel...

A new way to communicate

I guess it would be good to actually provide the link...

http://www.palan.net


Enjoy!

So much has happened in such little time...I hope what I am going to tell you does bring tears to your eyes. Friday we worked dilligently here at the hotel and had our meeting cloths on ready for departure at 4 p.m. We still did not have a clue how to get to the meeting which in reality is a 1 and half hours away The General manager and assistant were of great help looking up the branch and kingdom hall and writitng detailed instructions how to get there. We could not use any of the transportation available here. And we could not afford the taxi ride that would cost 14 dollars one way. So we said a long prayer together and decided to try the local busing system. There is no written explination of bus stops or scheduals nothing is organized or exact. Well we couldnt find a ride to the bus stop... but fortunately our boss just arrived in his 4 door toyota tacoma and gave us a ride. It was about a mile away. So it is a sad looking metal shelter with 15 peple waiting and lo and behold one of the waiters there who was going to the same destination as us...we squeezed in the seats that are made for midgets (little people) not us.. Kevin and I squished in the seats and he went first which left me with only half of my rear on. Oh well I needed to develope those muscles too. We had giggles most of the time watching the oncoming trafic dart in front of the bus or at it in motercycles no less! The streets are unimaginably horrible, tight (pretou) Holes dirt some are paved and many speed bumps ( los muertos) or the dead as they are called here, which is funny too. So after help from the police and a kind native we get on the exchage bus and make it to our last destnation and Kevin is walking a head a bit with a mean bear face for all the people we walked past when I decide to trip and fall into him boy you would have thought the man was shot, well eventually we made it to the branch in an indstrial area, we were afraid to take out our camera, not safe looking, and went up to the branch and buzzed them, they said they are closed and we asked if we could just wait until the kindom hall opened next door as everything is under gates and no place to sit they said no....hummm asked if he could recomend a resaurant near by to wait...he said no. Gracias Jehova a bethel comuter came out to go home and he talked to him letting us use the bathroom and gather our thoughts, we soon left and waited an hour and a half standing outside the hall when a lovely sister showed up and let us wait in her car until the elders came with the key.
Then we were welcomed with open arms and engulfed in hugs and happiness and help for where to go how to do it and finally we got some Love and care that we had been craving since getting here. The experince with our little brother from betel was cleared from our minds then things started happining so fast Kev and I are in total shock! A sweet brother from Paris France, (think the Ratatouie) a previous cook at a famous hotel who just got baptized at the district convention offered us a ride half way back to our hotel the city of Berva where he and his wife live ( he is 60 or so she is costa rican and is 20 or so) She negotiated with a pirate driver ( a taxi that is illegal) that her (family) namely us wanted a ride for a good discount and we got home for 2000 colones which is 4 dollars american! She was adorable working this guy for our bennift. We live such a distance from the friends in the English congergation that we didnt hope to see any friends anytime soon.
Well Here comes Saturday, we have a meeting with our boss and were are going over the property and what needs to be done and are heading back up to the office when from a distance he says "arnt those your people? I look and there far a way is 3 people a man and a woman with a little boy, they have dress cloths on, The boss takes my load of magazines from my hands and tells me go after them and bring them here, go visit with them so I start flapping my arms and they wave back Kevin and I start to walk to meet them in the middle and I yell Es usted Testigos De Jehovah? Are you Jehovahs witnesses? Yes...Me too! And I give them a big Marta Becerra hug Kevin greets them too and They ask us if we are from Cuba because of our accents! ( you will love that part Abel Y Raul!) They cant believe our story of how we got here and what we are doing, and Alex our boss sees us and tells us to bring them into the hotel for refreshment, they are surprised as this is not how they are usually recieved, and then he pulls me asid and tells me to offer them the rest of the bufet left from breakfast and I said no, its your gift you tell them you should have seen all thier faces, there really is more joy in giving than recieving. Well all the employees are seeing us being a little jealous, and curious. But we start talking a hundred miles an hour and we make room on a display table for the Spanish edition of the Awake about Global Warming because this is an intrest for nature seekers, 10 coies or so saying compiments of this hotel, we will soon have one of english as well Ya HOOO. I just kept want to hug and hold these brothers and sisters of mine but after coffee and food and a little association they decided they needed to get back to preaching so we said fond farewells and the young couple have invited us to dinner tonight at thier house and they are even picking us up! I am so thankful Jehovah has allowed us to be part of this organization it truely is a protection, never be afraid to tell people you are one of JEHOVAHS WITNESSES! Well we are needing to get back to work and our boss has now also given us another blessing he is working on getting us permanent transportation with drivers licence and all, If you humble yourself for someone they are so much more willing to help and assist you.
This is the part of Costa rica I like best...Being ONE of Jehovahs people...I am so happy that i cant find words I love you and miss you but really you need to be here no excuses, please hurry up!

No soy desnudo! Isnt this lovely!

Time for a bath! The bathtubs in the rooms are HUGE!

Just finished my first day of work, Sorting papers for tax purposes. I actually enjoyed it, especially when the owner was very pleased and complimented my efforts. We are still in a pending situation with job descriptions and pay and hours worked... but I am not worried. We are going to our first meeting on Friday. In the night. We will probably hire a "pirate" a unofficial taxi for 4 dollars or so... It is night time now and its raining and we will soon be going to the restaurant to order our free meal.
love you all Katalena, Tica

Yes -that is the coffee plantation!

We finally made it...

We are finally here. So far everything has gone much better than we could even have imagined it. We were in contact with the branch office again and we now have the Presiding Overseer's number and name -so we will try to contact him tomorrow to arrange getting to the meeting on Friday.

Here are a couple more pics to get an idea of what we were able to see today after we arrived last night in the dark.

Well, Kevin and I have free internet at the FT. Lauderdale Airport. We took a turn about this place and considered renting a car to check out the ocean, but found the expense was not worth it. So we are killing 11 hours here. The flight from Atlanta was fast and with out trouble. We slept for a couple of hours in the rental car at a hotel parking lot and then at a park we found. We are having fun living the vagabond life. Now Kevin is blowing Dunkin donut coffee breath on me as we watch people walk by with out proper underclothing on. Must be the hot weather huh? Will BLOG more later...Loving this adventure with my BFF Kevin.

Welcome

Well... the date is July 1st. Only 6 more days to travel day! This will be the place to keep up with all that is happening in Costa Rica with Kevin and Kathleen. We will try to keep it updated with info and lots of pics.

The countdown continues...