Alternative Witnessing in Costa Rica

We thought you may be interested in some of the methods we are trying to use to expand the preaching activity here in our little part of the world.

We have been trying to be more creative in our approach and trying to use to the full the opportunity that has been presented to us here at the Hotel as well. We have been able to have some very good conversations with different clients of the Hotel. Two particular guests we took on a tour of Volcan Poas and we were able to have lovey conversations with them throughout the day – in fact we basically started a study with them –especially Kathleen was able to have a wonderful time with the wife. It was a day we decided not to go out in the ministry on Saturday to help out – and Jehovah helped us anyway to find a way to do the work we are really here to do anyway! WOW!

Being in the Full-Time work here is a definite challenge to be sure –no car, different land, totally different territory. But, that’s part of the fun of it right? So, we have been able to do Bus witnessing, street witnessing, bus stop witnessing, Hotel witnessing, and of course –door to door some times.

Here for your viewing pleasure is a magazine display we have keep up in the lobby of the Hotel.  We try to maintain English, Spanish, and Arabic. Yes, we have had a lot of interest lately in some thumbing through the Arabic!

Enjoy!    

Volcan Poas

I am finally getting around to posting just a couple of pictures of the volcano that we went to see a few weeks back.

Behold Volcan Poas!

So, you get some idea of the volcano –but of course nothing can compare to being there and taking it all in – in person! Truly awe inspiring. According to reports inside the visitors center, the volcano has erupted several times since it came back to life in the 40’s. It’s most recent eruption was in 2006. Apparently these are not really big eruptions that cause damage –mainly lots of steam and ash and minor earth tremors. Where we are is right to the side and below this volcano and to the other side and slightly above us is Volcan Barva. We have only gone to the gate of that park so far. We have not seen it yet.

Maybe we will save that for when someone wants to come down here and visit?

Our next adventure will probably be our trip to Nicaragua. That will be the second week of October. Even though we are legal to work, the process has not gotten quite far enough that we do not have to leave the country after 3 months. So –our 3 months is coming up. Wow! Time sure has flown. It seems at times that we have lived and experienced so many new things here that it has been almost years already. Time is funny that way.

Our plan is to go to Grenada and Lake Nicaragua riding the bus from San Jose, CR to there. Once we are there we are going to find an inexpensive hotel to stay in for 3 or 4 days since we have to be gone for a minimum of 72 hours. While we are there we will likely get to experience the “Chicken Buses”. We will tell you all about it later.

So… until the next folks… be good to one and all and don’t forget to eat all of your vegetables.

we have Internet!

After calling a hundred times and waiting impatiently we now have Internet!  We are now able to use our computer in our room and at the office here.  so you might be getting more personal emails. I don’t know why you all are so shy about making notes on this bloggy thing, I hope mine don’t come back to haunt me later!  Claudia Harris I love you, my friend!  thank you for the email… and update.  wish you were here to see the growth in sign language it is just taking off.  we have no competition with the churches here or really any other organized group so they are just thirsting for knowledge and attention.  I am sitting at our kitchen table /desk looking out my large picture window with it open and the door open watching the fog clouds come in.  The 3 palm trees planted in front of my room are gently swaying, the breezy time of day like in Genesis. it is cooler now and I am thankful, it was a little hot and sticky, usually lasts for 2 hours from 12 to 2 then starts to cool down.

we are very busy at the hotel this week as it is their forth of July.  moving beds ,making beds from scratch ,rearranging furniture…you would think I am in my own personal heaven.  Kevin is doing more and more managerial things with the reception and sales, it is taking much patience on his part because many want to buck this new organized way of running a hotel, would rather stay casual laid back and puravida.   So he is having success, but it takes time and patience.

I tried my first bible study today, and …..she wasn’t there.  Oh well, that is just like anywhere.  I will try again Sunday am before meeting and hopefully she will be there.  I really want a bible study!  I will keep praying for this.

well gotta go Kevin is yelling for help with translation…isnt that a hoot!

love ya

Katalena

Guys you gotta read Marlenes comment Kevin and i blew boogers when we read it...talk about the frustration of communicating in a different country..hahah. Marlene you should start a blog!

Kevin was announced as a Elder Friday night at the meeting. Same day he received a phone from our boss (which we had been bugging him for but interesting we got it the day we needed it for Elder business.) This is for local use only unfortunately. We haven't had to ride the bus for a month, been using the company van and it allows us to go in service longer and more prompt, and available for after meeting ..meetings. Interesting how these blessings always come at the right time and for the glory of Jehovah's name.
Yesterday we had a skinny group in service so Samira our Lebanese sister invited us to go on her calls in ARABIC...go ahead be jealous (A&V). We only had time for 2 in 2 hours because they serve coffee and want to talk first , Kevin ended up being a choffer because there were no men at home and the women are not allowed to have a man in the house but do you think he minded....NO. Listening to this language is hilarious. In my head at least. Quite a few clicking and German sounds to it. But it is wonderful to always have an adventure in service. I now have Arabic mags for my sad looking display..I know Marlene i will have to just bite the bullet and put a pic on but now I am at the coffee house and do not have a pic of it.
We passed our Spanish congregation this am in service I yelled out of the van and waved they did a double take then waved back, I think they are getting used to me.

Well Tiffany didnt like her picture, but she is a difficlut child that I love very much.

As of Sunday we are now the acting managers of the hotel. The problem manager was fired and escorted off property. So now our goal is to really help this nice guy get organized and re-structure his management.
so...wooooohoooo
love Katalena

Thank you very much!

Rock on!

Thank you Abel and Vivian for opening your home and giving our girls pool privileges.

Trish, thanks for all of your help in getting our girls down to Atlanta!

We love you all!

Kevin y Katelena

Naked Guy

well if that doesn't get your attention it sure got ours.

 

Interesting some of the things you deal with on hotel property.  Our architect guy is a crazy guy and got out of control on Friday morning.  After a night of “boracho” drinking he hit the property totally smashed.  The workers start at 6 am prompt and by 7 they were worried about where he was, I hit the restaurant around 7:30 am and I asked why they were not wording on our new tree house?  What a shock I got when they told me that the guy just had come out of  the bushes bare naked in a delirium not knowing where he was.  They walked him back to his room and quickly shut the door.   But by that time at least 20 people had to see this disgusting thing.  I was so mad because we have made a business relationship with this guy that I borrowed one of the carpenters hammers and went marching up to his room and used it to pound on his door to wake him up.  (they are sturdy wood doors).  I told the workers I was gong to use it on his head!  All the residents had to vacate the hotel as there was a wedding and we needed all the rooms for their family, so getting him out of his room was an all day process.  I have keys to all the rooms just didn’t have the courage to open his door , no idea what I would find.  In the afternoon got his attention and yelled thru the door come to the door dressed I need to talk to you.  Well I fired at him in Katalena style, and he was mortified because he really didn’t remember doing that, I told him I have 20 witnesses to the fact.  So now I am thinking how to be a help to this guy and not just a nag.  I am doing research now on alcoholism any advice would be appreciated.  I have found many scriptures for him, but need to have a bit of tact now.

We went to another Hotel the Catalina just up the street.  It was helpful to see the competition..and how they do things different.  It was nice to get away from the hotel for a while.  Kevin is re reading his talk for today, we are sitting in McDonalds near the kingdom hall.  They have free Internet and the best fried chicken!  Better than Kentucky fried or Popeye's.  Wow.  We invited our little brother Alan from the Spanish congregation to go in service with us today, he was so sweet he had his presentation all prepared and written and we practiced together in the car on the way.  I so appreciate the friends trying this foreign language and realize just how much help we received in our congregation in Spanish.  That one on one is priceless. 

So Hope you all are doing great and read this blog with a sense of humor!

(Marlene I haven't forgot your request for the picture of the display table but each time I look at it it looks dumb so I keep rearranging it…I will try the next blog to get Kevin to put it in)

And Guess What ….The girls are coming to visit us!  They got our of their lease and are coming down here early  as of October 1st.  Their job at Nelson was only giving them one day a week and you cannot pay rent utilities and gas let alone food on that.  So they are Selling the furniture cheep if you are interested, give them a call.  This is how they are buying their tickets here.  We will worry about the tickets back later.  The longer they stay here , I hope they decide to stay!.  But no pressure mind you!  They are leaving a few things with Abel and Vivian… You know them our other family left behind in Kentucky.  Little by little I hope they too will have the circumstances to be here with me.  I miss them too.  So who else do I miss…hmm by name … ok here I go being sentimental…All of my favorites..that includes you.

your silly friend or family member Katalena

PS… The girls need a ride to Atlanta Georgia, for the airport ....one way there.  They are not old enough to rent a car (too expensive too) but will pay for the gas down there...let them know if you can do this...

much love and appreciation