Eight more sleeps!

That’s all! I’ve had my shots! I’ve been practicing my Spanish! I’ve put together my limited wardrobe. I’ve heard from the leaders what to expect - what we’re going to be doing - what the schedule is going to be. I’ve read up on the country. I’ve prayed. I’ve embraced the fact that this trip is very unknown to me. I’ve set my mind that this is not about me. Am I ready? Until I land in Costa Rica next Friday night, I won’t really know for sure.

I’m going on this week long adventure because God did something in my heart last fall - I knew deep down in my soul that I must go. As soon as our church - The Harbour - announced it was sending a team (this spring) to Costa Rica - I knew I needed to be on it. When I shared with Harv my desire to go - he certainly encouraged me to apply and has supported me all the way. I have a great sense of peace and confidence to go to this unknown place (to me) because God has orchestrated the whole thing - the team members - the dates - and the timing - especially the timing.

(This past February I met with a surgeon regarding my arthritic thumbs and the possibility for surgery this year. He set my surgery date for May 11th - Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition (LRTI) - without knowing that I would be away from April 24 - May2. I was so thankful that the missions trip could happen before the surgery takes place.)

I’m confident - that God - who has walked with me through the details of preparation has also been constructing the details for those in Costa Rica. He will be present with me and the team and those we meet - the whole time.

I’ve heard from others to be prepared for the unexpected. One person shared that on a particular trip - he ate the strangest thing…….a local lady handed him his lunch - a banana leaf with a cooked frog inside! Please let me not have that surprise! Our pastor has reminded us at every prep meeting that this trip is not about us - it’s about those we are going to serve and bless. “Leave your ego at home!”

We were asked to prepare a “personal introduction” for the first night - so the other day, Pete, came over to help me with mine. Pete and Heather spent a year - teaching in Mexico several years ago - and learned the Spanish language. (It came in handy when we went to Spain two summers ago to walk the Camino. When we arrived at our destination each afternoon - Zac and I would sit in a cafe while Pete found us our accommodation for the night).

Here’s how I will introduce myself next Saturday night when we arrive in Amburi - meeting the local pastors - Jerson and Natasha and their small congregation.

Ola Ticos! Ola soy Marta! Soy do Canada! Tengo tres hijos y diez nietos. Mi esposo se llama Harvey. Amo a Jesus’. Jesus’ mi ama. Su país es hermoso. Estoy feliz de estar aquí. Me puedes llamarme Abuela. Si Christo mi ama. Gracias! Pura vida!

You might be interested to know that we fly Friday, April 24th and arrive in San Jose at 10:55 pm. We will have a “short nap” in our hotel as we have to be on the bus at 5:00 am! Drive - breakfast - drive - lunch - drive - drive - drive! Around 3 pm we will take a river boat taxi - then walk - arriving shortly thereafter in the jungle community of Amburi.

Saturday night we will enjoy a community “pot-luck” supper and fellowship with the group of believers there! I can’t wait to meet them. Even now - my heart is pounding - the tears at the edge of my eye lids are sneaking down my cheeks. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.

Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday - Up by 4:45! Breakfast! 7 am - Noon - Construction work. Lunch time! Siesta! 2:15 - 4:15 - Children’s Ministry - stories and songs and crafts and games! Supper time! Sharing time together! Bed! We will be sleeping on the floor inside the chapel - on air mattresses and under a mosquito tent! We’ve been warned not to bring any food or drink inside the mosquito tent - the mesh keeps the mosquitos out but not the ants!)

Thursday am. - we will pack up and say our goodbyes! Before we fly home on Friday/Saturday though, the local pastor and his wife have planned for our team to experience the beauty of Costa Rica - a trip to through the national park - featuring wildlife (jaguars, ocelots and monkeys and more! My grand-daughters are preparing a bingo card for me as I travel through the park! We’ll stop at the ocean for a swim - We’ll visit a coffee plantation and a chocolate grove and then spend overnight at Tranquility - where we will sleep in a real bed!

Friday - we make the long trip back to San Jose and begin the trip home. We arrive in Toronto at noon on Saturday!

During the children’s afternoon ministry - I’m involved with the preparing and playing of the games! (No surprise there! Not a crafty person).

The whole theme of our trip - for us and for those in Amburi - is “overflowing with hope!” We will be sharing these Bible stories with the kids - - The four friends who lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof (sharing the hope) - - Jesus calming the storm (Hope in the storm) - - The story of the lost sheep (Hope is a gift) - - The miracle of the loaves and fishes (Overflowing with joy!)

Eight sleeps and I’ll be leaving on a jet plane. Hasta Luego! Te lo contare’todo canda llegue a case!