[Ash] In our house, there is an upstairs room. The land lady thought we’d use it as a bedroom, but it’s usually too hot up here, so we just use it as a common space. A place to which any of us who wanted to be alone, could be. If we catch the breeze right and open the windows and if the sun’s not shining too hot, it can be comfortable. That’s what it’s like today, and that’s why I’m sitting up here writing. The room has two windows. One faces east toward the language school, a volcano and the sunrise. The other faces south. We can’t see as much that way because of our neighbor’s mango tree that blocks the view, but beyond the leaves we know there are more mountains, the neighborhoods of Desamparados (which means hopeless) and a river.

As I climbed the stairs a few minutes ago, I paused at the window looking south. Most of the windows are louvered glass panes that we rotate to circulate the air in and out. This window is different, though. It is on a hinge that allows it to swing wide open like a shutter. Standing there, I welcomed the cool refreshing breeze as I gazed at the nearby mountains. “Looks like it’s gonna’ rain,” I thought, noting the hazy clouds at their peaks. Not a surprising prophecy during the rainy season, I know, but one nonetheless. The view was peaceful, even though it is a city. But I signed, thinking about the work I had to get done. Turning away I noticed the sun break through the clouds, casting a spotlight on a verdant green field on the side of one of the mountains.

It’s hard to believe we will be leaving soon. In less than a month, our bags will be packed and the jet plane will be en route to Peru. We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time, and it is almost here. But with the goal in reach, why is it so hard to let go of Costa Rica?

I think about growing up in southeastern Montana on my grandparents and parents ranch. Through the years we’ve worked a variety of livestock, but for most of the time I remember, we had sheep. Sheep aren’t the smartest animals God ever created. They’re cute, soft, and wooly. I admit they are these things, but that “soft and wooly” could be a good description of their thinking skills, as well. I remember one time in particular. The flock had been living down by the river under the trees. Life was good there, but they’d eaten most of the good grass and weeds, so it was time to move on. The next field over was full of lush green alfalfa along with fresh water and shelter. They’d have everything they’d need in their new home. We shepherds (my family and I) spread out under the trees along the river and gathered up the flock before gently coaxing them toward the gate leading into their new home. They moved easily, but as soon as they saw the opening in the fence, they baulked. They stopped. They put their hooves in and would not move. Occasionally a brave one would step forward, sniffing the air for hints of what lie ahead, but as soon as we through she’d pass through, she’d spin around and run back into the safety of the group. In desperation we tried to use force and dragged one through the gate, but as soon as she was free from us, she rushed back through the gate to the flock. I don’t remember what we finally did, but eventually one went, found the grass was indeed greener on the other side of the fence, and the others stampeded through to join her.

Here we are in Costa Rica and the gate is wide open. It’s not that all the food to eat is gone—there’s still plenty of missionary work to be done here—it’s just that it’s time to move. But for the first time in the nearly 20 years since we were moving sheep to the new pasture, I understand the sheep’s hesitation.

We’ve made this place home for the past year. We set up a house. We paid bills. We made friends. We got involved. We learned the culture (at least parts of it). Before coming here, some of the people in the Mission Society home office jokingly said, “Okay, now don’t go falling in love with Costa Rica so that you want to stay there.”

“We won’t,” we replied. After all, God had called us to Peru, right? But how can one not fall in love with Costa Rica. That’s what it means to be a missionary, isn’t it? To be fully present wherever we are. To learn a language and a culture. To learn to love the people. To discover what God is doing and then move forward from there. To learn to love God in a whole new way.

The gate is open and we know green pastures and still waters are waiting for us in Peru. But still, it is hard to go.

The sun’s spotlight on the hillside has been replaced by low clouds. The rain is coming, I know. On the street outside I hear the incoherent ramblings of a man on a drug induced high (he doesn’t bother anyone, just walks the streets every few days babbling the same cadence). The sounds of a fiesta in one of the neighbor’s houses waft in. I see the familiar buildings on the hillsides. I hear the car alarms and the police sirens. I smell someone cooking dinner: greasy empanadas, picadillo and beans and rice. Sounds and sights and smells we’ve come to know so well. I know I’m home…

…but the gate is open.

This is something we did at church yesterday. The leader stood up after the message and said, “We have about ten minutes left, so I want you to do something. Close your eyes and picture your family. Think about them. There are a lot of times we take them for granted. What I want you to do is place them before God…”

I did that. It really wasn’t hard. There was Audra and Kia and Aylis’ and Todd and Soraya. I could see their faces and I could place them before God. But then the leader threw me for a loop. He said, “Pray for your mom and your dad and your brothers and sisters.” What caught me off guard was that he wasn’t adding them as an after thought.

Okay, I know my parents and my brothers are part of my family. I love them and I pray for them (perhaps not as much as I shoiuld, but I do), but when the leader asked us to picture our family, I immediatly thought of my immediate family. Those who live in my house. My parents live in Montana. My brothers live in Washington state and Colorado. They are important, but they don’t live with me.

In the states when we talk about family, we generally mean those who are in our immediate family. For example, if someone asked me “How many people are in your family?” I would immediately think of the six people in my house. When I ask the question of the people here in Latin America, the answer is something like, “Whew… a lot. I can’t count them all. I have brothers and sisters and mom and dad and aunts and uncles and grandparents and cousins…” A different way of looking at the world around us. I’m learning…

Be blessed in who you are and where you go. Now… take a moment to think about your family…

We had friends from Georgia visiting us last week. They came down here to help with a Vacation Bible School (okay, they came to do the VBS and we were there to help). They were members of the last church we served and tremendous friends. During our time together, we had a chance to talk about the past few years, dream together, and take a few trips to see other parts of Costa Rica. To see some pictures, click here to go to our web album.

Okay, I still don’t know tons about Honduras. There are a lot of things culturally and politically and historically that I don’t know that color what I can know at the moment. I realize I am viewing the situation through North American eyes, but I will try to write the facts as I have gotten them and nothing more. I don’t want to lead anyone astray, but I would like you to know at least a little of what is happening so that you can direct your prayers. I am still very frustrated by the lack of coverage I see on the news websites such as foxnews and cnn.

So, the information I have now…

– The current president, Michelleti, has been trying to get support from the international community, but with little success. The Obama administration is in support of the former president’s reinstatement, and this is not being well received by the Republicans in the United States. The former president is very much supported by Chavez of Venezuela and the Castros of Cuba.

– Michelleti (the current president) is of the same political party as the former president. A military coup would have put the military in control. This action put the person who was already offically next in line for the presidency in power.

– The former president had been wanting to do something that the congress and supreme court had told him he could not do. He obstantly continued to pursue it.

– One of Honduras’ ambassadors to the US has said offically that no coup has taken place in his country. The ex-president of Honduras has suspended him from his position.

– There has been some concern from the countries further south (El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) about products and goods coming from the north on the highways. They have to pass through Honduras enroute. It seems as though those restrictions are being or have been lifted.

– Many of the governments of Latin America are opposed to what has happened. One of the main reasons for their opposition is the fact that they don’t want to turn the clock back to their history of 25 years ago.

This is, again, in a nutshell, the things I am learning about Honduras. There is a lot more that I don’t know. Honestly, I’m shaky on the details. A lot is up to interpretation. Please forgive me for the mistakes. What’s most important… please pray. Pray for peace to suddenly break out…

God bless you…

I´m not sure what kind of news coverage you are getting about what is happening in Honduras right now. I´ve been frustraded looking at cnn.com and foxnews.com for information because there isn´t much. Of course, they are covering more important things like the life history of the King of Pop… okay, enough sarcasm. I want to take a few moments to share with you what I´ve learned about the current situation in Honduras while talking with my teachers and other Costa Ricans…

Just north of Costa Rica is Nicaragua. North of Nicaragua is Honduras. It´s not far because the countries are somewhat small compared to the United States. As the crow flies, the capital city is less than 400 miles from the capitol of Costa Rica. Of course with roads and natural obstacles, it takes a while to get there on land.

The “old” president of Honduras, Mr. Zelaya, is well liked by Chavez of Venezuela and Castro of Cuba. Their ideas of goverment are not the same as the ideas of the government in the United States and “us” and “them” are more often at odds than not. A few nights ago, Mr. Zelaya was kidnapped in his pijamas by the military, put on a military plane, flown to Costa Rica, put out on the highway, and the plane took off. Not long after that, the leader of congress (they have to Vice President there) was sworn in as president. Not many nations in the world are recognizing the new goverment. President Obama has said the takeover of power was illegal and that President Zelaya should be reinstated. That does not mean he is in support of the ideas of Chavez and Castro. In truth, the presidency of Zelaya has not been totally well received by many. However, there are ways–better ways–to remove someone from power. He would have left office when his term expired in November anyway. Currently the people are under curfew. I´ve heard that from six at night until six in the morning, those in power have permission to shoot anyone found on the street. I hope this is wrong information, but I don´t know. In a nutshell, that´s what has happened. These are some of the effects.

The nations of Central America have been working hard for a number of years to be more democratic. The last military coup of this type in Honduras was in 1978. This takeover has put the process back about 20 or 25 years.

The nations of Central America have just or are about to (I´m not clear on this) sign a trade agreement with the European Union. This would be a tremendous boost to the economy. The problem is that it was contingent on peace in all the countries.

Both Zalaya and the leader of the congress claim to be president. Who is the president, really?

Although many in Honduras did not like Zalaya, he still had a strong following among the poor.

Okay, that´s pretty much all I know (or at least, think I know) about what´s happening. Please pray for the situation. Pray for the people. Pray for wisdom.

Thanks.

God bless you in all things.