Leadership Retreat at Volcan Turrialba

Turrialba Volcano - Nov. 2008


Turrialba Volcano - Nov. 2010

So do you notice any difference? Well, we had the priviledge of returning to the Turrialba Lodge this past weekend to host our first Roca Viva Church leadership retreat. Due to the recent landslides, the road to the camp we were going to use was closed, so we made some last minute changes. The view was breathtaking and right away we noticed how much more smoke and gases were coming from the the volcano since we had been there in 2008! It has been active again since April of 2008 and had a mini eruption of gases and ash over Christmas last year. Despite the possible threat of an ever smoking volcano and ash covered trees, the Lodge made a beautiful and rustic backdrop for our retreat!




We spent time together in the word and in fellowship with our teammates, the Woolfords and five Tico couples. Cam spoke on how despite all the riches and resources that we have, God chooses to use people to share the news about Christ. We also watched a movie on forgiveness, called Amish Grace.



The ladies took turns cooking the meals; here I am preparing eggs and gallo pinto for 14 people at 7 a.m. in the morning. I think my expression reveals that this may not have been the best time for my picture! Thanks honey!


The following day we broke into groups of men and women to discuss a study we were currently doing with the ladies about the power of our speech. Dave also led the group in some initiatives to help them understand some concepts about leadership, such as communication and decision making, in a fun way.




Here, their task was to make a specific shape out of the rope with their eyes closed!



Here Dave is explaining the rules of the initiatives and the goal they need to accomplish.

For those of you who only know Costa Rica by it's travel brochures and sunny beaches, here is an interesting group shot. With no heat, 50 degrees can feel pretty cold, especially when you add in some rain!

World Cup 2010

We have been back now for 6 weeks and life hasn't afforded us much time to catch up! Dave is teaching a Defending the Faith course as well as teaming up with another local pastor in Cartago who will be teaching a Christian Living course. We opened up our home to about 20 friends after church Sunday for a World Cup fiesta and cheered Spain on to a 1-0 victory over Holland! Dave has also started a Jui Jitsu class on Saturdays to reach some of the unsaved youth in the area. I am discipling 2 new believers and meeting with two women who have questions regarding Christianity this week. Finally, after receiving news that Word of Life had to cancel the youth camp for this week, we have organized a three day camp for about 12 youths from our church Wednesday thru Friday, following a children's Fun Day in the morning!

One blessing in all this activity is that we have Corey, a 19 year old son of our friends, staying with us and lending a helping hand. In addition to being a talented musician, he has been quite a servant around the house and in ministry. He will be assisting Dave at the camp this week, in addition to leading worship time. Pray with us that these 5 weeks will be an encouragement to him and that God may use this experience to direct him in his future decisions.

The Kentucky House

Since Dave's parents retired to Kentucky, we have had the opportunity to visit the Kentucky house on furlough a few times. On this unusually warm day in March I decided to take a few shots of my favorite sites along route 39. This barn is by far my favorite landmark nearing Grandma's house and the setting sun casts a nice shadow of the opposing tree.



Another landmark that lets us know we're within miles from the long driveway up to the Graef lodge is this church, Gilbert's Creek Baptist Church. Dave and I have attended this small country church in the past and enjoyed fellowshiping with the pastor there.



Ah, Manuel Lane...Aunt Millie's sign to let you know you've reached your destination! A quarter mile up the drive and you can go right to her house or venture left to Grandma and Granddad's house.



There are several barns along 39 but I must be partial to the red ones.



Olivia enjoying the swing from Costa Rica with Grandma on their porch.



This mansion of a home reminds me of the plantation homes that dot the southern landscape. I am not sure if it is occupied, but it stands out against the typical barns and homes along route 39.

Ok, not sure who Dewey Cooper is but there are several of these signs around town.

The south and race cars, need I say any more? Not sure what happend to this guy but looks like he has been put out of commission!

This black barn sits on the property bordering the Graef's and the cedar trees in the back mark their property line. We pass this barn as we travel up the quarter mile driveway of Grandma's house.

Residency and Family

Well, not having internet in the house for a while in Costa Rica really affected our internet postings! Most of you know by now that we returned to the US about a month ago to reapply for residency under the new laws for Costa Rica. Most recently, this involved us travelling to Washington D.C. this week to have all of our documents sealed by the consulate's office. Funny how they required both of us to come in person yet never checked ID's while we were there! So, two days of travel, a babysitter for the kids, 4 meals on the road, and a $320 document fee all culminated in a half hour wait in the consulate's office and a blue stamp on our documents! Yay!

In addition to paperwork, we have been enjoying the time with friends and family. Although it was nice to be home for the holidays, it was quite a dip in the temperature for us to come from Costa Rica to Detroit! The kids have not hesitated to play out in the cold and their first attempt at a snowman was met with much excitement! Perhaps with more snowfall we'll make the rest of the snow family to join him.

We are also scheduling churches, if anyone has interest in having us speak at any church events. The month of March is quite full, but many dates are still available!