Easter

Easter Sunday came and went and there was much rejoicing, for Christ is risen!

I spent Thursday through Sunday of the past week visiting the rural community of Longo Mai for a second time, staying with the same host family as my previous visit.

On Thursday afternoon after I arrived there was a foot-washing service at the Catholic church which I attended with my compañeros.  On Friday morning there was a procession that included stops for each station of the cross.  That same afternoon there was another church service.  Then, Saturday at 5am was a special Rosary service-type thing, which I did not attend.  And in the evening on Saturday was a long service that included candle-lighting which I also chose not to go to.  On Sunday morning I went to church and heard the sermon regarding Jesus' resurrection.

In many of the evenings, I, along with two of my companions, Emily and Megan, had our own Bible studies.  We read the customary Easter-time passages on the usual days and then discussed the differences in the crucifixion story as told in the different gospels.  These discussions were insightful and challenging.  I'm very thankful I was able to have such enlightening and deep Bible studies with my friends on the trip.

Now, beyond a religious celebration, Costa Ricans do not really seem to celebrate.  For one thing, all schools and most work places have all of Semana Santa (Holy week) off.  That means it's a massive vacation time where most people go to a beach or a resort and stay there until the last possible second.  Therefore, the holiday seems to get lost as most people are not at home to celebrate, although many go to visit relatives.

At the house I was at we had a few special foods that are reserved for Easter time, but that was about it.  One thing we had was arroz con leche, which is rice pudding.  It was incredibly delicious and we ate it with coconut sprinkled on top.  My host mother in Longo Mai also made crescent cookie-like things with some jam-like substance inside, which were also delicious.  She also baked some sweet rolls and a carrot cake.  I'm not sure that all of those pastries are specific for Easter time, but I know the rice pudding was.

When I wasn't attending church services and eating incredibly well I was relaxing, sleeping, or exploring the community.  We spent several afternoons on the porch reading and writing while the rain storm passed through.  It was nice to just sit, think, and relax without any real plan and thus no stress.  I did go to the river a few times, although I only got in the water twice.  The current was surprisingly strong and there were plenty of rocks to climb as well, so that was quite exciting!

Per usual I have more I could say, but I'm a tiny bit limited on time right now.  I will try to post at least one more entry before I come home...which is sneaking up. :)

~Nola

"Quédense quietos, reconozcan que yo soy Dios.  ¡Yo seré exaltado entre las naciones!  ¡Yo seré enaltecido en la tierra!" -Salmos 46:10

A Wandering Soul?

I realize I haven't posted in weeks now, so here I am, dropping some random thoughts.

Recently, while I was browsing on Facebook, I came across this quote, posted by a friend of mine:

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place."

That particular quote hit home hard.  This past weekend our group visited a rural community in the middle of nowhere, Costa Rica.  It reminded me of home and thus I felt instantly comfortable there.  I had little trouble sleeping because it was so quiet compared to the city.  If I looked up at the sky the stars were brilliantly shining and I was breathing country air, just like at home.  The family I stayed with was very welcoming and comfortable as well.

Then, when I returned to San José, my room felt a little odd to me, but then the familiarity settled back in.  I began to think about how at home I felt in the rural community and yet how I have a home in the capital city.

Around that time is when  I saw the quote posted on Facebook and began to wonder if that's true or not because now, not only do I have several homes in the United States (my own home, my university home, and my best friend's house), but I also have several here in Costa Rica.  I have spent sufficient time in both countries to meet, know, and love the people I've encountered.

So will the quote become part of my life?  Will I return to my home country and never feel comfortable there?  Will part of me always be longing to return to Costa Rica?  Although I realize these questions are in part a normal process of traveling as I have, in some ways I may indeed leave part of myself behind.

I'm confident that some day I will find a place to settle more permanently and will make that place my home, but I keep wondering if sometimes I will be overwhelmed with longing for the people left behind and how I will deal with that.  It's intriguing because I hadn't really thought of that.  However, I am sure that all will be well in the end.  It's truly a blessing to belong in so many places even if it's all at the same time.

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

~Nola