Let’s see. We have officially transitioned to all Bible classes instead of Spanish classes. I’m really glad to be done with Spanish.. I didn’t improve a ton, but I definitely improved. So anyways, to kind of finish off our Spanish classes, this past weekend all the Spanish students had the opportunity to stay with Tico families (Costa Rican families) from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. My family consisted of a couple (Jose Pablo and Fanny) and their two sons, Jose Pablo (17 years old) and Sebastian (10 years old). I spent the majority of the weekend with Fanny and Sebastian because both of the Jose Pablos had to work. Only the kids could speak some English (because they attend a private Christian English-speaking school). So basically, I spoke and listened to Spanish for the whole weekend. That was the first time that I really have felt immersed into the culture here.
At my Tico family’s house, they cooked really delicious food, including my favorite breakfast here-- Gallo Pinto! It consists of mixed beans and rice and eggs and sour cream and some type of bacon or ham. It is DELICIOUS. So I had that both mornings for breakfast, and we have it here at Port at least once a week. It’s so funny because the first time I had it, I was like.. this is SO weird having beans and rice mixed with my eggs for breakfast.. but I LOVE it now, and I know I will miss it when I come back to the States. Haha.. So, when we weren’t eating I went shopping with them to the Supermercado, played games with Sebastian, looked at photo albums with Fanny, talked a lot with them, had some down time to read my Bible/ a book I have to read for classes, watch a movie etc. On Saturday night, my Tico family went out to eat with some of their friends at the resturant where Jose Pablo (the son) works. I had some really good chicken and fries. It was kind of funny because while we were driving there, we fit like 9-10 people in this smallerish car and I was sitting right in the center and we were driving in this very hilly town and every person around me was speaking very loudly in Spanish that I couldn’t understand. Anyways, all this to say, I felt slightly carsick on the drive there. On Sunday morning, I went to church with Fanny and Sebastian. Let’s just say that the church was very different from College Church :). For example, during one of the songs, a lady began yelling and was spinning around dancing in circles until the end of the song when her friends had to lay her down on the floor because she was so dizzy. The whole experience was extremely emotional, except I couldn’t follow very well the sermon, so I wasn’t sure what we were getting all emotional about. But it was cool, all the same, even though it was very different. Then, after church, we went out to eat for Chinese food. It was good but it made me crave some serious Panda Express. Which by the way, I’ve been craving Qdoba quesidillas like CRAZY! And just home-cooked meals, in general.
So, in all, I really liked my Tico family and I’m glad to have had that experience, but it was the first time being in a family setting since I’ve been here and it made me miss my family a lot, and I was so happy to get back to see everyone at Portantorchas again!
So then this week was our first week of legit Bible classes. We have classes every morning from 10-12 (except for Wednesdays when we have workday), And then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights I have Bible classes from 7-9ish.
This week we also started our ministries. My ministry is going with a group of about 6 other people to an Orphanage that has about 14 kids. We go on Mondays from 3-5. I really like the kids and I’m very excited for this ministry!
We also got our family groups, which meet Thursday nights. Last night we ordered pizza for dinner and just played scattegories and some other games. It was pretty sweet.
This weekend should be a little bit more low key. I have my first paper to write for a Bible class that we just wrapped up on Mark.
I guess that’s all for now. I love and miss you all :)
Love, Sophie
