A new place I call home

    8.12.23-8.20.23

                  This week has blown my mind! I arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica on Saturday afternoon. Jessica, Roberto, and their son Ian picked me up from the airport. Then the adventure began! We drove to Portantorchas (Port) and I started meeting everyone. All of the staff turned into family very quickly as they were very intentional about creating a safe environment and cultivating deep relationships with the students. 

I couldn't be happier with the group of students- everyone seems super genuine and open minded. Saturday (when I arrived) and Sunday morning was a bit difficult for me because I am an introvert, and it was very overwhelming being surrounded by so many new people and processing that I will be living here for the next 8 months. Then I started getting to know people better (especially when we played soccer-I got to see peoples true colors). The caminata's really
helped with getting to know people. Caminata means "walk" in Spanish and about 3 times a week we will have an assigned person to walk with. This has been one of my favorite things at Port so far because it is an opportunity to get to hear people's stories and connect with them one-on-one. I 

caminata views 

have also been getting to know my roommates pretty well. Aliyah arrived shortly after me. She is from Switzerland and has a very goofy and understanding personality. I have learned a lot about Switzerland and how different it is from America (mainly how unhealthy Americans are ha-ha). Then Lily arrived at Port on Sunday-she is from Texas (and has a southern accent) and she is a very confident and determined person. I love both of them so much and can't wait to learn more about them. Something else we did this week was family night... it is a weekly event where you go to a staff member's house and play games, eat food and just be in community with them. Here 

Me & Aliyah being cool

 are a few other fun things I did throughout the week...I   shared   my testimony, played soccer and volleyball, had   intentional   conversations, went to the beach on the weekend, spent time   with God, and was just simply, present. I am so   excited to see   how God moves in my heart over the upcoming months. I pray   that I can live abundantly in Him and share His love with others. 

  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old            has passed away; behold, the new has come." 

                                       2 Corinthians 5:17

~Pura Vida 

Manuel Antonio beach 

lots of rain!

walking to the beach 

walking to the store 

looking for crocodiles