Maggie speaking for the whole group

We had church today with the Cabecars and it was an amazing experience. These are people who truly love the Lord! They all pray at one time - even when the pastor is praying. They sing and worship just like we do. The ladies all showed their quilts and were so proud. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Many of them came the first day with no expression, very reserved and withdrawn. But in church today they were all a totally different woman! Laughing and smiling and so apreciative. It was so nice to be part of the blessing. Michelle and I took the children out to Sunday school when the message started. There were ONLY 22 children! We were quite busy taping Ester crowns and had a coloring book about the story for them. Then our bus came and we started back to the city. One unload to cross a river and one flat tire later, we made it!
Tomorrow will be another busy day, and then back home.
Can´t wait to see all of you!

Maggie :)

Hola again!

What a busy day! I'm sure we will ALL sleep well tonight :) It's hard to believe this is our last night in this area. What a joy these Indian women have been. Sharilynn & Lindsey gave several haircuts today, Michelle helped the teens with bracelet beading, Lindsey also showed the teens how to make decorated hair accessories, while Maggie, Teresa, Julie and I helped the women finish their quilts. Tomorrow we will be able to start our day a tiny bit later - their church service starts at 10 am and goes 'til 1 pm. Please don't get any ideas Pastor Terry ;) haha! We will be leaving here at around 3 pm - then starts our BUMPY ride back. Looking forward to getting alot of good pics though. We arrived in the dark so I guess we missed some awesome scenery.
Still missing you all!
Tammy

Hola from Teresa!

It is Saturday night already! What an awesome day we had. The women finished their quilts and we gave them ribbon, pom-poms, trim, etc so they could decorate their quilts. They really went wild when they decorated them! They are so creative. It was so awesome to see their smiles, laughter and talking to one another. We each made up a little packet of things to give to the woman that we worked with. We included, a lip stick, finger nail polish, hair bands, a comb, emery board, and lip gloss. They said that they are coming to church tomorrow with their nails done, lipstick on and hair done up. They each gave us a hug goodbye. Some will not be joining us tomorrow for worship because the live so far away. Some walked up to 4 hours just to get here. It would take us 9 hours to walk there. It just shows how physically (it's mental too) fit they are.This is walking through the jungle, up many muddy and slippery paths. It's interesting we can complain because we can't find a parking space close to the door.

Kathy, you asked about info about the junge. It rains alot, very muddy and you slip and fall and get mud all over you when you take a walk through it. Lots of very tall trees (banana trees, etc), vines, very tropical looking. There are no monkeys here because they have all been eaten. Believe it or not we saw pigs, cow, chickens and horses. Not quite what you would expect. I did take lots of pics. Looking forward to showing them to you all!

Tomorrow we leave this area to stay with other missionaries at another compound. I hope to get a good night's rest. Love you all!

Hola from Maggie again

Today was an incredible day! The ladies all finnished their quilts and the joy on their faces was the coolest thing! These women have been such a blessing to me in so many ways. During Bible study time, it is amazing to see them trying so hard to soak up as much kowledge as they possibly can. Mayala, in particular just can't seem to get enough.
It has been such an incredible experience to be part of history. We have been told that this is the first time that there has been a women's conference for these people. They have been so receptive to us all.
Still missing you all. If anyone reading this talks to my husband, teach him how to reply, PLEASE!!!

Maggie :)

PS - there will be NO SEWING when I get home!

What a blessing it is..

Hola;!!! Everyone, all is well here!! It has been so amazing just being here, these women have really opened up and smiled. It is awesome to think this is the first time a team of women have come here to teach like this. I feel it is an honor for us all to be a part of this. The Jones family, have been here for 40+ years and this is the first for this. God, sure has allowed everything to fall into place from every detail. He sure is a detailed oriented God!!!! The veiw and the beauty of Gods handy work is breath taking so green and lush. Phillp and Saukeen have true hospitaliy in hosting us and the gift of serving God by teaching to the Caebecar Indians. It sure is a privilage to also be here and teach & serve.
We have been on 3 hikes, wow I'm sure out of shape but will in shape. The moutains and trails we have been on have are steep, muddy, ruff and a challenge. But FUN..
Saukeen is having a bible study with the Caebecar women on the book of RUTH, in caebecar. It is the first time to have a bible study with the women by themselves. We have been part of it. They have a desire to know Christ more. We should have the desire just the same. We prayed over these women and they have so appreciated it, that has been emotional for them and us.. We will be needing prayer for our big day on Saturday, I will be cutting hair all day and will be finishing up the Beautiful quilts they have made, teaching the crafts and etc. Also, Sunday is our trip back to the city, pray for safety.
Thak you all for supporting this trip, I have been blesse!!
Love, Sharilynn

Friday already?!

Today we worked on quilting and more than half of the women finished! It was an awesome feeling of fellowship and accomplishment today! To actually see this amazing quilt that they made by hand to take back to their families was really something. Quilting wasnt the only art we brought to the Cabecars....last night after dinner we showed two of the Cabecar women, Margherita and her daughter Rita, how to knit! It was so amazing to see how these women just pick up things so fast! It feels really good to know that these skills are going to be carried on and on and on to other Cabecars whom they will teach! Cameron made a comment on how this week has been like "Bible camp", and it is so true. Studying the Word with one another and using our own skills and abiliities to connect with another culture. I am so grateful for this and I know the Cabecar women are so grateful for all of this too.

We went on another nature hike today with Emily, Abby and Christine as our guides. It was so beautiful! God's creation is breathtaking! I cannot imagine being able to see this view of mountains and plants and flowers and waterfalls on a daily basis. What a blessing.

This entire experience has been filled with the Holy Spirit! Truly.

This is Teresa typing on Michelle's blog:

What an adventure this has been! I am very much enjoying the quiet time in the morning. I sit on a rock by a waterfall and spend time reading the Bible, praying and journaling. I love hearing the sound of the water. It's very peaceful. The quilting has been going very well. Some of the Cabecar women can sew very fast. It's been fun seeing the fabrics that they pick out. It's like their personality comes out in the selection of the fabrics. I can't wait to see them all done!

In the weeks before coming to Costa Rica, I walked on the treadmill. I must say that it didn't really prepare me for the steep climbs that I did the last two days. I had a hiking buddy, Abigail, a friend of the Jones' hike with me. I was always at the back of the pack and would stop and rest. Tatianna, a Cabecar Indian, stopped to get me a walking stick. That was so sweet of her and it made my travels so much asier. I was trying to think of where in Michigan there were as steep hills as here and we couldn't think of any. Today we hiked to a Cabecar home. Up several steep hills, through the jungle which was very muddy from the rains earlier, through a stream that was very cold but felt wonderful and up another steep hill. Total, it was about 2 miles. We visited for awhile and they served us tea. We will post the video of the home later. The Cabecar's live very simple lives. They walk miles and miles everyday. One of the women who came to learn to quilt walked 4 hours to get here. The hike back was easier, because it was mostly downhill, but it was very slippery and muddy and it was getting dark. I thank God for giving me the strength to make that hike. The jungle was beautiful and I enjoyed the conversations with Abigail. I know I will sleep well tonight!

I got back in time for a delicious dinner. We had tacos, Costa Rica style. The food has been fabulous! I love and miss my family and friends, but the time here has been awesome! Looking forward to what God has in store for us tomorrow! Love to Bob and the rest of the family!