Happenings at "Mi Esperanza"

We have been attending a local church called Mi Esperanza which was started by people that went to the same language school as we did in Costa Rica.  So, while church is in Spanish, there are a few Americans who regularly attend (in addition to the missionaries who are there as pastors, some of the teachers from the Christian Academy where the girls took art and PE class attend). 

As we get to know people and our Spanish improves we are becoming a part of the church.  Arianna was the first to really have an official role - as Sunday School teacher for the preschool children.  Then I was asked to join the rotation of Sunday School teachers for the elementary kids (K - 6), and I taught my first class (in Spanish!) a couple of weeks ago.  The kids were very well behaved, and although I couldn't always understand them, I think they understood me!

Last Sunday our regular worship leaders were away at a teen camp (remember it's summer here!), so we were asked to provide some music for the service.  It turned out that we led three songs at the beginning of the service, with Arianna singing (in Spanish of course), and then we played two hymns with everyone on instruments.  It was a blessing to me to be able to play with my whole family!  I think the only other time that has happened was on a group Suzuki concert that we did in WV, when John was playing the cello:).  This is the first time he has had his guitar out in public since Abigail was a newborn!

Next up on the schedule for events at church is a VBS (Vacation Bible School - called Colonia here).  We will be including some English instruction in the camp and it will be a kick-off event for some English classes that will be starting in the near future.  The camp is in the afternoons, so it will be just be us three girls participating, but John will be part of the ESL classes.  He taught ESL in Costa Rica and really enjoyed it.