TeamDuggan

http://picasaweb.google.com/cathirn/TheWayWeWere#slideshow

Happy Birthday, Oreo!

We’ve had two car accidents in the year that we’ve lived here. That may sound pretty bad, but we haven’t had a car accident in the previous ten years, so it’s not our poor driving skill. It’s the fact that Costa Rica has one of the highest accident rates in Latin America, and of course, the highest insurance rates. In our first accident a drunk driver hit us head-on. In the USA that sounds deadly. Here, where the road conditions require significantly lower speeds, it’s mostly a big irritation. We still haven’t seen that one conclude.

But tomorrow we’re off to our insurance agent to pay the deductible for an accident Cathi had a few months ago. She felt she was in the right, but the judicial system was such that accepting fault was the most expeditious means of closing this problem out. You see, until it’s all cleared there is a lien placed on the cars involved in the accident, meaning neither party can sell their car until it’s resolved. And the other party miraculously produced witnesses that swear she was right. Never mind that there were no witnesses at the scene. So this is one part of living in another country that we don’t particularly enjoy. On the other hand, we do have good insurance and there is light at the end of this tunnel. And no one was hurt. And our car was fine. I do miss my Suburban though!

Keri has discovered the joy of creating beautiful baking products, in this case, a birthday cake for a friend.

As we sit to write this prayer letter, we remember God’s provision, protection and grace as we have served as missionaries in Costa Rica for one year. It has been a year of new experiences, cultural adaptation, new friendships, goodbyes, frustrations, joys and sorrows, and through it all God has been faithful. All of us have grown increasingly dependent on God and one another, and know that God is continuing to mold and shape us into the useful vessels He needs to accomplish His purposes here on earth. Our home is a sanctuary not only for our family, but for guests and language students new to Costa Rica.

We have learned more than some Spanish during this first year. Navigating city streets without names or numbers, weathering tropical downpours, avoiding huge potholes and other drivers have given new meaning to defensive driving and the necessity for insurance and patience.

Our outward appearance still reflects our North American upbringing but our hearts, minds, and tongues have been touched by the Tico culture in which we live. Living here still takes longer, but we enjoy simple pleasures that often go unnoticed in a fast-paced, hurried lifestyle. A shared cup of coffee, time with a neighbor, chatting with a storekeeper, impromptu invitations, and being in the moment are more commonplace. High food prices, the lack of American convenience foods and a limited budget have spurred creative approaches to mealtime— often inspired by Rachael Ray or a Dream Dinners cookbook, but with a few substitutions!

Second of three long meeting days. Good but tiring.

I’m in our Mission Summit in the Minneapolis area. I’ve had good opportunity to meet with our US based Latino brothers.