In the Valley

So....living here has proven to be more difficult than I thought it would be.  Much more, in fact. Sure, I knew it would be different.  But geez!  I am having to learn quickly how to adapt here.  A Costa Rican resident wisely told us on the first day we were here, "He who hesitates is lost in Costa Rica."  The color of my skin is not helping much, though.  

I am a Gringo, through and through.  From the flip-flops on my feet to the lost look on my face.

So far, I've learned to hide my money in such creative places that potential attackers would have to be just as creative to find it.   I've learned that some of the various suspicious smells that abound in this city may never be identified.  And I've learned that pedestrians most certainly do NOT have the right of way.  

But, I am also learning that God is true to his word.  I can see in almost every situation how He has gone before me.  I can feel myself getting stretched and molded.  I can feel the anticipation building up....a deep-seated knowledge that He knows exactly what I'm doing here.  Even if I don't.   

Isn't that exciting?  We are being taken care of in ways we don't even realize.  What a comfort to know that we have a God who guides us and protects us.....even when we are too absorbed in ourselves to notice.  

And so my prayer is that I can camouflage my "foreign-ness" and highlight the similarities.  That I would realize that God is ready to use me NOW... Regardless of the fact that I am nervous beyond all reason and my Spanish skills are well, non-exsistent.   And finally...that I would remember that He has prepared the way for me.  

Even when the way includes receiving too-bold catcalls from the men and city buses who WILL run you down.  :)