August 2009 Video Blog Post

One Down, Two to Go!

We are now officially 1/3 of the way finished with language school! Yesterday was our last day of school for the first trimester! We are pleased with our progress, but of course the more we learn, the more we realize how much more we need to know. It's hard to believe we have been in Costa Rica for 3 1/2 months. When we think back to what we knew in regard to Spanish when we got here and what we know now, we can definitely see progress. It is only through the Lord's strength that we have progressed at all. Learning a foreign language is not an easy task, but we know that God has called us, and He will equip us!

A Rough Week, with a Glimpse of Hope (posted by Charlotte)

Well, we knew when we came here, there would be things we would miss and not get to be with people we love during happy and sad times.... Well, this was one of those sad times when I wanted to be with my family, but I was many miles away in Costa Rica. This past Wednesday, my uncle passed away in South Carolina. I longed to be with my family during this time. His daughter and I have been very close since childhood, and I really wanted to be with her and the rest of the family. Please pray for the family of Lester Martin. I have many fond memories of him taking my cousin and me to the beach on so many occasions! He will definitely be missed by many!

On a lighter note.... I understood more of the sermons today than I have during the last three months! I have been so excited and thanking God for my break through! I, by no means, got everything, but I actually heard whole sentences, and even got some of the sermon points, unlike most weeks when I only get a word here and there and can't put any of it together to make sense! Please continue to pray that our language acquisition will continue to increase!

This week is our last week of the first trimester. It's a great feeling to know we are almost 1/3 of the way finished with language school! We will have a few days off, and are actually going to work in a trip to the beach for a few days! We are very excited about seeing a little more of Costa Rica and having some time of rest and relaxation!

Our First Visitor in Costa Rica

Well, we've been quite busy lately. We have now had our first guest since arriving in Costa Rica. Sarah Williams - from Marietta, GA- came to visit us for 12 days! Her father, Glenn Williams and I served together at Olive Springs Baptist Church for several years, and Sarah used to babysit our younger children. We really enjoyed having her during this time. She arrived on July 23rd, and left this morning! We packed a lot into the time she was here, and really strived to give her a feel of what our life is really like here in Costa Rica. She went to some of our classes, helped out in the preschool area (Rayitos) which is part of Sojourn Academy where our children go to school - and have been attending their summer camp program this summer. Sarah also was able to join with a mission team from Ohio and go with them on two days to a women's rehabilitation center for unwed mothers who have been on drugs. We showed her around the city of San Jose which included hitting some of our favorite restaurants, and shopping areas, going to the zoo, and going downtown to the Central Market and the Gold Museum. She also went with Charlotte to a Bible Study which is in Spanish and went to church services with us which were in Spanish. She had an opportunity to meet many of the missionaries who are living here in San Jose - some who are in language school and others who are living long term in Costa Rica ministering in the ways that God has called them. She quickly realized that like us - all of the other missionaries are just plain people that God has called to serve him in this capacity. We also worked in some fun while she was here. We went on a canopy tour and whitewater rafting at a place called Pozo Azul. We had a blast doing that! I posted the video a couple of days ago - so take a look at it, if you haven't already!

Sarah has been studying Spanish for the last several years in high school and college. Sarah was able to utilize her Spanish skills and gain confidence in her ability. It will be exciting to see how God uses her talents and abilities for His glory!

Part of Saturday's trip August 1, 2009

Saturday we (cawthons and sarah williams) went on a canopy tour and whitewater rafting. We had a great time.