A Year Has Come and Gone....

A year ago, 

I boarded a plane with 3 bags, a carry-on and one personal item. I said good-bye to my family, friends, Church, Fresno, Untied States and entered a new country that would become my new home. I traveled for 14 hours that day. And through out the day, I talked to God. I asked Him with every plane that I boarded (3 that day) if this is what He really wanted me to do. And every time He gave me His peace. I cried a little because I knew it would be months before I would see family or friends. Also because I was afraid of the unknown, but through it all, I still felt God telling me to trust Him. 

I did and I still do.

It is hard to believe that I have been in Costa Rica now for a year.

The time has gone by so fast. There are days when it seems as though I have only been here for a few months, and then there are days where it seems I have been here for several years, BUT through it all God has been faithful!

It has been a year of so many different emotions. I have felt times of joy, peace, frustration, sadness, pain and love. I have learned how to drive a stick in a country were driving laws are only suggestions. I recapture my love for photography, learned that I am more of an introvert then what I thought. I am more persister then harmonizer, and I miss Mexican food.

I also realize that I am a different person now, how could I not be. My heart hurts for the needy. Not just here but for those in the world. I have less grace with Americans that come and think they can fix everything or that are suck in their American mentality or are not willing to try to understand this culture. I get more upset when people assume that I gave up on the idea of marriage because how could God ever bring someone into my life while I am in Costa Rica (He can).  I have learn to depend on God in a new way.

But the thing that has really been humbling to me, is that I couldn't be here without your support. I have felt all your prayers when I have been sick, missing home or just having a bad day. Your financial support is what has made it possible for me to be here. Through your cards, FB encouragements and packages, I have felt your love!

So now what?? Well I have committed to be here another 2 years, Lord willing. We (SICR) have started our busy season two weeks ago, SUMMER SEASON! What does that mean? It means that we have teams coming every 2 weeks till the beginning of August. I am excited about it because we have 2 teams from The Well coming! :) Visiting Fresno soon??? As of right now, my next visit will be next April. My parents are planning on coming to Costa Rica for Christmas this year :)

Again, thank you all for an unforgettable year!
I am excited for what God has in store for this next year!

P/S:: dont forget to sign up to receive my e-newsletter here! 

Wanna make a donation?? 

There are two ways that you can donate::

1.You can do by mailing a check to:

Students International
PO Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279-2733

Account:: Rosa Torres (on the memo)  
2. You can donate online for a ONE TIME gift. 
online
3. If you are wanting to be a monthly sponsor you can email me at rose.e.torres@gmail.com and I will send you the correct forms. Or you can send in a check with a note that you would like to to donate monthly and SI staff will send you the correct paper work.  

Wanna Send a letter or care package?? 

Rose Torres
C/O Jeff Dixon
Apartado 946-2400
Desamparados, Costa Rica
America Central

Finding Joy in my suffering....

" He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might He increases power." 

Is 40: 30

This has been my verse for this last month (February)

Even as I write this blog and type out this verse, I am praying that God will continue to give me the strength that I need.

 My health hasnt been the best this last month. For over the last 3 weeks, I have been in such physical pain. Pain that I have never been in before. It started when I got a fungal virus at the beginning of the month. It became a rash that would itch as well as cause pain. It would keep me up at night, it would hurt as it rubbed against my clothes. It was just uncomfortable. So I went to the doctor. He gave me some anti-fungal pills and a cream to put on it. 

Perfect! I thought, just take these, put the cream on the spots twice a day and I am golden. But I was wrong. After I started taking the meds, I was having bad joint pains. EVERY part of my body hurt. It was a constant pain that never went away. I couldnt sleep because when I moved, the pain would wake me up. I soon realized that it was a side effect of taking the anti-fungal medication. 

So I pressed forward and continue to take them. Dreading it every time I took a pill, knowing that in 30 min, I would start to feel the pain. Pain that I didnt want to feel, pain that I was tired of feeling and would cause me to be exhausted.  

For me, when I am sick or not feeling well, I am just 10 times more emotional. I feel more stress out, feel more anxiety and I am more weary. And being here in a different country, I felt more insecure about EVERYTHING! There were days, that I didnt want to move or get out of bed. I just wanted to feel better. I was exhausted physically, mentally and was starting to get spiritually exhausted too.

I didnt want to get to the point were I would be spiritually exhausted, but with all honesty I just wanted to stay home, get better and then go back to work when I was 100%. But the reality of it, is that I couldnt do that and I didnt do that. So instead, I took this verse and proceed to quote it in my head every time I was in pain. I chose to focus on the promise that God will give me the strength that I needed. There were some days that were great and I felt like me again. Then there were some days that I would just go home and cry.

Through this process, I realized just how weak I am and how much I need God's strength. I need HIM everyday, even when I am feeling good or weak. I need HIM to strengthen my body, give me the endurance and remove any weariness or anxiety that I have. I need HIM to shower me daily with His protection here. 

I am done with my meds now and I know it will take a few days to get it all out of my system, but i am starting to feel like myself again. I still get some joint pain here and there, but I hope to be at 100% soon. 

YES February was not a good month, but there is always MARCH. 

And MARCH is my birthday month! And I pray that it will be a pain-free, sick free month for me. :) 

PS... 

Here is my address if you would like to send an encouraging card, a birthday card or pics! 

Rose Torres

 C/O Jeff Dixon 

Apartado 946-2400 

Desamparados, Costa Rica 

America Central

Good bye 2013... Hello 2014

We said goodbye to 2013. For some people, they plan for the next year by making a new year resolution. For some it is setting new goals or places they want to visit.  For me, it is looking back at all the blessings and changes that has happened in 2013.

As I reflect on 2013, I am reminded just how bless I am. I moved to Costa Rica only by the grace and support of friends, family and church family who believe in me. It is by their financial support, prayers and encouraging words that I am able to be here serving God and the people in Costa Rica.

Some of the girls I get to invest in.

Kenzie and I found a house! God knew what we wanted and what we could afford and He provided the perfect house for us. It is big enough to have bible studies with our semester students, host friends and family that visit us and a place to rest when life feels overwhelming.

Also that I have a car. Even though the public transportation here is great, it is nice to have a car to be able to go to the grocery store, movies or even go out of town. What is not so great is learning how to drive stick in a country where there are pretty much no laws for driving that are enforced. I have said this before, but driving here is like playing a cars video game.

I have found a church that I love. It is not like my church in Fresno, but it does have good worship, good teaching and I am building a community there. Sunday's have become a day that I purposely dont plan anything but church and lunch with my new friends.

My friends/co-workers have been a huge blessing to me here. I work with a great group of people who have a heart for God and for Costa Rica. They encourage me when I need it and challenge me in a healthy way.

Our semester aboard program is a huge blessing too. I am honored to be able to invest in the lives of the students who come to CR though our semester program. I get to walk along side them as they figure out this country, this culture and learn the language. I get to see their growth in their walk with God and see them become more and more of who God wants them to be. I am truly blessed to be apart of their lives while there are here.

Fall 2013 Semester Students

Spring 2014 Semester Students

I live in a beautiful country, that everywhere I look, I see God's art work. God is truly an artist. I see it in the volcanoes that are near my city, the coffee fields near my house, to the beautiful sunsets and exotic fruit at the farmers market.

I got to go back to Fresno to spend the holidays with family and friends. I got to spend 2 weeks in Fresno. It was so great being able to see my family. It had been 6 months since I was able to hug them. I also got to spend some good with my friends. I didnt realize how much I needed that time with my family and friends till I got there. Trust me it was an adjustment being in the states for 2 weeks, but one that was worth it. (more on that on another blog post) 

My parents

My brother and me

There are so many more blessings that I am so thankful for.
 2013 was a year of change and blessings for me.

So with that, I say good-bye to 2013 and 

say 

HELLO 2014!

May you be a year of continued blessings and sharing God's love!

 
 

25 things that are not better or worse, just different in Costa Rica

I have been living in Costa Rica now for a little over 5 months! The time has flown by and I have learned (and still learning) so much about this country. We have a saying in SI Costa Rica. "It is not better or worse, just different." Meaning that there are somethings here are not better then the states, or worse, they are just different. Different from what we know, like and are used to. And honestly that is my new normal. Learning and understanding the differences of this country. So with that, here are 25 things that some of my co-workers/friends and I came up that are not better or worse, just different. :)

1. There are no refills on drinks at fast food places and some restaurants
2. You can pull over anywhere on the street just as long as you put your emergency lights on.
3. There several honks that people do. ( to let you pass, tell you to stop, say "hi", etc)
4. You can by medication without prescription. (there are pharmacy's everywhere and for most medications, you DO NOT need a doctors prescription.)
5. You don't flush toilet paper down the toilet. (the pipes are small here)
6. There are no such thing as "personal space" in a bus. (when there are no more seats available in the bus, you stand in the middle of the walk-way back to back with people)
7. Stopping at a stop sign is optional. (meaning that people do a lot of California roll here)
8. There are no street signs on streets. (so when explaining how to get to a place, you use landmarks and meters for directions.)
9. Pedestrians DON'T have a right away.
10. Everyone runs on tico time (which is late)
11. Tip is already included in the bill at a restaurant.
12. You don't pump your own gas. (every gas station is full service here)
13. An umbrella is a must whenever you leave your house. (it could and will rain sometime during the day)
14. If you need to see the doctor, you need to stand in line that morning (like at 5am) to get an appointment for that day.
15. When a person dies, you bury them within 24 hrs.
16. Expect to be hover over when shopping at  department store. (meaning that someone will be near you at all times, watching you as you look around)
17. You don't throw your trash away at a fast food restaurant. (they have people pick it up for you and clean your area when you leave)
18. Every house has metal bars on the windows and doors and double locks.
19. There are "watchy man" that keep an eye on your neighborhood. (they come around on a bike and honk to let you know they are there)
20. You can buy produce from a guy who comes down the street from the back of his truck.
21. Houses in the city and where I live and work dont have yards. 
22. Monthly bills are thrown in/put on your front gate.
23. Cafecito is a normal thing. ( just a midday coffee break with sweet bread or cookies)
24. Sunday is family day not "fun day" (people are not watching sport games on tv, there are usually at the park, BBQ at someones house and spending the day with family)
25. The money texture here is plastic, not paper like the states dollars.

Now you have a small idea of the culture here in Costa Rica.
Remember it is not better or worse, just different :)

Till next time!
R

A Place to call Home....

Home.... I have often struggled with this word. Home. Is it a place? A house? people? community? a feeling? Fresno? Costa Rica? and the list could go on and on. I think those who have moved away to a place that is not familiar, wither that is a new country or state can relate to this question. Even those who have never had a great home situation can struggle with this question too.

What is HOME? 

I have come to realize that for me, home is a place that I can go find rest, peace and comfort. It is a place that I can paint, read or journal and not worry about things. It is a place with my favorite colors, pictures and items. It is a place to entertain, cook or just relax with a movie. It is a place where God meets me often. That is what my home looks like. 

What does this have to do with missions and Costa Rica??? 

Well one of the most important thing for anybody, wither you are living missionally in Fresno, Clovis, Kingsburg or another country, is having a place to go and relax. For me, living here in Costa Rica, finding a house that I can cook, have people over and have a room that could be a place where I could relax was huge. Since I am daily learning and translating here, I wanted a place to find peace and relax from the day's work or just from life here in Costa Rica.  And Praise God we (Kenzie and I) have found that here and now we are making it feel more like HOME! 

 

Our Home! 

 Here are a few pics of what we have done so far. 

Living Room

 More of the Living Room
(Found the windows here for $6.00 each! Dont worry they are not staying at that spot)

 Dinning Area

 Kitchen

 Laundry area
(which is outside)

 Guest Room
(My mom made me the T-shirt quilt)

 My Room
(Yes I still have stuff animals. They each have a special place in my heart)
 

Guest Restroom/My Restroom 

There is more that we want to do. We have another room that we want to put in a table so I can do some painting and other crafts. Plus maybe put in a twin size bad so we can have multiple guest here at a time or have interns stay with us for a few months or so. We also want some book shelves and a coffee table but those can get expensive here. So I am looking at making furniture here with pallet wood since those are free and i just need to put in the labor. But we are excited for the place that God has given us. 

  
THANK YOU!!! 

I want to thank all of my supports! Especially those who have given a one time gift or are monthly supporters! Your generosity is what has helped me to be able to live here, buy the furniture for the house and so much more!  When you rent here you have to buy everything!!! Meaning fridge, stove, washer, dryer, and the list could go on and on. And it can add up real quick! so thank you for your generous heart!

 I am excited to have a house but more excited to be able to make it a home. BUT I know that this is just a stopping place. For my permanent home is in heaven with my heavenly Father. And I look forward to that one day, but for now, I praise God for what He has given me here in Costa Rica! 

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

And We Have A House...

"For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God" 

Hebrews 3:4 

Since the beginning of August, Kenzie and I have been looking for a house to rent here in Costa Rica. There were only a few things that we really wanted in a house. We wanted a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom, a space for a car and it be located near the office and friends. For some reason we thought it would be really easy to find and we would be out of our host homes with the week or 2. 

So we started our search with some help from our friends. The first house we saw was an amazing new modern place. The rent wasn't that bad, but as it is custom here, it would go up 10% every year. Since we are on a fix salary, we decided to take the day to figure out if we wanted it or not. So when we called the next day to tell the owner we wanted it, it had already been rented out! Yup, less then 24 hrs the place was rented. So we continued on with the search. 

After about the 4th house, we were starting to feel discourage. We weren't sure if we were going to find a house that we liked and as much as we love living with our host families, we were ready to live on our own and have a house. We knew that God had the perfect place for us but we just didn't know when He would reveal it to us. 

So last week, we went to look at another house. We tried not to be too excited about seeing it because we didn't want to be disappointed again. We walked to this cute little light maroon house and as we walked in, we fell in love with it! It is more then what we could ever ask for! It met all wants and needs and then some! 

We move in on Sept 1 :)

I feel so blessed to be able to have this house. God has truly blessed us with it! I am so excited to be able to decorate it, start making it my HOME, investing in my neighborhood and having people visit us!

Thank you for your prayers! God answered it in a BIG way and in HIS timing!

Ticolandia

 

Costa Rica also known as Ticolandia by my dad,  is where God has me, this is my new normal, this is my HOME. I have been here for 7 weeks now. That means that it has been 7 weeks since I have seen my family, friends and church family. I have lived, walked, talked and in these streets, in this country. And even though it is my new home, there are some things that I do miss from Fresno. 

I miss my family, Mexican food, my girlfriends, frozen yogurt, Flaming Hot Cheetos and many other things. But that is all apart of the transition process. Letting go of the things that were so common and easy to get and figuring out what my new favorite things to eat or make here is, finding a new community but not forgetting the one that I have in Fresno and trusting that God will continue to build the family that I need here. It has been a process and one that will continue for sometime and that brings me comfort knowing that I dont have to master it all right now.

This last month, I have had the joy of visiting some new places in Costa Rica. I got to go to Jaco, Doka Coffee Plantation, Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls and Manuel Antonio. Here are some pics from those trips :)

 

 

This last two weeks have been such a blessing to me. The Well CR team is here and it has been fun seeing friends :) It has been such a blessing to be able to share with them my heart and passion for missions, not to mention that they get to see what my life is like here in Costa Rica. PLUS they brought some amazing goodies!!!  So life has been busy the last two weeks with them being here but it has been amazing! 

Once they leave, Kenzie and I will start to look for a house and then we start language school. Please keep those two things in prayer, we want a house that is near our friends/co-workers but also safe for us, also that we will retain all that we need to learn in language school. 

Till next time!