Christmas 2022

Greeting from Pam! Steve asked me to write this year’s Christmas blog. Where has the time gone? We have now been living in Costa Rica for just shy of a year and a half.  2022 has been a year of learnings and blessings (“God hugs”).  We hope your Christmas Season is blessed and that you take the time to thank God for all he has done for you. 

 I’d like to share our “God hugs” from 2022 so you can see the many answers to our prayers as we give God the glory for the things he has done.

 1.      Lucho and Gaby walked into English Christian Fellowship in February after seeing a billboard.  A few weeks later, Lucho became our Worship Pastor. What a blessing he has been to ECF and to us personally!  Lucho’s story is full of redemption.  A few months later, Gaby became ECF’s treasurer.  Her experience in business has been invaluable. 

 2.     We had six billboards along the area’s main freeway the first half of 2022.   Those billboards attracted scores of new guests to ECF from throughout the Central Valley.

 3.     We began ECF’s relaunch at the Aloft Hotel. It provided a right-sized place to meet while the church was still fledgling. ECF grew in the Aloft from 30 people then to 50 and then to 70. 

 4.     Once we outgrew the Aloft, we moved to the Hilton Garden Inn. This larger venue gave us more room to grow and attendance now averages 90+. The Hilton also has ample space for our thriving post-service fellowship time. This fellowship time has become a weekly highlight.

 5.     The Lord also provided resources to buy the additional equipment that was needed for services in the Hilton Garden Inn.

 6.     Ministry leaders stepped up to lead our growing Greeting Team, Children’s Ministry Team, Prayer Team, and Mission’s team.

 7.     Out first two Rooted discipleship groups met from April – June. Two more groups met from October - December. These have been awesome.

 8.     ECF has a growing presence on Facebook, Instagram and Google attracting Costa Rican young adults that want to practice English who are looking for healthy friendships. 

 On A More Personal Note…

9.     In May we moved out of our rented house and bought a home in a centralized and safe neighborhood.

 10.  We have found great doctors and great medical care in Costa Rica.

 11.   We had Nicole and Travis and Terry and Becky visit from the States.

 12.  Pam’s three sisters spent a week in Costa Rica with constant talking and laughing.

 13.  In June, our Bond Family Vacation was a blast in Big Bear, California.

 14.  Steve climbed Chiripo (the highest peak in Costa Rica) with friends from Summit and swam two open water swims in the Pacific Ocean. 

 15.  Steve’s 50th High School Reunion was a huge success and there are plans afoot for another reunion in 5 years.

 16.  We had fun-trips to Monte Verde and Volcan Arenal in Fortuna. Both areas are among Costa Rica’s top tourist attractions.  

 17.  We led a group of 24 to Israel.  It was a blessing to tour the Holy Land with friends from Sparks. We are planning another trip to Israel in early December 2023.  

 18.  We updated our “new-to-us” house and remodeled the kitchen.

 19.  We’ve seen our kids and grandchildren several times this year and stayed in each of their homes. 

 20. Pam spent time with Tommy in Portland, Oregon for his 37th birthday. 

 If you want to continue reading, here are some learnings from 2022…

1.      Cane Toads are the largest toads in the world and extremely poisonous.  In our new house, they come out at night during the rainy season.  So, during the rainy season, we take Millie out at night on a leash. 

 2.     Things take longer in Costa Rica.  Everything.  Plan on extra time to get to appointments. 

 3.     The World Cup is a BIG DEAL.

 4.     Costa Rican Spanish has MANY different words from Chilean Spanish.

 5.     Recipes may take 2-3 times before they come out right.

 6.     Geckos can be ANYWHERE in your house….be sure to check your underwear before you put them on.

 7.     There is nothing that is impossible for God to do! He is truly a God of miracles.

 8.     God brings us who and what we need in his perfect sovereign time.

 9.     Sloths are still the most adorable creatures God has made (with the exception of our little Millie!)