Los Específicos

"I'm spending nine months in Costa Rica!"
"Oh! What will you be doing there?"
"Well . . . It's a Spanish, bible and missions program . . ."

That's about the extent of my explanation when I get this question. So I figured I would post what I'll really be doing (with some real information).

So… We will be placed in a local ministry when we arrive, and I will go there weekly (I think). I have no idea what I am doing specifically, but I'll be sure to let everyone know when I get there. They will also test us on Spanish to see which level we should start learning from. You don't have to know Spanish to go, but hopefully I know enough already that I will leave fluent!

Here is their description from the website:
GAP Year features: Classes in Spanish, theology, evangelism, and missions
• Ministry in Local Churches **(same church each week)**
• Immersion in the Hispanic Culture **(monthly home stays!)**
• Weekly Mentorship
• Discipleship/Small Groups
• Missions Trip to a Neighboring Country (Panama, Nicaragua)

"Where will you be staying?"

I'll be in San Jose, Costa Rica. It's the capitol city. The organization I'm working through has housing (yes, it's very safe) for the 30-ish other students. It's like a VERY small 35-student college campus: we eat, sleep, and take classes on the same grounds. Overall, the country is pretty wealthy and Americanized compared to other Latin American countries; eco-tourism is HUGE. But that doesn't mean it's problem-free. Domestic violence is common. Substance abuse is rampant. Homelessness is an issue. Human-trafficking is growing. I sometimes hesitate to tell people I'm going to Costa Rica because I know the reaction will be along the lines of "Wow! How nice!" or "That sounds like like a fun vacation!"

I don't want to elaborate on this too much, so long story short: I take it offensively when I hear these reactions because this isn't vacation. I don't want anyone to think I'm taking a year before college to go on vacation. God gave me a passion for Spanish and service. Going to college to study how to care for people and speak their language isn't the same as physically doing it, so I'm trying it short-term before I study it long-term. Soapbox: done.

"Can we communicate with you?"

Yes! I have Skype, Viber and What'sApp so call me, beep me if you wanna reach me. And obviously, you have found my blog! I'll try to update it a lot. Monday is the day off, meaning we don't have classes (I'm not sure what their definition of "off" is, but I'm assuming that's when I'll be doing most of my replying and blogging). I may or may not have normal cellphone capabilities, but I will have my computer. I also have Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

"What will you do when you get back?"

Um… I'll let you know when I know.



If you have any questions, feel free to comment and ask!