Rice and Beans of Life: Roberto's Taxi

Roberto ... If Wednesday's adventure had gone according to our plans, we would never have met Roberto. As we squished into Roberto's Taxi, I let out an exasperated sigh and said, "Gracias a Dios, casi estamose en la casa!" (Thank God we are almost home!") These simple words allowed God's Spirit to move in that moment and Roberto asked, "Are you a Christian?" ... The 20 minute ride home was life giving, rewarding, blessed and the perfect ending to the crazy adventure we found ourselves on that day! God's Spirit prompted me to remember one simple line from last Sunday's sermon that seemed to be just what Roberto needed to hear ... "When the shepherds were in the field watching their sheep, they were 'just' shepherds. However, when they came to see Jesus, their hearts were changed! (Come close to Jesus and your heart will be changed!) The shepherds went away proclaiming and telling people the good news." As I shared this, Roberto changed the radio to Christian music and started confessing that he has walked away from God and knows he needs to return to Him. He feels like God is calling him to come back and his heart will be changed ... he likened himself to the prodigal son. Our day went nothing as planned, but I wouldn't change this ending for the world! His timing, perfect ... His love, unending ... His plans, higher then ours!

Here's the crew ... warm, dry waiting for the bus!

We have been blessed this week with the company of Pablo, Jessica, Ellie (16) and Judith (9), our neighbors and VidaNet staff. We've enjoyed meals together, afternoon coffee, a family movie night, chatting around the 'barber chair,' laughing and crying, sharing our hearts, communicating in Spanish and English and a day of adventure visiting ... Volcano Poas!

This is where she stopped!

The Van
The day started sunny, bright and full of anticipation to visit the Volcano, Poas. Twelve of us loaded into our Van around 9:20 a.m. armed with one umbrella, 7 bananas, 6 water bottles, one pack of gum, a travel mug of coffee and multiple cell phones. As we wound around hairpin curves through the beautiful Costa Rican country side, our Van fearlessly carried us higher and higher. The air became cooler, the clouds thicker, the rain heavier and the gentle breeze ... started gusting. At some point Pablo pounded on the dash because the gauges had stopped working ... soon enough the wind shield wipers decided to take a break as well. We arrived safely at the entrance of the Park (without gauges or wipers) and decided not to pay the entrance fee since the rain would prevent us from seeing anything spectacular. We sat for a bit to let the Van rest then started the decent to a warmer, dryer place. Approximately 2 kilometers from the top, our trusty Van Bertha, decided she had had enough and shut down!

Three hours later ... yup, that's what I said ... 3 hours later, a flatbed tow truck came to our rescue! Those precious 3 hours were spent sharing our bananas, talking, laughing, telling stories, wondering when and how we were going to get home, listening to music and a short movie to entertain the kids. We kept thanking God the Van was dry and warm because outside, was not!

The Tow Truck
It was like a beacon in the night, this bright yellow truck came through the wind and rain, giving us hope and making the dream of Pizza for supper a reality! The driver kindly agreed to take us to the nearest town so we could take the next leg of our journey by Bus. How did he take us to the next town? ... Why, in the Van of course. He loaded our Van on the flatbed with us inside, sitting high above the road feeling like we were on a roller coaster! For the next half hour we wound down and around the hairpin turns of the Mountain thanking God for His angels!

The Bus
Four hours and three bus rides later ... yup, that's what I said ... 4 hours and 3 bus rides later, we arrived in Heredia. What should have been approximately one hour from where the Van left us sit and still 20 minutes from home. The buses were full and the streets crowded, so ... we chose the next transportation option ... Taxi.

And thus, we have come full circle to Roberto's Taxi. By 8:30 pm, we were all sitting around Pablo and Jessica's table, warm, dry, tired and enjoying 3 extra large cheese pizzas, recounting the adventure of the day! The multitude of stories that happened this day will be forever hidden in our hearts ... I trust these pictures will warm your heart as you reflect on God's perfect plan for each of our lives ... Draw near to HIM and your heart will be changed!

Praises
We have a new, permanent base! Can hardly believe it, but God knows just what we need!
I haven't had to grocery shop yet ... Margot insists we need to help them eat all the left overs : )
American snacks for Christmas gifts
We purchased a good used stove and refrigerator and 5 new mattresses that feel almost like home
Margot and her fuzzy red robe, just like my Mama!
Brothers who love to invent and create together ... they still fight like brothers too
Warm blankets for cool nights
Sweet neighbors to share life with
19 young disciples who have a heart to follow God to the ends of the earth
Health and peaceful nights of sleep

Prayer
Businesses to partner with VidaNet for 5 years to fund the new base
Reliable Vans for the base
Safe travel for the students coming back
Unity in the 4 Vida220 teams going on outreach
Friends for the boys
Language acquisition

**Please send us your prayer requests, we want to pray for you!**