Tico Time

There's something here in Costa Rica that gringos (not always affectionately) refer to as "tico time"....that basically means that Costa Ricans, who proudly refer to themselves as "Ticos", walk to the beat of their own private drummer.  They view appointments and set times as a hopeful goal, but by no means a definite commitment.  It is the Costa Rican version of "fashionably late", but I assure you that fashion has absolutely nothing to do with it.  (Fashion is an extremely rare commodity in third world mentality, at least no fashion you've ever seen).  A minimum of an hour late is pretty much expected and very well tolerated.  Since I've had nine years to ponder Tico Time, I've decided that it has several basic underlying reasons.  First of all the majority of Costa Ricans do not have a car, which means that they are completely dependent on public transportation, or their feet, and propicious weather.  So there is a centuries long tradition of not worrying too much if you can't make it.  And if you do make it, WOW!!!  That's great!  Who cares if you are an hour late or more?? Just getting there is a HUGE accomplishment!  Bus schedules can change at a drop of a hat, buses break down, torrential downpours can come out of nowhere, and there are always the unexpected visitors, that in no way shape or form can be told that you have an appointment or previous engagement.  They must be attended to!  Thus, Tico Time is the norm in Costa Rica.  If you can't make it, no big deal...everyone understands.  TRANQUILO!!!  This was acutally a huge relief for me at first after living in a rat-race gringo culture where everything has to be done yesterday.  With further exposure and mucho more time in the country, it can be trying to the gringo psyche...but you learn to just go with it.  And if you can't beat 'em (which you most certainly can't)...join 'em!!!


My friend's daughter with her chiguagua



Elizabeth

 I have a new student.  She has been studying the Bible for several months in nearby Ciudad Quesada, but recently moved to our area.  Her former study conductor came two weeks ago to help me find her and introduce us.  However, it turned out to be more than we had bargained for!  I don't think I've ever been to a more isolated house in our territory.  We entered a huge cattle farm, passed all the homes and buildings and she said, "it's not far, keep going", so we kept going.  We went down a totally desolate and horrible road for about 20 minutes, and she said, "keep going" by way of text message.  We came to the end of the huge cattle farm, and had to open a gate that was surrounded by more cattle on the next farm.  She said "keep going", i'm not far.  So maybe 15 minutes later with slow sledding, we finally arrived to her extremely humble home.  Her "marido" which is the politically correct term in Costa Rica for "live-in boyfriend" works at a dairy that is literally "where the sidewalk ends", I felt like the earth's crust was at its furthest limit and we were going to fall off into nothingness!  It took us an hour on a horrible road with absolutely NO OTHER houses to find her!  Elizabeth is very desirous of continuing her study and had already gone to a meeting in her previous city.  But I was wondering how to take care of this very isolated precious sheep!  I happened to notice that she lived right next to a river, and wondered if there was a bridge to cross over and avoid the hour-long trek.  She informed us that NO there is no bridge, but I started to look closely at the other side of the river, and realized that the dairy farm and houses were actually only about 5 miles or so from my house as the crow flies!  We had weaved around so much that I had no idea where we were, but really we were not far at all!  So after some negotiating, we came to an arrangement.  Elizabeth will cross the river in a tiny paddle boat to the other side, walk out to the main highway with her little 2 year old, and I will pick her up, take her to my house for the study, and then bring her back to the farm entrance near the highway!  I was so relieved that Elizabeth was willing to also put forth her own effort to be able to continue her Bible study.  She says that it really scares her to cross the river, but so far she has done it one time!  The following are some pictures of her, the river, and the dairy farm near where she lives.  I'll keep you posted on her progress.



Elizabeth and Isis




If you zoom in you can see the dairy farm and wooden shack where she lives on the other side of the river, there's a little boat too

  



piglet wants to see who came to visit




a pen of newborn calves









a peacock perched as I wait for Elizabeth to arrive





what a tail!



The Muelle Congregation

Congregación Muelle (Con-gray-gah-see-on Mway-yay) as we say it here. My parents took this little video of me setting up our "auditorium" before a meeting.  We meet on Gloria Elena's back porch. Each meeting we have to sweep up the leaves and debris, set up chairs, podium, and until recently the sound.  We now have a permanently installed sound center that has really helped.  But our meeting is really out of doors, with hummingbirds flying around by day, and sometimes bats by night! 

Gloria Elena was the only witness in Muelle for 12 years!  But she would go out "predicando" (preaching) by herself, and conduct studies, even though she had never been to a Service Meeting!  Many of the students that come to our meetings are there because of her!  The whole town knows "Doña Gloria" for being a brave Witness.  She rides up and down the streets on her bicycle in her skirt, complete with reflective vest and protective head gear.  She is now a regular auxiliary pioneer, and even though her husband Gonzalo is not a witness, he has kindly allowed us to meet in their home.  He used to be opposed to the witnesses, but has been softening over the years, and is now attending both meetings every week and giving comments.  We hope one day soon he decides to have a personal Bible study.  I'll keep you posted on his progress. 



My dad with Gonzalo & Gloria Elena on their farm


We have had around 18 publishers more or less since Muelle began as a group almost two years ago.  However, after the recent Circuit Overseer's visit, about 10 more have been reassigned to our congregation from a neighboring town.  They were travelling to a congregation 30 minutes north of us, and it is going to be a huge support for us, and benefits for them financially because of a better bus schedule.  This means that we are extremely close to the 30 publishers that are needed to build a Kingdom Hall.  I think our Kingdom Hall construction project is going to shift into overdrive now.  We are praying to find a suitable piece of property at the right price.  Exciting times!



Cacao tree behind Year Text


Hasta pronto!
Aimee