Pools
Kind friends, Jonix and April Abarca, invited us to their place in San Isidro de Heredia to go swimming. There had been many lovely, sunny days in the last week, but this wasn’t exactly one of them.
It was windy and overcast. But we went anyway because the kids were pining for a swim.
Upon arriving, our hosts wisely declared they would NOT be getting in, but Dave (being the good dad that he is) got himself sun-screened up and jumped in.
God help me. Under the icy water, his mind flooded with questions of “Is this water even safe to be in?!” (Likely matched the temperature of Ms. Robin’s pool in June, but…)
One by one, the kids either refused to get in or got out as quickly as they got in. Dave stayed in to prove his manliness.
Meanwhile, Heather figured that Huxley would enjoy at least trying it, so she proceeded to lovingly throw him in next to Dave. Turns out his grip on her hand was just enough to throw her off balance…and into the pool she went, her fleece thirstily soaking in the cold water.
Dave laughed as hard as you are or harder. Ah, good for the soul.
On Sunday, someone else invited us to their pool. We’ll see how that one goes for us.
You may wonder two things: 1. How can you possibly go swimming outside in February and March? And 2. If Costa Rica is a tropical country, how can the water be cold?
Those are fair questions!
First, the temperature in the mountains where we live has a range of about 20 degrees all year - quite different from the 100-degree range we were used to in Pennsylvania. It is between 55º and 75º all year. The only change in season is between the RAINY and dry. Add to that a killer wind right about now. The best way to describe it is that it’s like September (with three hours of May midday) all year long.
Second, it’s all about elevation. We live at 5,600 feet above sea level. If you drive down the mountain for 10 minutes, the temperature goes up 5º to 10º. The weather here is so localized that there is no real weather forecast. None of the local news websites have a “weather” section. The news broadcasts do not have a weather forecast as part of their shows.
Here’s a funny meme that describes it perfectly:
Translation:
8 AM It’s going to rain
9 AM Probably not
10 AM Actually, yes
11 AM To be honest, I don’t know
12 PM Ok, so some places it will, others it won’t. Case closed!
These two swimming invitations are but the tip of the iceberg of opportunities coming our way. God’s favor is evident, and 2020’s isolation and silent waiting suddenly seem distant. Please pray for discernment as we choose where to prioritize.
Much love,
Dave, Heather, Aspen, Clementine, Louis, Juliana, Huxley, and Capsian Helmuth
ps. We have a NEW mailing address and we love it when we find letters in it! It is:
Apartado 171-3015
San Rafael de Heredia
Costa Rica 40501
You can support us financially by check or PayPal. If using PayPal, there are no fees if you use a bank account to give, rather than a card.
You can send checks to:
Ad Lib Music
679 Hilldale Road
Holtwood, PA 17532
(ps. we are no longer receiving donations through our home church, ACTS. We're working on making other arrangements for those who desire to give tax-deductible gifts through a separate organization)
Fun at the National Children's Museum
Love,
Dave, Heather, Aspen, Clementine, Louis, Juliana, Huxley, and Caspian
