Pura Vida Misional: June workshops and more!

Alexa of La Loma Ward has a small business making and selling Pastries

Stephannia from Viscaya Ward took the Workshop and two weeks later
had a check to Enroll in cosmetology school. But she work really hard to do it so quickly.

Bismark came home from Nicaragua (for 4 days) to meet Melanie's parents
and Skpe with her and Jeff 13 years after their baptism in Aserri

Brother Josue Montero and his wife are a PEF (fund) success story from Tres Rios Ward where we spoke on 6/15.
Today he has a very successful business and drives a BMW

Fathers Day 2014 Sister Petersen made Elder Petersen her famous Spaghetti

and then we took a walk to La Sabana Parque and walked home in the rain.

This is Sister Brooklie Garner from Mesa, AZ on the left with her companions.
She ist the Mission nurse and Mike Garner's niece. She has 2 companions because we have more sister missionaries than
safe places to serve. Plus she spends a lot of time working with missionaries health issues and now with Sister Petersen
who fields the calls from the English speaking missionaries. This is view from top of our Apartment
building last Monday morning when they came in to have breakfast with us on their Pday!
Petersen pancakes, bacon and eggs!!!

Monday we hosted most of the other senior couple missionaries for FHE and BBQ
chicken.

Pizza celebration for completing the TPE Workshop in Paraiso on 6/19. We traveled sometimes
2 hours to complete the 45 km trip once a week for 4 weeks but made some forever friends where Melanie
also served years ago..

Like Sister Petersen's new BFF, 5 year old, Jimena

On 6/20 we traveled 4 hours to Liberia Guanacaste to meet with the District Presidency
and help them plan to open a local Centro de Autosuficiencia. There is hope to organize into a stake by year's end.
President Erik Espinosa is 2nd from right surrounded by his Counselors and the High Councilor in charge of Autosuficiencia Jose Mora. I was really impressed. The priesthood here is really growing strong with returned missionaries starting to take
their place in leadership positions.

Friday 6/20 was a big deal here. A day to always remember they say! First time in 24 years and only second in history that
Costa Rica will go to the second round of World Cup Soccer tournament in Brazil wining Italia 1-0
The people took to the streets to celebrate. In front of our Apartment there were 1000+ celebrants

The Riveras on left (their baby) and Soto's on right for breakfast at El Sitio in Liberia.
Rodrigo Rivera is the Country manager for Self Reliance and Employment and Rodrigo Soto is the Country PR Director and
was counselor to Pte Claybough when Mel and Jeff was here. Mauritza de Soto on far right
works with us in Autosuficiencia

Hno Soto just took new job as Director of the Zoo (Africa Safari) in
Liberia when we got the VIP tour.

At the safari is one of the prettiest waterfalls I've ever seen!

Ryan...This gentlemen wore his baseball hat to sacrament meeting. Oh and our next door neighbor here at Apartment played 5 years in the Pittsburg Pirate Organization (James L. Boone)

Celebrating at La Loma workshop graduation. Frazier on right served mission to Salta Argentina
In middle is Bishop Quesada of La Loma Ward. Speaks great English too.

These are the graduates of the Workshop in La Loma. We really grew to love them.
"Barrrio tan amable que le di mi Corazon"

Cristina Maroto and her daughter Jimena with Bishop Saalveda. She was the one they kept after us for
the workshop. Been a member 5 months or so and after a hard life has found the Gospel and hope.