The Turrialba Adventist Church / La Iglesia Adventista de Turrialba

I found an Adventist church just one block from the place where I volunteer, so decided to head there for church services this past Sabbath. I wasn't sure when the services started, so waited for the bus at 8:50a (and got on at 9:25; typical) and walked to the church. The doors were open when I arrived, and some sorts of announcements were being made. I was greeted by multiple church members with "Dios le bendiga" and the cheek kiss I'm almost getting used to, then took a seat in the back pew. A woman asked me to sign the guestbook, and I felt a little bit proud that I could understand her request. Ha.

Sabbath School was about the Sabbath (I'm pretty sure), and church started with an introduction of the visitors. I was very thankful that other visitors were introduced first, because I probably wouldn't have known when to wave at everyone, or understood why they were waving at me. Not that they can't tell I'm from out of town...

I struggled through the church service, barely keeping up with looking up the scripture texts in my English Bible and determining that the sermon was about God as our best friend (I'm telling you, these revelations and small understandings in Spanish are major wins in my book). After church concluded, a woman asked "¿Le gustaría comer en mi casa?" - would you like to eat at my house? I happily obliged, and was subsequently asked by two others if I would like to eat with them. I managed to stammer that someone had already asked, and they both responded by asking whodunit. I felt like I was turning the woman in for a crime. :) I agreed to lunch with one of the other women next week when I return, and she seemed appeased.

I walked with the woman (Alicia) and her husband, daughter, sister, and niece for about 20 minutes in the sun until we reached their home. I met the two dogs, Tomi and Dori, and sat in the living room while they prepared lunch. One of the muchachos at the house introduced himself as Kaleb, and noted that he spoke some English. Between Kaleb's broken English and the phrases written in a notebook by Oscar, another muchacho, I was able to communicate with my newfound friends. We listened to Steve Green (who knew he sang in Spanish? Not me) and ate rice and beans, plantains with onions and lemon juice, a pasta salad, and a cabbage and tomato salad with lemon juice. It was very good. :) I listened to the conversation for a couple more hours, and answered questions as best as I could, then went on my way, with Kaleb and Sami accompanying me to the bus station.

That was about all I could accomplish that Sabbath. My brain was dead. Haha. Here's to more practice!