Jumping off the high dive!

While at Mission Training International in August we learned that the life of a missionary is often full of paradoxical experiences. It any given situation there are positive aspects or emotions "yahs" and negative aspects or emotions "yucks". And this time of saying goodbye and heading to language school is a perfect example of this principle.

"Yahs" - Positive Things
* I am so excited to start language school. I am ready to get started learning the language. * This has been such a long time dream for me. I am so ready to begin.
* I have several friends in Costa Rica in language school.

"Yucks" - Negative Things
* Saying goodbye to family and friends is hard
* Heading to the unknown is scary and... unknown :)

The best example that I can come up with about how I feel right now:

Imagine that you are finally old enough or tall enough to jump off the high dive at the swimming pool. You have been dreaming of this for years. You know that this is what you have been waiting for and that it is going to be the most exciting thing that has ever happened to you. Then... you climb to the top and look over the edge. Wow, the high dive is really high. I mean much higher than you thought it would be. Your still excited to jump, I mean you have been wanting to do this for years. But, now you are getting a little scared. This high dive is so high that it will hurt if you jump and land in the water wrong. But, you have been dreaming of this for so long there is no backing out now (nor do you really want to, no matter how scary it might be)

This is where I am at right now. I thank God for this felling because I know this is just means I will have to depend upon Him.

So I guess all that's left to say is "Ready. Set. Jump!!" (well, on October 9)

26 Days before October 9

It's official. I leave for language school on October 9. I am actually at 93% of my support goals, but HCJB Global has given me permission to go ahead to language school. I am believing that the rest of my funds will come in as I follow God's leading and start language school. ( I still need $193 a month to be considered fully funded.)

Language school classes actually start on October 22, but I am going 2 weeks early to go ahead and get situated and acclimated with the city. I will be living with a Costa Rica family. I will have my own room and bathroom and most likely internet. However, if the family does not have internet, there are plenty of internet cafes around that are not too expensive.

I will have classes Monday - Friday and I will also be finding a tutor so that I will have extra help. I want to learn Spanish well so that I can interact with people in town and be able to minister in situations that would require me to speak Spanish.

I am truly excited about getting started on this journey. If you missed it from the title of this blog... I LEAVE IN 26 DAYS!!!!


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Costa Rica - Here I Come!

The title of this blog might have confused you. You are probably thinking something like "I thought Jennifer said that she was going to Ecuador to be a missionary. What is this about Costa Rica?" Don't worry. I am still going to Ecuador to teach at the Nate Saint Memorial School. However, first I am going to Costa Rica to language school.

I have been given permission to go to language school in October as long as I get another $115 in monthly commitements. This means that if 4 more people commit to giving just $28 a month I will be able to get on a plane headed for langauge school in Costa Rica!

I am so excited about getting to Costa Rica. I have met 3 American families that are in school there right now. So I already know some people that can help me get situated.

I will be in language school until April 12 and then I will be headed to Ecuador to begin teaching! In Costa Rica, I will be living with a host family that does not speak English. (Although this seems scary, it will also help me learn the Spanish faster.)

I would love for hear from you while I am in Costa Rica and Ecuador. The best way to contact me is by email at jkendrick@hcjb.org. This blog will be a great place for you to keep up with what I am doing. I will also be sending out email updates. To be put on the email list, send a email to me at jkendrick@hcjb.org or post a comment here with your email and I will add you to list.