Pura Vida Baptist Church

We found an English speaking Baptist church the first week we were here and have gone every Sunday. We are getting to know the pastor and his wife - Bob & Marlene Reed. Bob is a church planter associated with a mission organization. They have been in Canada for the past 16 years and came here only last Jan. The church is small and meets in an open air pavilion at a Tico hotel.

This is Bob as he starts his sermon. The service is typical small church Baptist - song service, pass the collection plate and the sermon.

When we started coming four weeks ago the church didn't have a name beyond "English Speaking Church". Today the bulletin proclaimed it to be the Pura Vida Baptist Church. Pura Vida is a Costa Rican phrase literally translated means Pure Life. They use it like saying "Have a Nice Day" in the states. Very appropriate name for a Costa Rican church.

Kathy went to a ladies prayer meeting at the pastor's home last Wed. She and Marlene were the only ones there so she got to visit with Marlene one-on-one. Marlene told us today that their home was flooded by some failed water valves inside the house. They are renting a beautiful home with a pool. It is strange that homes are very expensive here, but rentals are very inexpensive - no reason to buy when you can rent a nice home with pool, furniture and utilities for about $1000 TO $1200 per month. Anyway, remember Bob and Marlene in your prayers.

We are headed to the Barcelo Hotel at Playa Tambor tomorrow. It is an all inclusive hotel on the Pacific. In the "high season" the deal is $300 per person per day. It includes air conditioned room, all food and free drinks including bar drinks. We'll miss out on the bar drinks - I don't drink at all and Kathy will have a glass of wine occasionally (except when she lets one of Lynne's mararitas sneak up on her.) We are in the "low season" (few tourists) and being old folks our rate is $55 per person per day. I think I might be able to eat that much.

See ya when we return to the Central Valley.