So today was my first day in a foreign country. I wrote last night about the apprehensiveness that consumed me while I waited for the trip to happen, and today provided no relief at all. Today was probably the most uncomfortable I have felt since I was 11 when I went to the Georgia Tech basketball camp…the potential and looming homesickness and uncomfortability of being away from home just did not sit right with me. The entire ride to the airport I felt sick to my stomach, continually asking my parents to play some music or have conversation just to ease my nerves. Getting to the airport, I kept asking myself, "What in the world am I about to get into?" I was scared…no gettin around it. The same fears I mentioned last time were just magnified ten fold this morning.

The Lord decided to bring a situation my way, though, that allowed for me to feel more comfortable. I knew no one going into this journey. But as I was about to go through security and leave my parents, I saw Haley, a girl I recognized from the group I am with. She had tears in her eyes and was obviously more distraught than I was. While I had the love and confidence of my parents, though, she had no one with her. She had just said goodbye to her boyfriend and her parents and was by herself in Hartsfield Airport…quite intimidating. Thankfully, seeing her allowed me the chance to ease my nerves somewhat. We walked through the rest of the process together, up to seating on the plane. I still felt sick about what was ahead, but it was getting easier.

Then there was the flight…sweet mercy.

So I’m not exactly anti-airplanes, but I am no where near the saavy vet that is comfortable with them. I felt sick the entire flight, with the exception of 30 minutes or so where I actually did fall asleep. Wow was I surprised when I woke up. And being a big guy, there’s not much leg room, so the knees were rubbing against the freakin seat in front of me for 4 hours. It was zero fun, sir. During the landing I felt nautious, while we went through customs I felt scared, but once we all were together and on the bus ride to our hotel, I began to feel a sense of excitement for the first time. BAM! Turning point in the story…(I hope!)

So today in San Jose, Costa Rica was different than anything I have experienced in my life. Getting to our hotel, we got settled for a minute, and then quickly went out to explore the city. San Jose is sooo different from anything back home. On the bus ride over I noticed that the entire city was probably outside. While the temperature was perfect at 78degrees, it was still wierd to see city parks absolutely full. But as we went places in the city, I next noticed how dirty this place is, haha. It is very nice and beautiful because of the wilderness that surrounds the city, but this city is just straight raw…trash in lots of places, not very well kept up. But I guess thats what to expect from the only even somewhat industrial city in an emerging economic country. But the most overwhelming feeling was the reality that I am lost in translation in San Jose…no seriously, I am Bill Murray minus the balding hair, Japan, and the oh so gorgeous Scarlett Johanssen to hang out with. It’s so wierd being on the other side of things…I can’ figure out how to tell people what I want to order or how to change my american money without feeling completely stupid. So while I’m lost inside this foreign city, the Lord once gaain decided to throw an opportunity my way that helped even more in allowing me to feel comfortable with where I am. After lunch at a hole-in-the-wall pizza place, we heard about a soccer match going on. Turns out the Costa Rican National Soccer Team was playing an exhibition against Sweden’s National Team about 2 miles away. Five of us decided to spend our afternoon checking out this endeavour, and needless to say, it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. While I’m not the biggest soccer fan (I dribble with my hands…) I can sometimes enjoy watching the World Cup. My close friend Nate is a soccer freak, so I always hear about it from him, but never get too involved. But this match was like nothing else. The fans were so passionate, and it was their hero’s and team’s best player’s last game with the National team.

Without having any idea what to expect, I’m slowly learning (just thru day 1) that the Lord is going to use this situation to mold me into the man He wants me to be. I never thought I would have these opportunities, and to think I was sooo close to just saying, "Screw it, I’m staying home and comfortable." I’m still nervous, and still have no idea what to think, but I’m getting excited about it all. I’m ready to settle into things, mos def. And also ready to get to know the people with me in the program. So while I step into another day of unknown, as we travel to a Costa Rican National Volcano Park Area Place (formal, right?), I am going to try to sleep with the assurance that He’s got me, and therefore, everything is alright. I ask for your prayers still. And tomorrow brings a new day full of "lost" moments in the culture of Costa Rica. And I’m……excitedely ready?

We’ll see…stay strong. love.

-M@

 

–And by the way, my sister is my best friend. I love her and am so thankful for her. The post (rebeccamoon.blogsome.com) she wrote about me today is the most endearing thing anyone has said to me outside of my parents. I love you Becca…