Costa Rica and Home

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written. I could say that my computer was broken for a month, and I went home for two weeks and I am extremely busy right now, and they would all be true but lame excuses. So despite working on my computer all day I thought I would just go for it and let you know how I am and where I am.

Well, I’m in Kona, Hawaii again. I am continuing to working with the photogenX ministry, specifically with the around the world track and in the office. So I’ll back up a little and catch you up to speed, oh and of course add some more photos. I left off leaving Morocco and touching down in San Jose, Costa Rica. To get a visual, think about where Mexico is and South America, Costa Rica is in between.

Our reason for being in Costa Rica was primarily study. We had the chance to look at Central American world view and the worlds impact on it’s people. Central America is a very diverse people and mix of history and religion. Not only are there the obvious Indigenous peoples and Spanish colonization, but there are also other European nations and Islam mixed in. I was surprised to hear about Islam’s influence in Central America but the more I learned and observed the more I understood.

Along with our studies came opportunities to serve the base and serve the community around us. The last week in Costa Rica was designed specifically to focus outwards in an area of your choice, well God’s choice. Some teams went to Panama, some to Cuba and others stayed in the area. After praying for a couple weeks I still did not have an area laid on my heart and God showed me that I should spend time with my leaders who were coming to visit after many months. It was a wonderful time to bond with them after so long, speak about the future and reflect on the past year of staffing a school. I also got to do some photography with Susi again in a slum area as well as at a day care centre. Although it wasn’t a very "deep" time, sometimes it just awesome being out there amongst the people, taking photos, hanging with friends and being creative with God in your work.

At the end of the week the teams came back and we had a time of debrief, not only for the past weeks adventure but also for the school. It was great to spend time processing what we had seen, experienced and learned from the past year of travel, study and outreach. Like I haven’t done it a million times before, I once again packed my bags at the end of the week and headed for home…real home.

Canada was such a blessing. Every time I go home I thank God for what a wonderful, beautiful and peaceful nation I live in. However we could be passionate about something other than hockey and maple syrup for a change. I don’t want to go into detail about my time at home but I want to say it was great! I was able to visit many friends and family members, my home church and camping night, spend some great time with my immediate family and even have a BBQ for one hundred people. Thanks to Dad and Mom and everyone else who helped bring the event together. And yes that does include those who brought pie and beer. The apple rhubarb was especially tasty! During the two weeks I even had time to fly out to Prince Edward Island (PEI for Canadians) and visit some good friends. Thanks Bill and Rinda for housing me and digging clams with me!

All in all it was a refreshing time for me. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to work on photos but wait….I finally have a website up and running. And yes photos are for sale, but I have to get that part of the website operating still. I have most of my travel section up and in the next couple weeks should have some of Canada, PEI and of course Hawaii. Go to www.aaronharcourt.com to check it out!

So I am here in Kona, Hawaii again. Each day I hope that this awful vog will clear. For those who haven’t heard there is a large plume in the south part of the island that creates a fog looking stuff (vog = volcanic fog) which dims the sun, kills plants and isn’t that great for breathing either. Anyways, I am staffing the school still and the making of our publication is slowly coming together! I am stoked to see what comes out over the next couple months and be sure I will keep you posted. For another impacting project that our ministry is taking part of and some may have see the booklet called, Hakani when I was home. Check out www.hakani.org. This is serious stuff that’s happening!

Well I want to leave you with some prayer requests.

1) Finances
2) Continued growth in my relationship with the Lord
3) Direction for this January
4) Further healing in my life
5) Growth as a leader
6) Ways that I can get involved within our community

Thank you everyone for your continued interest, prayer and financial help for the last couple years. You are all a blessing to my heart and would love to hear from you anytime. kiwana5@gmail.com

Donations:

Cheques/Cash:

Aaron Harcourt
156 Victoria St. W.
Alliston, ON.
L9R 1L7
Canada

Peace,

Aaron Harcourt

Morocco

PLEASE DO NOT COPY/PASTE/SAVE PHOTOGRAPHS! THEY ARE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT BUT NOT TO KEEP. THANKS, AARON

Aaron, Anna, John