We returned to Costa Rica a little over three weeks ago after having been blessed with an extraordinarily great sabbatical. Even though we did not accomplish all our sabbatical goals, we certainly accomplished the ones that were "musts" for us (re-energize, re-focus, and establish a sustainable "rhythm of life") that will help us do ministry and life in a more balanced way.
What did we learn while on sabbatical? Well, much more than we would be able to put in this blog, but certainly one of the main areas to which we gave focus was understanding how to balance our responsibilities with other needs such as rest, renewal, and similar priorities that have not been priorities. So, during these first three weeks back, we've been sensitive to what a good balance should be. We may not be there yet, but we do sense that we have been able to do better in this area. That has been good.
So, in the spirit of taking some meaningful time off, about two weeks ago, Dr. Enrique Fernandez and I took advantage of a national holiday and drove into the Costa Rican cloud forest, and with the help of a guide (whom we met "by chance") were able to walk into the mountainous area and take pictures of the elusive Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. Dr. Fernandez (Quique), himself a Guatemalan, commented that he had never seen a Quetzal in his own country. It truly is a beautiful bird.
