Sebas, the 2 year old here at MonteVerde, excited about the butterfly in his hands. He's precious.

These past two weeks have been full. Two weekends ago, on Sunday, Kenton's dad (whom had been visiting Kenton for a week) was generous enough to agree to meet Krystal and I for a day-trip to the beach. We had it all planned out perfectly: Krystal and I would take the 6am bus to Puntarenas, which would get us to the beach around 9:30, and Kenton and Mr. G would pick us up at the station. From there, we would frolic in the sand and surf until late afternoon, when Mr. G would drive us back up the mountain. What could go wrong, right?

Wrong.

As soon as we got even close to Puntarenas, we realized that Priscilla had really played down the 'little airplane show' that was supposed to be happening that day. It appeared that the entire country and their extended relatives were traveling to Puntarenas to see the airplanes. The closer we got, the slower we moved. There were miles and miles of traffic. The bus had no ventilation because the air was not moving, and there were at least 20 people standing in the aisles without seats. We could hardly breathe, and were moving about 100 ft/30 minutes. It was miserable. 

Eventually, Kenton called me and instructed Krystal and I just to get off the bus and start walking against the flow of traffic. We were all really hoping that Kenton and Mr. Gonzalez were in the same line of cars, and that they weren't too far behind the bus. Krystal and I walked through people offering us rides, beer, cigarettes, and company for about 5 minutes among the grid-locked cars before we FINALLY saw Kenton walking towards us. Needless to say, we left Puntarenas as soon as possible.

So, our plans of going to the beach were thwarted. Nevertheless, we drove to San Jose and tried exotic fruit, delicious typical food at a restaurant called Las Delicias de Maiz (Krystal's first time eating out, my 2nd!), phenomenal ice cream at a chain here called Pops, and had a really good time with Mr. G as he played 'Tour Guide' and pointed out some really neat spots in San Jose. He even drove Krystal and I back up the mountain, so we wouldn't have to get a bus. It was a really amazing day.

This fruit was AMAZING. It was really light, and full of gooey seeds that looked like frog eggs. Super delicious frog eggs.

The next week at school flew by, because it was review week, we didn't have to teach anything new to the students, and we were busy writing tests. Friday came, and Krystal and I got on another 6:30am bus to head to San Jose where Kenton would be waiting for us. He was preaching for the first time that Sabbath, and I had really wanted to be with him for that.

Friday afternoon we spent some time walking around San Jose, Krystal and I both enjoying the prices that were WAY cheaper than everything in MonteVerde. I was in need of some Sabbath Shoes, and found some adorable red heels for 3,000 Colones--which may sound like a lot, but is only $6! It made me a happy girl.

The next day we joined Kenton as he went to a new church and gave his first sermon in Spanish. He did SO GOOD, and everyone loved his message. We were invited to the head elder's house for lunch after church, and spent some time there before heading out to Sociedad de Jovenes, which is basically a youth program. That night, Krystal, Kenton and I ate grilled cheese and pb&j, watched a funny movie, and relaxed.

Sunday, the bus to MonteVerde left at 2:30 from San Jose, so Kenton, Krystal and I woke up, got on the bus from Cartago, and found a mall to hang out at until it was time for us to leave. The taxi driver took us to San Pedro, a big 3 level mall that looked fun to explore.

And explore we did! We laughed and looked around the mall for a few hours before deciding we wanted a snack, and stopping to buy some smoothies. We were sitting down in the food court, drinking our snack, when suddenly I noticed 5 or 6 people start rushing towards the table beside us, where they had left their strollers and things. 

My eyes locked onto the face of a woman who was running to grab her baby, and I have never seen such intense desperation and fear on someone's face before. Time seemed to slow down for that instant, and all I could see was her--terrified.

Time after that seemed to blur together. I had no idea what was suddenly happening. I managed to say, "Kenton!" before grabbing my bag, turning, and sprinting in the direction of everyone else that had been in the food court. Krystal had already gone and was ahead of me.  I started to panic as we ran, and I turned behind and kept calling for Kenton until he caught up and was right behind me. 

"I'm here, I'm here princess, keep going."

Shop owners, seeing this huge herd of terrified people sprinting towards their businesses, frantically closed their doors as we went by. Krystal, who was leading, turned and somehow got separated from the rest, with Kenton and I close behind. She had found an exit down through a parking garage, and we were the only ones in the tunnel, still sprinting down, our adrenaline pumping.

"What's happening!?" I asked, and Krystal said one word: "Shooter."

This was not good. I could only think and say the same words: "Oh God, Oh please, Oh God, Please God."

You see, originally I had thought it was an Earthquake. In my mind, when I had locked on the terrified woman, my brain convinced me that the buildings suddenly seemed to be shaking and that the air was suddenly full of dust.

Kenton had originally thought it was a fire. When I said his name with such panic, his cheek immediately felt hot as if he could feel the flames. 

But here Krystal was confirming that both of our suspicions had been wrong: it was a SHOOTER?!

And we were running, alone, in a tunnel.

"Oh God, Oh Please, Oh God, Please God."

Finally we saw daylight and ran out, still running, always running until we found people. Kenton grabbed my hand and started leading me towards the rest of the people who had fled.

Terrified, we asked the nearest couple what had happened. In Spanish, they reply: "There was a huge gas leak in one of the restaurants, and someone called out that it was going to explode."

An EXPLOSION?! None of us had been correct. However, we were IMMENSELY relieved to find that there was not some psycho with a gun that had been chasing us down the parking garage tunnel. Instead, it was a mere accident; a gas leak that could have happened in any mall at any time.

I was shaking so bad that I could hardly move. I have never in my entire life been so genuinely afraid that I was going to die.

We left the mall and found a Pizza Hut.

And all Kenton could talk about, as Krystal and I raved about how terrifying that had been, was that he had left his smoothie on the table before running out.

So there you have it. A very eventful and impactful moment in my life. I have no idea how I knew to run so quickly after seeing the terrified woman. I don't remember grabbing my bag or pushing the chair away. One second I was startled as men ran to the table beside us, the next I was sprinting along with them down the hallway. 

My only explanation was that God was with us, and His angels kicked me in the booty to get out of there--and fast.

We are all alive and well thanks to God and His protection. I may have some PTSD whenever I drink a smoothie, but other than that, no damage was done.

Until next time.

Pura Vida.(: