Quakers in Costa Rica
The community of Monteverde CR was founded by American Quakers in the 1950s. As they sought refuge from the WWII draft, Costa Rica was inviting because it had abolished its military in 1949. Today, the Quaker community is still going strong even though Monteverde has evolved into a tourist town.
We stayed with a couple we met through house sitting, and learned a lot about their community and faith. We even attended the meeting on Easter Sunday with them. A Quaker meeting (church service) is a time of quiet personal and group contemplation. There is no pastor, but if anyone has something to say, an encouragement, or a scripture to share, they stand up and speak. It was different than what I am used to, and I enjoyed the chance to experience their church culture.
They are building a new meeting house made from hand-hewn timber and pegs. Every piece of wood, every beam, support, and joint is cut and planed by hand. It is super impressive.
Monteverde has a lot going for it, and we are thinking about coming back up here when our housesitting time is up. The strong sense of community is great, but did I mention there is a cheese factory? And it's right in the cloud forest. I don't know what the rainy season would be like but even in the "dry season" the weather is a strange combination of cloudy, sunny, misty, rainy, and windy. You can stand outside in the sun, and the cloud mist will get you wet. The cloud that you are standing in. It's weird. The cloud forest itself is amazing and deserves its own post. So with that, I'll leave you with these pictures. The big tree we're standing on was cut down to make room for the meeting house. Now the kids play on it!
We stayed with a couple we met through house sitting, and learned a lot about their community and faith. We even attended the meeting on Easter Sunday with them. A Quaker meeting (church service) is a time of quiet personal and group contemplation. There is no pastor, but if anyone has something to say, an encouragement, or a scripture to share, they stand up and speak. It was different than what I am used to, and I enjoyed the chance to experience their church culture.
They are building a new meeting house made from hand-hewn timber and pegs. Every piece of wood, every beam, support, and joint is cut and planed by hand. It is super impressive.
Monteverde has a lot going for it, and we are thinking about coming back up here when our housesitting time is up. The strong sense of community is great, but did I mention there is a cheese factory? And it's right in the cloud forest. I don't know what the rainy season would be like but even in the "dry season" the weather is a strange combination of cloudy, sunny, misty, rainy, and windy. You can stand outside in the sun, and the cloud mist will get you wet. The cloud that you are standing in. It's weird. The cloud forest itself is amazing and deserves its own post. So with that, I'll leave you with these pictures. The big tree we're standing on was cut down to make room for the meeting house. Now the kids play on it!
It is beautiful there! I pray God gives you favor as He always goes before you preparing the way! Banana Fritters sounded good! Thanks for sharing in such detail! I feel as though I am there, and since I am probably not going on vacation, I feel like this is my vacation! Lol! Take Care, Sheila! Blessings, My Friend!
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