Author: General Admin

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

December 1 is much more than the beginning of Christmas month (though we will be going to the annual Light Up parade, “Monteverde Brilla”, tonight) – it’s the day we celebrate perhaps THE pivotal moment in Costa Rican history.  68 years ago today, the new government abolished the army, and started investing that money in education, health care, and ultimately Peace.  It’s one of the main reasons our founding Quakers moved to Monteverde in 1951 (don’t forget about our 65th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion in March!), and continues to be one of the key reasons Costa Rica is a thriving, Peaceful place to live.

Our celebration this year lasted almost all morning.  Carlos and Laura explained the history and importance of the abolition.  We sang songs of Peace (including the perennial favorite “Turn the World Around”).  Then they broke into 7 groups, led by grade 12 students.  Each group was given a different conflict situation (stealing a snack, coming late to class…), and developed a skit of a bad way then a good way to deal with it.

As with everything our teachers organize, this morning was full of laughter, interest, earnest discussion and energy.  Our students are actively learning and living the principles of Peace and non-violent communication, and feel blessed to live in a country founded on those same values.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”4065,4066,4067,4068,4069,4070,4071,4072″ fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” auto_speed=”4500″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_all_caps=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

As Hurricane Otto prepares to hit our coast within the next few hours, I sit in my mountain-top home feeling thankful for so many things.  We live in a country that has the infrastructure and commitment to take care of each other during and after this storm, which we pray will be minimal.  When the first big winds knocked over three huge trees along the road to the school two days ago, volunteers came out early in the morning to help.  On my way to school my heart was warmed to see one of our parents (Tim Waring), one of our long-term community members (Richard Trostle), and a team of men from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with hatchets and chainsaws clearing the road.  This is the spirit of Monteverde, and of Costa Rica, that makes me not scared of the next few days of high winds and torrential rains.

We have opened our Meeting House as an emergency shelter, but I doubt it will be needed.  Any families who feel their own homes are not safe are much more likely to find a warm welcome with neighbours and family nearby – we are a community of open doors.

At the same time as we think about this storm, we are also sending warm loving thoughts to our extended community in the US and beyond.  Many of you are gathering today with loved ones to give thanks, as are we, and we hold you in our hearts.  The annual appeal letters that you may have recently received were joyfully decorated by our students who deeply feel gratitude for donor support that makes it possible for over half our students to study at MFS.  The whole community of meeting members, teachers and parents came together to hand-write notes at the tops of the letters, again in the true spirit of appreciation.  These were not just request for financial support – they were a global send-out of love and thanksgiving.

Of course, we are thankful for so much more than just financial contributions.  We continue to have volunteers and interns come to enrichen our learning environment.  Visitors and tour groups bring their fresh eyes and energy.  Parents entrust us with their Study Abroad students, and (starting in January) our very first Gap Year students.  I was hosted and warmly welcomed by so many of you on my recent trip to the US.  Registrations for the 65th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion are building excitement for this March 9-12 gathering.  Even just reading and sharing these blogs and facebook posts helps us grow.

So, as you keep us – and our friends in higher-risk areas along the coast – in your prayers for the next few Hurricane Otto days, please know that we feel strong and ready.  Monteverde knows how to come together to support each other, and we grateful for the many ways that you are all part of that web of support.

If you’re looking for an internship in Costa Rica (or anywhere), the students at the University for Peace could teach you a thing or two. I was at their internship fair because the intern we hosted from them last year – Erika Graczyk, pictured above – was so wonderful that we ended up hiring her as our Social Studies teacher this year.  If she’s an example of their quality of students, we want more of them!

Here’s what they did that made my 3-hour drive off the mountain worthwhile.  They didn’t just come to my table to sniff out internship possibilities (which we do have!)  They showed a genuine interest in learning about our school, and even about me.  Even if they didn’t think our rural mountain-top school was the right fit for them, they saw value in learning something new, and making a real connection with a new person.  They made eye contact, gave me their 100% attention and interest, and shook my hand.  They didn’t sell me with their resumes and accomplishments, but with the way they treat people and show interest in the world.

Each time I watched them move on to the next table and treat that person with the same respect and genuine curiosity, I thought, “I hope they apply for our school – they would make a great contribution.”  Every one of them got the job without even asking.

Like most organizations, we have internship openings for only a few good young people to join us for a work-learn opportunity.  And I can honestly say that the students of UPEACE are exactly the type of people we would welcome to our community.

I wrote a recent blog post about the way our school’s graduates live and make a difference in the world.  How encouraging to visit another school whose students are a living testimony to the values we want to see in the world.  Thank you, UPEACE.