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.
