Days 7-12: Costa Rica {Hogar de Vida}

We've had a great week here at the orphanage. But before we got here, we took a hike in the cloud forest and found some friends. About 100 feet into the walk, Sophie caught herself right before she stepped on a snake. It slithered into the sunlight and {after making sure Sophie was okay} Jared snapped this photo.

We arrived in the rain at Hogar de Vida, a children's home that Sophie spent time at two summers ago. All the kids were in bed, but it was so exciting to reunite with the family at the home. We spent some time chatting away, and Jared was already doing great with his Spanish!

We've spent the last 5 days helping out and visiting. We take kids on walks, entertain them with horsey rides aka caballito {Jared}, clean refrigerators {that was Sophie}, get kids ready for bed, and play around in the afternoons. Each day we're exhausted from the energy of all the kids but we love it. It has been so incredible for Sophie to get to see some of her kids two years later. Brenda, the baby who had just learned to crawl, now is walking and talking all over the place. Sophie changed diapers of kids who are now in preschool!

Here is a photo of Gipsy, one of Sophie's kids. she is the most adorable little girl. look at those eyes!

And here is Emmanuel, affectionately attacking Jared's face.

The kids here definitely need your prayers. even though it's been special to see them again, we'd rather have them placed with families. So be praying for all the kids here at Hogar de Vida.

We've also had a lot of fun with some families here from the US. The Dorman family is working here for the year, and they've lovingly invited us into their home. Jared instantly won the kids over with card tricks and they've been trying to steal his secrets all week. With some help, they're learning a lot.




We had a game night with the Dormans and some others, which included a round of bananagrams - with tiles in espanol!! We made sure to get a picture of that! We knew The Manor folk would appreciate it.

In just a week we've had so much time with people here that it will be tough to leave. The hospitality at Hogar has been a delight on our journey so far.

We're off to Portugal on Sunday to train through Europe. We'll update next from across the Atlantic!

Amor a todos,

Sophie y Jared