The Island of Uvita

On Sunday the 22nd of August, early in the morning we headed with our friends the Llorens to the Limon area to find Keyla, the girl that invited us to the island of Uvita.  We have to say that God has been so providential in each one of our encounters.  We finally met her around lunch time at a gas station.  The people at the gas station graciously let us use their phone to call her.  As some of you know, we are not able to have cell phones in Costa Rica because legally, only residents are allowed to have them.  So, we met her and met her boyfriend and their co-worker.  They took us to take the "Panga", a small boat to go to the island.  They arranged for our vehicle to remain at one of their friends home near the river and away we went.  You might say, why are they so trusting?  Well, Keyla is a Christian first of all and I got to really know her and her mother at the house we stayed in Esterillos.  They are a Christian family.  Currently, Keyla is not active in her church because she is dating a non-believer.  Pray for that situation.  She is a sweet girl.  Below is a picture  of the "Panga" where my Kaila is.

Kaila in the Panga with Keyla's Boyfriend

Disembarq Time!

So, we arrived at the island and found out that people from the mainland go there on weekends to enjoy a day at the island.  It was a good cultural day, watching the interactions amongst the population.  When we got to our tent site, Keyla told us that they had set up the camp for us and had mattresses in the tent.  I personally was touched because I knew that these mattresses were their own.  They had given it all for us.  It was a touching moment.  They had swept the area and brought us clean water so we could bathe later in the night.  They told us that the people from the mainland would leave later in the day and the island was set up just for our group.  We met the guard of the island and he welcomed us to the island.  The children (includes me) and the rest of the gang had a wonderful time snorkling and we took some time in the evening to do our meal of the evening.  It was good.

Later in the night, Keyla and her boyfriend took us to see a turtle's nest and explained the whole endangernment of the species of that area.  We found lots about the aim for conservation and also the survival needs that lead to corruption.  It was insightful!

Our night was great, except Jeff and Tony were the outside sleepers and at 4 a.m. it started to rain.  They went into the guard’s house, which is habitated by chickens at night and the droppings are everywhere.  It was bench time sleep.  The house that is in the island could be beautiful, instead is the habitat for all kinds of wild life since it it open all the time.  

The next day, oh the next morning, how could I forget?  Coffee.  Usually, in your home you get up and get your coffee done, drink it and the day begins.  Well, not in the island.  First, Tammy and I had to go and get the wood, then, we had to see about starting the fire, then, we had to ask Keyla for assistance and finally, the fire was going.  Then, the water in the pot, then, the "chorreador", and great coffee at last.  It was fun!

Boiled eggs, fruit and whatever else we could grab for breakfast and on to a tour we went.  

Keyla giving us the tour of the island

On the tour of the island we learned that over 100 years ago, in the island the nuns had a hospital where they received patients from the mainland that were dying from tuberculosis or leprosy.  They used to care for them there until they passed away.  In one of the sections of the remains of the structures they had stairs that led to an ocean pool in the midst of the rocks.  We had a time of reflection as we considered the story of how the nuns used to bring the leprosy patients to bathe in the water every day at 3 p.m. to see if they would be healed.  We bathed in the pool and gave thanks to God for cleansing us from all unrighteousness through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It was a wonderful reflective time, not to say how good it felt to bathe in the natural oceanic waters of the pool with an outstanding view.


              Below are some pictures of the tour, may you enjoy them with us.

Corey, Keyla, Noemi, Josiah and Tammy

Josiah, Noemi, Keyla, Kaila and Jeff

Josiah really enjoyed his snorkling.

Well, when we got back from the interior island tour, the helper of Keyla’s boyfriend had fished a Pork Fish and two lobsters.  So, to the grill we went.  That fish was delicious, and those that ate the lobster really loved it.  We had a great time with them and prepared to head out in the afternoon to the mainland since we had one more day to go down to Puerto Viejo and end our time of rest in “La Costa De Papito”.  

Picture of our wonderful fish and lobsters on the grill and hot dogs just in case the taste was not going to be good.  

Our kitchen for the last two days wrapped up in this setting.

Unto the Beach of Cocles we headed after heading to the mainland.  And our bus was intact.  Hallelujah!  Our next leg of the trip was the last part of the journey and we selected a place to relax and enjoy the quietness of nature.  It was for a short duration of one day.  Our place was beautiful and the breakfast was a real treat!  Once we left there the next day, we arrived in San Jose and unto ILE Orientation the next day.