Life in Costa Rica

I've now been in Costa Rica for a little over a month. It is sometimes hard to believe how quickly time flies. I am in a better routine and schedule but there are definitely things I still find very challenging and exhausting. I am getting more used to public transportation to get to church and my work, which has been a blessing since it is the cheapest mode of transportation. It has been very busy trying to settle into daily life, preparing curriculum, practicing Spanish, and teaching classes, but I have been loving every minute of living here so far. 

I've been  supporting the ESL intensive class for High School students and 4-6th grade ESL program. I have also been helping with academic support on Thursdays and Saturdays where I am able to have smaller groups of kids and focus on helping them with their English homework and building relationships. This past week I began work with another ministry here called Puente Educativo where I am teaching a 7-8th grade ESL class! I am very excited for my 1-3rd grade ESL class to start this next week!! I have been working on creating material and curriculum for the past month and can't wait to meet the kiddos I'll be teaching and start the program. I am very excited to be able to add this program to the ministry here and further help the kiddos learn English. 

I am also happy to share that I have been able to attend two churches. The Spanish church I attend meets Saturday nights and then the one I attend on Sunday is an International church. It has been a blessing getting to know two different groups of people and they all have been a great support and dear friends. 

Games with the ESL High School class!

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28 

Some of the sweetest girls practicing parts of the body in English! 

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Two little guys practicing English during academic support.

Playing games with the ESL High School class. 

Practicing the English alphabet and sight words during academic support.

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Practicing the days of the week song in the
​4-6th grade ESL class!
These kids are so very sweet!

My 7-8th grade students at
Puente Educativo doing a get
​to know you exercise!

Through all the craziness it has been sometimes difficult to find rest and rejuvenation but God has been so faithful and the verse Matthew 11:28 comes to mind, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." God is our source of rest and we can cast all our cares, worries, and burdens on Him as He is faithful to pull us through. 

I have been doing a study through Revelation and while i've studied the book many times, it always brings to mind the fact that sharing the Gospel and reaching people for Jesus is so necessary. For the time is coming that Jesus will return and those who have not accepted Jesus will live a life of torment and hopelessness. Now is the time to give your cares and worries to God and to share about Jesus unashamedly for we do not know the hour He will return.  

Mariah Prantle

ESL Teacher

I am the newest ESL Teacher on the giveDIGNITY Encaminame team. I graduated from Liberty University Online in 2019 and I have since taught ESL in Pasadena, Texas for the past 4 years. I have worked one year with High School students at Clear Brook High School and 3 years with 7-8th graders at Bondy Intermediate. My passion is teaching students English and sharing about Jesus with them. ​