july 21

the other day I (finally) finished the chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. Incredible. It is amazing the way that Lewis can write a book for children that has such incredible philosophical/spiritual/moral/biblical lessons that adults can learn from as well. As i turned through the last chapters of the "the last battle" i actually got kind of emotional haha. It is so cool to see the gospel of Jesus Christ Illustrated through fictional characters. As i read through the series i got more and more attached to the characters and wrapped into the story and, consequently more and more in love with Jesus. One part of the last battle really stood out to me. As the children, the professor, king tirian and all the other narnian creatures who loved Aslan got into his country, they describe the beauty of everything they see. Soon, they discover that this beautiful land that they are walking through (they think for the first time) is actually the true narnia. The same mountain ranges they always thought were so beautiful have reached new heights, the colors are brighter, the rivers seem clearer...etc. They suddenly realize that for the first time they are seeing the "real thing." Lewis explains it like this: " you may have been in a room in wich there was window that looked out on a lovely bay of the sea or a green valley that wound away among mountians. Andin the wall of that room opostite to the window there may have been a looking0glass. And as you turned away from the window you suddenly caught sight of that sea or the valley, all over again, in the looking glass. And the sea and the mirror, or the valley in the mirror, were in some snes just te same as th ereal ones: yet at the same time they were somehow different, deeper, more wonderful, more like the places in the story- a story you may not have ever heard but very much wanted to know..."

basically, to condense a lot of random thoughts, i have been seeing and experiencing so many beautiful things this trip. I have spent the past two weeks between mountain cloudforests, rainforests, and white sand, palm tree lined, nearly deserted carribean beaches with beautiful coral reefs for snorkling. The morning i finished this book i took a boat trip from the island we were staying on back to the mainland and couldnt help but sit in awe of Gods creation. It was a beautiful day, no clouds, mountain range ahead, islands behind, and water so clear we could see the bottom over 20 feet down. The idea that this is only a shadow of how beautiful earth will be when heaven comes down, and all creation is redeemed and restored is incredible. The idea that God can create something more beautiful, or allow me to see creation in a way that is clearer or more beautiful than i am seeing it is incredible.

so quick update:
after my last update from panama city we have been to el valle (small mountain town), boquete (mountain town), lost and found eco lodge (hostel in the rainforest), isla bastimento (quiet carribean island in bocas del toro) and now we are staying in a cottage in manzanillo costa rica (carribean again).
In Boquete Eric and I met a lot of great people, once again from all over the world, and really connected well with a couple from new zealand, Jacob and Emma. We convinced them to come to the lost and found eco lodge with us, where we met tons of awesome people and enjoyed the rainforest (including a four hour treasure hunt through forest and streams for a victory bottle of rum) and the awesome critturs it offers. There was a great group of people staying at the hostel and since it was in the middle of nowhere, we all hung out every night at the hostel and playing cards and listening to music. From here we convinced Jacob and Emma to head with us to Bocas del Toro in panama and then manzanillo. OUr hostel in bocas del toro was a really relaxed hang out spot for lots of local guys and we had a really good time hanging out with them and the guys that worked there.In lost and found we met annother couple named Greg and Aisha (south africa and australia) who met us at bocas del toro a day later and have been with us since.
the six of us have had an awesome time relaxing by the beach, snorkling in the reefs, reading, playing dominoes and cards, and cooking HUGE feasts for dinner. We really love them a lot and are heading back up to nicaragua with them tomorrow and hopefully spending a few days together going to towns none of us have been to before they head off to see many of the things we have already done. Tonight the four guys are all gonna get Cuban Cigars and hang out on the beach for sunset. Last night an american couple that lives near our cottage that we met invited us all over for a huge sea food meal and hanging out at their pool. I finally got control of a computer with internet and some speakers and played radical face and josh garrels all night for entertainment. God is blessing us with great times, great friends and great conversations.