No More Coffee... for this Year!

Last week, we sold the last of our coffee for the 2011 growing season. We are thankful to see new buds and blossoms for next year's growing season.

Our Farm

What an adventure being farmers in Costa Rica. I never dreamed of being a farmer. Sure I have great memories as a kid and even as a college student visiting my grandparents and uncles on the farm. What kid is not excited to ride on a tractor, feed the pigs, cows and horses and here we are as farmer/missionaries in Costa Rica.

Cafe Maduro

Our farm has been a huge blessing for our ministry. Not only has it provided a space to build a house but a way of bringing people and families into our lives. We have learned how difficult it is to live, work, and survive here in Costa Rica. We are thankful that we do not live on the proceeds of our farm or we would be going hungry.

Anna Maria at work

So last week, we picked the last of our coffee for the year. Let me restate that. Our pickers picked the last of the coffee. If I had to pick the coffee I would have to pick it twice. One from off the plant and the other time from off the ground. I am sure I would spill the bucket due to the treacherous footings on the steep places on our farm.

Gustabo collecting beans

With the final picking, we picked both the mature and the green beans from the plants. All these beans are then separated and sold. Believe me this is not an easy job; standing in the hot tropical baking sun, bone chilling rains, dealing with the spiders, bugs and snakes, is not fun.

Dan, sitting on the job

Gustabo's wife sorting our coffee

We are blessed for all those God has brought into our lives and for all we have learned while on this amazing adventure and please pray with us as we share the true hope and blessing of Jesus our Lord.