Stories from an ordinary couple following an extraordinary God: Universidad Para La Paz

Yesterday after church we went with our Tico friend, Eduardo, to the park at Universidad Para La Paz, or the University for Peace, which is an international university that studies peace. It's sponsored by the United Nations and students from all over the world come to study about peace, history, and methods. Classes are given in English and Spanish and it's appropriately placed up in some of the most beautiful country of the mountains of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is known for its peace. It has a long history of peace loving people. Back when all of Central America was part of Spain's ruling, those that didn't want to fight and just wanted to farm and live in peace migrated down to the land that is now Costa Rica. You see there were no natives that lived in this area and the Spaniards weren't interested in it because it didn't have any richest that were of interest to them. So, the people that came to live here basically had no government to rule over them and had no interest in fighting. After the independence, they took 2 years to finally set up a constitution! No one wanted to take control. How interesting...

Anyhow, they have now been without an army for around 50 years. I think it was in the late 40's or early 50's when they decided not to have an army and have been living in peace for several decades now. Most people around here don't even really understand the concept of war. I actually think it's only a matter of time before the Nicaraguans try to take them over as almost have the population is already Nicaraguan, but for now it's a beautiful idea.

Anyhow, we went up to the park and ended up taking one of the longest hikes I've ever taken. They have great trails with beautiful views and tons of natural beauty.