Postcards from the Mission Field - Pacific Costa Rica: June 2013

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Another Work Day

We started the day with an extended time of prayer and then got ready to do some work. We headed back to the church to finish some work we were not able to finish yesterday. We painted some verses on the walls (our artists were Irene and Cheyenne) and worked on a little more painting and construction to the church. We only had a few students work at the church on these projects while the rest of us went to pass out free items and to do street evangelism near the church. We passed out soccer balls, teddy bears, toothbrush kits, and tracks to people who were walking by (we got a rush of children who were full of smiles as we gave them items). We also had teams 2-3 who were sharing the gospel using evangelism cubes (a visual aid) and a Spanish track. It was amazing seeing what God did through this experience. We were able to lead four people to The Lord and several recommitted their lives! Praise God that he used us and broke through the language barrier! Please pray that the tracks that were given out would lead more to The Lord that those who committed their lives to Christ would grow!

One man named Carlos was one of the first people we talked to. He was walking by and Robin and Jerry ended up talking to him for an hour where he shared his whole life story including that he lost his wife two and a half years ago and he has been really struggling since then. He claimed to be a believer but he did not feel God anymore. Jake, Jerry and Benji (a youth from the church who has been helping us all week) walked with him to his home and invited him to church tomorrow. Carlos confessed that he needed to get right with the Lord and said he would come to church. Please pray that Carlos will come to church and that God would heal him!

After a great day of work we headed home to get ready for zip lining. It was amazing zip lining through 14 different lines and getting to even go upside down for one run. A few people got to do a superman pose as well! After the runs we got to see some really neat animals at the zip lining place and even got to hold a monkey and a snake! We stopped by the gift shop and then went home to eat and practice our Spanish songs for the church service tomorrow. We are excited to see our friends and to do a VBS with the kids. We are sad that it is coming to the end. Today was an amazing day and we praise God for using us!

(Pics by Irene, some by Rachel, y Ms Bolling)

In the community

Spending time in the community

Handing out toys to the kids

Before Ziplining

Adara

Hayden

Eli

Robin

Cheyenne

Cassie

Nathan

Jerry

Dylan

Lindsey

Christian

Ms. Bolling

Nikki

Connor

Group photo

Superman

Mr. C holding the two snakes

Jake and the monkey

Rachel and the monkey

Hayden and the monkey

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Mrs. Sullivan and the monkey

Unexpected Blessings

After our early morning walk we ate cereal and got ready to go to the international school to meet some children. We did not know what ages we were going to meet so we brought games for all ages and expected to just have a get to know you opportunity. When we arrived we got a tour of the school and then we were taken out to a work site where we were introduced to some American students who were on a summer work project. We were then given tools and asked to move wood and dirt. We were surprised to be working with Americans and to be doing a work project instead of what we planned but our team did a great job being flexible and jumping in to do the work. We found out later that the head of the school and his wife miscommunicated about who we were suppose to work with but God has ways of using unexpected situations for his glory. Our students got the opportunity to share with the American students that we were Christians. Rachel had the opportunity to talk to one student named Alex about how Christians are not what he had thought they were. It was neat to hear how she was able to share with him that we love people. Pray that God would move in Alex's heart and that he would give his life to God. As we were leaving we gave the school our toothbrush kits and books. One of the local woman who works for the school said that the school does a lesson for kindergarten students on brushing their teeth. We were so glad that we were able to give these to someone who could really use them! After working for several hours doing hard labor our team went to get ice cream and then head home for lunch. We ate and then got ready for a boat ride (for snorkeling) with Hal and Marcia. We invited a few of the youth group from the church but none of them were able to attend but our bus driver and a few of Hal's friends came with us. This was an amazing experience! We got out on the water and headed to a remote beach that can only be accessed by boat. When we arrived we swam to an area to start snorkeling. The tour guides on our boat showed us some of the lava tubes that were on the beach where the tide comes in between rocks. This was a fun spot for our students to swim in with the tour guides. After a little while it began to sprinkle and then it began to pour. It was neat swimming in the warm ocean with the cool rain. When we left we were given lots of fun snacks and had a great time singing songs and laughing on the boat. While heading back we passed by some dolphins who were playing behind our boat. It was so fun to see them swim around us. We got back and had pita pizza. We had an unexpectedly great day!

(Pics by Irene)

Up since 4:30am, Morning walk at 5:00am

Beautiful early morning view

Bird eggs stored in nets on trees so that snakes do not get them

Sunrise

Walking EARLY in the morning

A glimpse of the beauty we saw during our walk

Mural at the school

View at the school

Moving logs to clear the area for a future playground

Working friends we met at Lakeside International

Toothbrush kits and coloring books for the kids

17 hungry teenagers at the Ice Cream store

Setting sail to go snorkeling

Rock carved by nature

(It looks like the sideview of a gorilla)

The area we snorkeled in

Raining while snorkeling and a waterfall

On the boat

Funny Pics on the Boat

Friday, June 28, 2013

Early Morning Walk

Everyone was ready at 4:55 a.m. and we took off on our morning walk. It was a rigorous path, but we were rewarded with some beautiful sights.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Work and Ministry with Iglesia Ebenezer

We finished most of the work at the church today. The painting crew painted the back wall of the church and varnished the front door of the pastor's house. While the truss team finished the 3rd and final truss. We were able to bless the pastor by installing a door knob on one room that did not have one and by adding some painted wooden coverings to the inside walls of the church.

After another long day of working we met up with the youth group of the church and we went to the beach. Some of the Costa Rica youth did not bring swim suits so a few of our students let them borrow some board shorts and shirts so they could swim. It was a fun afternoon laughing and swimming while the sun set. Afterwards we headed back to our house to rinse off and hangout. We circled up in our back porch and had a wonderful time sharing with the youth what we appreciated about them. Both our students and the Costa Rica youth shared how they had really enjoyed meeting and would miss each other. It was so cool to watch the laughter and the love that was shared between the two groups. You would not have known that they just met yesterday! We wrapped up the night by giving the youth purity bracelets. Robin explained how these bracelets were made to remind them to stay pure until marriage and each person was given a handmade bracelet. Mr. C shared scripture and then we ended in prayer and taking pictures. We have lots of hugs, took a ton of pictures and exchanged Facebook info. This night was a definite high light and we will really miss these students!

(Pics by Irene)