Last few notes from team members

David Dupont -- I have learned that not having technology with me actually helps keep me healthier and gives me more sleep. Like Coach says, it’s freeing not to have it all the time. The trip also blesses me to learn what it means to sacrifice for the kingdom. To be on this trip, I had to give up some things at home, and it’s a glimpse of what  true sacrifice feels like; in actuality, these may not be big things, but for me they have been. 
 
Evan Ramey -- Going to the south of Costa Rica was interesting. It was more dusty and spread out. The houses were further apart which made inviting kids a longer walk. Instead of doing kids VBS in the beginning, I helped with teen camp, which was fun. Teen camp games were much harder to play since the kids are older. It was cool to hang out with kids my age.

One thing that impressed me happened at the end of a VBS in Tronodora (north Costa Rica). One of the kids gave Dan his small stuffed dog as a gift. The kid probably did not have much, so the fact that he gave it away to his new friend was very impactful.

Dan Griffith -- The beauty of God's nature here in Costa Rica has impressed me. The kindness of people down here is a lot different than in the U.S. Even when you can't speak the same language, we can still make good friendships with kids here. I also like team meetings: when LaMar spoke to us, he put the Bible in practical ways and it really spoke to me.

Menna Yohannes – For one, I really like LaMar’s messages at night. He’s just really good at showing us and explaining truths in the Bible. I like helping the kids, too—they get really excited and seem very happy for us to be there.

Arin Wilgus –When I first heard people talking at the airport, it seemed very difficult, but I’ve been impressed by how much I’ve been able to overcome the language barrier. Also, even though it is a different culture here, we have learned about how we need to focus on relationships, and that is what they do here. They just accept us and welcome us.

Nathan Tighe – The mountains and views here are impressive. Most of the people are nice, and dogs are everywhere. Lots of the buildings are partially open—you live outside more. I like the plants and the palms. I like the food, but it’s been mean to me. 

Joanna and LaMar Salley, our hosts, with their daughter Alexa
(not pictured--sons  Matthew and Kevin)

I’ve learned a lot through LaMar’s teaching—like what a real son/daughter of Christ is—or what a real disciple of Christ is.

I think it’s very hard to communicate with people. It’s fascinating to think that these people who seem so similar live in a completely different language.

More thoughts from team members

Danny Kolota -- When I came on this trip, my big fear was my lack of recent Spanish study. When I wanted to share with someone here, I almost didn't. But God gave me words and a good teammate--Arin--who tag-teamed with me to lead games during the Bible club times.  I have often seen, too, how God has worked through me in this trip--when I have waited on Him. Often I have wanted to go ahead and do something, but I felt like God wanted me to wait. Shortly, I would see how God answered that prayer and why He had me wait. Waiting upon God really does work.

Sierra Cole -- What I enjoy about this trip is walking door-to-door inviting children to VBS, practicing Spanish as we go. I also love playing with the kids and and babysitting the babies. Our evening group devotions are good, too. They remind us why we are doing what we are doing and keep us all in check regarding what we do and say.


Savannah Slaton -- What has been special to me is seeing kids worship God. And when kids come to the Lord, it's cool to see their saving faith. [Editor's note: 11 kids have made decisions in this last three-day VBS.] Also, the scenery here is breath-taking.

Rachel Graver -- What has really impressed me is how friendly and excited the children are here. And even though we are busy, I feel really relaxed here. I love "tico time" -- not having a specific schedule and being worried about when to get everywhere. I'm not as worried about schedules here. Also, being excited about getting going really helps me get up early in the morning without complaining. I do not want to go home.

Notes from our team

Mariah Smart – Every time I come here to Costa Rica, I get a better understanding of the culture, have more chances to build relationships, and get a better understanding of what God wants for me.

Maria Howarah – This year in Costa Rica, I really enjoyed teen camp. I was able to connect with kids my own age who are going through the same things in life as I am. Another thing I like—as much as I love the work during the day with kids and teens, I also really enjoy the team worship and meetings in the evening. It’s great to study the Bible like this.

Katie Miller – One of my favorite things about this trip is walking along, going door-to-door, to invite the kids to the VBS just before it starts. I also appreciate the informal nature of the Bible schools—almost a traveling VBS sometimes. We’ve had VBS in the parks and on a basketball court. The focus isn’t so much on a big to-do, but rather on teaching the kids and playing with them.

Andy Urschel – I feel blessed just that God has taken care of us during the trip—where many things could go wrong but haven’t. I think one of the neat things is with Pastor Manuel and Pastor Samuel—working with these pastors is so similar even in a different country.  It’s neat to see Christ work here and at home in the same way – that’s almost a comfort zone in itself. Another blessing is that I get to work on something that I have been working on at home –relationships with people are more important than schedules. 

More photos from our early work

I need to thank my XCCanoneers team for their help with photography, too. What a blessing to have help with taking pictures. Several people have helped, but especially Dan, Danny, David, Steven, and once in a while, LaMar and Camille. Also, I hope in the next two days to post some comments from the team on how they are doing and feeling. Here are pictures from Day 3 in south Costa Rica working with teen camp and with two Bible Clubs with very young children. The next group of pictures follows with the next day's activities of two more Bible Clubs (one of which our team ran entirely without any help from pastor or lay people of the church). Our teen camp team that day did painting; a few of those pictures are in this second batch as well. The beautiful mosaics and gardens at our hostel also made for some sweet pictures and memories. In some ways, the accommodations were rustic, but in other ways, so very creative and unique. We also enjoyed a lot of God's natural beauty--including groups of toucans at the tops of tall trees.

Day Two: We split up into two teams

Here in the deep south of Costa Rica, we have split up into two separate work teams--8 of us working with teens at a camp at the church, and the other 10 going door-to-door to invite children to the VBS run at the local soccer field. Miss Camille and Miss Tia got to teach lessons in Spanish about King David -- two important points: God looks at the heart, and He also provides the courage we need to overcome "giant" challenges and obstacles. Like listening and trying to speak Spanish all day long. The first pictures here are from our orientation with our missionary host, LaMar Salley, and from teen camp. The second bunch are from the VBS.

Day One: Travel

We have already been here five days, and they have flown by. The teens on the team have played with, worked with, sang with, colored with, and so on with kids of all sizes. Here are some pictures from our travel day.

Prepping for the ministry!

Singing, mimes, cutting out crowns and hearts.
    Playing games, taking time to worship and study the Bible.
       Learning about culture, Learning new vocabulary.

This week at the Xenia Christian campus, the Costa Rica mission team has gathered for each full school day to prepare for our weeks of camp and Bible clubs. So much activity, and we are excited to say, so much progress! 

Here is a peek at some of our activities in just the first three days.