Interview link

Link to Interviews (selections below as well)

Link to Songs/Games and Fun

We're Back in the US

No problems with flights or the exorbitant amount of coffee we brought back. We are back in our homes with hot water from the tap and regular internet strength. I'll be posting lots of albums here on the blog page, and we have video interviews to share as well.

It was hard saying "goodbye" to the Salleys. They are such a blessing! And so patient.

VBS in the Street

For today's VBS, we drove to Tres Rios, to a barrio called Fierro.  We drove down into a poor area -- narrow road, aluminum and wood shacks for houses. Suddenly we stopped in the middle of the road and that's where the VBS was to be held. The barren spot between buildings, next to an embankment (down which one could see an old sofa thrown) had a large garbage holder on poles sitting the middle. That used to be the place where VBS's were held until an unhappy neighbor built the garbage bin to deter the children's meetings. However, the VBS's still happen in the space of about 12x15' (est.) in front of the bin.  So that's what we did.  Had to move out of the way of a few vehicles, but that did not seem to bother any of the 35-40 children or parents.

In the afternoon we toured Cartago. Home to the Catholic Basilica Los Angeles, Cartago is the religious center of the country, to which thousands make pilmigrage in August. Ruins from a church dating back to the late 1600s also remains in the Ujurrás valley not far from there.  Beautiful scenery.  (Not able to load photos anymore--connection problems. Check facebook for those if possible.)

Sunday's quick update

Again, dear friends, family, and supporters--I wish I could post more photos here on the blog. We have internet, but it's at two bars out of four and that is not enough for high resolution photos. So at times I can get them up on Facebook, and I promise you there are many great evidences of the blessing this trip is to us.

Two days ago we were at Sojourn Academy--an American and Tico school--so we were able to use Spanish AND English.  We even met a third-grade student who hails from New Carlisle, Ohio.

Yesterday we worked in two VBS programs. Both in poorer areas, and both with great turnout.  Over forty kids each (maybe a lot more) with at least twenty more adults in tow. The Salley kids have been with us to help with the  music and games.  Alexa (11) and Kevin (17) have been the solid supporters of Matthew (14) who has put in some intense hours of energy through song and play.  Incredible kids!

Today we work in our final VBS--our 11th (plus we had two other teaching presentations). We are a little weary and worn, many of us have had some ailments, but nothing tragic. Yet there is still a touch of sadness to think that this is the last one today.

Afterwards, we will have a tour of Cartago, the religious center of the country (google it!) and then tomorrow we will visit Cataratas de Paz--a waterfall and huge garden area that includes butterflies and hummingbirds, frogs and snakes.

Keep praying for us!

A day in School

Most of our days have been with students who are on summer break, but today we served at Sojourn Academy--a school of preK through 12th grade that serves the children of both Ticos and missionaries who are studying the Spanish language on the same campus. (This is the same campus where Mrs. Reilly and her husband worked for four years.)

We helped today with the organic garden and with the preschool kids and with the elementary recess and secondary recess.  Lastly we held a chapel period for the primary kids (grades 1 through 6).  What a blessing! (And they said that we were "a breath of fresh air."

(Not enough connection for pictures...maybe on facebook.)

Moved to San Jose

A new day has dawned and the team finds itself in San Jose.  We traveled six hours yesterday on the bus--and with the Salley's van following us with their family and our Tico co-workers.  The first hour of the trip from south Costa Rica (Colorado/Buenos Aires) was all dirt road.  We certainly do not realize what a blessing pavement is.  Wow.

About two hours into our trip the Salley's van broke down (drive shaft/differential) and could go no further.  We all pulled over into an empty parking lot (restaurant for sale, btw), and with a quick run to a hardward store, the bus driver Luis fixed it so that the van could drive again.  Incredible.

At Quepos we stopped again, where the  kids and Miss Clements and Mr. Brian all participated in a Canyon Tour. You will have to ask them the details--well, I remember Robin saying that it was "terrifying and wonderful all at the same time."

The company provided yet another wonderful Tico meal, and we were off for the rest of our trip.  We arrived in San Jose at 11pm-ish and went straight to bed.  (This new housing situation will be more comfortable than the last one which featured gorgeous nature including cold showers, paper-thin walls, spiders, three-inch flying bugs, and other assorted creepy-crawlies.)

Today we will be working at two VBS sites. These have been very busy days. The team members do very well at bonding with the kids--even with language limitations. You wouldn't even know that there was a language barrier.

Keep praying.

Colorado--Sávalo--Carmen

This team has such energy, enthusiasm, unity -- and quite the spirit of originality.  Right now they are plotting on how to get stuck in Costa Rica for a longer period of time.

We have been divided daily into two groups--one working with the teen camp, and the other running Bible clubs for kids in remote neighborhoods.  So much has gone into activities, it's hard to get it all down in a quick moment.  I don't have enough broad band (?) to upload photos on the blog but I have been able to get more on Facebook (lower resolution).

Please know that everyone is well and unhurt. We are so impressed with the students and their integration into all we do, into the culture, into the language, into everything!

Quick contact

We are doing well. Very busy, very hot. No internet yet (borrowing a friend's phone now for a hotspot). But loads of pix to share. The team is doing super well with all they confront. Including heat and bugs. And mud and cold showers. Their initiative and energy works so well in this setting.

Prayer at lunch with the school

Thank you, Mr. Holloway, for initiating this.  Thank you, all, for your prayers!

More pix on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/527113287382864/ and in the photo slideshow on right of this page.

New Page!

Check out our  Costa Rica Quotes 2016 page.

Send-off Prayer Meeting

Prayer meeting with the families of the student team traveling to Costa Rica to work with children’s and teen’s ministries.
Please pray for us as we travel out of the country on Friday, January 8. We will need your prayers all the way through the 19th—or longer if travel weather is bad J.