Finishing up VBSs in Tilaran and Tronodora

Our last half of the trip zoomed by us . . . via buses, semis, tricycle taxis, oxen, sloths, iguanas, and so on.  So many new sights, sounds, and smiles.

Day 8: In Tronodora and Tileran, we divided into two groups in order to conquer two areas of painting--the administrative area of a school and the outside walls of a church.  Breakfast was provided by the church people and how we enjoyed it--rice and beans, papaya and coffee.

Our painters perform spectacularly.  We didn't even practice before we arrived, but we have several art students in the bunch, and they are excellent edgers.

After painting, we enjoyed helping Pastor Manuel run his VBS based upon building smart, Biblical character qualities.  Pastor Manuel does an excellent job presenting the gospel.

After the VBS, we mingled in with the youth who came for a youth activity. Part of the crowd seemed quite resistant, but the Lord plants seeds, and our kids were used by him through games, conversations, and camaraderie.

Day 9 kept us in the same location with similar programs.  In the morning we hosted the  VBS in Tileran, and the afternoon, we helped with Pastor Manuel again with VBS and then with the youth.  Such great energy filled the church during both activities. Praise the Lord for what he can do through friendships and fun, and especially through his word. We particularly enjoyed sharing the gospel through the mime, through special music, and then with Katy sharing her testimony.

Day 6: Managua

Today we enjoyed a tour of Managua after our VBS work (VBS pictures in next post). We culminated the day with another celebration for Haakon. That man can eat a whole fish--eyes and all!

Day 4 -- Traveling to Nicaragua (Tipitapa)

Today, we traveled to Nicaragua -- a 15-hour trip, including a 3-hour "layover" at the border, and a fun-filled visit to Pizza Hut in Rivas, Nicaragua.

Day Three -- Atenas, Costa Rica

Our third day took us to a church and a school in Atenas, in the mountains of Costa Rica. The team was split into two groups, and throughout the day we painted some outside walls at the church and both indoor and outdoor spaces at a local, public school. We enjoyed fellowship with each other, the a few local pastors--Jeremy and Mauricio, another missions team from Masters Academy in Florida, and a scorpion in the bathroom of one of the girls. Very exciting day!

Day 2: The Island of Chira -- getting there, ministering on, being stranded on, and being rescued

On January 7, the team traveled to the Isla de Chira in Nicoya Bay. The ride over took about 40 minutes, but because the water was rough, we could not dock at the port. We disembarked in a mangrove swamp and hiked up to the main road--even through someone's back yard. Our team ran a Bible school day for about 45 kids in a church. The team members sang, played games, helped with crafts. Most importantly, they connected with kids. Words learned in class became real life conversations, and where words could not be found, hugs and smiles and ready hands to hold worked to bridge language barriers. Returning to our boat brought another adventure. We walked to a pick-up point at the edge of the island, and where was our boat? Out about 400 yards or so, just drifting. We enjoyed a time of exploring the end of the island, a brief team meeting, and lots of nature before being rescued by a small boat that towed the larger one to us. The little boat (sorry for my lack of boating jargon) pulled us all the way back to the mainland, which this time took about an hour and a half.

Day One: Trip to Charlotte, NC; San Jose and Atenas, Costa Rica

Parent Prayer Send-off (Jan 3)