February '07 Construction Team Daily Update
2-14-07
We're headed home in the morning. It's been a fantastic 10 days. We've worked very hard and accomplished even more than we thought we could. We have seen many blessings and developed many new friendships. We have seen more clearly the vision of Camp Brittney and feel we can partner in that vision with God's leading. Today we were treated to a look at the beauty of Costa Rica- saw an awesome volcano up close and had a harrowing mountain ride, coffee beans, bananas, and farming on a vertical scale on the side of a mountain. We are going home tired, but refreshed- and energized as a team to continue seeking God's will for our team and our church.
Barbara Bollman
2-13-07
Good news, water came on about 1:30 a.m. . Many of the guys got up during the middle of the night to shower. Dennis gave the morning devotion. Gal. 2:20, we are crucified in Christ and dying to self a little more every day. Our last day of work at Camp Brittney. The women did the last paint coat on the outside of the kitchen building, then we moved up the hill to Froylan's house. We painted the front of the house and it looked really nice. The guys continued their work doing rebar. This day was probally their toughest. Most of the rebar was cut, binded and tied. Out of the shade and into the full sun to set the rebar in place. The hottest day so far. They all worked so hard. I'm sure the Lord was very pleased with all their hard work. It was sad to drive away from Camp Brittney. All of us wish we could have done more. We can start to wind down as tomorrow will be a sight seeing day. Praise God! We have water tonight. It has been a great mission trip. We all have seen the poor conditions that the Costa Rican people live with. We will come back to McCormick with appreciation for running water and toilets that flush. We thank God for all the blessings that we take for granted. One full day left. Thank God for all the praying people at home. Nobody hurt all week. Good night!
Sue Beers
02-11-07
Today we went to three church services. The first was at 9:00 AM this morning. The church was the home church of the one that we are ministering to in Los Guido. The service was much like our services at home except for the language of course. The speaker was an elder in the church. His sister spoke great English and acted as an interpeter for us. He brought an excellent message. At 10:30 we attended the church in Los Guido. the service was mostly young people. There was approximately 50 present for the service. One of our host tried to interpret for us. We were able to get the gest of the message.
At 3:00 PM we returned to the church in Los Guido for a Bible Club Meeting. It was much like our evening youth meetings at home. The difference being that practically all of these young people came from extremely difficult home situations. There were approximately 50 youth present for the meeting.
Here are some observations from the day. One, we become too connected to the buildings in which the church meets at home. The first church met in a home that had been converted into a space large enough for a sanctuary area. The second church meets in a community center. Today, something else had been planned in the center and they had to move across the street. Although there was no steeple and all of the other things we associate with a church, it was clear the the church was meeting. It reminded me that the people make up the church and the building is where the church meets. Two, children are children wherever you go. The games and songs were very much like the ones at home. However, these children and young people were well behaved and attentive to the message. Three, the children at the first service in Los Guido all, most even the child placed something in the offering plate when it was passed. Here was a true example of the widow's mite. These children literally have nothing. Yet they were eager to drop their coins in the plate. Four, at the youth Bible Club most of the youth were very attentive to the message and many of them demonstrated that they had a knowledge of the Bible. Those with Bibles had them open and they were continually following the speaker from passage to passage. Not only did they have their Bibles open, many of them also had a notebook with them and were taking notes. Five, it is clear that the men and women who are ministering to these children have a heart for them. The children are truly the least of the least in the eyes of the world. Of course in God's eyes each one is precious. The workers were clearly on mission and not simply doing a job. Their passion was clear.
In closing today's update, I would say today was another reminder of how blessed we are. It was also a reminder that we could do with much less if need be and still have a strong functioning church that worshiped and praised the Lord. I think all of us will return home with a greater appreciation for what we have and a greater sense of responsiblity to use our blessings in the most important work in the world, the work of being used of God to assist in the building of His Kingdom.
We will be back at work at the camp tomorrow. There will be another update tomorrow evening.
Pastor Dennis
02-10-07
Today our team was able to see what Camp Brittney is all about. Sure, we have been working at the camp for the last couple of days, but today we were able to see about thirty children come to Camp Brittney for a day. It is amazing to see the pure joy in the children's faces while they are at the camp.
Since being here, we have heard many testimonies about how many lives have been changed through Camp Brittney. Today we got to meet some of those children and teenagers. I am trully unable to describe how encouraging it is to see how much fun the kids have at camp. The Lord is definately using Camp Brittney to impact the lives of Costa Rican youth!
Brian Bolding
02-09-07
I am happy to report that we have almost made it to the end of the first week. Everybody seems to be getting along just fine, no injuries, no deaths, just tired!
One of my biggest rewards is seeing the reaction and getting to know the team members. I have been blessed beyond belief getting to know this team. Each member brings a different flavor to the table. We have Sharon who is just soaking every little thing in, to Barbara who is like the mother hen taking care of her chicks. I get a kick out of Dale "Mr. Osha the safety man" with his morning safety tips. I can't leave out Paul who gets "ragged on" for talking too loud in the eary morning. Brian who has been my laughing partner since the beginning has kept my sides hurting. Each person on this team has touched and has been a blessing to me in one way or another.
Tommorrow is the day that I have been waiting for all week. We are going to spend the day with some of the youth at Camp Brittney. I'm not sure how much work will get done with all the kids there, but I don't think it really matters! I ask that you would keep this team in your prayers as I know that I will.
Kenneth Bledsoe
02-08-07
Today was our first glimpse of Camp Brittney. What a beautiful setting . Brittney's sign at the roadside and a winding road down to a beautiful stream. Of course, some basic CR touchs - cows wandering the hillside and in the evening coming to the pen on the other side of the stream and chickens coming by from time to time. Everyone was excited to actually start work on the mission house. We feel like pioneers to be building - our guys- impressed Chris with the speed of their work. the women were also hard worker's , we cloroxed the kitchen house and painted two walls (outside) .
We are seeing God's hand at every turn. His provision in travel- the knowledge that many children have accepted Christ at the camp- health for everyone so far- safety in travel in the country. We feel honored to be here and to be a part of the vision. It will be a blessing to participate in its unfolding.
Barbara
02-07-07
Bob Martin did devotions . Here am I , send me. The journey is part of the gift.
The team is walking through Los Guido. We walked down in the really poor area of Los Guido. Very dangerous steps down to the poorest tin homes. We saw the "River of Death," a filthy stream that runs through the tin shacks. Garbage everywhere and raw sewage that runs in the river. Spent the afternoon in Los Guido visisting homes of kids that had been to Camp Brittney. Fun to give out candy to the children. It's easy to love the little brown faces and dark eyes.
Sue Beers
02-06-07
Fourteen happy campers! Planes on time all the luggage arrived with us. We are staying at Chris and Dianna's house. Very nice accomadations. We met all the pastors from C.R. and Chino's wife and children. I told everyone about the bracelets and showed them the pictures of Brittney making them.
Dennis gave a devotion toinght from Oswald Chambers - Utmost for Highest - Are you ready to be offered? 2 Tim. 4:6.
He challenged us to offer ourselves up to God to do whatever He wants for us to do.
Gabriel spoke Mark 6:34 - Jesus fed the 5000. He shared how Jesus had compassion.
Tom gave a moving testimony.
Sue Beers
