March Mission Trip Daily Updates
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Today was our last day in Costa Rica. We set out to visit Cartago, just down the road from San Jose, where there is a large Catholic population. We were able to tour the Basilica and see all of the lavish and ornate carvings, statues, and trappings. The most memorable and unexpected activity for me was watching the local people move toward the altar on their knees, in a slow, awkward fashion. Apparently the custom here is to make a showing of your sacrifice and devotion by “crawling” on the marble floor in public, and then to pray reverently before leaving. The focal point in the altar is a small doll that is somehow thought to have magical powers, based on local legend.
Another attraction in Cartago is the ruins of a Catholic church that was built in 1575, but destroyed by earthquakes. The earthquakes continued to destroy it every time it was rebuilt, so now it is a shell of four walls with a garden inside. The locals finally concluded that God did not want the building there, so they moved.
From Cartago, we traveled out and up to approximately 12,000 feet above sea level, where we were able to see inside Volcano Irazu. This was definitely the high point of the day…it was very appropriate to see such an example of God’s power on top of all we had seen throughout this trip. We even had clouds moving through that blocked the view of the crater lake at first, and then dissipated briefly to give us a brief look at the green lake some 900 feet below the edge. The last eruption was 1963, when JFK was in Costa Rica.
After leaving Irazu, we had an hour to shop for last-minute souvenirs for our families, and then we joined Chino and his family for dinner. As I type this, we have about 6 hours before we must leave for the airport for our flight home.
Twelve lives have been changed this week—we came to Costa Rica to find where God is working, and then to join in and help. What we found is that God is working here, and we have been able to join the effort; the irony is that these people whom we came to “minister to” have ministered to us instead. I encourage anyone who reads this journal to find out where God is working, and go join in…you will never be the same
Brian DuBose
Today, March 6, 2007, started early as every other day has since this trip started. We began by eating one of two hardy breakfasts and by 7am we were mixing and pouring concrete. Early in the morning, the women joined our team up at the camp. They were able to complete the painting of Froylan’s house. We mixed and poured 50 bags and ran out of sand before lunch. When we arrived at the cabin where we eat lunch, Froylan and Sonia’s 11 month old daughter’s glowing face caught my eye, she had a smile for everyone. Her happiness epitomizes the spirit and love that these people have for everyone. This week has slowed my life down enough to show me that I to need to show God’s love to everyone I come in contact with. So often in our busy lives we pass each other by without a smile. Here smiles are never lacking. We worked till 2:30 and packed up the vans to head back to Chris and Diana’s house. As usual we entered to find Diana cooking for us and serving from her heart. After stuffing ourselves at supper, Pastor Chino shared from God’s word and we went around the room and shared our feelings on how God had spoke to us this week. For me, this day has been like every day since we met the children of Los Guido wondering what God wants me to do about what I’ve seen.
Joel Yoho
Yesterday was Monday March 5, 2007 we were busy all day doing God’s work….and sometimes doing His work means getting dirty. This morning the guys headed out for Camp Brittney for an overnight work trip. We hit the ground running as we finished tying up the last few rebar connections. We started mixing concrete and before we stopped that night we had mixed over 20 bags and had a good start on the foundation. I had the privilege of working on the mixing crew with Jairo and Jose Pablo. They were both brand new Christians from the town of Los Guido that have been taken under the wing of Salvador for discipleship. Of course they were working circles around me but hard work will make good friends. They couldn’t speak English any more than I could Spanish but love and respect will transcend language. At one point while we were all busy and making good progress with the concrete, Jairo looked around at everyone working, and with a thoughtful look on his face and said “beautiful people.” In a brief moment of clarity we both were pondering on the truly beautiful transformation that Christ’s love was having on all of us. We did more today than mix up some mud and strain muscles that have not been used for a while, our eyes were opened to a true vision of what mission work is and how it affects everyone involved.
Pura Vida! from Costa Rica
Jay Cumbee
It’s is Sunday, March 04, 2007, and as I was awakened again at early dark o’clock a.m. by a rooster crowing, a dog howling and of course Kenneth pouncing around, I said “Good morning Lord". I got up right away and began anticipating what God would have in store for us today. We had a wonderful breakfast and then we headed off to church. We actually had church all day long…..I wish you all could have been here! We heard two wonderful sermons in El Lugar by Pastor Chino and Jose Prado, the director of Costa Rica’s Score International.
Pastor Chino challenged us to ask ourselves how well we understand the message of the book of Romans. The message I received was we should have a servant’s heart and mind. God can use all people and we all have a place to serve. He asked when is the last time your heart actually beat for someone else to come to know the Lord. If we are not sharing Christ with everyone…what is our purpose for living?
Then Jose brought us a message from Ephesians 2:17…What is redemption? He very vividly showed us Christ’s death on the Cross and how His perfect blood covers all our sins. He showed me how the Cross is what calls us to live for the Lord. We then shared in the Lord’s Supper.
I wanted to share those messages with you back home because you have to know how the Holy Spirit prepared us for what was ahead in Los Guido. I can’t begin to describe the living conditions we saw, however, I can tell you what I saw in the eyes and faces of the people. I saw people who are the same as you and me in the eyes of our Lord: people who are looking for hugs, love and purpose, people who need the Lord. The only way they are going to know Him is if someone brings the message to them. That’s our job…through much witness, prayer and support. The field is so white and the laborers are so few!
We then ended our day by inviting some of these people to join us there at the evening service. We had a special time doing crafts and telling stories from the Bible with about 75 of the Los Guido children. As a treat for us ladies, we were invited to stay for a Ladies Conference that was planned for the Los Guido women. There were over 70 ladies attending and it was absolutely awesome!
You see, in God’s eyes we are all equal. When we get to Heaven, there will be no barriers, no poverty, no need for interpreters (English or Spanish, ha ha) because we will all be Uno with Him! Gracias and have a great week and please keep our ministry in your prayers.
Cathy
P.S. I’m sure I will awaken again tomorrow by the same rooster, the same dog, and of course, Kenneth!
03-03-07
WOW! What a day!! Our team experienced an active camp day.
We started our day at Chris and Diana Overall’s home with a devotion about the Parable of the Lost Sheep in which we all contemplated the worthiness of each and every one. Then we loaded up in the vans and enjoyed good conversation with each other as we traveled for at least one hour on the winding, bumpy roads to Camp Brittney. We arrived at camp just before our bus of “blessings”. The kids were all smiles as they unloaded and congregated around the pool. Pastor Gabriel gave a brief summary of why we are to follow Christ in Baptism and what it means to us. Then Pastor Gabriel, Pastor Chino and Kenneth baptized 19 young people and we rejoiced and celebrated them with many photos, hugs, smiles and applause. Then the horseplay began. All 45 kids bombed the pool and it was on. Most of the team very bravely connected with the group in the pool through fun and very meaningful play. Others “talked” with hugs, gestures and many smiles. Love is a universal language, and our team did a great job of demonstrating unconditional love for these new believers and friends. The ever-faithful and hard working Camp Brittney Team prepared lunch and we enjoyed food and a break. After lunch there was more fun and fellowship, crafts and then an assembly to present Baptism Certificates. We all hugged our “blessings” and waved goodbye as the bus left camp. Our team was left to reflect, rest and enjoy dinner during which a pair of Toucans were spotted flying around camp Our drive down the mountains during dusk was very interesting because of a lunar eclipse. Today was so full that I can’t even imagine what God has in store for us tomorrow.
Shannon
03-02-07
Morning came early the day following our arrival. The group was up and eating breakfast at 6:00AM. An hour later we boarded two vans and were on the way to Camp Brittney. At camp the ladies, spent the day painting the exterior the Caretaker's house for the camp and preparing the meals. The men spent most of their time eating but did manage to prepare and set most of the rebar needed for the church's footings. Just before dusk, we boarded the vans and made our way back to the house just outside San Jose.
From what I've seen from the group, I believe we are physically tired from the last two days of events but are excited about the progress made today and will be eager to get up early in the morning. Tomorrow will be special. We will finally be able to meet the people all of this will benefit. In that instant, all if the muscles that may have been sore from the day before will be soothed. Tony Fallaw
03-01-07
You can call us many things, but you can't call us late!! We woke at 3:00am to make it to Columbia Airport for a 7:00 flight! We each checked 2 bags totaling 26 (each near the 50lb limit)...plus we each had a carry-on bag. We arrived early because we were worried that with all this luggage it would be easy for things to get messy at the airport. But God was there. It was the smoothest transition from meeting Kenneth there at 5am to boarding the plane at 7am...all luggage, and people, accounted for. We arrived in Atlanta and had a short 30min. delay there due to the rainy weather, but soon enough we left the familiar soil of the U.S. and headed out for Costa Rica.
We arrived in Costa Rica with a hard landing. Again, with God's grace, we passed through customs and found every piece of luggage without a hitch. We met pastor Chino and our drivers, Gabriel, Salvador, and Chris who safely drove us through San Jose and into the mountains to Chris and Diana's house. They are originally from Oregon and have been living here for the past 6 years following God's will. They are a super nice couple and have graciously opened their house to 13 strangers from Ridge Spring - Monetta...we were here less than an hour and they made us feel much at home.
We are looking forward to the rest of the week. We have a construction project going on, a school to visit, and some sight seeing ahead of us...but we are mostly excited about meeting the Costa Rican people, learning this culture, and seeing how God will bless us even more throughout this week!
Jason Cumbee
