And That's a Wrap!

Well this is it! Wow, it seems like just yesterday that we arrived in Costa Rica and began our first day here at the campus and now we're all packed and ready to leave for home! For our last day, we worked to complete some painting, trim installation, staining/sealing of trim and even began installation of ceiling boards for the porch covering at the entry of the Multiplication building. We worked straight through our afternoon break to wrap up as much as possible. As can be seen in one of the photos below, Paul (our fearless team leader) got a little hungry so taking matters into his own hands, picked and devoured a green mango off of one of the many fruit trees on the campus!

Steve Wright has commented that we helped to make great progress on the building during our stay, which was quite encouraging to hear! As much as it feels good to hear this, it feels even better to know that within a matter of only two months, this building will be opened for usage in training Latin American missionaries as well as a meeting place for Tico (Costa Rican) youths in the local outreach programs here.

This mission trip has been such an amazing experience for all of us. Not only have we been able to serve God, but have also grown spiritually in our daily devotion to Him. We've met and developed friendships with some wonderful Christian Ticos and gringos (Americans) and have even gotten to know and grow in fellowship with our trip team members! All of us had an opportunity to either learn or practice their Spanish, teach some English words to the Ticos who worked beside us, and learn more about Costa Rican culture!

It is truly a blessing to have the opportunity to be a part of God's awesome plan here in Costa Rica! Thank you to all our friends and loved ones at home for all your prayers and support. We'd like to invite you to join us in continuing to pray for all the missionaries, both Ticos and gringos, here in Costa Rica and throughout the world.

We love and miss you all and will see you soon!

Here are some before and after pictures of the Multiplication building during our stay.

Before:

After:

Almost Wrapped Up...

The week is drawing to a close...boy has it rushed by!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is our last full day in Costa Rica.
According to Steve Wright, we've accomplished all he had set out for us to do - so now we are in the "bonus round" where everything we did today (and will do tomorrow) is less work to get done before the official opening of the multiplication center in September. That makes us all feel great because as much as this trip is about opening ourselves up to God and inviting him to transform us, we also wanted to be of service. Knowing that we've accomplished all they hoped of us and more is really fantastic.

Paul and Megan setting some baseboard

This week we've been examining God's role as Chief Architect and General Contractor of our lives, with Christ as the foundation upon which we are called to build. Each of us has looked at, both individually and as a group, how those relationships work. I am personally so grateful to have had the chance to come here and see the things I've seen and to meet the people I've met. I definitely recommend to anyone that if you feel called to serve on an International trip like this, contact the zone leader for that Country and check it out.

Kevin showing off his high-up painting skills

Tomorrow we'll work a little bit shorter day before we pack and get ready to say goodbye.

Wake up call for Saturday morning is 3:00 a.m.

We've loved being here but are really anxious to get home.

Blessings!

---Kirk

Costa Rica - Day 6

Today was our rest and relax day at the Multiplication Center, but we didn't do too much of that. We headed out to La Paz waterfalls for most of the day. The site is a great tourist attraction where we saw many birds, butterflies, snakes, frogs, and of course the waterfalls. We truly saw how much God appreciates diversity. Pictured here is Kirk inviting a toucan to walk on his hand shortly before it bit Megan (don't worry, there were no injuries).


As we wandered through the butterfly exhibit the passing butterflies stopped for a rest on our team members. At one point Ki had several on him and in this picture Dylan inspects them. Another neat feature was that they had many living cocoons on display and we got to watch as the butterflies emerged.


The highlight was obviously the waterfalls. As we walked alongside the series of waterfalls, we experienced the power of God in his creation. As we got ready for a team picture by the falls we realized we left Kevin behind at lunch. The food was really good and I guess he wasn't ready to leave. In the meantime, we took several other pictures including the Huckabays here.


After a few minutes we found Kevin and took the team picture. On the way home we also stopped at a few more tourist attractions including this giant ox cart.



During the trip back we experienced more Costa Rican culture as we were backed up in traffic on a two lane road. The law in Costa Rica regarding traffic accidents is that everyone has to stop and wait for police. We were stuck for hours, but eventually made it back with no worries. Having the Wrights along with us as tour guides has been an awesome experience. We can ask any cultural questions and we learn more about this country than if we had come on an expensive tourist trip.

In the evening we got to talk to another local missionary, David. He is working with youth in the neighborhood and is also leading a mission to Nicaragua. The relationship between Costa Ricans and Nicaraguans is very strained so relating with them is very difficult. Although David has been to Nicaragua before, this will be the first time he is leading a group on his own. It was inspiring to hear his story and see his energy and enthusiasm for the Lord. We ask that you pray for David: that he might have wisdom in leading the team to Nicaragua in late September, that the youth in Nicaragua would be open to his message, and that David would recognize any new longer term calling from God for another mission field.

- Steven

Another Day in Costa Rica

Today is another day in Costa Rica. (as the title explains)
Anywho, we are all having a great time serving God. Steve says that we are making some HUGE progress on the building. We did some painting and usual stuff.
What has been really cool is hearing from some people that will be using the building. Their stories have really explained the importance of our work. The building will be used for many great things that will honor God. I am very thankful for the prayer support that we have been receiving. I appreciate it all. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all!

-Ryan

Day 3 and 4

Day 3

Day 3 was Sunday and we had a "day of rest." Actually, it was a cultural day. We went to the Wright's church with them. Here is a short video clip during one of the worship songs.

The pastor was very enthusiastic and Steve thought that the pastor was talking about dead fish, but actually Steve Wright corrected him later. He actually was talking about sin (pecados not pescados).

Later, we went to lunch at a local Costa Rican (tico) restaurant. Here are Ryan and Kendra enjoying their lunch. We all had family style dishes consisting of grilled chicken, pork, beef with corn tortillas, avocados, and fried plantane bananas. Yummy!

After lunch, we stopped by the Britt coffee plantation company store to load up on coffee and candies at great prices except I got 1 less bag of candy that I paid for. Then we stopped by the campus to do some devos (devotions).

At 5pm, we all walked down the hill and hopped on a city bus to go the Wright's for dinner. After an all American meal that Paul was craving, Ivan and Xinia shared with us about their ministry. They are Ticos who are currently missionaries ministering to locals, but their hearts are to serve in Africa and eventually Chile. It's amazing to listen to these missionaries stories and how they are willing to drop everything and go where God is calling them. Ivan told us that if we remember one thing about ticos, we should remember the phrase "pura vida" - pure life. Later around 9:45pm, we hopped on the bus to go back to the campus guided by Sergio who is another missionary living at the campus supported by Equipos Internacionales - Costa Rica branch of ITEAMS. After we got dropped off, we walked back up the hill to the campus to get some rest for another day of work.

Day 4

Steve Wright said that we would be "hitting it hard" today - and we did. Ryan and Kendra finished painting the office room upstairs. Kevin and Brandon continued to work on "stoning" te fireplace. Paul and Steven helped hang 3 doors. Megan, Kirk, and Ki worked on more painting. Also, in the afternoon, Megan, Ki, Paul and Steve tried to finish up grouting the outside wall stone and Ryan and Kendra started helping sand and cut baseboard.

Even though, we are working hard, we always take a break before lunch to work on devos. It's important so that we stay focused on God's work and not our own. Here are some of us in our devotional time.

During lunch, Woody joined us since he was back from a trip. It was cool to hear him pray for lunch in Spanish. After 10 years in Costa Rica and 30 years in Latin America, you learn to do that pretty well. After a long hard day, Steve surprised Kendra with a birthday cake since it was her birthday today. That was a nice surprise.

After dinner, Ernesto Alfaro shared his testimony and a little about his ministry with the youth. His story was intreaging and the work that he has going on to minister to the youth was mind blowing. His main focus right now is growing the youth group called Cultura Vertical, which numbers around 80 kids total with 45-60 kids showing up on a regular basis. He is also working on dicipling individual youths, teaching seminars, and working on all the graphic designs for the youth ministry. He shared about several youth who he and his wife had discipled and now they are discipling others. It was great to see and hear that the building we are working on will enable the local missionary work to reach out further by bringing in and training more local missionaries. They are planning a youth retreat in early April and they are praying that at least 150 local youth show up as well as North American youths. There will be some Lakeside youth attending as well. Please pray for the following:

1. For a good turnout for the youth retreat in April.
2. For Pisaro who Ernesto is currently trying to minister to right now. Pisaro is a 17 year old and does not see what purpose he has and why God would want anything to do with him.

-Ki

Day 2

Today was our first full day of work, and to Steve's suprise we were able to get a lot done. Painting and stone work was our plan of action as we divided into groups for different jobs. This afternoon was our first real rain. It started at lunch time and is probably still raining. At times it got to be so loud in the building that it became very hard to hear some one right next to you. We continue to be impressed just how good the food is. The cook works hard all day to feed us, creating every masterpiece from scratch including the fruit drinks. We've continued with our construction themed devotions and discussed how God is the Master Builder of our lives. I'm excited for tomorrow as we will be going to church here. Please pray that we can continue to grow closer to God as we put our best foot forward in every task given to us.

~Kevin

Outside stone work

Grouting the stones

Inside stone work around a fireplace

We even got Kirk up on the scaffolding

Day 1

We made it! After a long night of "sleeping" on the plane we arrived in San Jose at 5:30 am. We felt the effects of the struggling airline business. No food what so ever on either of our flights (2hr/5hr). We landed in Costa Rica hungry and tired. Our host, Steve Wright, quickly grabbed us and put us in a van and we all headed up the hill to the Sonlife campus for some breakfast. After breakfast we took a short nap and then it was time to take the tour and get briefed on the work that we would be doing while we are here. After Lunch we began a light work day and did some interior painting of the Latin America Multiplication Building. I was very impressed that we were able to put forth a pretty strong effort after very little sleep. Tomorrow the heavy work begins. The focus of today was Hebrews 11:10, "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect was God." As we build and as we work...we look forward to what God is doing in our hearts. We are praying that the work we do will be a blessing to the ministry that is here. But we are also putting our faith in our architect, that He has a plan for each us on this trip, that He will grow us through this experience.

Time for Bed!

-Paul