Melinda's Mission’s Trip To Costa Rica

May 13, 2007

At 3:30 in the morning David, Nathaniel, Rachel, Molly, Marie, Nikki, and I woke up and started our journey to Denver International Airport. We all made it through security, with the exception of some apple juice J The sun was rising as we boarded our plane for Houston, Texas. After a short layover in Houston, we got on another plane for San Jose, Costa Rica. We arrived at 2:00 p.m.

As we flew over Costa Rica, we saw the abundance of green, the orange tin roofs of the houses, and the rapidly forming storm clouds. When we got off the plane, a strong wave of humidity and heat hit us. Within the next half hour it was pouring rain. Welcome to Costa Rica!

That evening, we took a stroll around town and visited the local panaderias (bakeries) and supermercados (supermarkets). A game between the two rival soccer teams of Costa Rica was going on, so we witnessed a lot of craziness and noise J

May 14, 2007

Tom Kennedy, the missionary who works with the Cabecar Indians, picked us up Monday morning. We had a 3 hour drive through the mountains to the property. Tom Kennedy and some other missionaries purchased some property right outside of the Indian Reservation where they are building a clinic as well as some other structures, such as an overnight shelter, and a stable. A kitchen and bathroom were already completed. A river runs about 20 yards from the clinic. There, we met the foreman, Giovanni, and his family: Iris (wife), Juan Carlos (17 years old), and Joanna (16 years old). They are Costa Rican—it was fun interacting with them J

We also had with us a young couple who are doctors who are planning to live at the clinic full time once it is finished. Tom’s son, Sam, also came with us, as well as another young Costa Rican lady.

That day we had a tour of the property, went on a walk, and got settled in. It was pitch black by 6:00, which is when we had dinner. After that, we sat in the kitchen by light of kerosene lamps. We had a good time of worship, accompanied by many bugs. By 9:00 we were all ready for bed. That night we fell asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and river.

May 15, 2007

We woke up and helped prepare a breakfast of gallo pinto (beans and rice). After breakfast, Tom Kennedy sent us off for a half hour of quiet with a scripture and prayer. By 8:30, we started working.

Our first project was to make a drainage system for the kitchen. Water from the kitchen went directly into the river, so we wanted to make sure that all the food and grease were strained out before the water reached the river. We dug a hole, through rock and roots, 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep, and about 12 feet long. After that, we filled the ditch with big, heavy river rocks. On top of the rocks we placed a tarp, and covered the rest with dirt.

Our second project was to organize their supply house. We cleaned up trash, organized sheet rock, and stacked wood.

By 3:00 we were exhausted. We spent the rest of our time till supper sitting on a porch worshiping in song.

That night after supper Giovanni taught us to play “nueve nueve” (99). We also discovered that Molly was very afraid of flying beetles. Giovanni lovingly named one after her, and placed it on her head.

May 16, 2007

After breakfast and quiet time half of us started to varnish an overnight shelter made for the Cabecars, and half of us started working on gravel paths connecting the different buildings. When it rains, the paths get very muddy, and it is almost impossible to keep things clean.

In the afternoon David gave a soccer ball to Juan Carlos, and the guys played soccer for a while.

That night for supper Iris taught the girls how to make empanadas. After supper Tom Kennedy shared some stories of his work with the Cabecars.

May 17, 2007

Thursday morning we filled our water bottles and headed into the Indian reservation for a couple hour hike. Following a small trail, we hiked through the mountains, passing Cabecar people along the way, until we came to a swinging bridge. We crossed it, and Tom explained where we were in relation to one of their churches. After that we headed back, and stopped on our way back by a Cabecar school. We were able to play a soccer game with the children—gringos vs. Cabecars J The children definitely beat us.

The hike out was hard for some of the team. It was a very hot, sunny day, and we were hiking steep slopes. The Lord gave us the strength we needed to get safely back to the property.

After we got back from the hike we took a refreshing dip in the river. That night it rained hard, and we could hear the river grow and the boulders crashing underneath its force. It was an eerie sound. It was late by the time it stopped raining, but we went down to the river. Two of their rafts they had built had been swept away, and the river had grown in depth by at least 6 feet. What a scary, but awesome sight!

That night was also our last, so we made it a special one by having a talent show, playing games, worship, and ended the night by catching a pesky rat that had gotten into some of our food during the week. Giovanni kindly disposed of it.

May 18, 2007

Friday morning after saying goodbye to Giovanni and family, we loaded up the vehicles and started back for San Jose. When we got back to the youth house we cleaned up, grabbed some lunch, and started preparing to speak and sing for the international youth group that evening. For me, it was therapeutic seeing many familiar faces and friends at youth group.

We as a group were able to share some things about what we had learned from the trip, including the huge topic of flexible expectations. After sharing, we sang two songs: one song we did acapella as a group, and the other a worship song which all joined in to sing.

May 19, 2007

The last day of our trip we spent at the beach, where the team was able to do a little tourist shopping.

May 21, 2007

At 5:00 we headed for the airport. It was a long day of traveling, but it allowed for some good sleep and reflection. Thank God we all were kept safe during travel, our passports were not stolen, and we made it through security ok.

I also need to tell you about one member of our team, Laura, who wasn’t able to go with us. Her passport did not arrive on time, but she was a trooper. She encouraged us and expressed a peace that the Lord knew what was best. As we went to Costa Rica without her, we missed her, thought about her often, and prayed for her. We decided to make a little stick figure and name it Laura. She went with us everywhere and we took pictures of her so that we could send it back to the real Laura.