An Experience I Will Never Forget

The night before the departure to Costa Rica I couldn't sleep because my mind raced with thoughts of Costa Rica and what the trip would be like. When the time for flight came closer, I began to relax more. I heard a lot of stories about the conditions people lived in Costa Rica and it scared me. My selfishness overcame my thoughts; worrying about not having warm baths and cleans water, getting diseases from the kids living on the streets, but that was the wrong way to go about thinking of this trip that I soon learned would change my perspective of the world.

On the first day, we arrived in San Jose and walked down the street to our bus. The first thing I thought and did was cover my bag walking by people on the streets. We drove straight to Cot de Cartago to meet our first host family. I wasn't sure what to expect and what to think but when we arrived it was nothing like what I had in mind. The first thing, I think, everyone noticed was the backwards American flag. A lot of us thought is was a sign of disrespect but we learned it was their way of welcoming us. We all got assigned a family with a room mate. I wasn't afraid of the communication barrier between us and the Costa Ricans because I know Spanish but that made everyone want to use me to communicate. I enjoy helping a lot but it can get exhausting after a while. The family we got the privilege to stay with seemed very welcoming and happy to have us. They gave us an amazing hot meal consisting of chicken, fish, rice, eggs and tortillas.

The next day we hiked up to the volcano Irazu with some students from the school of Cot. Seeing the beauty of nature during that hike made me be grateful of the earth we live in and the sights God allows us to see. All the students enjoyed our company and wanted to talk to us and be our friends which made me happy. The guys I talked to all enjoyed soccer so we had a lot in common and talked the whole bus ride back. We all went back to the school and played games with all the kids and had an amazing time. The next day we were able to join those students in classes with our own uniforms they let us have. All that they learn is the same thing that we learn back home which shows us that we are not different from our families in Costa Rica. The goodbyes where pretty tough but we will always have little gifts to remember Rosie and her welcoming family.

On to our next family in Guarari and La Cuenca. I've heard many stories about the community in Guarari and it made me afraid for our groups safety but I knew the Lord was with us through it all. Seeing the condition families lived in in La Cuenca made me feel ashamed of what I worried about in the beginning of the trip. These families were fighting and struggling to survive and see the next day. A group of us visited this family with a single mother and 5 children. Her name is Maria-Elena and her oldest son, who was there at the time, Jiovani. They lived in a very small and dangerously built home consisting of 2x4s and sheets of metal. We sang and prayed to her while tears ran down all our faces. The only thing that made me have hope for these families was the love that God showed us and the happiness these kids had. Hugo, the leader of Smiles with Hope, has one of the biggest hearts I have ever gotten to experience and it saddened me hearing his story. It showed me how amazing our God is, even through our toughest times. Tyler and my host family in Guarari was very loving and welcoming. They didn't have children and wasn't sure if they were not able to have children but when we arrived they treated us and spoiled us just like if we were their own children, just like the love God gives to all his children. He blesses us every day with health and food so the least we could do is share his gifts to our bothers and sisters struggling around the world.

Through this trip I have prayed a lot more and will continue to pray for the families in Costa Rica and for all the blessings that I receive from God every day. This is an experience that I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life.

Daniel Lopez

The Innocent Souls of Costa Rica

What I experienced on this trip has been like nothing I have experienced before.  I saw some of the most beautiful sights of God's creation, like the luscious trees and vibrantly colored flowers.  But I also saw some of the most heartbreaking sights I have ever witnessed.  The children that we played with were obviously different from American children.  Some had scrapes and cuts all over them and no way to care for them.  When they saw a simple water bottle sitting on the counter, they were fighting over who go to drink out of it.  Looking around, they were living in small, dirty shacks that consist of one or two small rooms.  Their environment had nothing positive about it.  Yet their attitudes had nothing negative about them.  These children were some of the happiest kids I have ever seen.  They were elated when they saw all of us there ready to play with them, and just sitting there with us and playing with our hair, I'm sure was such a highlight for them.  Even though we couldn't communicate every word because of the language barrier, we still communicated simply through laughter and smiles.  The memories I have of these beautiful children I know I won't soon forget, and I will remember to pray that God blesses and protects these innocent souls as they deserve so much more than they have.

Marie Farmer

Guido and Sarah

During my time in Costa Rica, I learned multiple different lessons to take back to America with me, I've bonded with a few classmates, and I've had many fun and memorable moments.  The most impactful part of my trip was staying with my first host family, Guido and Sarah.  They are two hardworking people who go out at night and sell their crafts in the community.  Sarah is an artist, and Guido is a wood worker.  Both of them virtually had nothing.  They lacked wifi, a tv, and much space in their house.  But what they lacked in material possessions, they had in love through Christ.  Both of them showed me and my roommate, Andrew, so much love.  I am in awe of how happy they both were through their poverty and losses within their family.  While there was a huge language barrier, Andrew and I communicated relatively well in sharing about all of our families as well as much joking around without words.  And even though I'm not a huge fan of rice and beans, I ate as much as I could for my new family.  I can say after spending only two and a half days with them that both Andrew and I left their house with a new bond and love for them.  It has showed me how God's love and our love should not be indicative of what we have or do no have.

I also had some fun balling with some of the local high school students.  I was like MJ out there.  I wasn't doing so well on the soccer field with them though so it evened out.

Will Maddox

A Day at the Resort

Yesterday was a relaxing day.  After a good breakfast, we headed over to the zip lining building to get ready to do just that.  The students were geared up and instructed on safety.  Then they divided into groups and took off one by one - sailing through the trees.  They saw colorful toucans, a verdant mountain range, and a rushing river.  Afterwards it was lunchtime so the group headed to a buffet-style lunch.  During afternoon free time, students spent hours relaxing in the hot springs, playing in the pool, writing their blog posts, or hanging out in enus.  Right after dinner the group gathered in the conference room for prayer time.  The class prayed for the people of Cot and La Cuenca.  They brainstormed about what they could do to remember to pray for and help them.  Then they dispersed for a little bit of free time before curfew.  It was a relaxing day overall.

Mary Grace Williams

Let Go and Let God

This week I flew about three thousand miles from Greenville, South Carolina, a place that is full of material blessing, and ended up in La Cuenca, Costa Rica, a place full of poverty.  Although these two places are vastly different, I observed with my own eyes that God is present amidst the suffering across all the earth.  The beautiful people of La Cuenca and Guarari live in makeshift shacks built from tin scraps among streams of sewage.  They have what many Americans would consider unlivable conditions, yet somehow these people's generosity shows no bounds.  The host families always made sure that their students were given the very best of the little they possessed.  They demonstrated perfectly through their selflessness that nothing on this earth or anything in all creation belongs to anyone.  It's all His.  Everything is God's.  With the comprehension of this truth, how do so many of us continue to live lives in which we desperately cling onto the fading pieces of a finite world?  Instead, we should live lives in which our security is found in an infinite God.  An example of someone who lives this way is Hugo, a man who has dedicated his life to God through his ministry called Smiles with Hope.  His ministry provides a much needed light for the community of La Cuenca.  For more information on Smiles with Hope, check out their Facebook page, it is truly a selfless and purposeful ministry that has helped many.  Through all of this, I have come to a greater understanding that we truly need to let go and let God.  This experiences helps give greater understanding to Psalm 46:10 which reads "be still and know that I am God."

Tyler Bradley

Love your brother as yourself

Through this trip I have fully comprehended the meaning of verses like "love your brother as yourself" that we read so flippantly, comprehending only the surface of the Scripture.  My host families showed me generosity beyond anything I have ever experienced.  They gave the best that they had and went out of their way to make sure that I was comfortable and well taken care of.  Within the short extent of my time, they came to love me like their own child.  The love they showed me and the love I have them will not easily be forgotten.

I will also never forget the pain I felt giving out food in La Cuenca.  I had a burning desire to do more to help the people stuck in those conditions.  The weight of this experience will always be on my heart and in my prayers and will continue to remind me that no matter the circumstances, God will never leave me or forsake me.

Lauren Alsborg

Wednesday - Back in San Jose

We had a short adventure this morning to a hot springs river where the Seniors were able to splash and swim in the water. A quick trip back to the resort and we packed the bus, ate lunch, and headed on our way.

We stopped in La Fortuna, for some souvenir shopping and then hit the road to return to San Jose. The drive back, though a different route, was just as beautiful and adventurous as the ride out. Costa Rica is such a beautiful country.

We stopped for our last full meal together.

We have now arrived at the guest house in San Jose where we are staying the night. It is a beautiful evening in Costa Rica, with the cool breeze blowing and a full moon in the clear sky. We shall all miss this beautiful country.

Tomorrow we leave first thing in the morning to head to the airport for our long day of travel. We look forward to seeing everyone back home and sharing with you our time with the beautiful people of this country.

Buenas Noches!
Lori Horton

Unconditional Love

My time in Costa Rica has been life changing. The trip has been full of unexpected emotions. We went from weeping at the door of families living in the slums of La Cuenca to living it up in our own cabanas at a resort in the rainforest all in one day.

Walking through the village of La Cuenca yesterday, we saw some crazy situations. We delivered food and toiletries to the families who were in the most need of it. My group delivered food to a lady named Jenny who had 5 children and lived in a dirt floor shack no bigger than my bathroom at home. As we sung Psalm 23 to them in Spanish, and they sang along, I have never seen such happy hearts. The children stared and smiled as if they had never received such love. Jenny told us she wasn't expecting anything like this, and that we were a gift from God. Before we left their "house", the children hugged us so tight not wanting to let go, and neither did I. The feeling of hugging this family who literally did not know when they were going to eat next brought tears to my eyes. Through all the sweat and tears, it hit me how blessed I truly am. I thought to myself "Why do I deserve everything that I have when they have absolutely nothing?"

Today, on the other end of the spectrum, we are basically in paradise. I woke up this morning, took my first hot shower of the trip, went to a breakfast buffet, zip lined through the beautiful rainforest, then relaxed by the pool and hot springs for the rest of the afternoon with the view of a volcano in the background. While sitting at the resort reflecting on what I've experienced this week, I've realized how much closer I have become to God in such a short period of time. I have learned the true meaning of unconditional love. Although the children in La Cuenca may not feel loved, and most of them do not have fathers, they are loved beyond measure by their Father in Heaven.

So as my time in Costa Rica comes to an end, I will never forget the impact this country has had on me. Not only was it a mission to change the people here, but it also changed me.

Abbey Long

But for the Grace of God

Interpreting is nothing new to me, I've done it on a weekly basis for years. Of course the dynamic of this trip is very different than the sterile environment I'm used to in medical interpreting.  The three most impactful moments of this trip for me all came when interpreting people's grace stories. 


Our first morning in La Cuenca, I had the opportunity to interpret for Hugo, the director of Sonrisas con Esperanza (Smiles with Hope). He began his story with the rape of an almost 13 year old girl by an older man who had been married multiple times. He went on to say the girl was his mother and the man was his father. He grew up in his father's house and had little to no interaction with his mother who worked as a prostitute. When he was 5 yrs old, his mother committed suicide  and his father died shortly thereafter of age and alcohol related complications. Hugo ended up on the streets and tried to take his own life 4 times, throwing himself in front of a car and breaking all his teeth the last time. 


As an adult he ran into a drug addict he had known from the streets and the man was radically changed. His friend invited him to his home to get cleaned up and fed on the condition Hugo would go to church with him. Hugo wasn't interested in church but a shower and food sounded good. Through this friend and the church Hugo experienced the love of God for the first time. He returned to his studies and he began to pray that God would give him opportunities to minister to those who had yet to know the Father's love. Through a series of events God gave Hugo a ministry to the sick, orphaned, elderly, imprisoned and homeless as a clown. God later blessed Hugo with a wife and they have been ministering in La Cuenca together for 12 yrs. They were blessed with their own baby clown, 8 yrs ago.


Later that day I had the chance to interpret for two of our students as they shared their testimonies with the youth group in Guarari. The first student shared how a change in family dynamics led her on a downward spiral of looking within herself for the solution to all her problems. Her perfectionism shifted into a struggle with food, depression and identity.  It wasn't until she looked outside of herself and turned to God that she could see the solution to her problem would never be found on her own.


The second student told his story of profound loss. It seemed like things in his life were always going from bad to worst. While he was still reeling from one loss another would strike. Thankfully he had three really good friends who stood by him and pointed him to Christ. In the last year he's learned to give it all up to God, an ongoing battle for sure, but an incredibly valuable lesson to learn.


Storytelling is such a powerful thing and God stories are the most powerful of all. Pain and suffering are indiscriminate regardless of where you are born. But God.


Lyndsay Collins

At the Resort

Today (Tuesday) in Costa Rica was our first full day at the resort. Finally being able to sleep in was nice as was having my first hot shower in a while. We ate breakfast at the resort restaurant, then immediately went zip-lining. I got some pretty fresh pictures of all the Seniors flying through the air. I felt like I was a pro at the end of my entourage. Carlos and I looked for monkeys and sloths, but didn't find any. After lunch we found a sloth in a tree and it was a true hit. We swam in the pool and hung like 9 enos and hung out as a Senior class. Today was a very successful day as a result.

Warner Watkins

All My Questions Answered

The flight seemed to last forever; I was so anxious. What would the people be like; would they welcome us; would the little Spanish I do know suffice? All of my questions would be answered within a few hours after leaving the airport in San José, but not the way one would think. All of the worries I had developed in my head, such as not having hot water, soon would fade away. 

Around two hours in a bus could not prepare me for the next couple of days in Cot. The bus had stopped, and out to the right, was a backwards American flag. The people were welcoming us. We all gathered in a driveway and dispersed into groups with host families. Sylvia, Laura and my host mom, walked us down a small hill and into her home through her garage. Her car was quite nice, and it seemed that I had expected much worse. Her living conditions were no where near as bad as I thought. We were treated with a full meal, at midnight American time, but ten their time. One question easily answered: the people are so hospitable and loving. I can't explain the pure joy in Sylvia and her family's eyes. Sylvia tried, to no end, to converse with Laura and me, but we were so tired, and couldn't get out full sentences in Spanish. We went to bed, and woke to sizzling food and glorious smells. 

After eating, the whole group went to the school in Cot, gathered in the lunch room, had some coffee, and soon left with school members to hike. After the hike, we went back to the school and enjoyed an afternoon of soccer, volleyball, and lounging. I was so surprised that, even in uniforms consisting of long pants and dark blue shirts, all the kids wanted to do was play with us. Many of us did not expect the welcome, or the goodbye. 

The last night in Cot was truly heart wrenching. Saying goodbye is never easy, but this goodbye was the hardest. Sylvia had taken us into her house, and made it our home. She had showered us with love, hospitality, and joy. We all exchanged contact information, gave gifts, and spent the last few hours talking. And though Spanish is a true necessity in order to talk to the families, a question was answered: my Spanish would suffice. 

The next morning, we left. A piece of my heart was left in Cot, not only with Sylvia, but with all the people there as well. Now, I would face the hardest part of the trip. La Cuenca was what I prepared myself for: much worse. 

After dropping our bags in the Church in town, we walked down to the ministry "Sonrisas Con Esparanza," or Smiles With Hope. They had us lock up our stuff, and explained the violence within the community. Many of the people lived in metal houses, were covered in dirt and muck, and sadly, had never been shown love. Children ran amongst the streets, and along dirt and sewer paths without shoes. The first day, we walked to see the inside of a house in the community. Anna, the house owner, had ten children, one of which studies with her at night to obtain an education. So different from Cot, but very different from home. 

Through the time in La Cuenca, we played three soccer games, played with too many kids to count, and cried often. The second day in La Cuenca though, was the day that could never be forgotten. We gathered, once again, at the ministry and locked up our bags. We split into four groups, each with a large mesh bag of supplies. We would be taking necessities to families in need. There are no words to explain the utter sadness on my heart, but the total happiness within the eyes of people we were helping. 

My group, or the "Daniels group," was the last group to relinquish supplies. The first thing I noticed, and if you know me well, you wouldn't be surprised, was her dogs. One very skinny black female and one well fed yellow male, both flee infested and dirty. But more importantly, the second thing I noticed was Maria-Elena. She was very small and dirty. And in her eyes, behind the tears, I saw hope for a better future. Her son, Giovani, participated in the violence and stealing in the community. And on "Macha's," or Maria-Elena's heart, was a hope he would find work and leave the path he walks still today. And as we hugged, sang, and prayed with her, many tears fell from those around. That was an unforgettable experience. 

Now, after the life changing experiences made within the first five days, we are at a resort... And it's not the same. I honestly want to be with Sylvia in Cot, and the children in La Cuenca. I wish for one more day with each of them. My reality, at home, and the everyday struggles, seem so small. The world, outside of my world, changes perspective. The things I don't believe I could live without, hot showers, air conditioning, and cellular capabilities, are not necessities. All we truly need in life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control. 

Lauren Jones

Just a few more hours ...

Even though I am currently enjoying the comfortable warmth of the hot springs at the resort, I kind of wish we could have stayed at La Cuenca for one more day. Just a few more hours of playing games with the little children, seeing them light up when you open your arms, ready for a hug. I never imagined it was possible for a child to enjoy sitting on my shoulders as much as they did. We would step on top of a little ledge, raise our arms together, and suddenly they were the tallest person around. I have massive respect for Hugo, who credits all his work to God. The way the kids would run towards him laughing, ready for a loving embrace. Maria Elena, one of the families mothers to whom we brought food was crying tears of joy and looked at Hugo saying "Oh Hugo, the things you do for me" and once again, he assured her that it was all God's work. The graciousness in so many of the people in this country has not stopped to amaze me, and I will try my best to replicate their love for sharing.

Julius Peter

Contrasts

Today was an amazing day of swimming, ziplining, and enoing under the palm trees. Although it was foggy and windy it is still a blast to hang out outside with your friends and look at the beautiful scenery of Costa Rica. Ziplining was amazing also. It was very scary at first but once you went across the first line the rest were so fun! Being able to take a warm shower and sleep in a nicely made bed and eat buffet meals are very different after spending time in areas where none of that stuff is available. It is a eye opener to experience what we have the past few days and go back into normal life. After walking door to door delivering food to people living in a tin house and seeing the tears in their eyes and the thankfulness for just a bag of food, my outlook on things has changed. Now, I definitely don't think the same when it comes to the blessings we have and I definitely acknowledge it and thank God for it. 

Kelcie Teal

Con Mucho Gusto

"Con mucho gusto" has been one of the new phrases I've learned on this trip. The first day, our "gracias" was met with "con mucho gusto" by my host mom, and I didn't quite understand why she deviated from the typical "de nada." About the third day I realized that "con mucho gusto" is a typical response to "thank you" here in Costa Rica and that phrase has resonated with me greatly. "Con mucho gusto" or "with much pleasure" has been the attitude of almost everyone who I have been in contact with on this trip. The pure generosity and hospitality of everyone, especially my host families is something I thought I knew of, being from the typically most hospitable region of the USA. I was so mistaken, the love that these people poured out for a group of foreigners out of the generosity of their hearts was amazing, especially considering some of their very limited financial resources. My most memorable moment of the trip has to be in Guaraí. We went around to different homes, giving them food, praying for them, and singing with them to the tune of Carlo's guitar. I went around with a group and met a woman named Jenny and had the opportunity to meet her beautiful little girls. At the last home, the group ministering to the woman there, Maria Elena, sang a song that I can't even remember because the look of happiness as tears streamed down her cheeks was overwhelming. I sat outside her home and was moved to the point of tears as the group ministering to her all gave her a group hug. She noticed some of the students who were watching outside the house and walked out to hug us. The moment she walked up to hug me I burst into tears. She hugged me, pulled away, and wiped away the tears on my face, saying "tranquillo" or "calm down" repeatedly. Maria Elena should have been the one crying like I was, with someone to wipe her tears and say "tranquillo", her home was made of scraps of tin, in an area where you couldn't stretch out your arms and not touch a house. But quite the opposite happened. Her love and joy came from God and not her circumstances. As she hugged me multiple times and smiled and cried as she wiped my tears, I was speechless. There is absolutely nothing you can say to a person in that situation that can help them other than to rest in the hope that God is in control and knows every single one of out struggles and fears. This overwhelming moment of pure, Christ-like love that moved me to literal speechlessness is without a doubt the most intense, awe-inspiring  memory that I will take away from this trip. 

Emily Goad

God's Purpose in Mission Work

Many people think we come to Costa Rica as a mission trip for the benefit of Costa Ricans, but we don't really.  Primarily, the mission work in Costa Rica is what God does in us.  Through the process of vulnerability, God shows us more of who He is and a whole lot about who we are.  This year I watched God do this with our 22 students and all 4 chaperones.  Yet, in the paradox that always seems to be found in the Kingdom, God worked through us to further His purposes.  We were blessed  and we were blessing.   

Bob Collins

On the Road in Costa Rica

Monday afternoon, it was time to leave Guarari and La Cuenca behind.  The impact of our time there and the changing of our hearts is something that shall remain with us forever.

We boarded the bus to travel to our destination of La Fortuna, for some downtime and fun to finish off our trip. The ride was through the beautiful and scenic terrain of Costa Rica. We were climbing up and down the mountain on very twisted and narrow roads.

We stopped at a gorgeous waterfall and beautiful valley.

We also stopped at a mountaintop cafe that had a fantastic view of another waterfall.

A special shout out to Daniel Thompson who recommended to always say "si" if Carlos asks if you want to stop for "cafe". Carlos knows all the best coffee spots and this one didn't disappoint.

We also stopped one more time for ice cream at a place that was bordered by trees full of Igaunas!

Riding on the bus through the beautiful countryside, breezes blowing through the windows, a bus full of teenagers singing loudly (there MAY have been an epic version of Bohemian Rhapsody sung by the whole bus),  was just a terrific experience. This is one fantastic group of young people.

We will spend the next couple of days at the resort. The students have earned some downtime and need some time to decompress from all they have seen and experienced. Our devotional this morning focused on finding real, tangible ways to never forget what they have just been through, similar to how God called the Israelities to build monuments of remembrance. I am confident that the remembrances by this group will be meaningful and long lasting.

Lori Horton

Who is Serving Who?

So here's the thing; I thought that you went on a mission trip to spread the word and change others' lives, right? Well that's what I thought, but turns out it's the polar opposite of that. You might change their lives as much as they've changed yours if you're lucky...to say the least. Who knew showing up in a third world country, barely knowing the language, would end up changing my life forever.

Yesterday happened to be one of the best days of the trip so far. It made me realize that if I could just have half the happiness the Costa Ricans do, I'd be doing well. They have so little, yet offer EVERYTHING they have. My host family is really who touched my heart yesterday. Despite the language barrier that we sort of pushed through, we ended up bonding. I can honestly say their hospitality exceeds the south's. Marie, Delayne, Lauren, and I presented them with goodbye gifts then they suggested we all pray together. Their prayer was possibly the most moving prayer I've ever heard. Holding hands all together I could just feel the Holy Spirit running through them. We were all star-struck despite the fact that they prayed in Spanish. I knew that they were going to miss us so much as well as we'd miss them.

Gracie Floyd

More Day 1 Photos

Braden Tuttle

Daniel Lopez

Luke Horne

Laura Wellons

Ben Wilson

Julius Peter