Our third day in Costa Rica was full of all kinds of emotions.
Sadness at saying goodbye to our host families in Cot.
Shock upon our arrival at La Cuenca. Seeing the poor conditions we had heard about from other Senior classes that had served before us, with our own eyes - it was worse than one could ever have imagined.
Sorrowful as we listened to Hugo, the director of the ministry serving in La Cuenca, share with us his heart wrenching life story and testimony.
Encouraged as Hugo described how God used his broken life to impact his community for Jesus. He is changing people's lives.
Heartbroken as we took a short tour of La Cuenca. We met Ana who lives with her 10 children in a tin shack smaller than a classroom at Shannon. Ana is an inspiration to other mothers in the community as she is working on her studies and just completed 6th grade. Pray for her please.
Fierce and competitive as a girls team and two boys teams participated in a soccer tournament against teams from La Cuenca. In the midst of the devestation, the community was out watching the tournament, experiencing joy at every goal. And yes, we lost. All our teams.
Playful as we spent time with the children of La Cuenca. There was such joy on their faces from being carried around on the backs or shoulders of the Seniors.
Energized as we went to the Youth Group meeting at the church in Guarari. The youth sing and dance praises to Jesus with their whole heart. Even though we didn't know the words, we were singing and dancing with them.
Humbled as two of our Seniors shared their testimony with the entire youth group. Remorseful as we realized that two of our classmates had been through so much, and had walked through such difficult times. Encouraged that they were trusting God instead of themselves.
Jubilant as the Seniors and the Costa Rican youth ended the youth group meeting with a rousing game of duck, duck, goose ... or pato, pato, ganso.
Tired as we left with our new host families to end the evening. Another amazing day in Costa Rica, serving as best we can. May God bless our feeble efforts!
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