Posted on August 1st, 2009 by fvumc
Good Evening All,
I am sitting here next to Keith and Rob as we watch the sunset over the Caribbean. What an incredible close to an equally incredible week. It’s as if God is smiling over us in quiet affirmation of a week spent in His service, with His people. We are all exhausted in the best possible way.
After a wonderful dinner with the team last night, we were able to spend time with each other reflecting on the trip and how each of our lives will be changed by the people we have met here and the joy in our hearts from the blessings we have received from these people. As the rain fell last night, I spent time playing songs (or trying anyway) for the group, and we laughed and enjoyed the sound of the rain as it mingled with the notes and voices. We all felt a deep sense of closeness to each other and to the Lord. I retired to my bed - sore all over from a long arduous week, but with a great inner peace that I have not experienced since my time in Bolivia last year. I quickly drifted off as the Costa Rican rain and Caribbean waves rocked me to sleep. I can’t remember the last time I slept this well.
This morning, we had a quick breakfast at a local greasy spoon, and headed off to enjoy a zip-line ride through the Canopy of the Costa Rican rain forest - WOW!! What a ride! It was wonderful to see the natural beauty of this tropical paradise from as high as 300 feet in the air! The excursion took most of the morning and involved a great deal of hiking through the rain forest as well. It was HOT, and very tiring at times, but well worth the trip.
We came back to Cahuita for a light lunch and then headed to the beach for some fun in the sun. Our driver Luis, invited some of our group on a tour through the local beach area in search of various indigenous animals. We were able to see some sloths, and some “howler” monkeys, and all sorts of birds and insects including “cutter” ants which carry bits of leaves back to their mounds. The youth (me included) had a great time swimming and body-surfing in the Caribbean and playing on the beach. It was a great day to be outside in God’s beautiful world and everyone had a wonderful time.
As the old adage says, all good things must come to an end, so tomorrow we must bid this wonderful place farewell. The Tennessee group (with me in tow) will leave for the four hour trek back to the airport at 5:30 am tomorrow morning and the rest of the group will follow around 7:30 am. Tonight we will say our goodbyes and I’m sure a tear or two may be shed. But what a wonderful experience this has been. Praise the Lord and wish us travelling mercies. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Without you - our brothers and sisters in Christ - none of this would be possible.
Yours in Him
Joel & the 2009 Costa Rica Mission Team
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Filed under: International Missions
Posted on July 31st, 2009 by fvumc
Well, we have been deeply touched, moved and uplifted over the past week and now it is time for us all as a team to relax and reflect on the work we have done here and the relationships we have made with the Costa Rican people. We are heading to the caribbean coast and to the town and national park of Cahuita to enjoy the Costa Rican natural beauty for the next couple of days, thus this will probably be our last post until Sunday. Thanks for all the support and prayers back home that made this mission trip such a rewarding experience for all of us.
Rob
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Filed under: International Missions
Posted on July 31st, 2009 by fvumc
Hi Everybody,
This morning at 8:00, our group arrived at the Irazu Volcano National Park to see the volcano. We looked down into it and took some pictures. It started raining so we ran back to the restaurant just as it started to pour! I got a nice fleece sweatshirt and a yummy snack. Then a little animal called a coatimundi that looks like a funny raccoon came into the restaurant and jumped on Cason’s table to try to get some food. Charlie chased it out of the restaurant.
Later, we had a great time with the kids at VBS. I was sad when it was over, but I had a really great ime and I got alot of hugs from everybody. Tamara and Katarina made me really cool bracelet and then we had to say goodbye.
Ta-ta for now 
Gracie
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Filed under: International Missions
Posted on July 30th, 2009 by fvumc
Good Evening All,
Today was the last day of our VBS Program “Rancho Avalancha”. It was a bittersweet day because we had to say goodbye to Pastor Edgar and the Ponce Family, their staff, and most of all, the beautiful children of Los Guidos. The sweet part of today was all of the hugs and good wishes and smiles we received from all of them. The kids loved our program and will hopefully remember it for a long time. Even if they only remember one or two of the daily themes or bible stories specifically, I think they will remember the fun and fellowship of our Mission Team for a long time, and thus the spirit of the Lord will remain with them.
We learned a lot this week about doing an international VBS Program. First and foremost, very little goes as planned, but with prayers, creativity, and enthusiasm, you can still get everything to work out. Pastor Edgar and his family were actively involved with our program the entire week; they were an inspiration to all of us. They love all the children so much and do so much to make a difference in their lives. Most of the children in his area have such sad stories that I couldn’t even try to write about them. They come to the Church for both physical and spiritual nourishment. Pastor’s Church is also their safe place to play and receive love and attention. Pastor told us that the VBS program would be a real treat for them but it was the highlight of the trip for us!
Please, please, take the time to look at our pictures from the week of VBS, the kids had such a good time and we did too! The pictures of the kids are precious. Our daily VBS themes have been ever-present this week, we have been constantly reminded: God is Real, God is With Us, God is Strong, God is Awesome, and God is in Control.
In His Service,
Ann
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Filed under: International Missions
Posted on July 29th, 2009 by fvumc
Hello All,
We did some construction today before we did VBS. Today’s lesson was “Dios es Asombroso!” which means God is Awesome! It was a little bit crazy, but for the most part, it wasn’t too bad. We had two devotions today, one this morning which Mr. Dave did and one tonight that Carson did. Now people are blogging, so I am too
I hope you people are fine!
Love,
Gracie
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Filed under: International Missions