Yes – this is the day we have truly anticipated all year! Our team met in the lobby at 4:30 a.m. for a quick bite and off to the airport. We arrived with little hassle and were delighted with the check-in process. Everything went smoothly until the attendant decided to give Drew a particularly hard time. Our sweet, mild mannered Drew almost got mad – who knew!!! Time for Cinnabons! They were wonderful. Before boarding – the team made a circle right among the other passengers and Andrew F led us in prayer. We loaded the airport with several first time flyers with VERY wide eyes!!! There were many seat changes to get everyone settled and close to someone they were comfortable flying with. I am not sure I can convey the anxiety that has been rising in many of these students over the last few months – and had truly escalated to a fear that made their nerves go crazy. But let me tell you – prayer works – they did great – and in fact – they all have the travel bug – they loved it! We flew out at 7 am and landed in Atlanta. We were fortunate that our next flight was in the same terminal – we had about 40 minutes – so it was just enough time to connect – then the wait. We sat on the plane for about 30 minutes. There was at team from Mississippi State going on a mission trip in Costa Rica in another area and they held the plane for them. Isn’t it great how many people are serving the Lord and boldly sharing His Word.
The flight to Costa Rica was about 4 hours. Everything went great – most of the student’s slept. Morgan had a stomach virus and was sick all day - but she was a trooper and went everywhere with the team. Going through customs was simple – everyone got a stamp in their passports. The Joshua Expedition guide met us at the gate and we loaded up on our bus and headed to lunch. Jimmy Lopez is our guide – he grew up in Costa Rica and is so knowledgeable.
Joshua Expeditions creates trips, which include both mission work for their teams as well as educational exploration of the culture you are visiting. I have loved the rustic nature of the last 2 years but felt we had traveled so far that it would be nice to see more of the country we were visiting. I think the students are really going to enjoy the combination this year.
Jimmy took us to a local restaurant where they served us chicken, fish, or steak, rice and beans, and fries. Many of the students tried local pineapple sodas and the cokes taste much sweeter. Erika prayed and the team was more than ready to eat! All our meals are paid for by Joshua Expeditions except the first lunch– so this one was ours. When the bill came for 125,000 ml we got a good laugh. Jimmy explained that $1.00 US dollar is equal to 500 ml colones. It was 10.00 a person including drink and tip – not bad.
We came to our hotel, which is very nice. The group really just wanted to stay and sleep – but we had a tour lined up. Jimmy took us to a manufacturing facility for wood. After wood is cut – it is cured for 13 years before they begin the process of making many of the crafts they sell at the markets. Then it is cut in various forms. They had barrels and barrels of round, flat, square, etc pieces ready to be made into a variety of artwork. He took us all through the factory and we saw huge tumblers lined with sandpaper that buffed the wooden pieces, then it is taken to ladies that sort it for quality. These pieces are individually drilled with tiny holes so they can be turned into jewelry. We walked through many rooms of ladies making necklaces, belts, wind chimes, door art, etc. Then we saw a master carver who carved large sculptures out of the wood. It was truly fascinating to get such a personal tour of this plant. I am sure you will see many of the girls wearing wooden earrings, bracelets, and more! Jimmy said that the average factory worker makes 100 – 125 dollars a week. He said that is an average income. He said those that make $1000.00 a month a the wealthy ones. Of course there are exceptions like those in real estate or international business – but that gives you and idea of the economy.
We drove through many impoverished areas in San Jose going to the factory. Gas is $5.00 a gallon. The tombs are all above ground. There are beautiful trees blooming and the city is busy! We went to another local restaurant and were served a good meal including local slaw, rice, beans, plantain, and fried roots. Grace prayed and everyone served their plates from a buffet. The team had mixed emotions about the taste – but they were good sports! It was at this point the lack of sleep took over. We had our team debriefing for our mission work tomorrow on the bus ride home. It was obvious that everyone had hit the wall.
The phone cards that Joshua Expeditions sent are not working. We hope to have those fixed tomorrow afternoon. The team phone needed a pin code – and thanks to skype – I was able to get Thomas to call the company and get the code. Technology – it is really amazing. Some of the members needed to talk to home.
Tomorrow we will go to an orphanage called Abraham’s project. It is about 40 minutes away. Jimmy explained we will be working with about 50 - 75 children from about 1 year old up to about 8. About half live in the orphanage and the other half are in daycare. There are many ongoing construction projects – so it should be a busy day.
It has been an incredibly long day – but one I know many will never forget. I think the team motto will be “God is sovereign!” He has indeed carried us to this point – He has gone before us in many of the details today and we are anticipating what He has planned for us tomorrow. Henry Blackaby wrote, “Every event God allows into your life is designed to make you more like Christ.” That is so my prayer for this team. God has certainly blessed us with the privilege to come serve others, see His beautiful world, and spend time in fellowship with Him and other believers. Please pray for God to work in a very personal way in each of the 25 team members lives. My prayer is that they will be drawn into sweet fellowship with Him, and they will each grow personally more and more in love with their Creator. Blackaby went on to write, “Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we will face today and next week. He is eager for us to experience Him as He provides for us.” That is it – as He continues to provide every one of our needs on this journey – please pray that these students will not only be bold and authentic as they share, but that they will EXPERIENCE HIM! Thank you for your prayers!
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