Day Five- A View From the Trenches

Today was a good day, we got a lot done. Today was a typical day: this morning we went back to Lindsey’s house and finished staining and veneering the outside walls. We also did some painting. We had another beautiful morning, and Amanda was pretty much recovered. Dan came with us today, but mostly slept on picnic tables! He seems to be feeling a little better today though. After the house we headed to the school to spend more time with the students. Our team is really starting to make connections and friends with the students of El Colegio, which is awesome! Today my team was large and in charge (Skyler, Clair, and myself!). Clair and Skyler did so much work to prepare for today, and it went so well. We did a skit, which the students have been practicing all week. I’ve posted a video below. Skyler and Clair then led a group discussion on Hebrews 12:1-2, which went really well. Our whole point was to throw off the sins and distractions that keep us from running after Christ, so we then had students make bracelets, and they had to engrave a word from Hebrews that would help them stay focused on Christ. The students had a blast with this part of the day!

(sorry video did not work! will try again later)

After the school we headed back to the church to continue our work there. We still had not received paint, and we are learning many lessons in flexibility! So today we continued to clean, weed, and move and burn branches cut down from the surrounding trees. Then the rain came, but we were pretty much done and we headed back to our house in the light rain. Once you get in the jungle you don’t feel the light rain because the vegetation is so dense- you just get dripped on a lot. Again, the jungle was beautiful today, and we saw more huge bugs (I think they’re so cool, but some of the girls scream every time- EVERY TIME!).

The church that we've been working at all week

We enjoyed dinner together and the evening was dedicated to playing ridiculous card games and participating in a devotion time with Tomas. We will prep for tomorrow and maybe finally get some time to rest. For the rest of this post I have opened it up for the students to post their thoughts on the week so far……

From Carrie…

Hello all! As you may have noticed, it’s a little hard for us to get internet access here, so I can’t guarantee any future messages. Today is our fifth day of the trip, and our third day with the students. Today our team did a silent skit in the school, and yesterday Chase, Joey and I did a lesson on the seriousness of sin. The weather here is very unpredictable; one moment it’s sunny, the next its pouring rain. The nights and mornings are surprisingly cold, I kinda wish I had brought another sweatshirt. Maybe five or six of the students speak English, so communicating has proven to be interesting during lunch time. Anyway, I have to go now. I love you and miss you all, please remember us in prayer!. (p.s. don’t forget to feed the fish!) Love--Carrie V  J

From Skyler (Escarlo)… Hey everybody I’m doing well and having a great time. Escarlo is next to my  name because the natives here cannot say the consonant ‘s’ without an ‘e’ before it, and Carlos is a common name so I finally have a Spanish name (sort of)! Anyways I have been feeling well, except for one stomach ache. I’ve been having a great time with the students and the team. I’m so glad the skit turned out well! Thanks for praying! God has been so faithful and revealing in events and especially nature. I’m also learning to trust God more, so pray for that! Most of all I’m so happy that I can use Spanish all day and everyday. I’m learning more in a few days then I do in a month of Spanish class. Es loco! It actually makes school seem useful (quote this cause I’m never saying it again). Adios

From Chase…

Hola todo! I hope that everyone is doing well and is having a fun summer.  I am writing to tell you all that I am doing perfectly well and having one of the greatest weeks of my life.  The first five days of our week in Costa Rica has been simply amazing. So much good is being done down here and I am happy to be but a small part of it. Our team fellowship is strong, and the success of our mission thus far is evident of our team unity. We have met some really interesting people. I personally have made a connection with a kid in the school named Samuel. Personally, this trip has been a major eye opener for me. No words can explain the impact this trip has had on me and I cannot wait until I get home to share it with al of you. At the same time, I do not want this week to end as it has been one of the greatest and most impactful of my life thus far. I wish I could write more, however I ensure you that I will have plenty to tell when I get back. I wish you all have a great week and I will see you all soon. Love – Chase

Hopefully a few more students will be able to post tomorrow! Till next time!