Wonder Voyage 2009 Summer Blog

Today after waking up in our swanky hotel, we walked to a restaurant and ate some desayuno. It was good, you could have either number one or number two, aka tropical fruits or beans. After that, we piled into the GB765, destination: THE FALLz! They were pretty much nearby, so it didn’t take too long. The pathway was extremely long and slippery. But it was TOTALLY worth it. The falls were epic, very tall, and the pool of water surrounding them was deep and beautiful much like Jason’s soul. A difference between the two was that the water was turbulent and cold. There were lots of Germans at the falls. It’s a good thing they were not in a shark danger area because most of the people attacked during shark week were German. Jason tried to convince us that if you swam at the bottom of the pool, the water fall would shoot you up in a new location. Nobody believed him. Instead of doing that, we all went body rafting down the rocky river which lead to the calmer pool. Body rafting is basically rafting without a raft, don’t worry mom, everybody is a-okay. Once we reached the calm pool, Erin decided to take a rest. She was perched on a rock when a giant spider crawled onto her foot. She got scared. She flicked the gargantuan arachnid on to Jenny’s foot. As Jenny, I was scared. We all swam about. There were some fish. Before we knew it, it was time to go. We hiked back up the path, which was difficult, but rewarding.

We were ready to leave, when UH OH!, Jason heard from Diego, that the GB765 was broken in the tire region. We would all have to walk down to the bus and push into town. Half the group walked much quicklier than the rest. The slow group secretly won the race though. Here is why: There was a man selling coconuts for our pleasure. He had chickens which we fed the coco-meat to. The coconut man had a machete and he used it open the coconut. It was totally delicious. When we were in for another surprise, a selfless man saw our problem from his home across the way. He helped Diego change the tire. They worked up a sweat that glistened in the Costa Rican sun. Everyone was impressed and heart warmed by his refusal of payment. We continued on to a little town where we partook in some nourishment.

We were inspired by the warmness of all the people. When headed back to get going to San Jose. The ride was fillesd with laughter, jokes, and happiness when all of the sudden traffic. This set us back about a half hour, so we played in the rain and with some bannana guy. We are now at the hotel called the hotel Aeropuerto or airport hotel.

Our last day in Guanacaste. The morning was early for one of the groups as we split between painting the school and cleaning up the base for our departure (We are the last group there this summer.) After a much needed sustenance break for lunch we loaded up all the bags and before driving off experienced a poignant goodbye with Sala and Catalina and the kids loaded with pictures and mixed emotions.

Now off from Guanacaste we had only clear skies ahead (That is except for the rain) as we continued our travels along towards Arenal. Finally after changing our money at the bank we took great pleasure in spending our colones in the small town that we stopped at on our way. The mountains of Costa Rica are truly a feat that which the gods themselves take wonder at. Towering peaks would jut into the clouds piercing them even as they rolled down, forests and meadows towards the lake which stood breathtakingly beautiful while Mount Arenal hung in the distant stoically greeting the heavens with smoke. Words cannot begin to hold these images. After arriving and promptly leaving our hotel which seems a small wonder with air conditioning, comfortable beds and toilets you could actually flush we made the brief sojourn up to a hot springs though I don’t know if you could call it such. A lush beautiful paradise intermingled with warm to hot to excruciatingly hot pools intermixed with cold pools and set with lighting that together gave our road weary bodies ample rest. A dinner buffet followed good though not nearly as such as the meals that Catalina prepared for us. Arriving back in our daily meeting of good faith we talked about how we had seem and experienced God in our days here in Costa Rica and it filled me with happiness and reckless abandoning joy to hear people talk with such fervor of their experiences.

For such a day that at the least was on par with the others which we have had I find much and amazement in and I find great happiness in and so on this note I wish all happy hearts and hopeful minds for the days I have seem can bring not but that. Goodnight and I hope that may all your dreams rival ours.

Today has been one of my favorite days of the trip so far. After a breakfast of pancakes and pineapple, we went on a very long drive to the beach. Once there, we had a mini church service on the beach which included local bread, as well as some music led by Erin and I (vocals) and Amy (ukulele). After church, it was time to swim! The water was an absolute perfect temperature, cool enough to quell the heat, but not too cold to be uncomfortable.

After the beach we went to town to buy gifts and to practice our Spanish with the locals. On the way back to the base, a huge thunder storm broke out and flashes of lightening illuminated the country side. The rain, however, did have a bit of a downside. Because there was so much, the water pressure at the base depleted until it became non-existent. That means that showers, toilets, sinks, and all other water facilities are currently out of commission. Despite this minor setback, today was an exceptionally wonderful day.

We started our morning by taking a drive to the nearest zip-lining adventure course. Once we had on all of our gear, we climbed the ladder to the first platform. Soon we were flying through the jungle on metal wires. We were flying upside down, sideways, and sometimes spinning in circles. Then in the middle of our fun, it starts to rain. Now, this is not Idaho rain. This is Costa Rican rain-forest rain. Within seconds we were drenched. We were trying to forget about our cameras getting soaked in the pools that were forming in our pockets and the fact that we are all attached to cords up in very, very tall trees. Instead, we kept zipping through the storm. It was such beautiful experience to be flying through the cool air with huge raindrops hitting our face.

What we didn’t think about was the bus ride home. We were all so soaked that puddles formed in our seats and around our feet. We were very cold. It was worth it, though. We returned home to grab some dinner and change clothes.

Then our guide, Diego, took us to the local church for a “not so normal” Saturday service. We had no idea what to expect. As we walked in we saw people praying and singing all around the chapel. We waited for them to finish and then the fun started. They began to play music and showed us their dances. We were watching and enjoying the service when some girls came and grabbed us. They took us to the center of the chapel and told us to do what they do. So we danced. I’m sure we looked ridiculous because there was lots of smiling and laughter. It was a blast. Then the preacher went to the front and started talking. Most of us had no idea what he was saying but Lucas later told us that he was showering us with blessings. Then the people gathered around us and started praying over us. It was so powerful to hear them and know that they believed in us.

Hasta la bye-bye!

Despite the bizarre humidity today was a great day. All of us are sticky, all the time, no matter what. We went to the local elementary school today and started painting it. We’re only painting the front and first we had to sand it. The windows are very different, I think the big plus is that they have windows. There are good size holes in the walls but instead of glass they have metal grids. The wires or steel pieces cross over each other, a hand could fit through them but that’s all. The “grids’ prevent theft, but allow a breeze, thankfully!When we weren’t painting we were playing.

Today we got to the play games with the children, I think they were around kindergarteners. Amy, Jenny, Katharine, Marissa, Andrew, Connor, Tiffany, among others played this game. We all held hands in a circle and had one hula hoop, we had to climb through the hoop without letting go of each others hands. It was very funny to watch Andrew play with the kids when the height difference was huge, but it worked! We also introduced one boy to American Football, the other children were in Nicoya preparing for Mother’s Day this Saturday. We played pass with the football or soccer ball when we weren’t painting, there weren’t enough brushes for us all.

The most fun was tonight. We went to the Community Center (with no electricity and the same type of windows) and waited until more Mother’s Day activity was done. Some little girls were the first to come see us. Becky brought materials for making bracelets and we helped the girls make them, in Spanish of course ☺ . Those of us who knew Spanish fully utilized our abilities. After the girls, more and more boys came. That surprised all of us, but just showed us another cultural difference about what really is and isn’t girly, the bracelets they made were very neat! Hopefully, this can be a self esteem booster, Diego told us there is very little self pride about where they are from or anything. If they weren’t making bracelets, they were coloring or over at the soccer field across the street playing with the guys and Diego from our group.Those who were left with the bracelets packed up and walked over to the field and got a little more soaked. The boys were absolutely covered; head to toe nasty. We learned a big surprise today: SOCCER IS LIFE. Nothing can stop these people from the game they love, and the community is very proud to have a field, the “mayor” told us that and we gave the local teams two soccer balls.As we were painting, I think some tempers really got tested. We got hot and sweaty and tired and hungry, and then patience was tested. Attitudes we hoped to leave behind reappeared. I’m choosing to believe God was breaking us down to have enable bigger growth. But still, so far this trip is GREAT! I can’t wait to see what else is in store for us!Pura Vida!

Greetings from Costa Rica! After a long day of travel on Wednesday we finally made it to San Jose, Costa Rica around two o clock in the morning. We were welcomed by Jason, Diego, and Jose, our guides for the week.

Then, after a good nights rest and a hearty breakfast of beans, rice, eggs, fruit and toast we loaded the GB765 ( The Bus) and took off towards Guanacaste. The route wound through the mountains covered with lush trees. It was beautiful. Driving here is a little different than it is in the states. Three to four hours later we made it to the Corral de Peidra where we will be staying for the next few days. we settled in and quickly chowed down before our next adventure. We hopped back on the bus and met Andreas, a local, for a tour of the forest. We hiked into the trees and enjoyed the sounds of sicadas, and howling monkeys. It was pretty loud in there, humid too. After stopping for coffee and sweet bread we explored the area some more. Some swam while others hiked around on some large calcium formations, giant steps if you will. Upon leaving the forest we spotted some monkeys in a near by tree. The sun began to set and soon we headed back to the base. It is still early and feels much later in the dark. We eat yet again, a hearty meal of beans, rice, salads and fruits. The food is very flavorful and delicious and lovingly prepared by Catalina, one of our hosts.

A laid back evening of lightning and breeze is somewhat stirred up by a brief power outage, making it very difficult to get ready for bed. Using fans to keep us cool, we finally unwound and waited for sleep. Adios!

Another early morning and the team from First at Firewheel were on their way through the mountains of Costa Rica back to the airport to catch their morning flight. The week has been life-changing, both for the team and the village of Copal. Through Bible distribution, replacing a water-damaged ceiling, teaching some english classes, visiting the handicap, speaking to local parents about the effects of drugs and alcohol, and playing with the primary students this team brought Christ, his joy, and his love to a community in need. This act of service was reflected in the lives of the team as well and as they boarded the plane heading home the journey they started here will only continue.

6am and the team from First at Firewheel were on the road saying goodbye to the YWAM base in Guanacaste to their new home, Arenal. Pulling up to a waterfall a few hours later the team took some time to reflect on their week of service in Costa Rica. It had been a challenging experience both physically and spiritually. The Lord was at work both in them and through them. After spending some time swimming under the thundering falls the team checked into their hotel and spent the afternoon exploring the town of La Fortuna under the shadow of the Arenal Volcano, one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.

In the evening the team spent their celebration meal at a local hot springs enjoying some amazing food, relaxing water, and dangerous water-slides. It has been a full week of experiencing Christ in Costa Rica and as the time draws to an end it is hard to head back home.

We started off the day with a surprise trip to a canopy zip-line and it was great, thrilling, experience! After we finished the 11 stations we got on the bus and headed to the school we have been serving in all week.

We had so much fun playing in the rain with the kids, and playing their version of pool. After we said our goodbyes we headed back to the base to prepare for a BBQ with some students in Copal and the local community, it was a great success! The food was good, and the sports were fun and intense. We really had a good last night in Guanacaste. It was a fun addition to the great times I’ve already had here in Costa Rica!

Wow- what an amazing trip here in Costa Rica! God is really at work here and it is so exciting to be a part of it, used as an instrument in the hands of God. Today we continued the work we have been doing in Copal and the relationships we are building and forming are beautiful and amazing. Presently, we have given away up to 70 bibles to people in their homes as part of the bible distribution project. As several of us ventured out today to continue this we had an opportunity to pray with a lady in her home about a family member and his illness. Because of the language barrier it was hard to determine what she was trying to tell us, but God gave me insight into a certain word and through that I knew she was telling us about a family member who was needing a kidney transplant. Being that I speak no Spanish really this was amazing.

Also we had a parent meeting at the school and I was able to share my testimony about what God has delivered me out of in my life. I had the chance to witness and give advice for loving and consitently parenting their children. It was an incredible time for the women of the village where they had a chance to open up, ask questions, and share their stories of what they go through everyday in their own lives. I am thankful to God and I know he will use it all, for his glory. His word says in Isaiah 55:11 that his word never returns void but always accomplishes his purposes. I am just grateful to be privileged to be a part of it.