Wonder Voyage 2009 Summer Blog

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!

This morning we went to a center that assists those with physical diasabilities to dance and sing and perform for the patients there. Even though, physically, they can’t do a lot of the things that I can , something hit me about their physical challenges: material things and physical
abilities don’t really matter because they’re happy.

After that we went to a park and Jay (an urban missionary) told
us his story.  I thought it was awesome. I could senses Christ talking to us through his words.  How cool is that? Later we went to serve the homeless and we had a blast.

Dinner was at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken… Yumm! I can’t wait till
tomorrow.

This morning we started off by going through a labyrinth- it’s like a maze but that’s not what it’s called.

In the afternoon we went to the projects to hand our flyers for this big give-away we were going to have at a park, of clothes, shoes, toys, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

When we actually got to the park to hand out clothes there was a big crowd waiting. We got put to work setting out clothes and cleaning up but it was still fun. So far it has been a great trip. Can’t wait to see everyone back home.

Our week in Toronto has come to and end, and the pilgrims from Christ Episcopal in Pomfret, Ct have re-crossed the border and returned home.  We had  a really fun and uniqiue week here.  From the service projects at St Bart’s, to a Eucharist service at St James Anglican Cahtedral, to a Toronto Blue Jays game, to Toronto Island, to Little India, Greektown, and Chinatown, we have explored, worked, laughed, prayed and played in this culturally diverse city. The group grew closer together each day as they learned more and more about each other, and they lived out their time of pilgrimage with energy, humor, curiosity, and grace.The students were challenged and encouraged to live into their unique giftings, and to continue to love and serve God by loving, living, and serving in community. 

This group will soon begin its Young Adults in Church program, and our prayer is that they will join fully into the life of their parish by contributing their gifts as they continue on their journeys. They are all pieces of the mosaic which is their church, and we hope they will strive to be truly who they were created to be while being part of something larger than themselves.

Thus ends the Toronto blog.

Today we went back to St Bart’s Anglican Church where we went to fix breakfast the other day, but we didn’t have to go as early.  We helped out for part of the morning making the place look prettier.  We painted the walls in the inside parish hall, and we also painted part of the entryway outside. Some of us worked hard pulling weeds and making the yard look better, and we also picked up trash in the area.  They were so glad we helped that they got us pizza for lunch!

In the afternoon we went walking through Chinatown and the Kensington Market.  Then we took a subway and then we walked and walked until our feet hurt and our bladders were bursting, and we got to Little India. 

We went to a restaurant where we sampled different kinds of Indian food.  We all tried it, but I myself didn’t really like it. Then we took a Cable Car to Greektown where there was a street festival going on.  It was pretty cool.  There was lots of good smelling food and a lot of energized people. We walked and walked and got pizza and ate Baklava which is a Greek pastry with honey, nuts and lots of other delicious ingredients. We walked to the subway to end our long day’s journey back at the dorm where I sit and write this. 

We woke up this morning and headed to St Mary’s Catholic church in downtown Memphis. The church was beautiful- we toured it and witnessed a lot of the history of the church. It has grown a lot over the years. But the real reason we were there this morning was to feed the homeless. Our team did a magnificent job of preparing and giving the food out. We handed out coldcut sandwiches, peanut butter sandwiches,soup, crackers, and Vitamin Water. I’m speaking for
everyone when I say that it was pure joy to help people. It was amazing to see the gratefulness in their faces when they received a meal.

After we had cleaned up, we went to the sanctuary to discuss Matthew 25:34-41, which tells us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give drink to the thirsty- basically doing God’s work as Jesus tells us. We want to serve the “least of these” this week.

Afterwards, we met Jay. He was a drug dealer who received Christ when
he was 38. Jay showed us the Memphis courthouse and county jail. He gave us devotional books to give to people going in and out of the courthouse if they wanted it. A lot of the people were very thankful for receicing the devotionals. We prayed for those people.

Later, we went to a mission and served the homeless people supper. It makes you really thankful to have what you have, even if it doesn’t seem like much.

Today was our free day.  We headed into Baddeck for lunch and some shopping.  Along the way we stopped at some local galleries, where we found some great local treasures to bring home with us.  Lunch was at Tom’s Pizza, a restaurant the group had been hoping to try for several days.  After sharing a delicious pizza, we split up and enjoyed the small town charm of Baddeck, shopping and talking to locals.  Before leaving town, we stopped at the local co-op market, where the group shopped for tomorrow night’s stone soup dinner. 

As we have travelled around Cape Breton this week, we have shared the reason for our visit with many of the local people.  I have been struck by the enthusiasm and warmth shown to us by the people  we have shared with. One of pilgrims loves heart shaped rocks and had seen some stationary that she wanted.   We found it at a local art gallery and we explained to the gallery owner why we had come to Cape Breton and why we had come to her gallery.   She was so excited to hear about our trip and instantly told our pilgrim to go out and take a heart shaped rock from her private rock garden.    Her generosity truly touched me. 

I have been moved by the kindness of the people on Cape Breton.  They have helped us feel so welcome and we are grateful for all that has been done for us.  It is the feeling of kindness that has become the theme of the week for me.  As one of the adults on this trip, it has been moving to see how powerful the kindness of our teenage pilgrims toward each other and toward me and my colleague can be.  They are truly an amazing group of young people.  As Shawn has guided us in our spiritual journey, I pray that this is the beginning of great things for this wonderful group.

Hey moms and dads,

We awoke early from a late night of no sleep to leave for Memphis 30-mins later than planned.  But all is well so far.  When we arrived we got sweaty through exploring around the town. We checked out the homes and culture of Memphis and it is quite different from Dallas. We are safe in our bunk beds. Talk to you soon!

Paul

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.