The trip home was uneventful. Our plane landed a little after midnight on July 28, 2008. We breezed through customs and within an hour, we were all on our ways.
The missionaries were so grateful and our hosts declared that this was the "best" women's group to come through and work at CINCEL. We accomplished a lot and did it with an overwhelmingly peaceful attitude. It was so great to see the fruit of our labor all within one trip. We were able to set our hands to work and see the outcome and the response of those we served. There is nothing more pleasing.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wrapping Up!
Thursday was our last full day of work this week. Almost all of the painting is finished, and only a few more decorative touches are needed. The missionaries who live in these houses are so excited to see a fresh coat of paint and beautiful decorations that contribute to a feeling of warmth and value.
Some of the missionaries keep up a blog online, so we spread the word that they could post their links to this site. So, you’ll notice that there are links to the websites of missionaries as well. Feel free to look around and visit the vision of each of these families who have relocated their lives, stuff and children in order to invite others into the Kingdom of God and serve them.
Today, we are cleaning up and then setting out on an adventure to see downtown and explore the artisan marketplace.
Some of the missionaries keep up a blog online, so we spread the word that they could post their links to this site. So, you’ll notice that there are links to the websites of missionaries as well. Feel free to look around and visit the vision of each of these families who have relocated their lives, stuff and children in order to invite others into the Kingdom of God and serve them.
Today, we are cleaning up and then setting out on an adventure to see downtown and explore the artisan marketplace.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
More than Half Way
We’ve now past the half way mark. Almost done, with a few more small projects to go and some finishing touches. It is really incredible to see 24 women, ranging greatly in age and abilities, come together and form relationship, work out solutions to difficult problems and overcome obstacles. The key word for any sort of group missions project is: (all together now) FLEXIBILITY. And that has truly been the major ingredient in this missions outreach.
As North American women representing the church in Southern California, we bring with us a lot of presumptions and expectations for how things are. All the while we keep in mind that the very most important thing is that we come to serve others, our family, in the name of the One who came to serve and give Life - Jesus Christ.
Some things from today:
The sewing masterminds, Jeannette and Linda, have been working nonstop to piece together amazing curtains with complex detail and creative organization. Cindy touched up and repainted the metal security bars that cover the windows so that they would not appear rusty or worn. Jill picked up a paintbrush, and was even seen on a ladder, painting the upper lefthand corner in the studio apartment. These sitings go somewhat unconfirmed. Renee, Veronica and Sharon led the team hitting the second apartment and are scheduled to be finished tomorrow. Joyce is working on her mural in the kids room. Claudia, Cher and Jean are working so diligently to coordinate the things we brought and distribute them into the apartments which have need. Others are filling the necessary roles of running around from place to place and completing odd jobs that need to be done. Robin, Betty, Jill and I finished yet another strip of wallpaper today in the small apartment, with Debra’s help. Debra and her husband are learning English, so they can be missionaries in India. She is a dentist who will be serving the people of India as an Assemblies of God missionary. Unfortunately, as Debra was helping us, a paint pan fell from a ladder and just missed her. No baptizing in paint, just a big splattered mess of beige (or tan?) all over the white tile in the studio.
Also exciting was an evening for play. Ten of us explored a mall in Tres Rios, where we had dinner, and others went back to the hotel to play some games. Another exciting day for the women’s team of 24.
A personal note - today is extra special for me, as I get to spend my thirtieth birthday serving alongside these women in this amazing country of Costa Rica. A few things that I absolutely love about this country are: the language, the congenial nature of the people, the simplistic way of living, the focus of family and preference for family and friends and the vast variety of natural resources. In this small country is a representation of city, rainforest, the Pacific Coast, Atlantic Coast, a huge variety of wood and stones and birds and flowers. One word that describes the people of Costa Rica (Ticas) is - polite. Coast Rica is famous for being an excellent place to learn the Spanish language and a nice, safe place to visit and vacation. I am looking forward to seeing downtown San Jose and going out to the waterfalls on Saturday.
As North American women representing the church in Southern California, we bring with us a lot of presumptions and expectations for how things are. All the while we keep in mind that the very most important thing is that we come to serve others, our family, in the name of the One who came to serve and give Life - Jesus Christ.
Some things from today:
The sewing masterminds, Jeannette and Linda, have been working nonstop to piece together amazing curtains with complex detail and creative organization. Cindy touched up and repainted the metal security bars that cover the windows so that they would not appear rusty or worn. Jill picked up a paintbrush, and was even seen on a ladder, painting the upper lefthand corner in the studio apartment. These sitings go somewhat unconfirmed. Renee, Veronica and Sharon led the team hitting the second apartment and are scheduled to be finished tomorrow. Joyce is working on her mural in the kids room. Claudia, Cher and Jean are working so diligently to coordinate the things we brought and distribute them into the apartments which have need. Others are filling the necessary roles of running around from place to place and completing odd jobs that need to be done. Robin, Betty, Jill and I finished yet another strip of wallpaper today in the small apartment, with Debra’s help. Debra and her husband are learning English, so they can be missionaries in India. She is a dentist who will be serving the people of India as an Assemblies of God missionary. Unfortunately, as Debra was helping us, a paint pan fell from a ladder and just missed her. No baptizing in paint, just a big splattered mess of beige (or tan?) all over the white tile in the studio.
Also exciting was an evening for play. Ten of us explored a mall in Tres Rios, where we had dinner, and others went back to the hotel to play some games. Another exciting day for the women’s team of 24.
A personal note - today is extra special for me, as I get to spend my thirtieth birthday serving alongside these women in this amazing country of Costa Rica. A few things that I absolutely love about this country are: the language, the congenial nature of the people, the simplistic way of living, the focus of family and preference for family and friends and the vast variety of natural resources. In this small country is a representation of city, rainforest, the Pacific Coast, Atlantic Coast, a huge variety of wood and stones and birds and flowers. One word that describes the people of Costa Rica (Ticas) is - polite. Coast Rica is famous for being an excellent place to learn the Spanish language and a nice, safe place to visit and vacation. I am looking forward to seeing downtown San Jose and going out to the waterfalls on Saturday.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
a Note from Robin - Day Five
“Day five of a ten day mission’s trip”, just let that phrase roll around in your mind for a bit. We have reached the half way point of the Costa Rica excursion. What we’ve anticipated, worked towards, and planned for is now winding down. Yet the paint rollers are still rolling and we still bare on our bodies the marks of paint spray. The challenge is to keep on keeping on and finish as we mark our dwindling time.
Today was fruit-tasting day! Not just unique Costa Rican prickly pears served at breakfast, but the sweet fruit of preparing a house and seeing it’s residents come home. Today we just about finished the 4 bedroom apartment, the same one we began to prep, upholster, organize, visionize, and customize back on Saturday. Today the missionary family who live and love inside those walls came home to a dinosaur bedroom, a truly sparkling kitchen, a customized master closet and so much more. Their sons ran to their room and took it all it. Their daughter perched from daddy’s arms peeked into her room and saw Dora the Explorer as a long lost friend. The moment was priceless and we experienced a joy so pure, a satisfaction so sweet, that no matter of soreness can compare.
Two more apartments got the TLC today. One team took on the prep and painting of a 3 bedroom and another team tackled a studio apartment for a young married couple. More sweet fruit is coming and we can hardly wait.
Today was fruit-tasting day! Not just unique Costa Rican prickly pears served at breakfast, but the sweet fruit of preparing a house and seeing it’s residents come home. Today we just about finished the 4 bedroom apartment, the same one we began to prep, upholster, organize, visionize, and customize back on Saturday. Today the missionary family who live and love inside those walls came home to a dinosaur bedroom, a truly sparkling kitchen, a customized master closet and so much more. Their sons ran to their room and took it all it. Their daughter perched from daddy’s arms peeked into her room and saw Dora the Explorer as a long lost friend. The moment was priceless and we experienced a joy so pure, a satisfaction so sweet, that no matter of soreness can compare.
Two more apartments got the TLC today. One team took on the prep and painting of a 3 bedroom and another team tackled a studio apartment for a young married couple. More sweet fruit is coming and we can hardly wait.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
July Twenty-First
This morning, we jumped up to an early breakfast and caught the taxi bus at 7:30am. Most of the day was spent cleaning and finalizing decoration and furniture arrangement. The missionary family is able to move back into their home Tuesday afternoon. A new apartment was begun. Women taped off windows and ledges while others soaked and scraped the wallpaper trimming.
Later in the afternoon, the 24 women bussed to the Multiplaza for dinner. And our CINCEL hosts had a break from cooking. The shopping and siteseeing eventually ended at the coffee shop near the north entrance as we sipped our beautiful Cappuccino de Flor, un especialidad de Cafe Teando.
We all returned to the hotel refreshed after a long day of work and play.
Later in the afternoon, the 24 women bussed to the Multiplaza for dinner. And our CINCEL hosts had a break from cooking. The shopping and siteseeing eventually ended at the coffee shop near the north entrance as we sipped our beautiful Cappuccino de Flor, un especialidad de Cafe Teando.
We all returned to the hotel refreshed after a long day of work and play.
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Lord's Day
Sunday - July 20, 2008
At the end of a long day, the first (and largest!) apartment is nearly done. All that remains is cleaning and rearranging furniture. This was a big job! But, everyone pitched in and did a small part to coordinate painting, cleaning, disassembling and reassembling shelving, laundry, decorative painting and sewing to reach our goal.
Judy was working on one of the toughest rooms, a bathroom that was completely salled with thick stucco, which absorbed the paint. 3 or 4 coats and a few smashed paintbrushes later, it was a good as it gets. Talk about a learning opportunity! Next time we’ll bring a spray gun. Judy works on at least two missions trips per year. Usually, she is accompanied by her husband, but this time, no boys allowed.
Robin and Christina planned out murals for the kids bedrooms - dinosaurs for the boys and Dora the Explorer decals for the girl’s room. Mindy and Leeta finished the beautiful and sparkling RED kitchen. And “Peter Pan Renee” braved the heights on slippery tile to paint the master bathroom and hallway.
A few more things -
On the first night, three of our “24” woke up to a flood in their hotel room late at night. With great enthusiasm and convincing, they were able to move into another room, wading through water with all their unpacked clothing and accessories. Of course, once is a coincidence. With admission, we discovered that last night, in their new room these same ladies experienced a major bathroom flood. Hmmm. The culprits: Rhoda, Christy and Clidene.
This morning, we hosted a church service for the missionary families who wished to come. During this time, Robin led a family style worship and brought out Georgie to help her tell the story of Samuel and remind us what it means to be good listeners so that we are ready to hear from God when He calls to us.
Tomorrow, we are meeting even an hour earlier to get a good start on the day and make the most of the sunshine. We will be finishing up the first apartment so that the family who lives there can return to the comfort of a freshly cleaned, painted and decorated home.
There is a large range of ages represented among our women, and long, physically demanding days can be trying. Please pray for this team that we will continue to find lots of ways to laugh and remember that God is honored when we serve others.
At the end of a long day, the first (and largest!) apartment is nearly done. All that remains is cleaning and rearranging furniture. This was a big job! But, everyone pitched in and did a small part to coordinate painting, cleaning, disassembling and reassembling shelving, laundry, decorative painting and sewing to reach our goal.
Judy was working on one of the toughest rooms, a bathroom that was completely salled with thick stucco, which absorbed the paint. 3 or 4 coats and a few smashed paintbrushes later, it was a good as it gets. Talk about a learning opportunity! Next time we’ll bring a spray gun. Judy works on at least two missions trips per year. Usually, she is accompanied by her husband, but this time, no boys allowed.
Robin and Christina planned out murals for the kids bedrooms - dinosaurs for the boys and Dora the Explorer decals for the girl’s room. Mindy and Leeta finished the beautiful and sparkling RED kitchen. And “Peter Pan Renee” braved the heights on slippery tile to paint the master bathroom and hallway.
A few more things -
On the first night, three of our “24” woke up to a flood in their hotel room late at night. With great enthusiasm and convincing, they were able to move into another room, wading through water with all their unpacked clothing and accessories. Of course, once is a coincidence. With admission, we discovered that last night, in their new room these same ladies experienced a major bathroom flood. Hmmm. The culprits: Rhoda, Christy and Clidene.
This morning, we hosted a church service for the missionary families who wished to come. During this time, Robin led a family style worship and brought out Georgie to help her tell the story of Samuel and remind us what it means to be good listeners so that we are ready to hear from God when He calls to us.
Tomorrow, we are meeting even an hour earlier to get a good start on the day and make the most of the sunshine. We will be finishing up the first apartment so that the family who lives there can return to the comfort of a freshly cleaned, painted and decorated home.
There is a large range of ages represented among our women, and long, physically demanding days can be trying. Please pray for this team that we will continue to find lots of ways to laugh and remember that God is honored when we serve others.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Working Day!
After an amazing poolside breakfast at the Casa Conde del Mar Hotel, we shuttled back to CINCEL and hit the first and largest apartment with cleaning supplies and prepped the windows and walls for painting. Our lunch was again hosted by CINCEL and our Master Chef, Flor, prepared an avocado salad with tacos and beans on the side. Today, was spent washing sheets and airing blankets out, sorting sundry wall decorations and kitchen and bathroom goods. Four pages of inventory represented the many donations and forethought which went into planning this major project.
Jeanne has taken up the charge of counting and sorting the items. At her home in Palm Desert, she runs a business that decorates and finishes houses to make them ready to sale. Her skills are much appreciated this week as we work to prepare a comfortable home environment in each of these apartments.
Washing linens and airing bedding, not to mention the tedious task of folding sheets (even the fitted ones!) took a lot of creative energy and planning. Jill stepped up to the challenge today, making sure that the clean sheets were sorted, folded and labeled. Jill is a speech pathologist who enjoys working with children and travel.
So many women have come to bring such a variety of skillsets and valuable strengths to this team. It is our goal to help ease the transitions of the families into their new home in Costa Rica. Nine California churches are represented during this work project.
In the afternoon, the missionaries living in Costa Rica brought their families, about fifteen kids, to a family service, led by Robin and her assistant, George, a diaper wearing, pacifier sucking monkey who loves to help Robin tell kids about Jesus. The kids had a blast, and it was rewarding to bring a pleasant experience to young children.
Jeanne has taken up the charge of counting and sorting the items. At her home in Palm Desert, she runs a business that decorates and finishes houses to make them ready to sale. Her skills are much appreciated this week as we work to prepare a comfortable home environment in each of these apartments.
Washing linens and airing bedding, not to mention the tedious task of folding sheets (even the fitted ones!) took a lot of creative energy and planning. Jill stepped up to the challenge today, making sure that the clean sheets were sorted, folded and labeled. Jill is a speech pathologist who enjoys working with children and travel.
So many women have come to bring such a variety of skillsets and valuable strengths to this team. It is our goal to help ease the transitions of the families into their new home in Costa Rica. Nine California churches are represented during this work project.
In the afternoon, the missionaries living in Costa Rica brought their families, about fifteen kids, to a family service, led by Robin and her assistant, George, a diaper wearing, pacifier sucking monkey who loves to help Robin tell kids about Jesus. The kids had a blast, and it was rewarding to bring a pleasant experience to young children.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)