"Pura Vida" - the Pure Life

After a long night of checking bags and boarding flight No. 605, we landed in San Jose, Costa Rica at 8:45am. There are twenty four of us. Women embarking on a journey to reach out and help the missionaries who have found a home in this beautiful rain forest country. “Pura Vida” the pure life, a catch-all phrase that locals use, set a foundation for the mood and pace of life in this tropical climate.

Loading up 2 bus-taxis with women and an additional 3 cars for luggage and supplies, we rode to Casa Conde del Mar, a beautiful hotel located in San Jose about ten minutes drive from CINCEL, where most days will be spent painting and decorating.

This afternoon, Missionary, and Area Director Nancy Dickerson welcomed the Southern California District Women’s Ministries to CINCEL, followed by a delicious Costa Rican specialty and traditional dish Arroz con Pollo y Frijoles.

A little about our trip:
Robin Garvin is the Southern California Women’s Ministries Director. She has come along to provide pastoral suport and counseling and considers it a priviledge to serve alongside of leaders such as Cher, who leads with what Robin refers to as a “comfortable confidence”. These are the kinds of people who serve God in such a way that models true leadership in the church. Robin believes that working is the best way that people can contribute to community.

Renee Nordquist is the acting Ministry Associate of Women’s Ministries in Southern California. She supports Robin in administrative affairs and coordinates the paperwork and financial efforts of this team project. Renee is passionate about foreign missions and ministry. She is no stranger to travel. In the early 1990s, Renee and her family served as Missionary Associates in Africa, and served as U.S. Home Misisonaries working with Arabic and Muslim communities in Minnesota and Michigan.

Cher Pannell, from Bakersfield first Assembly, has done an amazing job coordinating the efforts of planning for and preparing the additional luggage that carried supplies for painting and decorating apartments that house missionaries while they’re studying Spanish. Cher lived in Costa Rica during a six week Spanish language intensive in Summer, 2007. She and Nancy Dickenson made a plan to bring some workers and supplies to give the CINCEL housing a “face lift”. One year later, with 28 boxes full of supplies, and 24 women ready to work, Cher and Nancy reunited and the project is underway.