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Seniors to Costa Rica 2005
During the last week in June, 34 rising 12th graders and leaders traveled to Costa Rica for our first international mission trip. We experienced the wondrous beauties of God's creation both in the people we met and the diverse geography of this tropical country.
Most of our time was spent working, just outside of the capital city of San Jose, in La Carpio, a Nicaraguan squatters' village of approximately 100,000 men, women and children, all crammed into approximately one square mile. As we drove into the village each day, we were surrounded by tin-roofed houses, creatively constructed with whatever materials the folks could find. Men, women and children often peered through the bars covering the doors and windows. Both the physical and spiritual needs are overwhelming as the families struggle to overcome the conditions of poverty and the lack of educational and employment opportunities. |
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With leadership from Joshua Expeditions, we worked with a small church, digging the foundation for a children's playground, pouring concrete for a dining hall, general clean-up, and working with approximately 100 children in a VBS. Seeing the delight on the faces of our youth and the faces of the children as they played together made us know that God was with us. The Costa Rican pastor and his family serve this community with such love and hard work. While we spoke little Spanish and he spoke even less English, we caught his passion and joy, and were warmed by his encouraging smile. We had the privilege to attend one of his worship services and were touched by the boisterous enthusiasm of the congregation (not what we're used to at home). It was so uplifting seeing how different cultures worship.
At the end of the week we had a wonderful afternoon of fun on a beach, but the little village of La Carpio, with it's wide-eyed children and the pastor who shows them God's love, will be the most memorable and rewarding part of the trip. I hope our church will send other groups to this community. The needs are so great and the people were so grateful.
--Sue Fuller, adult leader for the Class of 2006 |
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