donrock - Costa Rica

I'm back. Preparing for the next trip...this time to the Dominican Republic. So before I get caught
up in everything that involves...

I wanted to give you a brief update and a link to Kristen
, who was with me on the trip to Costa Rica:
It was her coached trip, which means I was there to coach...give direction when necessary
and spotting her should she need it. She did a great job...and writes beautifully about time spent there. It was a large team
of 69, split into 3 groups at 3 churches, each with its own ministries,
contacts, etc. There were many details involved. I'm so grateful for people like
her who like to manage details. Me, I'd rather focus on the other parts of leading. Anyway, she
will be posting multiple blogs about the ministry that took place and the
relationships built.

Here's our time in Costa Rica through pictures. Enjoy!

We arrived 2 days prior to the team so we could finish the set-up, visit ministries, and build relationships with the host. As a thank you for everything, we took Pastor Marcos and his wife Ira out for lunch. They wanted us to experience typical Costa Rican food.

An early trip to the airport to pick up the team from Christ Community Church. Here we sit waiting for the bus to get us. Not our only experience with "tico time". Kids are tired but excited.

We've assigned teams to their churches/resident homes for the week. Our host family's went above and beyond to make it comfortable and safe for the teams. One church had what we called "The First Aid Brigade," who followed them everywhere they went. Two of the churches had showers built just for the team's arrival.

That first evening, the 3 churches and groups gathered at one location for a big welcome ceremony! It began with dancing and ended with dancing. There was excitement in the air...what would God do this week!?

We visited schools where we played, shared testimonies, sang songs, performed dramas, and built relationships.

We visited churches.

Spent time in His Word.

Went to more schools.

Made new friends.

Shared the gospel...

These are 3 who gave their lives to Christ.

We walked and prayed. We stopped and prayed.

We worked with children, youth and adults.

We worshiped.

Enjoyed the beauty of Costa Rica.

Visited a volcano...

Took lots of pictures...

Found family. (Pastor Marcos and wife, Ira)

My Costa Rican "son". 15 year old - Andres.' Good-byes are never easy.

Kristen, myself and Esther...our 17 year old translator and my Costa Rican "daughter"...according to Facebook.

Check out these friends. Kristen captured these moments...the one to the right, I had actually just been head-butted, while the one to the left...the baby goat kept chewing on my neck.