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Costa Rica Mission Trip June 30 - July 7
Page 2
Ministry Day 4 - by Jack Gessells
Costa Rica - July 4, 2009
Today was another great day in Costa Rica. It started out like it might rain all day. But it cleared up and
turned out to be a fine day.
After breakfast we had to finish making the sacks of food for the Indian village. We had a total of 50. We
headed out at 9:00 am for the village and, upon arrival, they were there waiting for us. We parked the van
on the side of the road and walked up the hill to the church, which is made of poles and a metal roof.
Cody, Bobby, Aaron, LaVonne and I went to the soccer field where they played soccer and had devotions.
The rest stayed at the church and had devotions,singing and preaching. We passed out the sacks of food
to each family and would you believe that there was 50 families there that needed a bag of food! We
passed out clothes for the kids and also books, games, etc. It was a long day but it its such a blessing
being able to help people that don't have much of anything. I just wish we had more.
We went to church at 6:30 which was a youth service. Pastor preached and Malari sang a duet with the
associate Pastor Diego. Back to the hotel where we had dinner and then into our rooms to relax and get
some sleep so we will be ready for tomorrow. This week has gone by so fast.
Thanks for your prayers.
Ministry Day 5 - by Cheri Hayes
Costa Rica - July 5, 2009
It started out in Costa Rica like every day – sunny! (Until about 2:00 – then it rains for several hours). After
breakfast we headed for the church in El Cajon. When we arrived we were greeted by our new friends with
many hugs. The music was playing and there was excitement in the air. We were all anxious to worship
the Lord. During the Praise & Worship I believe everyone (young and old) was participating with voices
that rang all over the neighborhood. It was awesome!! We may come home with some new Praise &
Worship songs with a Latino beat! Pastor Pablo called two men to give a testimony. Luis, who is a very
faithful servant in the church, and Alvaro, who came to know the Lord recently.
Pastor Pablo preached out of Matthew and Luke about “Just Another Day”, referring to when Jesus
returns. The interpreter’s name was Pablo too. He did a great job. He told us “when we all go home we
will be missing a piece of our hearts because we left them with him.” At the end of the service Pastor
Pablo called us up front and thanked us and prayed for each of us. After many more hugs and tears it was
time to leave.
We had lunch at a mall near the hotel and then packed up for a 3 ½ hour ride across the mountains to San
Jose. We checked into a Nazarene Seminary compound for the rest of our stay. After dinner at the mall,
Cody lead us in devotions from Jeremiah 51:20-24 letting us know that God can work many great things in
“you”.
I have been so blessed to be a part of this team and I am thankful to God for what He has done. I am also
thankful for being part of a church with a heart for missions and compassion for people everywhere. See
you all very soon!
Cheri Hayes
Vacation Day 6 - by LaVonne McIlrath & Tabitha Riggle
Costa Rica - July 5, 2009
This morning we began our day by eating breakfast at the Nazarene Seminary. We were to meet for
breakfast at 7:00 and be in the bus to begin our “vacation day” by 7:02! We actually made it by 7:05!
After our breakfast of gallo (pronounced guyo) pinto, with egg, ham and salsa (topped with mushrooms
and onion), and fresh pineapple and watermelon we began the “three hour tour” to Sarapiqui.
We stopped at a “butterfly garden” and saw hundreds of various varieties of beautiful butterflies. We even
saw a red poisonous tree frog! We enjoyed a boat ride in the tropical rain forest where we took pictures
of sloths, iguanas, a cayman, crocodiles and many birds including a coo-coo bird and kingfisher. We
passed several groups of children playing and swimming in the very same water! Our favorite “Kodak
Moment” was the family of howler monkeys playing in the trees. The river water was still muddy from the
earthquake in Costa Rica in January. In fact our planned trip to visit a volcano was not possible because
the road was impassable due to earthquake damage.
After lunch in an outdoor café we went souvenir shopping. After we “shopped till we dropped” we ate our
“last supper” in Costa Rica. It feels like all we have done is eat during this trip, usually not finishing dinner
until 10:00 at night because the days have
been so full of activities. We came back to
the Nazarene Seminary to spend our final
night in Costa Rica and head to the airport
in San Jose at 9:00 AM. We’re homeward
bound, but returning as different people than
when we came – with a renewed zeal and
passion for serving the Lord. We came to
bless others, but we were the ones blessed!
LaVonne and Tabitha
by Malari Helman - Trip Team Leader
It is so good to be home! While we
miss our new friends in Costa Rica, we
are happy to come back home and
share what we have learned. Our trip
consisted of so many good times and
also a few rough times, but overall it was
an amazing trip. We became very
close with the people in the church and
the indigenous Indians. Giving food and
clothing was amazing, but we were given
even more. God revealed so much to
each one of us. As we come back, we
pray that we remember all that God has
taught us. We hope to be changed
people. Thank you to all the people that
supported us financially and prayerfully.
We appreciate you all so much!
Until the next mission trip! Malari Helman
Page 2
Ministry Day 4 - by Jack Gessells
Costa Rica - July 4, 2009
Today was another great day in Costa Rica. It started out like it might rain all day. But it cleared up and
turned out to be a fine day.
After breakfast we had to finish making the sacks of food for the Indian village. We had a total of 50. We
headed out at 9:00 am for the village and, upon arrival, they were there waiting for us. We parked the van
on the side of the road and walked up the hill to the church, which is made of poles and a metal roof.
Cody, Bobby, Aaron, LaVonne and I went to the soccer field where they played soccer and had devotions.
The rest stayed at the church and had devotions,singing and preaching. We passed out the sacks of food
to each family and would you believe that there was 50 families there that needed a bag of food! We
passed out clothes for the kids and also books, games, etc. It was a long day but it its such a blessing
being able to help people that don't have much of anything. I just wish we had more.
We went to church at 6:30 which was a youth service. Pastor preached and Malari sang a duet with the
associate Pastor Diego. Back to the hotel where we had dinner and then into our rooms to relax and get
some sleep so we will be ready for tomorrow. This week has gone by so fast.
Thanks for your prayers.
Ministry Day 5 - by Cheri Hayes
Costa Rica - July 5, 2009
It started out in Costa Rica like every day – sunny! (Until about 2:00 – then it rains for several hours). After
breakfast we headed for the church in El Cajon. When we arrived we were greeted by our new friends with
many hugs. The music was playing and there was excitement in the air. We were all anxious to worship
the Lord. During the Praise & Worship I believe everyone (young and old) was participating with voices
that rang all over the neighborhood. It was awesome!! We may come home with some new Praise &
Worship songs with a Latino beat! Pastor Pablo called two men to give a testimony. Luis, who is a very
faithful servant in the church, and Alvaro, who came to know the Lord recently.
Pastor Pablo preached out of Matthew and Luke about “Just Another Day”, referring to when Jesus
returns. The interpreter’s name was Pablo too. He did a great job. He told us “when we all go home we
will be missing a piece of our hearts because we left them with him.” At the end of the service Pastor
Pablo called us up front and thanked us and prayed for each of us. After many more hugs and tears it was
time to leave.
We had lunch at a mall near the hotel and then packed up for a 3 ½ hour ride across the mountains to San
Jose. We checked into a Nazarene Seminary compound for the rest of our stay. After dinner at the mall,
Cody lead us in devotions from Jeremiah 51:20-24 letting us know that God can work many great things in
“you”.
I have been so blessed to be a part of this team and I am thankful to God for what He has done. I am also
thankful for being part of a church with a heart for missions and compassion for people everywhere. See
you all very soon!
Cheri Hayes
Vacation Day 6 - by LaVonne McIlrath & Tabitha Riggle
Costa Rica - July 5, 2009
This morning we began our day by eating breakfast at the Nazarene Seminary. We were to meet for
breakfast at 7:00 and be in the bus to begin our “vacation day” by 7:02! We actually made it by 7:05!
After our breakfast of gallo (pronounced guyo) pinto, with egg, ham and salsa (topped with mushrooms
and onion), and fresh pineapple and watermelon we began the “three hour tour” to Sarapiqui.
We stopped at a “butterfly garden” and saw hundreds of various varieties of beautiful butterflies. We even
saw a red poisonous tree frog! We enjoyed a boat ride in the tropical rain forest where we took pictures
of sloths, iguanas, a cayman, crocodiles and many birds including a coo-coo bird and kingfisher. We
passed several groups of children playing and swimming in the very same water! Our favorite “Kodak
Moment” was the family of howler monkeys playing in the trees. The river water was still muddy from the
earthquake in Costa Rica in January. In fact our planned trip to visit a volcano was not possible because
the road was impassable due to earthquake damage.
After lunch in an outdoor café we went souvenir shopping. After we “shopped till we dropped” we ate our
“last supper” in Costa Rica. It feels like all we have done is eat during this trip, usually not finishing dinner
until 10:00 at night because the days have
been so full of activities. We came back to
the Nazarene Seminary to spend our final
night in Costa Rica and head to the airport
in San Jose at 9:00 AM. We’re homeward
bound, but returning as different people than
when we came – with a renewed zeal and
passion for serving the Lord. We came to
bless others, but we were the ones blessed!
LaVonne and Tabitha
by Malari Helman - Trip Team Leader
It is so good to be home! While we
miss our new friends in Costa Rica, we
are happy to come back home and
share what we have learned. Our trip
consisted of so many good times and
also a few rough times, but overall it was
an amazing trip. We became very
close with the people in the church and
the indigenous Indians. Giving food and
clothing was amazing, but we were given
even more. God revealed so much to
each one of us. As we come back, we
pray that we remember all that God has
taught us. We hope to be changed
people. Thank you to all the people that
supported us financially and prayerfully.
We appreciate you all so much!
Until the next mission trip! Malari Helman
