Travel Day

Our trip is ending and we want to thank you all for your prayers, support and especially blog comments. It's been 8 days that we'll never forget. We worked hard and did a lot of projects but that really wasn't what the trip was all about. We cherished the quiet time with God, the evening group discussions, meeting awesome missionaries and building relationships with the team and others. We each take home many lessons learned and challenges from this trip. We grew in friendship with each other and missionaries met in Costa Rica. The stories shared by each missionary were real life examples of what we studied this week.

God invites us all into relationship with Him. God's plan will be fulfilled whether or not we participate but we each have the awesome chance to be a part of it. Following the example of Jesus, the Multiplication Center's main mission is to train disciples so that they go out in their community and make disciples. While on Earth Jesus invested time in His ministry to 12 disciples, regular, everyday people like us. When He left Jesus instructed them to go and make disciples. Jesus' whole plan was left to these everyday disciples.

The ministry of this center is amazing and we are humbled to be a small part of it. We thank Steve who sacrificed his time to walk with us this week. He is insightful, funny and more than anything, real. We each grew this week because Steve followed God's leading, became a missionary in Costa Rica with his family and invested in us. It was also awesome to get to know his wife Jamie who made meals, juggled family functions, supported us this week and honors God with her life. We also thank Lindsey who helped with meals and shared time with us this week. Also to Sergio and Tom who worked and journeyed beside us this week...thanks and we won't forget you guys.

Our prayer is that the Multiplication Center honor and glorify God in their mission. Also, that the words said and lessons learned be lived out back home. It's hard to say good-bye to Costa Rica (at least for now) but we leave with new perspectives from this week and new friends serving Jesus in Costa Rica who live out what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Adios from the 5 amigos!
Check out the updated flickr pics.

Free day and work day 4

Hola-Yesterday was our first day of exploration of Costa Rica's beautiful landscape and wildlife. We headed out of the San Jose valley surrounded by mountains like a bowl, over the mountains down to the coastal area. Driving through the mountains is an experience in itself. We did it with a Tico (Costa Rican nickname) behind the wheel. You haven't experienced driving until you've rode with a Tico. We have learned to no longer take life for granted. We launched onto a river cruise as our first stop and saw some amazing wildlife. We came across a sloth, cayman, and some howler monkeys. We also came across tons of iguanas in the trees hanging over the river.

Our next stop was a trip through a rainforest and a cocoa plantation tour and some of the history of cocoa in Costa Rica. The rainforest lived up to its name...it poured and we got soaked. But loved it all the same. To walk into the rainforest we cross an 800 ft. suspended bridge, over a couple rivers. Toucans were flying in the trees (Fruit Loop jokes were kept at a minimum). The chocolate was fantastic. We tried real chocolate bars, drink, and melted syrupy deliciousness. We all had a great free day off enjoying God's beautiful creation here. The work has been stress free but it was really fun to get out and see the country we are working in and some of the rural areas and people.

Today we were back at work and can't believe that we have one more day and then head home on Sunday morning. The trip has been fantastic and we've loved getting to know people down here. We will post a another blog tomorrow with more details. God Bless.

Buenas noches from the 5 amigos...don't forget to leave a comment (we love them by the way) and don't forget to check out the new pics on flickr.

Work Day 2 & 3

Group Photo with Sergio and Alex

Before - Casa Grande

After - Casa Grande

Hola-It's the end of work day number 3 and we are all feeling it. Tomorrow is our free day and we are traveling to Sarapiqui and La Tirimbina for a River Tour and Chocolate Tour and we are all looking forward to it. Day one was our prep day with lots of belt sanding and scraping and the last two days have been filed with progress (tiling, painting, varnishing windows, grouting, etc.).

Today's lunch was spent with Alex who is a missionary serving in the Chicago gang area. We enjoyed getting to know him better and pray for his ministry there. We also are blessed to serve with Sergio who has shared with us his ministry/missionary ambitions and prayers. He's always smiling and great to work beside. Please pray for these two men.

We have had a chance to meet and get to know missionaries who are following God's plan in their lives. Every night after dinner we spend time together reviewing a Bible study that was put together by Steve for us to do during our quiet time each day from 11:30-12:30. We are studying the first days for Jesus' ministry and reflecting on our own lives. We are also getting to know each other better and enjoy the time where we can be authentic and open with each other.

We have been eating so good. Jamie (Steve's wife) and Lindsey have been preparing all our meals and we are so grateful for their time and service. We've never eaten so well for three meals a day plus cookies, coffee, etc...you get the picture.

Buenas noches from the 5 amigos!

There are some new flickr pics so please check them out. We love the blog comments so go ahead a leave a note. Adios.

Work Day 1

Hola-This is Monday's posting (even though it's early Tuesday morning). We enjoyed a romantic candle lit dinner tonight because of a power outage which is frequent here. After dinner we had a study/devotional time by a blazing fire. We were talking about the beginning of Jesus' ministry and how He invites us into a relationship with us. Isn't that fascinating that the creator of the universe invites us in relationship. Today was our first full day of work including belt sanding the brick floors and some painting. Below are high/lows from the team.

Aaron: High: Cruising around in the mountainering Hyundai with Steve through San Jose.

Low: Mising the girls.

Mike: High: Being done sanding lacquer off the brick floors.

Low: Stomach pains.

Jeremy: High: Worshiping on sunday and study time at night.

Low: Running the belt sander and missing my wife and kids.

Phil: Working in God's beauty, with the rainbow in front of me and the birds signing behind me. Seeing God's work in the local churches. Fellowship with the other men.

Low: Missing the family.

Rich: High: Having Aaron's suitcase delivered.

Low: When I took out some dry-rot and left a big hole.

Check out the flickr site.

Adios

Worship

Church at Comunidad Cristiana Hijos del Rey

Hola-This morning we went to Comunidad Cristiana Hijos del Rey church and it was fantastic! We had two wonderful interpreters for us and the time of worship was so powerful. We recognized a few songs and it was a wonderful time of worship, rejoicing and praise to God. I was very authentic and real and although at times we didn't know what was being said or sung, you could feel God's presence there and it was powerful. Like Northwood, it's a church focused on missions and sending people. We loved the noises of clapping, children laughing, kids running, families signing, wind blowing in from the big open door in back, and people passing along on the sidewalk outside. It was terrific.

We had a great lunch out today and did some prep work this afternoon. Jamie made some wonderful chili tonight and we had a nice time of group devotions tonight. We are each getting quiet time alone each day to be still and to listen.


There are some new pics on the flickr site so check them out...we are so social media friendly!


Adios from the 5 amigos!