The End of the trip

Yesterday we traveled through the rainforest for a zip line adventure, flying high above the trees for adrenaline rushes and incredible views. Today we will worship with the people of Church of the Ascension, our worksite. I look forward to praising God in the pews with these incredible people!

I leave you with one final look at the 2013 Mission Team of St Timothy's, Winston-Salem.

Costa Rica Slideshow

O God, who hast made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after thee and find thee; bring the nations into thy fold; pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Friday

Earlier this week when we visited Hogar Escuela, Fr. Arturo spoke to us about the importance of their children learning English. He said learning our language opens up a world of possibilities for these children who are being raised by single mothers in Barrio Cuba, the poorest neighborhood in San Jose. This thought lingered in my mind. I had studied Spanish every year in school since I was three years old, and I remembered little songs, sayings, and stories from spanish speaking visitors from far away lands. I remembered how this brought the language to life and helped lay the foundation for the grammatical study I would experience in middle school and beyond. I mentioned this to Fr. Eduardo, and asked if I could share my experiences with the children of Hogar Escuela. Yes! Yes! Yes!

This morning, after a beautiful Eucharist at Diocesan House, I had the pleasure of being a special English speaking visitor to three excited groups of children. I taught them the song "hello hello how are you?" using our hands as puppets, and "my head, my shoulders, my knees, my toes" first slowly, then faster and faster. I showed them pictures of my family and my life in NC. They chatted excitedly at the images of Page in a tutu, doing gymnastics, and on the school bus, and of Jon playing soccer and running track. I showed them a photo of Kenny taken at Hogar Escuela last year with a little boy on his back, and they knew exactly who that boy is - in fact, he was in the first group of children! I told them that today there is snow at our house and showed them a photo of Page with a snowman, explaining that snow is white and cold. They wondered, do we make snowballs and throw them at each other? Yes we do! They saw pictures of St. Timothy's and a photo of myself with Mickey Mouse. Each picture was met with excitement and echoes of English words as they mimicked my sounds. We ended the sessions with a round of "Jesus loves me" sung first in English, then in very loud enthusiastic Spanish!

After the lessons I joined the older kids on the playground. It only took a few minutes for them to really open up, practicing their English and asking me question after question. I taught them how to play Star Tag and we played a raucous game, round after round until my legs ached. There were lots of smiles and hugs when I left. It was a wonderful morning.

When I got back to the worksite, the pipes had been laid and the ditch was filled in! The afternoon was spent cleaning up the worksite, moving dirt piles and gravel, and cleaning the sanctuary in preparation for Sunday services. The ladies from Esperanza Viva came to talk with us about their group and ministry to each other and other HIV+ women in Costa Rica, which is housed at the Church of the Ascension. What a moving story! We presented the ladies with material and sewing supplies to help with their business. We brought along our Chris and Linda puppets which have accompanied us much of the week, and the ladies were so glad to see them! We hope they can send finished products back to us with Fr. Arturo when he comes to NC in March so we can sell them on their behalf.

Bishop Monterroso was on the worksite again today, and joined us again for dinner. What a great guy. He is so passionate about doing God's work in real and tangible ways that change lives, and his vision is contagious. We chatted at the table long after dinner about our experiences this week. We tossed around ideas for expanding our companion relationship, particularly the relationship between St, Timothy's and Church of the Ascension, and also ways we can assist Esperanza Viva. The evening ended with a Dance Party, complete with Obispo dancing the salsa.

It's hard to believe the work week is over. Although we are finished with shovels, wheelbarrows, pick axes, brooms and rags, I know that, for me, the work is far from over. My eyes and heart have been opened to the people of this place and I want to stay present. Not just present here, but more present at home as well.

This week, the people of the Diocese of Costa Rica have taught me several things:
Search. You don't have to look far to find opportunities to make a difference, but you do have to do it yourself, and to look outside of yourself.
Listen. By first listening to others you can begin to understand what they really need, and it's likely not what you think they need.
Believe. A deep, deep faith that God will provide is really the only resource you need to get started. Stay close to Him, invite His spirit into your work, and speak of His love to others. In this way, miracles can (and do!) occur.

Thursday

Dig, dig, dig all day long!

And a delicious dinner at Rosti Pollo.

Hasta mañana!

Wednesday

Wednesday


Another day, another stretch of hours digging ditches and moving rock piles. It is amazing now much satisfaction there is in this work. Every shovelful offers visible, tangible progress. The group cheered as we busted through the final few feet of cement, completing the 100' stretch of ditch. More cheers and satisfaction as we uncovered the entire stretch of pipe. Then the pipe was cut out, and we began digging deeper down, up to 3 1/2 feet deep in places. This work is not yet done.....

We were pleased to have Bishop Monterroso join us today on the worksite - throwing the sledgehammer and digging ditches with us. He was there from start to finish, continually offering encouragement, cracking jokes, and digging, digging, digging! What a treat!

At last night's and tonight's devotions we marveled at how well our group works together. There is a grand rhythm to what we do. Just when you feel a bit fatigued, someone says "can I have a turn?" We swap from wheelbarrow to sledgehammer, shovel to pick axe, pushing a broom or simply sitting in the shade for a few minutes. While we each get a rest, the project itself never slows. Some cannot carry as much, so the lighter load in the wheelbarrow means a little break for those filling them up, which is just what is needed. The pick axe chops the hard dirt/cement while the shovel rests, and everyone stands back when the sledgehammer swings!

Our work here reminds me of what Paul said to the Ephesians "speaking the truth in wlove, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.". Each of us is important and vital, and in working together, nothing is lacking.

We see progress, and we feel the movement of the Holy Spirit. I like it here.

Tuesday

Tuesday

We arrived at Iglesia de la Ascension bright and early, ready to work.   The worksite did not disappoint us!  Some of our crew mixed cement, wheeled it through the sanctuary, and poured the kitchen slab out back.  Others moved the ladies' sewing ministry from upstairs to downstairs in the rickety front building, which will eventually be demolished so that a new sanctuary can be built.  The rest of us?  Well, do any of you remember two years ago when Kenny and Chris had to dig out the sewer line, literally knee deep in it?  Today we dug the line back out so that a new pipe can be laid.  It turns out St Timothy's has an incredible cement chopping, rock excavating, ditch digging team!

The slab and sewing room were completed by lunch, which we were quite ready to eat.  Fr. Eduardo brought us burritos, salsa, salad - muy delicioso!  After lunch part of our crew moved huge piles of rock and gravel from one place to another, and the others continued digging ditches.  One thing I didn't know before today - Chiquita and I make a great ditch digging team.  We have the technique and the tempo down pat, and had no problem making it through the afternoon.   I must say, however, that we were all relieved to hear the call of "quitting time!". Covered in dirt, exhausted, we put away our tools and grabbed a cold beverage for the bus ride back.

It's great to be back at Diocesan House, clean, relaxed, and reflecting on the day. I must admit, when Chris told us we would be building a kitchen this week from the ground up, and may be digging footings I thought "No! Not digging ditches!"  When we arrived at the worksite and saw the footings were laid, I thought "Yes!  No ditch digging!"  But tonight I am thankful for the day, the ditch, the people, and the work.

Christ's hands are in action at Ascension, providing HIV+ women pastoral care, a livelihood, and community when others turned their backs on them; and preaching the love of Christ to a rapidly growing congregation.  Their facilities are surely lacking, but not their devotion to praising God and to transforming lives.

Remembering that cement slab out back drying in the sun, and that long stretch of ditch with the sewer pipe exposed is awesomely rewarding.  It is a tangible way to see how our hands are making a difference in the church.

I pray that every day my work makes a difference in the world, and even if I cannot see the progress clearly, that it is always pleasing in God's sight.  

Monday

Part of the "mission trip experience" is stepping outside your comfort zone, trying something new.  So here I am, posting my first ever blog!

Monday

After hearing stories of Costa Rica, the people and missions, and spending time at St Timothy's with Bishop Monterroso, I am so excited to be here.  In many ways, San Jose is exactly what I expected.   The streets are crowded and noisy with all the bustle of a capital city, and poverty is visible from the roads. I realized this is the furthest south I have ever traveled, so lush, tropical and colorful.  The terrain is incredible.  The city sits in a large valley with lush mountains thrusting sharply skyward on all sides.   It is beautiful and exciting here.

Diocesan House is much nicer and more comfortable than I imagined.  It is roomy and clean, everyone is so friendly, and the food is fabulous.  There's a yard with a dog named Bispo, and several rooms to chill in.

This morning during breakfast Fr. Arturo, retired priest from the Church of the Ascension, popped in to say hello and let me tell you, he lit up the room.  What a personality!   He remembered the folks from prior years with a big hug and welcomed us "newbies" into the family.  A few minutes later Obispo Monterroso arrived, with hugs and welcomes again.   I really like it here.

After breakfast we had a devotion on John 11, when we hear that Jesus purposely waited away while his friend Lazarus lay on his deathbed, and eventually died.  Neither Martha nor Mary could understand his timing, each crying "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died."  No one could have anticipated the miracle that occurred only with the Lord's timing.   And that was our message for today.   We are on his time, not our own.  This proved to be a good lesson for today.

Shortly after breakfast we boarded the bus dressed in old clothes, boots and gloves, ready to work.  Our first stop was not the worksite, but to my delight, Hogar Escuela.  I have heard stories of this amazing place founded by the Diocese of Costa Rica, and was not disappointed. Located in Barrio Cuba, one of the worst places in the city, it is a safe haven for 120 children.  Translated to "home school" these children stay all day receiving food, education, and most importantly, love while their single mothers work.   The mothers also learn computer skills and English at the school, enabling them to work in the booming Call Center industry which pays over 3x what they can make otherwise. The modern facilities are a stark contrast to the tiny metal shacks surrounding the property, and the children were such fun!  My favorite part was watching Fr Eduardo lead 4 year olds in a round of "Christo me amo" - Jesus loves me.

Next, we we traveled across town to a neighborhood called Heredia.   Located behind a new western mall, it is the poorest neighborhood in all of Costa Rica.  It is also the site of the newest Hogar Escuela, set to open in March.  What a beautiful facility!  While standing in this wonderful space, Obispo Monterroso shared a story of groundbreaking.  Eucharist was held on site, with our Presiding Bishop officiating.   As she raised the host in adoration, a rainbow broke out across the sky and church bells rang from the neighboring Roman Catholic church.  How moving!  A rainbow mural now adorns the wall in the sanctuary, which also serves as the central core of the facility.   I can't wait to come back to see this incredible school filled with children.

As it happens, work did not begin on Monday, but the ground work was laid for a fabulous week.   We heard the Bishop say again and again that our mission is to worship God and to serve others.  Their emphasis is on serving women and children, who are so marginalized in this society.  The work they do is important.  It changes lives and family trees.  It is bold and faithful.

It makes me want to get to work.