Seems like so long ago.

Seems like it has been so long since we were in Costa Rica. What an experience we had. I am excited to say we will be returning next summer to work with Strong Missions once again! Stay tuned for more info and I will update this board to add our 2014 adventures as well! Next year, I will be leaving my good camera at home...oh never mind...I don't have a good camera anymore, it was stolen on the way home from Costa Rica. =( However, God is good and everyone returned unharmed and in mostly joyful spirits. Thankfully all but the last day of photos had been transferred to Deb's computer. Please keep us all in prayer as we begin the process to build a mission team for our 2014 travels. God Bless! Sheri Goad Bethel Youth Director

Monteverde

What an amazing day! So much fun...so much beauty. So many stories to tell when we return home. Keep an eye out...many...many....many photos and videos to come post trip. Keep us in prayer as we travel home tomorrow. Yours in Christ

A Fitting Farewell

We gathered at the park this morning and added our handprints and names to the mural. The "M"in the background could be construed as the mountains of Costa Rica, the Methodist Church or, of course, Em the beloved friend of our Sudley group. The verse is from John 4:14 "The water I give will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life. As we say goodbye to our friends in Costa Rica, we leave our handprints behind; in so many ways...not just on the wall. And Costa Rica's handprint will return home with us on our hearts! Thank You Costa Rica for the gifts you have given us. We will not soon forget the love, the kindness, the generosity and the experiences that have changed the way so many of us look at the world. God is good. "

Coming To An End

Our team finished up our last day of "hard work" yesterday. I think it is safe to say that the majority of our team is exhausted. We have put in a week of service like you would not believe. I am sure that everyone is going to be full of stories and excitement upon their return home. Today we are finishing up a mural that we painted in a city park that Strong Mission has built. The mural is being painted in memory of Em from Sudley. She made her way home to her Heavenly Father yesterday morning. The mural is a fitting dedication to her memory and the love of God for all of us. We will post a picture when it is finished.

This afternoon we will be leaving Strong Missions, but the memories we take with us will carry a lifetime. We have seen God move in ways it is hard to even imagine. We attended a church service on Wednesday, and the Pastors words whisper to us: "Don't Stop...Keep Going!" 

And so it is...today we won't stop. We will bring our servant hearts home and continue to serve in God's name. We will continue to be the hands of Christ. He has blessed us, humbled us, and wrapped his arms tightly around us.

May our journey continue beyond the walls of Costa Rica!

Please continue to keep us in prayer during our travels. We will be traveling to Monteverde where we will be blessed with God's beauty in the rainforests of Monteverde. We will arrive this evening after taking a surprise stop at the pacific ocean so the kids can dip their toes in! We will be ziplining, taking an agricultural tour and more tomorrow.  Monday our time in Costa Rica will come to an end and we will be returning into your loving arms!

Yours in Christ-

Messages from the Team

It has been such a blessing to have come on this trip and experience something much bigger than our day to day life. This trip will most definitely be unforgettable. -Destiny

This trip has been life changing trip. It’s really changed my view on so many things. Michael G. In two words, my trip to Costa Rica has been eye opening. Despite all the hardships that the Costa Ricans face, all I saw were happy faces. -Kameron

 On my trip to Costa Rica I experienced many different things. Some things that I experienced were the culture and kids being happy. -Kirstie

 I can’t wait to tell you all about this trip. We went to Los Guidos feeding center yesterday and it was the most memorable day of this trip yet. Can’t wait to see you and be home! Los Guidos Memory: The little girl I played with, Michel, had a pair of sandals. The sandals were in pretty good condition, and they fit her well. Michel willingly shared these sandals with the two other girls; nobody had to even ask. If one little girl was playing “caballito” (Piggy Back Rides) she would give the shoes to the girl playing “ande” (tag). Watching these girls share effortlessly the few things they had with no argument was a life changing experience for me, and certainly one I will never forget. -Love Lindsey

Just because you’re in a different country- boys and girls still interact with each other the same way that we do. The pure silliness and joy of watching the girls giggle and boys smiling was really cool. -Dane

 Being surrounded by poverty and hopelessness like we saw at Los Guidos, can bring out the best in everyone. -Travis

 I like how people live such simple lives and they are content with it. Costa Rica has been a wonderful and life changing experience. I loved seeing how other people in the world lived and how the simple things make them happy. -Jessica

Survived another day with the children attacking me, new personal best.- Joey

Seeing how happy the kids were at Los Guidos to have a bunch of teens show up to play with them. And they were still happy even when it was time for us to go. -Paige

This trip has really opened my eyes and made me realize that the majority of the world lives like they do here. Elizabeth  This trip has been a life changing experience. I met many new and wonderful people. It was amazing to see so many happy people living in conditions like this. Such a beautiful place.- Gillian

The children are always smiling and everyone here is so content with everything they have, while at home we are never quite content. I would like to bring that attitude back with me.- Maddie

 I learned that it’s really hard to teach a little kid how to salsa if you don’t speak any Spanish.- Heather

I learned I’m a natural salsa dancer. I am so going to miss here. The kids are so loving and energetic. -Brenda

This has been an incredibly beautiful and challenging week. God has been at work in everything I see, especially in the kids ministry to each other.- Deb

Day Five

Today our group went to Los Guidos to the children’s feeding center. For some of the children we were feeding, this was the only meal they would be getting for the day. Many of us were a bit nervous going in as we didn’t know quite what to expect. This church, locked behind an iron gate in the middle of a neighborhood we would not dream of entering on our own, was filled with so much of God’s love we were no less then overwhelmed. As children sat around tables waiting for food, they looked at us with curiosity. It did not take long until they were laughing and playing with our group. They took us into their sanctuary and taught us to dance and sing to the Lord with such enthusiasm it would blow you away! I don’t believe there was one person who walked away from our day without being touched. God is good! Tonight we attended Salsa Lessons and the kids had so much fun! So much that an hour after it was supposed to be quiet time 8 of them we standing in the court area practicing more! Looking forward to another great day tomorrow! Will post Salsa Pics later. Yours in Christ

Hola

It is so great to hear from everyone. We love seeing all the comments. If you want yo comment just go to the comment link at the bottom of any post. Comments wont post right away. They are being moderated. As soon as we can get on the Internet we will approve and it will post. We had an amazing day at Los Guido's today; a children's feeding center. So many pictures to come. Tonight we are taking Salsa Lessons!