We arrived in Minnesota at about midnight last night and most of us we NOT happy to see snow. Kristin and I wore flip flops home and were quite cold after walking in the snow.
We did have to run through the airport in Houston, we landed in a terminal on one side of the airport and had to run all the way across the airport, but we made it. We all joked that we were on the TV show, The Amazing Race. Unfortunately there wasn't a million dollars at the end, just a glass of water. But it was still worth the adrenaline rush.
Here is an update of the rest of our trip--
Saturday we travels to La Paz, which is a very remote location. It is actually a prize on Wheel of Fortune. La Paz is a tropical zoo type thing with waterfalls bigger than I have ever seen. It was amazing to see Gods creation and how gorgeous this world is. We did experience the elevation when we were trudging through the jungle to get to the waterfalls, but it was so worth it. At La Paz, there was toucan, parrots, Ma Caws, butterflies, humming birds, sloths, jaguars, and reptiles. Most places allowed you to get up close and personal with the animals, which was amazing. The drive to and from La Paz was beyond spectacular. It offered panoramic views of the San Jose valley and of coffee plantations. It was beyond fantastic.
Sunday the team (minus Lois) took a Canopy and Whitewater-rafting tour. We woke up super early and traveled 2 hours through the rainforest and jungle to get to the tour location. We then Zip-lined (The call it Canopy) through the jungle for about an hour. While waiting at each checkpoint, we heard monkeys, and birds of all kinds. Once again, getting to experience Gods beautiful creation. The last zip-line was over the rover and that was breath-taking. After zip-lining, we got in a van and were taken down the river to start our rafting. We had the BEST paddling skills. We passed everyone in front of us and never got stuck. Lunch was included in the deal and was delicious! It was nice to have something besides rice and beans. (: Overall, the tour was great and I highly recommend it! Our team bonded tremendously.
Monday, we packed in the morning then headed to the airport. Our flights were great and we are all happy to be home.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
More Pictures to come!!
God Bless, Elise.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thursday. Day Seven.
Lo siento, it has been a very busy week. Nina and Elise finally found time to sit down and write a blog for you all.
We have copmleted two days of VBS and have one to go in Christo Rey. We divided the children into 2 groups, younger and older. Lois teaches one group a lesson while the others play games with the rest of the team, then the groups switch. There have abeen about 20 kids each day (total). It has been challenging, but fun to come up with games and activites for the kids. Chuck has helped us translate the directions for the games. It is still fun to play games and interact with kids that dont speak English. It is exhausting, but yesterday, six children gave their lives to the Lord.
Due to the traffic issues of Costa Rica, we go straight to the church in San Fransisco. We then have a couple of hours to prepare for English class and have dinner.
A little about the English classes--As a team, we evaluated the students' English comprehension and divided them into 4 groups. Entry, taught by Lois, beginner taught by Elise and Nina, Intermediate taught by Jenny and Kristin, and advanced taught by Chris. Each class has 2-4 students. This has been a challenge to try to teach when there isnt common language. Elise and Jenny have been able to incorporate some of their Spanish skills in order to explain some of the more difficult concepts. Between the first and second night, the students seemed to really grasp and learn quickly and enjoying themselves.
We have two more nights of English classes and have invited our students to travel home with us and live with all of you. Ha, we're kidding.
The team has really bonded and enjoyed getting to know everyone. Chuck and Robbi have been wonderful hosts and we have met Robbi's parents, John and Mary. They have helped tremendously with the English classes.
For your entertainment-- Yesterday morning at devotions, Elise thought she would be smart and test how big the key was and if it would be able to fit through the slats of the deck at our hotel. Guess what? It did and fell beneath the building. Oops! Yankee know how, saved the day. Nina got on her hands and knees and fished it our with a metal hook type thing that we found in the garden. Crisis averted. Kristin did take a picture and in it, Nina looks like she is praying with her face to ground, converted to Islam. Of course, she hasn't but the picture is quite comical.
Prayer Requests--
-Health for the team.
-Strength and patience while we struggle with the language barrier.
-Make and impact on the kids at VBS and the students in the English classes.
-And no more rice and beans.. (:
P.S. Happyness to Kristin who is celebrating her 21st birthday today!
--Nina and Elise.
We have copmleted two days of VBS and have one to go in Christo Rey. We divided the children into 2 groups, younger and older. Lois teaches one group a lesson while the others play games with the rest of the team, then the groups switch. There have abeen about 20 kids each day (total). It has been challenging, but fun to come up with games and activites for the kids. Chuck has helped us translate the directions for the games. It is still fun to play games and interact with kids that dont speak English. It is exhausting, but yesterday, six children gave their lives to the Lord.
Due to the traffic issues of Costa Rica, we go straight to the church in San Fransisco. We then have a couple of hours to prepare for English class and have dinner.
A little about the English classes--As a team, we evaluated the students' English comprehension and divided them into 4 groups. Entry, taught by Lois, beginner taught by Elise and Nina, Intermediate taught by Jenny and Kristin, and advanced taught by Chris. Each class has 2-4 students. This has been a challenge to try to teach when there isnt common language. Elise and Jenny have been able to incorporate some of their Spanish skills in order to explain some of the more difficult concepts. Between the first and second night, the students seemed to really grasp and learn quickly and enjoying themselves.
We have two more nights of English classes and have invited our students to travel home with us and live with all of you. Ha, we're kidding.
The team has really bonded and enjoyed getting to know everyone. Chuck and Robbi have been wonderful hosts and we have met Robbi's parents, John and Mary. They have helped tremendously with the English classes.
For your entertainment-- Yesterday morning at devotions, Elise thought she would be smart and test how big the key was and if it would be able to fit through the slats of the deck at our hotel. Guess what? It did and fell beneath the building. Oops! Yankee know how, saved the day. Nina got on her hands and knees and fished it our with a metal hook type thing that we found in the garden. Crisis averted. Kristin did take a picture and in it, Nina looks like she is praying with her face to ground, converted to Islam. Of course, she hasn't but the picture is quite comical.
Prayer Requests--
-Health for the team.
-Strength and patience while we struggle with the language barrier.
-Make and impact on the kids at VBS and the students in the English classes.
-And no more rice and beans.. (:
P.S. Happyness to Kristin who is celebrating her 21st birthday today!
--Nina and Elise.
Picture Captions.
1. The team our first morning outside of our hotel rooms.
2.View of the hotel rooms. Missionary work can have its advantages.
3. Hill.
4. Elise and Lois (a.k.a.Tia Loida) at the comedor.
5. View outside of the comedor (an eating place).
6. Kritsin multi-tasking. (:
7. Nina and Jenny at the comedor for lunch!
P.s. There was an earthquake the other morning, but most of us found out the next morning. Nothing too severe. All is well.
2.View of the hotel rooms. Missionary work can have its advantages.
3. Hill.
4. Elise and Lois (a.k.a.Tia Loida) at the comedor.
5. View outside of the comedor (an eating place).
6. Kritsin multi-tasking. (:
7. Nina and Jenny at the comedor for lunch!
P.s. There was an earthquake the other morning, but most of us found out the next morning. Nothing too severe. All is well.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Day Two.
Whatta day.
We started this morning with a Continental breakfast at our hotel and then devotions as a team. We then traveled to a church in San Fransico (obviously not the one in California..) to be presented to the church. This is where we will be teaching English classes for the week. We then sat through a service and got to experience the service first hand. There was a translator for the sermon which was much appreciated. After church, we ate an authentic meal from the ladies at the church. Which consisted of rice, chicken, beans, vegetables, and plantains. It was very good traditional Costa Rican meal. We then headed back to the hotel for some afternoon devotions and discussion about life's philosophy. Needless to say, we all bonded today. This afternoon we went with Armando to his church in Christo Rey. Armando is a typical Tico driver making his own lanes and his own rules, including driving with his horn. Our Spanish skills were definitely tested because Armando does not speak much English, at all. So Jenny and Elise pieced together our Spanish vocabulary to cut the silence of the car. Needless to say, we need to brush up on our Spanish, especially making gramatically correct sentences. but now we know how it will feel for the students of the English classes this week. We did meet two guys today that spoke English well and invited us to a game of soccer, unfortunately Jenny and I had sandals and dresses on, but may try to play later this week. The service tonight was in Christo Rey with about 3 adults and 9 children. Our team made up about half the congregation. But the few that were there were passionate about their faith and prayed accordingly. During the service, Kristin, Jenny, Lois and I shared our testimonies and Chuck translated. Kristin, Elise, Chuck and Lois did a mime. Then Kristin and Elise played/sang Might to Save (in English, of course). The congregation was very appreciative and gave us lots of hugs and kisses. Even though there is a language barrier, God was uniting us. We are at the Fanbergs now and will leave with very full stomachs (food babies as Jenny calls them..) After we are finishing orientation for the English classes that begin tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers! Love to all!
--Jenny and Elise.
We started this morning with a Continental breakfast at our hotel and then devotions as a team. We then traveled to a church in San Fransico (obviously not the one in California..) to be presented to the church. This is where we will be teaching English classes for the week. We then sat through a service and got to experience the service first hand. There was a translator for the sermon which was much appreciated. After church, we ate an authentic meal from the ladies at the church. Which consisted of rice, chicken, beans, vegetables, and plantains. It was very good traditional Costa Rican meal. We then headed back to the hotel for some afternoon devotions and discussion about life's philosophy. Needless to say, we all bonded today. This afternoon we went with Armando to his church in Christo Rey. Armando is a typical Tico driver making his own lanes and his own rules, including driving with his horn. Our Spanish skills were definitely tested because Armando does not speak much English, at all. So Jenny and Elise pieced together our Spanish vocabulary to cut the silence of the car. Needless to say, we need to brush up on our Spanish, especially making gramatically correct sentences. but now we know how it will feel for the students of the English classes this week. We did meet two guys today that spoke English well and invited us to a game of soccer, unfortunately Jenny and I had sandals and dresses on, but may try to play later this week. The service tonight was in Christo Rey with about 3 adults and 9 children. Our team made up about half the congregation. But the few that were there were passionate about their faith and prayed accordingly. During the service, Kristin, Jenny, Lois and I shared our testimonies and Chuck translated. Kristin, Elise, Chuck and Lois did a mime. Then Kristin and Elise played/sang Might to Save (in English, of course). The congregation was very appreciative and gave us lots of hugs and kisses. Even though there is a language barrier, God was uniting us. We are at the Fanbergs now and will leave with very full stomachs (food babies as Jenny calls them..) After we are finishing orientation for the English classes that begin tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers! Love to all!
--Jenny and Elise.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Day One.
Hello!
I apologize for not getting on here sooner. I was having some internet issues at the hotel.
The team is doing well, our flights were great, very relaxed. Yesterday (Friday) we were able to relax for a bit, then meet with the Fanbergs for a delicious meal and an overview of our week. Then enjoyed a great night of rest.
This morning (Saturday), our team, along with 6 Canadians (staying in the same hotel) went to a Comedor which is Spanish for "eating place". At this location, a woman feeds children that would not otherwise get a meal. The number of children vary, especially with school just starting. The children usually come everyday for a meal. On Saturdays, they come for a meal along with a bible lesson. So this morning Lois taught the "wordless book" to the older students, they seemed pretty receptive. We also got to sing some songs with them, including one about bananas. After the children sang the song in Spanish, they turned to us and wanted us to sing (in English) . Not knowing exactly what to sing, we sang the same song in English. The kids seemed to get quite a kick out of it. It was amazing to see how many kids were at this place and it makes you wonder what their story is. I really enjoyed jsut seeing how the kids reacted to everything and how they participated. For the team, it was challenging since most of us are not fluent in Spanish, but we will hopefully be acclamated within a few days and be able to pick out some words. Tonight, we ate at a restaurant with chicken as the main course. It was delicious and very fun to be in an "authentic" restaurant. After supper, the majority of the team walked back to the Fanbergs, which was a stunning view. We began orientation for the English classes that start Monday and discussed what we would be doing and how to best teach English to the Costa Ricans.
The scenery is breathtaking, as we exit our hotel room doors, we see a HUGE volcano/mountain. It is beautiful. As a team we get to have breakfast and devotions together overlooking the San Jose/Escazu skyline.
Prayer Requests--
-Our team would become more and more united.
-We would all feel like we can help regardless of our Spanish abilities.
-Health and strength for everyone on the team.
-That the Holy Spirit would speak through us and work through us.
-Safety while traveling. The driving here is MUCH different than in the states.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers.
God Bless, Elise.
P.S. I will do my best to add pictures soon.
I apologize for not getting on here sooner. I was having some internet issues at the hotel.
The team is doing well, our flights were great, very relaxed. Yesterday (Friday) we were able to relax for a bit, then meet with the Fanbergs for a delicious meal and an overview of our week. Then enjoyed a great night of rest.
This morning (Saturday), our team, along with 6 Canadians (staying in the same hotel) went to a Comedor which is Spanish for "eating place". At this location, a woman feeds children that would not otherwise get a meal. The number of children vary, especially with school just starting. The children usually come everyday for a meal. On Saturdays, they come for a meal along with a bible lesson. So this morning Lois taught the "wordless book" to the older students, they seemed pretty receptive. We also got to sing some songs with them, including one about bananas. After the children sang the song in Spanish, they turned to us and wanted us to sing (in English) . Not knowing exactly what to sing, we sang the same song in English. The kids seemed to get quite a kick out of it. It was amazing to see how many kids were at this place and it makes you wonder what their story is. I really enjoyed jsut seeing how the kids reacted to everything and how they participated. For the team, it was challenging since most of us are not fluent in Spanish, but we will hopefully be acclamated within a few days and be able to pick out some words. Tonight, we ate at a restaurant with chicken as the main course. It was delicious and very fun to be in an "authentic" restaurant. After supper, the majority of the team walked back to the Fanbergs, which was a stunning view. We began orientation for the English classes that start Monday and discussed what we would be doing and how to best teach English to the Costa Ricans.
The scenery is breathtaking, as we exit our hotel room doors, we see a HUGE volcano/mountain. It is beautiful. As a team we get to have breakfast and devotions together overlooking the San Jose/Escazu skyline.
Prayer Requests--
-Our team would become more and more united.
-We would all feel like we can help regardless of our Spanish abilities.
-Health and strength for everyone on the team.
-That the Holy Spirit would speak through us and work through us.
-Safety while traveling. The driving here is MUCH different than in the states.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers.
God Bless, Elise.
P.S. I will do my best to add pictures soon.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Prayer.
The team leaves in two days and we are getting very excited!
Here are some prayer requests.
--As a team, we will be running a VBS for 20-40 children in Spanish, which may be a challenge for those that don't speak much Spanich.
--The mimes would be beneficial for the audiences that we will perform in front of.
--The luggage would be under weight for all the members.
--Safe travels and team unity!
Thank you so much for your prayer!
--Elise.
Here are some prayer requests.
--As a team, we will be running a VBS for 20-40 children in Spanish, which may be a challenge for those that don't speak much Spanich.
--The mimes would be beneficial for the audiences that we will perform in front of.
--The luggage would be under weight for all the members.
--Safe travels and team unity!
Thank you so much for your prayer!
--Elise.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
T Minus 6 Days!!
We are getting closer! Please keep our team in your prayers! We are all getting excited!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Our Team.
This is our team, minus one. We are so excited to go to Costa Rica in less than 2 weeks!!
(Left to Right.) Lois, Kristin, Elise, Chris, Jen, and Nina is not pictured.
Please keep us in your prayers!
Friday, January 27, 2012
T-Minus 14 days. (:
Hello--
This is Elise writing. I will be the main writer of the blogs, but will try to incorporate others on the team as well. The first team heads to Costa Rica in two weeks and we are all getting pretty excited. There is a total of six going ranging a wide spectrum of ages. Which will make for a great team! While our itinerary is not finalized yet, we are hoping to help in whatever way we can. At this point in time, we are hoping to help with the beginning of the coffee shop that the Fanbergs are starting, help in the community and hopefully visiting a church or two.
Main Prayer Requests--
1. That our team would stay united and we would just really bond during our service.
2. Safe travels to and from Costa Rica, as well as when we are there.
3. That we could all the God's hands and feet to the world.
4. That a lot would be accomplished with the coffee shop.
Please keep us in your prayers as we begin our adventure on February 10th. We will update you all as often as possible.
Thank you for all of your prayer and support.
God Bless.
Elise.
This is Elise writing. I will be the main writer of the blogs, but will try to incorporate others on the team as well. The first team heads to Costa Rica in two weeks and we are all getting pretty excited. There is a total of six going ranging a wide spectrum of ages. Which will make for a great team! While our itinerary is not finalized yet, we are hoping to help in whatever way we can. At this point in time, we are hoping to help with the beginning of the coffee shop that the Fanbergs are starting, help in the community and hopefully visiting a church or two.
Main Prayer Requests--
1. That our team would stay united and we would just really bond during our service.
2. Safe travels to and from Costa Rica, as well as when we are there.
3. That we could all the God's hands and feet to the world.
4. That a lot would be accomplished with the coffee shop.
Please keep us in your prayers as we begin our adventure on February 10th. We will update you all as often as possible.
Thank you for all of your prayer and support.
God Bless.
Elise.
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