Friday, July 30, 2010

Una dia de construcion

Today was a very productive day. We limpiarlo (cleaned it), cortarlo (cut it), and soldarlo (welded it). It being metal supports for the building. We also painted the metal. The Costa Rican people (Ticos) made us a wonderful meal of chicken, rice, beans, salad, cooked plantains, and really good tea for lunch. On the way to the work site and on the way home, some of the team members got to see a group of monkeys playing in the trees. For dinner, we also had a muy bueno (very good) meal. We had spaghetti and toast made over an open fire. Some of the Ticos got to join us for dinner and devotion. Paul closed the night with a devotion with on taking care of God's people.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Comprehensive Blog (Wednesday and Thursday)

I am going to blog for yesterday and today because that is how it happened, it has been one long day meshed together.

Our mission team met at SPC on Wednesday morning around 5:00 am. We left for the airport, made it to Costa Rica around 3:30 pm (SC time), and eventually made it to our home location at about 7:00 am (CR time).

The real adventure falls between getting off the airplane in Costa Rica and arriving at our hotel. After our 46+ bags were loaded into our 2 vans and 1 SUV, we were ready for the 4 hour drive to Upala. Little did we know that we would encounter many challenges. Sparring the details, at the end of the night it was obvious that God had us in his protection. We experienced around 11 hours of driving, critical roads being closed because of the bridge being washed out, a ferry ride, tons of bonding, VERY bumpy and steep roads, rain, and a few extra obstacles.

Once we arrived at our hotel in Upala, the vans were unpacked, a short meeting was held, and everyone went to bed. In the afternoon, a group of our team went and scoped out our work sight for the week for better preparation and use of time.

Needless to say, God's alternative route has kept us alive and safe.

We had two good devotions today from Wayne and Sandy with the CCI pastor. Wayne challenged us to find our purpose for being here and living it out. The CCI pastor read us scripture and explained that every job was important and we all needed to work together cheerfully, because one bad fly can make the purfume stink.



Estamos Aqui!

We have arrived at our home in Costa Rica. It is about 7:00 in the morning Costa Rica time (9:00 am SC time). What an adventure we have had; sink holes...hours of driving...and rain. Thank goodness for the protection of God and our awesome drivers.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Packing Tools, Clothes, and Supplies

Packing (or stuffing) clothes!
Please be under 50 lbs!


Can we fit anything else in?


Thank you for your donations!


Teamwork!


Thank you to everyone who donated their extra luggage for our trip. Your suitcases are now packed with clothing donations to take to the people of Costa Rica.

A Pre-Trip Social

The mission team gathered together for pot luck, fellowship, and to meet Stacy Finley, a team member from North Carolina.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Our Home for a Week!





Our exact location is: 25 meter south from Popular Banc, Upala, Alajuela, Costa Rica

A Letter from the Pastor of CCI, Rolando Soto

The construction of the Church has begun. The dimensions of the building are 20m (~65ft) across the front and 30m(~98ft) on the sides, for a total of 600m² (6458 ft2)! This area will be divided into m auditorium and class rooms. There will be a 2.5m wide door on the front, on the right side a 2m wide door and a 1m wide door. On the left side an additional 2m wide door. The concrete foundation is in and is 30cm wide and ranges from 40cm to 1.5m deep and has 8 runs of #3 rebar in the concrete. They have the rebar columns in place. They have laid 7 courses of block. The floor will be at the level of the fourth course as the first three courses are to be back filled to raise the level of the floor. For the next steps, the brothers plan to build the concrete columns to a height of 2.9m. They are going to have columns/beams combined of metal and concrete. The metal has to be painted. We are studying what is best for us to do. If we work metal, it is possible that we will need to do it in another location? There is a believer that lives in Bijaqua, Mr. William Harding. He offered the use of his welding machines and other tools that he has in his hardware store and offered his trucks to transport the structures. We also have two welding machines that we can carry to Mexico de Upala. I am consulting our people in order to figure out what we can do to make the best of our work days. I hope to have a more definite answer Tuesday, July 20. I understand that you have already made a reservation for a hotel in Upala. Please let us know if you need anything else. I want to organize an activity at CCI to say good-bye to the group. Do you think this would be possible Tuesday night? We pray to the Lord that this mission trip will be of great benefit, and that we will glorify God with our action. Please let me know if there is anything that you need. Is there any information needed by the brothers and sisters. Dr. David Varela is awaiting a call. He is ready to help in whatever is needed. He and the other Doctor, Alvaro, will participate in the Journey. I appreciate very much this relationship and this opportunity to grow with you all. Salutations to your family and the participants in this journey.






Friday, July 16, 2010

Follow Up On Our Dinner and Movie











































Thank you to everyone who came and all that have supported our church mission trip! Tonight was a great success. Around 70 people showed up, money was raised, prizes were won, and everyone went home happy! Also, thank you to everyone that helped make clean up a breeze (about 5 minutes)! Talk about teamwork; what a great church family!!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Dinner and a Movie!


Don't forget to come to our final dinner and a movie night tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm in the SPC MegaPlex (yes, the gym). We will be watching The Blind Side. The event is free; however, donations will be gladly accepted! We look forward to seeing you there tomorrow night!!!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Our Plan!

Wednesday, July 28
  • Arrive at San Jose at 11:50 AM
  • Travel to Upala arrive around 7:00 PM

Thursday, July 29

  • All work towards construction

Friday, July 30

  • Construction
  • Clothing organization and distribution
  • Medical mission

Saturday, July 31

  • Construction
  • Clothing distribution
  • Children activities
  • Medical mission

Sunday, August 1

  • Worship
  • Fellowship
  • Children activities

Monday, August 2

  • Construction
  • Medical mission

Tuesday, August 3

  • Travel/tour day
  • Staying the night in a hotel near San Jose airport

Wednesday, August 5

  • Depart from San Jose at 7:10 AM
  • Arrive home

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Getting Prepared!

Who: Summerville Presbyterian Church

What: Mission Trip

When: July 28-August 4, 2010

Where: Costa Rica

Why: To provide assistance in Costa Rica through Evangelism, construction, medical, and interaction.

With 19 days to go, our team is preparing with for a life changing experience. The team is getting prepared by receiving the appropriate medical procedures (all of which I am sure you have heard buzzing through the church: typhoid, malaria, Hepatitis A and B, tetanus), working as a church to raise money to support our mission (Movie and Dinners, $25 stocks on Sunday mornings, generous donations), meetings, and not to mention our own personal ways of getting ready for the trip (buying Costa Rican chocolate to share at meetings).

While we are there, we will be working with the people of Upala to finish building their new Church, providing them with medical assistance, distributing donated clothing, and hosting a Bible school for the Upala children. Throughout the trip fellowship and worship will always be present.

The team is almost ready to go. We have a way to get there and get home; we have a place to stay; we have people to go and a plan; and most importantly we have Christ with us.

We will be hosting another Dinner and a Movie night on July 16, 2010 at 6:00 pm in the SPC MegaPlex (the Gym). Please come and join us for the viewing of Blind Side. It is a free event; however, donations will be accepted. We will also be having an Undie Sunday on July 18, 2010. Please bring a donation of new underwear to church Sunday.