El fin de un buen semana

Today proved to be a powerful end to a great week of mission work. It began with a great breakfast here at the Diocesan House with Bishop Monterrosa. Then we loaded the bus with our great driver Mauricio, and headed to the spot in the city of Heredia where a Jogar Esculea is planned. This Jogar Escuela is a unique idea that the Diocese of Costa Rica is a driving force behind. The idea is that neighborhood families will have a place to be fed physically as well as educationally. In fact we hope to support the same idea in the town of Guacimo where we have been working closely with Father Pedro and his 2 churches.

After visiting the Jogar Escuela site, we were off to Cafe Britt for a tour of the coffee plantation and the factory where their coffee is roasted. What a great tour for me to go on! Incase you haven't heard, I love coffee and now I understand the reason why so much more! In fact to make sure I could buy enough, I am having the coffee shipped home this trip! Yay for not having to throw out more stuff to make room for 5 pounds of coffee!

The last stop on our day of adventure was downtown San Jose where we first shopped in the marketplace with the local arts and crafts. Then after a little shopping, the we walked about 5 blocks to the National Theater, however it was closed. Then walked to the National Cathedral which was quite a site to see.

Overall San Jose is a very busy and vibrant place to be. And for those of you that think you have traffic problems...just spend one day in San Jose, Costa Rica...you may change your idea of what traffic really is, especially you Charlotte drivers!

Tomorrow brings our final morning in San Jose. Up early to first stop at an up and running Jogar Escuela in el Barrio de Cuba. Then it is back to the airport to head back to Charlotte to spread the word of our work and share with others the experience of being a missionary!

now for some sightseeing

So now we´ve made it back to San Jose and had a great night in the newly converted Diocesan House. It is an amazing difference compared to the last time we were here in 2008.

Today´s agenda is a tour around San Jose, including a stop at a Jogar Escuela, tour of Cafe Britt coffee factory...yummm!!!, and then a BBQ and fun back at the Diocesan House.

Weather report...last night chilly and only about 60 degrees, today should be about 80 but less humid than Guacimo

El fin de dia 4

Another accomplished day of mission work has come to an end. The day was full of grout for all the floor tile that has been laid the last few days. Hand mixed cement was also on the menu today, to continue setting the new altar.

We are about to gather for dinner, but tonight instead of dinner here at the hotel, we are venturing out to a local restaurant called Las Tilapias. Stay tuned to hear how delicious it was!

Tomorrow´s plan includes a little more work at Santa Cruz then off to San Jose to spend the next few nights at the Diocesan house.

Weather report: mostly sunny and about 75-80 degrees, however now we are experiencing a few showers

Day 3 complete

Another day is completed here in Guacimo, Costa Rica. This morning we began the day with a great eucharist at Santa Cruz with Father Pedro and his congregation. It was good to see some familiar faces as well as some new ones. After a great lunch prepared by the parishoners we were back to work.

We have completed a lot of work in our short time here and we still have a list of projects to keep us going in the next couple of days. Today many projects were going, including more floor tiling, more concrete mixing for a new altar, and preparations for a previous unused space to be better utilized.

The close of the day brought great reflection and guidance into our mission and what plans we have when we return to our home. Thanks again for all of those who are taking care of the work at home and sending prayers our way.

Day 2 is complete

This morning started off with great excitment and direction after having a full day of work yesterday and knowing what was in store for us. We headed to Santa Cruz and began working on the projects that we started yesterday. This means more tiling! After beginning the morning hand mixing concrete under the warm Costa Rican sun, I did take some time to lay a few more floor tile. So needless to say, I am a little sore. However, I feel great about the work we are doing and why we are here.

Tomorrow we will attend church with the members of Santa Cruz, however due to the ongoing projects that have the church in disarray, we will have church over in the parish house. Then following church and lunch with the congregation, we will be back to work!

Thanks to all of those St. Marks members who have sent warm thoughts and prayers on the computer and in other ways. We all appreciate your support and prayers!

Back from Day 1

So we´ve made it back from Day 1 work. We started off with a great breakfast of coffee, eggs, tomatoes, and of course rice and beans. The we loaded the bus and headed to Santa Cruz to scope out our jobsite. After a reunion with Father Pedro and his wife at the Parish House, we were off to the church to begin work. Today´s focus was tile! We demolished the orignial altar and then proceeded to clean and prepare the whole church for new floor tile. A major section was completed, but we still have more to finish tomorrow.

Weather report: sunny!!!!! and warm!!!! It has been a lot less humid than the last time I was here in July....about 75-80 degrees and blue sky.

Costa Rica, Here I am!

After a long day of travel, 4 hour plan ride, 2 hour bus ride,and a brief dinner stop, we made it to Guacimo to our hotel, Hotel Talamanca. This morning brings on our first day of work at the church and Parish House at Santa Cruz.

And just because I have to mention it...it is 7a.m. here and about 70 degrees and sunny! I´m layering the sunscreen today because I know I´ll be as red as a lobster if I don´t!

Preparing for Costa Rica!

It is hard to believe but a week from now I will be headed back to Costa Rica to continue the mission work that we began back in July 2008. 13 adults from St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Huntersville, NC leave Thursday January 14, 2010. Please pray for our safe travels and "building community and living in the way of Christ."

Please follow us on the web via my blog and our group's blog:

http://stmarkscostarica2010.blogspot.com/?spref=fb