I've been home for about a week now. It's been crazy!
I sang in the choir and played bass on Easter, then I went with my Mom to drive my brother back to college. The car broke down 4 times on the way back home! Some very nice people stopped and helped us though. They worked on our car for about an hour in the snow. But we didn't have any trouble after that.
The rest on the week I've had lots going on...the most exciting things are: I got to see my baby cousin Gracie, and I got hired to be an Adventure Guide for Discovery Outfitters!!!!
I also wanted to fill you in on the end of my time in Costa Rica since I didn't do much writing the last couple days.
Friday- we went to Los Guido in the morning to hand out invitations to the concert, we had lunch at the school, then went down town.
Saturday- we were in Los Guido all day. In the morning and afternoon we had a V.B.S. type of thing for kids, that was my favorite part out of the whole time the team was there. I love those kids so much. It was sad having to say goodbye. That evening ER did a concert, and we did our skit. There weren't as many people as we expected, and it was really challenging for the band, but it turned out good. After the concert, all the people who where helping came to Chris and Diana's house for dinner.
Sunday- we went to pastor Chino's church. We slit up in the afternoon, some of us went downtown to do a treasure hunt, and some went to Los Guido to give some quilts to kids. That evening we went to Score International to lead worship.
Monday- we headed to the Caribbean. On the way there we stopped at an active volcano and got to hike up next to it! It was so beautiful. We drove on a road that had signs that said: "do not enter" "Caution, road closed".....haha. That area is where there was a huge earthquake, so there isn't much of a road. We drove through two rivers and had to get out once because the van was too heavy. It was the most exciting and beautiful drive I've ever been on! It was around 11:00 when we got to the beach. Our group ended up staying in two different hotels. The group I was with decided we wanted to walk around town a little, so we did. On the way back to the hotel, right in front of the gate to out hotel, two young men came up behind us and one threw his bike in front of Linda while the other one grabbed her purse! She wouldn't let go, they dragged her several feet, they finally let go, because Russ was chasing them and throwing rocks at them. Linda was scraped up pretty bad, but not seriously hurt. We didn't feel very safe though, so we ended up switching hotels with some people that night. The next two days we spent relaxing on the beach and doing some ministry in the town.
Thursday- we headed back to the house and got all packed up and had our last team meeting with Jairo and Chris and Diana. =(
Friday- we woke up at 2:30 a.m. and drove to the airport. We arrived in Portland, OR around 6 p.m. and started the long drive home....
It was so hard to leave. I think that's because I felt so needed, like there was so much I could do to help. Especially in Los Guido, with Jairo. He told me (through a translator) that there are three girls that I am very important to. He was talking about Stephani, Hermania, and Paula. They are 7, 9 and 11 years old. I was with them all day on Saturday when we were doing the activities and I was also with them when we were doing Clud De Ninos on the earlier Saturdays that I was there. They are very sweet little girls. Hermania would just want me to hold her. They are so hungry for love, it breaks my heart.
I just found out that the YWAM school I want to go to in San Jose has a DTS school starting in September!!! So, it looks like I'll be going back soon!!!