Emmanuel Costa Rica Mission Trip: Trip 3: Day 3

Walter Morris began our day by sharing with us a reading from Holes in the Gospel by Richard Stearns. None of us could have ever imagined how his choice in reading and prayer would perfectly describe this day. Upon our arrival at the work stie, we were greeted by Donatel with her infectious smile. A few of the children came in the morning and participated in art activities. Joanthan, the resident portrait artist, was a hit. All the children wanted a picture of themselves drawn by him.

We were blessed by the presence of Bishop Hector, Candace, and Marta (the new diocesan liaison who will replace Clarence) for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon. Candace is a priest from North Carolina that recently arrived in San Jose who is discerning her calling to mission work in Costa Rica. They all immediately helped out after lunch with as much work as they could get their hands on! Bishop Hector even showed off his soccer skills to the local kids, they were very impressed as he juggled the ball with one foot!

By mid-afternoon there was a multitude of children running, laughing, singing, and playing carefree throughout the work site. We counted at least 20 children at one time on the work site. As best described by Stuart, we had an 8 ring circus! It may sound a bit chaotic, but it was a well-oiled machine. There was everything from plastering by Geoffrey and Colleen, painting by Nancy, Bill, Ray, and John, steel been prep by Jim and Walter, a vast arrage of tasks by Stuart and Katharine, and much tomfoolery with the children by Michelle and Jonathan.

We are recognizing the incredible continued opportunities that are being presented to us day to day for future involvement in the development with our Costa Rican family. Every day we are trying to incorporate the saying that Marvin our bus driver has taught us, "pura vida", meaning pure life. We are enjoying all this trip is giving us from the relationships that we are building to the relationships yet to be made.