Costa Rica Day 3 by Taylor McQueen

Today we split into two ministry teams – one team built a concrete ramp at the local school and the other team installed windows on a woman’s home. 

   
   
 Our “ramp team” did some serious labor today! We have some hard-working team members on this trip…team work made the dream work! We had students digging up dirt to help level the ramp, we had students mixing and making concrete, and Dan Kennefick and Alan Jones helped lead the way in making sure the ramp was level and of good quality. Our tool inventory was limited…but the locals had creative ways to get around the lack of supplies and get the job done. 
   
 

    
The “window team” had a very special project, considering their job changed this woman’s life. This woman and her brother were living in complete darkness, and spent all their time outside, only to sleep inside. Installing windows not only improved their house, but will greatly improve her life as she will now be able to function INSIDE their home with light! What a metaphor of the Gospel – turning darkness into light. Egidio has built relationships with her and her brother and had that project at the top of the list of jobs for us when we arrived. Ever since Dan and Alan did their pre-trip in October, Egidio has been anticipating the help we would bring and knew that we needed to help this woman.

   

 

  
Tonight, we are winding down in the lobby of the hotel! Some people ordered hamburgers from the restaurant in our hotel, there is a group of students playing cards, and some chose to go to bed early and get caught up on sleep! We are excited for tomorrow’s adventures!

  
Team Member Testimonies-

Jennifer Kennefick: Chaperone. What an experience this trip has been…and there is so much more to come. After praying for God’s guidance on this great vision that Egidio has for his community and spreading God’s Word, it brought to mind that Satan will be at work to hinder this project. Egidio shared a touching testimony later that proved Satan was already at work but was defeated. Egidio has put his faith in God and I can’t wait to see God’s will fulfilled. Egidio is a great example of being obedient when God leads you on a mission.

Paxton Brittle: Senior at AU, Student Ministry Intern. God is so good. Today we put windows on a house for a mentally handicapped brother and sister that had been literally living in darkness. Our task was long and seemed simple, however, it was such a reminder of the Gospel. Tomorrow morning when the sun rises, light will flood into the darkness of their home and hopefully remind them that God is faithful. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” -John 1:5

Hannah Grace Dozier: 11th Grade. Today, God taught me that there are multiple ways to serve Him and His kingdom. We all have to obey Him in order to make up the body of Christ. If one Christian does not follow God’s vision, then the vision of His people will begin to dwindle. Today specifically, God taught me that you do not necessarily have to be working to serve Him. Just playing with kids plants the seed for something beautiful, that only Christ can work in them. I learned that I can use my gift of speaking Spanish and communicating with children to please the perfect and holy One. We all have our own way to serve Him with the personality that the Lord gave us.

Caleb Kennefick: 12th Grade. Yesterday our team of about 10 was assigned to go to the workshop where beds for children are made. When we arrived, we realized that the man who works there (employed by Egidio) knew no English. We had a translator, Corey, (Egido’s brother) who spoke a little English. As the man who lived there began talking and showing us what to do, we all just automatically picked up on what he was trying to tell us and barely needed the translator. We all just began working right away and did as much work in one day as one man could do in about a week. It was so amazing watching God tear down the language barrier right there in front of me on the first day. He showed me right off the bat that He is in control and there is no obstacle He can not overcome!!

Annah Beth Alverson: 12th Grade. God taught me just how much I take for granted. I knew going on this mission trip that there would be less fortunate people who don’t have as much as I might back at home…but I didn’t realize how much I take for granted. I wouldn’t even think of windows as a huge thing because back at home everyone has them in each room of their house. Today, God showed me that there are people that don’t have things that we might consider “little”, and a little help means a lot to them. When we first arrived to frame and put the windows in, we thought it would just take a few hours in the morning and we would be in and out really quick. But God decided to also teach me patience today. The angles and measurements of the window frames were different on each side and we had to measure each side individually and then cut it exactly on that measurement. It was a very tedious task and took a lot of time and patience, but in the end when we stepped back and looked at what we had done, you could just feel the presence of God. It was a really humbling experience and made me really happy at the end of the day knowing that I helped bring light into a dark place and allowed them to see God’s beauty at all times. This trip has already been life changing, and I am so thankful to get to be apart of God’s plan for this village. I will remember this trip for the rest of my life.