Calvary Chapel Jupiter's 2008 Costa Rica Mission Trip

My home church has a team down in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, assisting the long-term family we sent down there about three years ago.

It's the end of DAY 4!

Pastor Dan, Daly Kay and David are on there way home and will be leaving us behind for 6 more days here in Peurto Viejo, Costa Rica.

On Friday, we were greeted at the airport in San Jose by Barrett and his little smiley face daughter, Mekena (5yrs old). Peurto Viejo is a five hour drive from the San Jose airport. These long hours of travel have given the team an opportunity to chat, relax, nap and enjoy the lucious green vegetation peering outside the bus.

Team Building is a huge part of making a mission trip experience a win for everyone. One way we do this in the early part of the week before we begin our week of ministry is by venturing down the Pucaree River white water rafting. There is something that happens between team members when they have to work together to successfully row down the river without the raft tipping over in class 3 & 4 white water rapids.

After our first day of ministry at the school house we were challenged by our team leader from Alternative Missions to consider sharing something that we learned about God today because God uses everyday experiences to reveal Himself.

Jamie Coggeshall: "I had been feeling a wilderness experience with God for a long time. Today I just had a mountain top experience. God does speak through His word and it hit me hard today. God does keep His promises."

Amanda Eastling: "Last year I came to Peurto Viejo and it was fun, but this experience today has no comparison. God is one who loves to blow our expectations out of the water."

David Reback: "God is working. I walked into the school today and Andres said 'I remember you from last year.' Andres also said, 'How is Todd doing' (Todd came to P.V. last year)."

Melissa Smith: "God is bigger than the box that we put him in. Watching the boys play basketball brought me joy. The experience showed that God is so much bigger than the language barrier. The guys were loving it."

via: CalvaryWord