Costa
Rica 2004
Costa
Rica 2004
April 2nd-10th
Email evan
Last Updated: Thursday 8th
Friday April 9th
You would think at first that with our free day we would put ministry aside, and focus on have a good time, but oh no. We still ministered, but that wasnt until the end of the day, and i am starting with the beginning. Most people went on a special activity today, activities included ATVing, a zipline through the jungle, a butterfly garden, surfing, or a hike in search of monkeys. I personally went quading, after having gone on the zipline the year before. The quaders (ATVs) had a blast drving through mud and rivers, in rough terrain, and finally ending up at the outskirts of a beautiful secluded waterfall. The zipliners had an awesome time, flying through the jungle above most of the trees, getting a view that is normally reserved only for birds. Everyone had a great time and were thrilled with their decesion. After fun time, we gathered at the hotel for dinner. Directly after dinner, Megan and Maddison disrtracted April and we began setting up for a surprise birthday party. When April returned, she was very surprised to see a birthday cake and everyone wearing hats and having blowers. After dinner is when the true fun began. We showcased the film "The Passion". At first it seemed a littel weird, a movie filmed in Latin, with both Spanish and English subtitles. But it went very well. After the film, Nate Heitzig gave an altar call that was translated by the hotel manager, Charlie. 13 people accepted the Lord. This brings the total count to 38 people during the trip. This is alomst erquilvelent to each person adding another person to the kingdom. But even if people didnt accept the Lord, we planted seeds everywhere. This will be my last update since we are leaving in the morning. So please if you can drive be at LAX at 11:45pm at the international arrival gate, we can use your driving. Also there were no treat awards tonight since we were at the hotel and not in town. Were excited to see you all tomorrow, and pray the best for you as we know you are praying the best for us.
Thursday April 8th Well, today was our last full day of ministry. It went very weel and I am excited to share parts of it with you. Alphabetically, lets start with the Abiginols. They had soccer camp today. After a last minute change they ahd to go to a new spot. The original spot was changed because they were setting up for a reggae concert. But since we didnt promote the day to the town, no one knew about it. But teh dozen or so kids that did show up had a blast! Team Jzouz was on surf camp today and it was a very simple day. We were able to once again further the relationships with the local kids. The waves are getting bigger, and the kids are getting better at surfing. Team Just Plain was on trash patrol today and cleaned up the northern end of the city. And finally Wonka's Workers finished the house!! It was very exciting, and the lady, Genda, who will move in was very excited. Tomorrow is our free day and everyone is doing something different. Some our going on 20 different zip lines through the jungle, others are going ATVing, others on a hike, others to a butterfly garden, and still some are going surfing. It looks to be a very exciting day.
Trit Awards:
Spiritual: Both Nate Heitzig and Steve Horrell worked very hard to finish the house project. The didnt stop woirking the entire day and even stayed late to make sure that the project would be finished.
Funny: We had two today. Ricky Williams was picking up trash in a mud pile wqhen someone informed him that it was really a pile of horse manure. and secondly Megan Nelms wanted to make everyone feel included, even the man in his speedo. So it became Megan's duty to gaurd him in the soccer game.
Prayer requests: Pray for a fun and safe day tomorrow. Also pray for the evening, as we will be playing the movie, The Passion. Pray that it changes lives.
Tuesday April 6th
Welcome to another day of awesome ministry in Costa Rica. Lets just start with Team Just Plain. I decdied to rename them Just Kickin Butt, because after they lead Vacation Bible School today, 10 people accepted the Lord, including the city's soccer coach. And in something that might be just as amazing, Americans won a soccer game. Yes, yes i didnt believe it myself, but team Just Plain won the first game of soccer against the locals (note they were all children). Team Wonkers workers were on surf camp ministry, hanging out with local kids in the water and teaching them how to surf. They had a great time and were able to further the ministry that the surf camp people from yesterday started. Team Jzouz was on trash patrol in a city 11 kilometers away called Manzanillo. They cleaned up the area of trash and collected a lot of items for recycling. The Abindginols worked on a housing project today. The foundation was already laid, so they were putting up walls and began framing the place. After getting some of the walls up, they wrote Bible verses on the wood and foundation. The evening was spent at dinner, and then the bike ride home. For most of the bike ride home, we were blessed with Costa Rican downpour, a nice addition to the beautiful weather we are having. Salsa Brava (the big surf spot) began breaking today and some people were able to surf it, it should increase in size throughout the week.
Trit Awards:
Spiritual: Three more members of Team Just Plain won the spiritual for sharing the gospel. They were Michelle Mills, Lindy Mignogna, and Reanna Rozunko. So Kini, be proud of your older sister!
Funny: We had a slight accident today, Asta was laying in a hammock and the entire post that was supporting the hammock broke at the foundation. By the grace of God, JJ, jumped to the occasion and caught the pole that was poised to fall on top of Asta. Asta did hit the concrete hard, but we laid her down and immedietly began praying. In no time at all she said the pain had subsided and that she was completely doing better.
Prayer requests: Tomorrow is the open mic night, one of hte highlights for last years trip. The band is currently learning some spanish worship songs to play with thier set, and we are very excited for the evening. Please keep them in prayer, also we are excited that the hotel owner, Charlie, will once again be playing drums with them. Charlie still does not know the Lord, but it appears as if he has made a lot of progress since last year. In fact he has acquired a copy of The Passion and will be playing it this Friday night at the hotel. So please keep friday in prayer as this could be an amazing night. Also keep Charlie in prayer because he is on the fence and would be an awesome worker for the kingdom. Also Charlie has never seen The Passion so pray that it will motivate him to make a decesion.
Monday April 5th Welcome to our first full day of ministry. I think the easiest way of going about things is by saying which each team did. My team, Team Jzouz, cleared a patch in the jungle to lay a slab for a house. We cleaned the area and dug holes for posts. It was lots of grueling work in the hot sun. Wonka's Workers ran soccer camp and VBS. They had roughly 80 kids join them and had a great time. The abidiginals did some street and beach clean up. It was a very hot day and hard work. But they did it with a good attitude. In fact Jonathon Massey won the slash trit award for the day. We called it the slash because it was for both spiritual and funny. Jonathon wasnt feeling the best (he is feelnig better now) but he went out with a great attitude. But he wanted to let people know that he was picking up trash for Jesus, so he belted out worship songs so that all could hear that they loved God. It was a slash award because he was elected to pick up the dirty diapers. And finally Just Plain had an amazing day. After a very entertaining surf camp they had a small bible discussion. Desi shared her testimony, Ricky explained what Jesus sacrifice meant to them, and Emma led the in a prayer, 9 people accepted the Lord. If you have tears coming to you eyes, you should, this is huge. We have been saying that we have felt God's presence and he confirmed this today. I got a cool email early in the week, that Reanna's mom sent. She wrote that she had spoken with Reanna's younger sister, and how could it would be to see someone in Heaven, and have them say that they are there because Reanna told them how to get there. And Reanna's team have added 9 more people for all of us to meet. We close the day with a good dinner and a debriefing meeting back at the hotel. Students from each group shared what they did durning the day and the people they met. We closed in prayer for the people that are on each students prayer cards, so please keep your student or friend in prayer, and for everyone on their prayer card in prayer. P.S. the surf is still small
Trit Awards:
Spiritual: Desi, Ricky, and Emma all got trits for sharing Jesus' love at the beach. Jonathon got the slash trit award for letting the world know that his group loved God.
Funny: I decided to do a little trivia for tonights funny trit.
Who got hit by a car?
Your student Me (evan) the neighbor's dog. Well last night the neighbors dog was ran over by a car, luckily the driver stopped the car. The dog was stuck underneath, the males lifted the car as the hotel owner pulled the dog out. The dog was completly fine. But the dog didn't get the trit, I did, because today I too was hit by a car. While filming on the road on the way to dinner, i was clipped by the back end of a truck, destorying the front end of my bike. But i was completely fine. All the studnets ride on the side of the road for safety, i was in the middle to film. Guess I learned my lesson, I am completely okay though.
Prayer requests: Continue to pray for safety, the roads are beening paved so locals are drving much faster on them, we are doing everythjign to be safe and cautious, but prayer is always welcome. Pray for our ministry tomorrow, that the teams will be encouraged and up for a great day. Everyone is feeling great and donig well. Thank you for your prayers. Dont forget that Candace Nelms will be at church at 6pm tuesday, wednesday, and thursday to pray for us. Love you all. -OHCC Costa Rica Team
Sunday April 4th Welcome to Sunday, as I write this the Carribean rain is lightly falling upon us at the hotel. Today was another beautiful day in Costa Rica. We started the day off by attending the local church service, don't worry it was in English. But we have 4 students share their testimony, JJ Wessels, Steve Horrell, Kristen Clausen, and Kevin Osborne. The service also had a worship portion that Ricky Williams particiapated in. It was a great service, with the message of Jesus' triumpant entry into Jerusalem. This evening we had a bonfire on the beach, the entire team worshiped God ,competeing vocally with the local night club. If you ask me, we won. Many locals joined us in worship and God was felt throughout the team. Tomorrow will begin our first day of ministry, our projects are visting a recycling plant and helping there, surf camp, soccer camp, and a building project. Thank you for all your emails, i have been passing them along as i get them. I do have to share some miniscule bad news. Erik Davidson and Kevin Osborne got cuts on their feet, BUT IT IS NOTHING BAD AT ALL. Just got scratched by sdome sharp coral. But they toughed it out and are doing great. But keep them in your prayers as they heal. Thank you for all your prayers, and all your encouragement in the emails. Oh, I should probably add a surf report. I wouldnt say the waves are heade high, more closer to ankle high. But surf reports claim that the waves should get higher by midweek. But the smaller waves allows the entire team to swim together in the ocean, sharing surfboards and goofing off. Until tomorrow.
Trit Awards:
Spiritual: We cheated today and made it a tie. We gave a Trit to each of the four people that shared their testimony this morning.
Funny: Josh Burns wno the award for "helping a brother out". Matt France was stung by something in the water, and Josh lovingly offered to pee on his leg. Matt claims the sting went away instantly.
Prayer Requests: Pray for the people the got light cuts, mostly that the salt water doesnt sting. Also pray for our ministry tomorrow that all goes well. Another awesome thing that you could pray for is every student was given a card to write 12 names on. There are to be people the meet in town that they can pray for. Pray for your studnet's card, that they can meet the right people and keep them in their prayers.
Saturday April 3rd Welcome to our first full day in Costa Rosta. If you can't tell by the hint, it is quite hot, burt no worries we are staying very hydrated. Oh yeah, everyone is safe and healthy. Today was a simlpe day, after breakfast we broke into our teams and did a prayer walk through the city. We prayed at the ministry sites we would be working at, and got a lovely tour of the city. Monday will be the first day we break into teams and began the more difficult hard labor. However it was very nice to get a good feel for the city, and everyone learned a lot about the people we are ministering to. We are doing a special "Trit" awards every night. A Trit is a very delious ice cream sandwich. The award is given to two people at every dinner, one to someone that had a cool spiritual story, and someone who had a funny story. So everynight i will but an update of these people at the bottom of the message. Thank you everyone for your emails, however the Massey's won the award of the first people to check the newly updated webpage. Today Jonathon sucessfully surfed for the first time, charging the big ways and going big. But keep emailing me, i am passing the messages on to the students.
Trits:
Spiritual: Dave Ward meet a man who has lived in the same house for 50 years in town. Dave talked to the man for a half hour in Spanish, at which point he asked the man, Dudley, if he could give him a spanish Bible. Dudley asked for an english Bible becaue his spanish Bible wasnt that good. For another half hour Dave witnessed in English.
Funny: Some of t