Day 11 & Day 12 - One Final Day & A Flight Home!

Day 11--Sunday

Today we have two groups flying out!! Both groups left the hotel at 2:30 AM to head to the airport, our first group arriving in Phoenix as scheduled, around 1 PM. Our second group unfortunately got delayed in Houston due to some mechanical errors, so they didn't make it back home until 7 PM.

Sleeping in the Airport During the Layover

Our remaining group of 6 stuck it out in Costa Rica one more day. We slept in a little then walked down the the Rodrigues' house to make a late breakfast and to play a full litany of games--psychiatrist, silent football, Egyptian War, Push, and more! After a lazy morning we headed back up to the hotel for some nap time and, since the Costa Rican National Team was now gone, the six of us had the whole hotel to ourselves! Our big activity for the day was going to the Saprissa vs Heredia Fútbol game! It was quite the experience and for many of us, it was our first fútbol game! The stadium was SO steep and not super sturdy. In fact, when Saprissa scored goals and the whole crowd was singing "Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole! Mostro Mostro" we could feel the ground shake beneath our feet! We also loved that the Saprissa Team had a cheering section where there was music playing nonstop, dancing, and even a mosh pit! We were also lucky to be there for a very good game, because Saprissa won 2-1! This was most definitely a memorable experience!!

After the game we rode in our first Costa Rican Uber to Lincoln Plaza, a mall, for dinner with the Rodrigues Family. We had a great last night together and are so appreciative of the generosity Ricardo and Wendy showed us this whole week, but especially during these last three days! They did not have to go out of their way to make sure we were housed and fed, but they did, and it meant so much to us!

Heading to the House for Breakfast & Games

The Irish Girls Celebrating St. Patty's! 

Day 12--Monday

This morning the final six of us left for the airport at 3:30 AM and had one of the smoothest experiences through security, the flight, customs, and baggage claim! It felt great to walk out of the international terminal to see all the family members waiting for us! We are all so happy to be back in Arizona and were dreaming about taking a clean shower, getting some fast food, and going to sleep!!!

Wrap-Up

Overall, this was an amazing trip. While the bumps in the road were definitely significant towards the end, our kids did an amazing job serving this week, practicing their patience, and learning about a new culture. As I explained to the parents in an email earlier this week, though none of the changes in the last three days were ideal, I am SO thankful our kiddos were safe!

I know without a doubt, that God moved in all of our hearts this week and I am praying that those changes wouldn't just be a memory from a trip one time in high school, but that what they experienced this week would stick with them and impact them for years to come. Thank you so much for all your support and especially your prayers!

One one final note, here are some parts of a text that Ronald, our guide extraordinaire, sent me this afternoon:
"I read your letter last night before going to bed and it confirmed my feeling that everything we had to do this week was worth it. Thank you for everything this past week, you and your team did a lot for my people here, the kids at the orphanage, and the ladies at the widows ministry. You all impacted a lot of lives, every single one of you. 

You know, it's starting to become a normal thing in every VC trip we get, that the one person who learns the most, and whose life got most impacted by the trip was me. I could make a list and tell you how much of an impact each one of your kids and chaperones had in my life and I am grateful for them. We love you all and can't thank you enough for this past week. You have a really great group of kids that really made an impact here, my life included. They are young, but they have the biggest hearts. I was truly impressed by them. The Juist family was the cherry on the cake; can't wait to see them again and they feel like family now. You know, as I've said it many times, HPS is where I found a home and a family, and each year my family grows a little more. 
...
 Let the group know that I'm going to miss them and that I'll make sure that the water and wifi are working perfectly for next year! I'll try my best to come visit this year. I'll be praying for all of you."