Day 2 - Beach Day??

Today we adjusted our plans because most of our kids didn’t get to bed until 3:30 AM after our late arrival and showering.

Riley & Jose were some of the first up and decided to explore the farm a bit! They spotted the cows and tried to find a path to find them, but quickly came upon some obstacles - mainly mud. It was an adventure!

The rest of the students woke up, we ate breakfast (hot dogs, hash browns, eggs, and fruit), then had devotions on “Love is Kind” by Alena. She used Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind and compassionate with one another, forgiving one another as Christ forgave you.” Alena reminded us that even when we may be frustrated with a person or situation, we need to be patient and kind with one another. Kindness isn’t the natural response when we are frustrated or annoyed, so we need to depend on Christ to have a supernatural response. 

After devotions we loaded the bus to head to the Caribbean Coast around 10:30 AM. We knew it was going to be at least a 4 hour drive, but once again, we had a long travel day! We enjoyed driving through the cloud forest and had a couple pit stops for the bathroom where we got to see the “poor man’s umbrella” plant and a GIANT beatle. We originally had hoped to get to the beach this afternoon, but after eating a traditional Caribbean lunch around 3 PM and checking into our jungle hotel, we got to the beach for the very end of sunset. It was kind of hilarious. While not our plan, it was definitely a memorable day, and as Hannah said, “full of lots of laughs”. Clausen reminded us that days like these are where we make the memories! 

We stopped by the grocery store to stock up on snacks, then came back to the hotel for devotions. Korah led a devotion on “Love does not Envy”. Korah used Galatians 6:4 to remind us “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” We talked a lot about comparison within a friendship - it isn’t healthy. We should have friends and be the kinds of friends who champion one another when they achieve or receive something great. 

Today’s observations:

• Andre - Infrastructure is way different than the US. We were on a “highway” all day, but it was completely different than what we are used to at home. It makes travel long and is crazy to drive around the town. 
• Kalei - All the buildings are so colorful - we added that all the plants are colorful as well! 
• Cooper - Our driver is a pro! It is crazy how he can get up and down these crazy hills, tight turns, and navigate cars backing out and driving all different directions. 
• Carolyn - Smaller cars and lots of different car brands than at home. Lots and lots of bananas!! Probably most of what we eat are from Costa Rica - Señora commented that the pineapples are in season too, so when we get home we need to look at the pineapples to see the Costa Rica sticker. 
• A couple people commented on how humid it is - The family we stay with has actually started a new business making water purifiers that take the moisture in the air and turn it back into water! 
• Señora Harrison - She has grown up in Costa Rica and now lives in the U.S. and knows what it’s like to live with little and to live with plenty (and compared it to what Paul talks about in the Bible). She just reminded us that no matter where we end up our situation shouldn’t decide our attitude because no matter where we are, Christ is with us.

Tomorrow we are looking forward to Church with Señora Harrison’s sister Loretta’s church. We are then going to spend some time painting one of their church plants and will finish the day eating dinner and worshipping with Señora whole family! We are excited and eager to star our first day of ministry!