We started our day at the Manuel del Pilar Zumbado school. We were intending to lead three different clinics in volleyball, basketball, and soccer, but after the first one was done, the PE coach asked us to repeat volleyball because the kids had so much fun and he didn't want the other classes to feel like they missed out. We had two groups of about 30 5th & 6th graders and a third group of about 20 4th graders to teach today. Our students did an AMAZING job jumping right into our clinics with great attitudes. They were awesome teachers and encouragers all day! By the third clinic we were all exhausted, but they pushed through and invested a lot of energy into the little ones. Some highlights of this clinic were excellent volleyball instruction by Kate & Korah, one kid running & jumping in Scottie's arms during our Survivor game, and all the kids chasing Gabe around with the "soccer" ball at the end of the last clinic.
We then headed back to HPS for lunch and a short break before heading back to the city of Belen for a basketball clinic, basketball game, and volleyball game. We arrived a little late for the clinic (Tico time) and our boys did an awesome job hopping right in and running the clinics! Special shoutouts go to Jose for using his Spanish and running an entire side of the court by himself! Another highlight was the great teaching from Isaac and Scottie on the other half of the court. Following the clinic our boys (and Sophia) suited up for a basketball game against the Belen 15U team. The game was actually very fun to watch, Belen is talented! Our guys came out on top by a lot, but it was still a good game! Some highlights were Luke's 3's, Gabe's unknown to us basketball skills, and Talon's blocked shot! At the end of the game the team came over for a photo and gifted us with Costa Rica flags and some souvenirs to remember Costa Rica by! So cool! Next, the girls got ready for a volleyball game. Outside of soccer, volleyball is probably the next most popular sport (especially for girls) and the Belen team was very talented! We don't have a true setter with us and Isaac was willing to give it a try and did a great job, but then the Belen coach offered to let us use their second setter! It was such a cool act of sportsmanship! We didn't play our best, even with the help, but ended up winning one set of the three! Some highlights were Colby, Abigail, Allie, and Sophia playing volleyball for the first time in a while and all doing great at learning new positions!
Finally, to end the night, we drove across the street to the Villegas house for a beach volleyball game. The dad, Alex Villegas, was on the Costa Rican National beach team and he and his wife have an amazing court in their backyard that they opened up to our team for a game, barbecue, and birthday celebration! We were all WIPED OUT by this time in the night, but everyone still had a great time socializing with the players from the other team! One highlight was getting to sing happy birthday to both Gabe, who turned 18, and Jake, who turned 17, today! We of course had to end the night with the Costa Rican tradition of cracking eggs over the birthday boys' heads.
We are looking forward to sleeping in a bit tomorrow before heading out to Limon for the next few days!
Day 1 Team Quotes:
"One thing about short term missions is you don't always get to see a long term impact, but the cool thing about this trip is we revisit several schools from year to year. Several of the kids we worked with recognized our students and coaches and were so excited we had come back! There were lots of hugs exchanged today! My favorite part was hearing from the PE coach that after our last visit so many girls signed up for the volleyball team and they ended up winning their city's championship! He invited us to please come back every year!" - Clausen
"It was such a cool experience going back to the same school we were at last year! Some of the kids recognized us, and we recognized them. Even though we didn't speak the same language, we still connected through something we had in common, our love for volleyball and to learn more about it!" -Korah
"The most important and sometimes the most difficult thing about this trip has been communication. At the airport, on the bus, at the school, in the gym, and at the house. Teaching kids how to play sports and talking to people while knowing only bits and pieces of their language has surprising lead to 'purer' relationships that sometimes is best understood without words. Whether it's pause, an awkward smile, an unnecessary 'bien', or an obnoxious laugh, we as a group have found ways to serve others while sharing the best parts of us which come from Christ. The kids who participated in the clinics brought an unreal excitement and determined spirit to keep playing even when things got stagnant. On the court, it was amazing to learn that most of the kids spoke just enough English to understand our short words and some that could hold a conversation better than most. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that these people were some of the nicest and most interesting people I've ever met. They have been so kind letting us into their country to teach their kids, compete in their sports, and enter their homes. Thank God that we are made in his image and can glory in our ability to communicate and fellowship with one another." - Isaac
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