VCHS Engage: COSTA RICA

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 lunc...

Team Costa Rica made it to San Jose after a long day of travel! We had a slight panic yesterday when two of our boys' bags didn't show up to Houston, but they ended up showing up in San Jose! Praise God! We think it's because of Senora Harrison's prayers!  Today we are on the way to our first school to lead PE classes. We are divided into three groups to teach volleyball, soccer, and basketball! 

Team Costa Rica is on the plane to Houston! We then have a 7 hour layover before our second leg to San Jose, Costa Rica. It's a long day of travel, but gives us lots of time for team bonding & napping after a crazy week ending the semester before our trip! Please be praying for us this week! 

Our Costa Rica team is set and we are preparung to leave in less than a month! Please be praying for us as we prepare!  Students: Gabriel Rugg Alena Counihan Jose Garcia Jake Harrison Kalei Hawkinson Scottie Kasten Jacob Leppert Isaac Liimatta Colby McCormick Sophia Moron Korah Nordin Kate Phillips Talon Shoffner Abigail Stipp Grant Tammany Allie Vigil Luke Wegenke Staff: Kelly Clausen Cleonie Harrison Bryan Timmer Emily Timmer

It's been two months since we left for Costa Rica! It feels like it's time to finally reflect on our incredible time together!  Every year the video seems to get longer, but we don't want to forget any of the fun moments we had on the trip.  Every year we are also very particular about the music used in the video, because music is tied so strongly to memories, so this year we have four songs: Tengo Musica Por Dentro - Cielo  This song was requested by Senora Harrison's sister - we LOVE the chorus "God put the rhythm in me, the joy of my heart. How am I going to hide it if I'm free, yes, I am free." Jubileo (Aqui Hay Libertad) - New Wine This song was requested by Senora Harrison's sister - we love all of the lyrics, which say "Freedom is in this place. It's the year of jubilee. There is no more captivity. There's freedom, there's freedom. You've changed my mourning into dancing, you've given me joy." Kesi - Camilo This son...

As we travel home today, each student is writing up their final thoughts on the trip. Please read them! Thank you so much to all of the donors for investing in our trip and in our kids - we truly couldn’t have done this without you. I think your investment in their lives is going to pay dividends in the future! Thank you so much to all of you who prayed for us on this trip - there were so many amazing things that happened (negative covid tests, connecting with YWAM, power and water coming back on, Korah feeling better, and more). We believe in the power of prayer and know that this trip was covered in it. Thank you to all of the students on our trip - you guys served your best all week and made it so enjoyable for us as chaperones! Thank you to God for being faithful and providing and comforting and being worthy of praise at all time and in all places. Brenden - At the beginning of this trip I was second guessing myself and saying I did not want to come on this trip. I ended up being ...

Last night was such a late night debriefing, that we had to wait to include this information in today’s summary. We finished up our devotions on love last night and spend some time going around the circle letting each other know what it is we’ve loved about each person on this trip. While not everyone is a Words of Affirmation person, we thought it would be important to give everyone a put up while we were together one last night…  Kate Cooper - Kate and Korah killed it in volleyball and it was fun to watch Kalei - Both Kate and Korah did a great job keeping up with the Costa Rican girls in the volleyball game Harrison - Kat is so gifted in what you do, it’s like there’s no effort, it just looks natural. What’s better is that there’s no boasting, you just go out and do it. Andre - Very good with the clinics and teaching.  Clausen - Kate has the sweetest spirit. While she is an incredible gifted athlete, she’s also just a great human. So sweet, such a servant, and a friend to a...