WORLD RACE MONTH 3
Where:
San Pedro, Costa Rica
When:
March 4th – April 2nd
Who:
The Worthy Pearls (Abbie, Anna, Jourdan, Jackie, Kerri, Maddie)
Ministry:
Conexion (a crazy group of Colombians)
– Jherson and Amanda
– Jhonny and Dallana
– Jhossell and Javeydy
– Mama and Papa
Hosts:
Bryan and Beth Tatum (mom & dad)
Currency:
Colones
Dress code:
It’s different everyday. Church days we wear church attire like dresses, skirts or pants. On ministry days when we work with kids, we are allowed to wear shorts that are longer than our fingertips and shirts that cover our shoulders. Usually we just show up to breakfast wearing whatever and ask our hosts “is this outfit okay?”
Food:
Bryan was a chef at Disney World for several years, so we’ve been eating like queens. We have never had the same meal twice. We have had everything from quesadillas to fish to hamburgers. It’s seriously been so awesome. After meals, we clean the dishes.
Lodging:
We are living in the Tatum’s home. They have an apartment style room behind their house where their sons used to live. We have two rooms which both have bunk beds. The rooms do not have air conditioning, but it’s perfect because the weather here gets chilly at night since we are in the mountains. Plus we have mattresses!!! We feel very blessed.
Bathrooms:
Our apartment has an attached bathroom and warm showers. Yes, I said WARM. The showers use this typical Costa Rican heating component called a “window maker”. It’s this weird contraption that heats the water instantly as it come out of the shower head. It’s rather terrifying but awesome at the same time.
Laundry:
The Tatum’s have graciously allowed us to use their washing machine. #cleanclothes We bought our own detergent at the store and do laundry about once a week. We hang dry our CLEAN clothes. It’s awesome! (especially when you start to forget what clean laundry smells like)
Ministry:
– Medical: our team has been working with Conexion ministry helping to setup and run the medical days. These days include free doctor, dentist, and ophthalmologist visits. It was so awesome to see this type of care given to the locals, in remote areas, all over Costa Rica. Plus on several days, I got to assist the dentist, including cleaning my teammates teeth! I also jumped in and extracted a tooth from a Costa Rican man, what a bloody sight.
– Children’s: Most days include hanging with kids regardless of our ministry assignment. There are always kids around!
– Sports Camps: On several days we have hosted the north American equivalent of a “field day” at a couple of schools. We set up stations such as the trampoline (yes… a 12′ trampoline that we bring and set up), a parachute game, twister, a relay race, soccer, and much more. It is a blast to hang out with kids all day just having fun with them. These kids long for love, joy, and relationships- so it’s great that we get to be that for them.
– Construction: We have done a couple of random construction projects such as taking down support beams and hanging vinyl walls inside a church.
Adventures:
– Downtown San Jose (3/11):
One day, the Pearls decided to go exploring and just look for stuff to do. Our house is about a 15 minute bus ride to downtown San Jose. So we took the bus and ended up walking around, trying street food, and shopping in the local markets.
That day, we also met up with Maddie’s boyfriend who flew to Costa Rica to see her. While we were at dinner, he came up to the table and said “hey I’m gonna propose to Maddie, don’t freak out…” So of course we freaked out. After dinner, we walked around looking for a pretty spot and then it happened.
It was a great day of experiencing the Costa Rican culture and team bonding.
– Beach Day (3/17):
We woke up bright and early, ate some cereal, and got on the Microbus with Jherson and Jhossell! Only Anna, Maddie and I decided to go while the rest of the team slept.
<<<(Insert from Kerri, as I am proof-reading Abbie’s blog…)
“I woke up, an hour after they left for the beach. Went on a beautiful morning run, and had a HAPPY St. Pattys day. I’m a lot more exciting than Abbie just made me seem to be. 😉 Jackie and I took the bus downtown, explored the city, shopped, found a super cool coffee shop on a rooftop in San Jose. We ate at a Mexican restaurant for dinner and ate lots of chips and salsa. We had a blast doing “normal” girl things.”
(Okay, Kerri’s rant over…)>>>
<<<(Ok now Jourdan’s rant…)
“While I would have LOVEDDDD to go to the beach, I was unfortunately sick with a stomach bug for a few days! Could barely get out bed.”
(Jourdan’s rant over…yes, we all edit each other’s blogs…)>>>
Anyways…
It was a weird day that included lunch at big mamas, feeding oranges to crocodiles, breaking into beach resorts, getting honeymoon tours, surfing, and multiple “dad stops” (which include stopping at random roadside sites, jumping out of the van, taking a quick picture, then jumping back in). It was definitely the best adventure day.
– Soccer Game (3/20):
Saprissa! Saprissa! Saprissa! (A team) We finally got the opportunity to go to a real Costa Rican soccer game. It was so much fun (even though the Conexion ministry strongly dislikes Saprissa). We learned lots of new chants and were standing the entire time. But best of all, we met up with some of the Kingdom Shakers (another World Race team) and cheered on Saprissa together!
This month has been amazing! I love Costa Rica soooo much! This is my third time on a mission trip here and I love it more every visit. As of right now, I’m definitely considering continuing my mission work here in CR after the World Race is finished.
Conexion ministry has been so loving and treat us like family. We have gotten to do so many different types of ministry and are always surprised. Their servant hearts and attitudes in all projects has been such an encouragement.
Thank you so much for your continued love and support! If you want to contact me, you can do so on Facebook and I’ll get back to you when I have wifi. Love you all!!!
