This was one of the last days we spent in Costa Rica. Goodbyes were hard, but only part of the natural process. I will forever miss my Tico friends!
Today was our last day with out Huazo friends. Bryan took us to the barrio near the dump in his big truck. We arrived around 10, and the sun was already beating down. We knew there was not much work to be done, and today was more of a day for goodbyes. Don Salvador and Josuey were there working on a cement wall, so we hopped in line. We began mixing cement with dirt and small rocks to bind the bricks together. The roof was up, and the walls were painted, so we knew this was our task for today.
The guys and I toiled in the sun mixing dirt. I felt like an ancient man mixing dirt and water to build a great wonder of the world. In reality I was mixing lowly cement for a humble house in the middle of Costa Rica. Still kingdom work, still important.
We would mix all the ingredients on the ground, then pile it into the wheelbarrow. We’d add water to prevent it from drying in the blistering sun. Once the wheel barrow was filled and water added, we’d wheel it over to the wall, and hand up bowls filed with was cement. Don and Josuey were on ladders at the top, and they would grab the bowls and pour the mixture into the cinder blocks at the top of the wall. We probably lifted 500 pounds of mixed cement in the whole day. Not to mention, our hands were dry and cracked from the cement. It was by far one of the tougher construction days.
Luckily, the rain came and forced us to stop doing cement work. We went indoors, and had some lunch. They made delicious rice and beans, with some kind of coleslaw-tomato salad. I mixed it all together and it was perfectly enjoyable.
While we were all circled together, Juliana, a girl who lives with Don and his family, sat by me. Now she was familiar with our team, and liked to joke with us and laugh. She was starting to beatbox and make noises with her mouth. My team told her I could beatbox, so naturally she asked me to. I finished my lunch, and cleared my mouth. I dropped a beat and Jillian’s face lit up. She had never heard anything like it. She kept asking me to do it again and again, and each time I would add more complexity and depth. She was amazed. I wondered why she was so mesmerized, but then it hit me. I grew up with youtube and the internet, where I could look up and listen to anything, whenever I wanted. Juliana on the other hand, has never had access to this privilege. It was strange understanding that reality.
After lunch, our team (minus Hannah, who was resting and recovering from Bronchitis) was given a piece of blank dry wall to paint on. Xiniea and her son Josuey (who’s house were were working on) wanted to remember us when we left, so they gave us this canvas and some paint to make a memory. She had been praying for months and months, that somehow her house would be rebuilt. Once we arrived to Costa Rica, Jherson knew he had enough man power to tackle the job, so we answered her prayers in one way or another. She cried and was so thankful to have our help. It was an amazing moment, one to remember.
We all put our handprints on the canvas, and wrote in Spanish “we love our Tico family”. We took pictures and said our final goodbyes. It was hard to say goodbye to such good friends. These friends I had made were unlike any other. We spoke so little, but laughed so much. It was nice knowing that they were believers, and that while it might be our last goodbye on earth, we have a hope for hello in eternity.
I made it safely to Nicaragua. After two travel days by bus, we arrived to our new location. The town of Palacaguina is way up north, and is filled with rolling green hills. It is a small, rural town. Donkeys and cattle walk on the street, while the little boys play baseball religiously. It is a nice change from the bustle of the Costa Rican city. We are doing a fair amount of construction and manual labor. I feel good things coming from Nicaragua. More to come soon…
Ethan
