Brought to you by Katie Nagel It has been yet another amazing day here in Costa Rica. The weather has been perfect and the staff and volunteers continue to be so eager to help with our mission trip. They recognize the importance of not only helping others but helping others to grow, learn and embrace each other’s cultures. They have taught our group especially how to appreciate different cultures and to share one’s own.
We started the morning with yet another plentiful breakfast. The kitchen staff continues to be creative with different meal options. This morning, we were excited to have los huevos (eggs), el pan (bread), and el jabon (ham). They even added some Coca Puffs and Fruit Loops for a spice of variety. The kitchen staff also has treated us to the lovely and fresh fruits in Costa Rica.
After breakfast, we loaded up on a bus to head to the YMCA. The bus ride was very memorable because it provided us with the opportunity to see more of this beautiful country. The bus driver even stopped to let us take a picture of a breath-taking view of the mountains. It felt like we were on a camp bus trip because we sang songs such as “Do Rae Mi”, “Brown- Eyed Girl”, and even making sure that we had a solid Backstreet Boys song- “I want it that way.” Upon our arrival at the YMCA, we were graciously greeted by Wendy with a special devotion. She had each member in our group take a different shape (star, flower, or sun) and place them in a bowl of water. Wendy proved this activity to show what can happen when people work together. It does not matter who you are but the impact that you are making. We even received a special bookmark with a quote from Luke 10:2 mentioning how “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that they would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Wendy spoke about how grateful she was for our help and the impact that we had started and continued to make on the YMCA here in Costa Rica.
We started the morning with yet another plentiful breakfast. The kitchen staff continues to be creative with different meal options. This morning, we were excited to have los huevos (eggs), el pan (bread), and el jabon (ham). They even added some Coca Puffs and Fruit Loops for a spice of variety. The kitchen staff also has treated us to the lovely and fresh fruits in Costa Rica.
After breakfast, we loaded up on a bus to head to the YMCA. The bus ride was very memorable because it provided us with the opportunity to see more of this beautiful country. The bus driver even stopped to let us take a picture of a breath-taking view of the mountains. It felt like we were on a camp bus trip because we sang songs such as “Do Rae Mi”, “Brown- Eyed Girl”, and even making sure that we had a solid Backstreet Boys song- “I want it that way.” Upon our arrival at the YMCA, we were graciously greeted by Wendy with a special devotion. She had each member in our group take a different shape (star, flower, or sun) and place them in a bowl of water. Wendy proved this activity to show what can happen when people work together. It does not matter who you are but the impact that you are making. We even received a special bookmark with a quote from Luke 10:2 mentioning how “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that they would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Wendy spoke about how grateful she was for our help and the impact that we had started and continued to make on the YMCA here in Costa Rica.
After this sentimental moment, we were divided into two different groups. Both groups ended up switching after lunch which proved to be a great plan. One group was responsible for painting the front portion of the YMCA while the other group played and assisted with the preschool children. It seemed that both of these groups played a crucial part of “serving others” today. We were to take some responsibility away from their staff and assist with the younger children. The children were absolutely adorable and enjoyed our company even though there was a language barrier. Some of the children who were at camp with us on Saturday and Sunday stopped by after school to play and hang out. It was wonderful having them run up to us and give us great big hugs, declaring how much they had missed us. One of the things that our group has overcome in the past few days is the ability to challenge their Spanish and work to communicate through the language barrier. The painting crew was able to paint the whole front of the YMCA along with separate railings and fences. The staff was extremely appreciative and treated
us to a very nice lunch of corn tortillas, chicken, rice, tomatoes and fresh goat cheese. It was a nice opportunity to get to know other members of the staff at the YMCA such as the teachers and administrative staff members.
After lunch, everyone went back to work and switched roles for the afternoon. This afternoon shift was just as productive as the morning time. Once the afternoon shift was over, Xinia invited the group into the gym where she thanked everyone for all of their hard work. She extended her gratitude and appreciation to everyone by giving each individual in our group a cross. Also, she gave Forrest a Jesus sign to take back to our YMCA as a reminder of our service here in Costa Rica. It was a difficult departure to leave the children and the staff at the YMCA. All the little girls gave the guys kisses on the cheek and the little boys did the same to the ladies. Too cute! After the goodbyes, we headed back to camp for a “Costa Rican style BBQ” that the staff held for us and their appreciation to our servitude in the past few days. They invited Wendy and a few other members from the Co-op
. It was a great opportunity to recognize those others that make such an impact on the YMCA. The dinner was delicious and they even grilled chicken, sausage, etc. on a huge grill, complete with tortillas, and more traditional Costa Rica food. Everyone enjoyed the meal and the fellowship of others on our last evening here. We ended the evening with plenty of expressed gratitude, hugs, pictures, and of course- dancing! Our group continued to “dance the night away” and improve our dance skills- we even learned a traditional Costa Rica dance! In an overall reflection, today has been an incredible day full of expressed servitude and gratitude. Personally, our group has truly recognized our impact on the lives of others here in this community as well as the impact that the staff and volunteers have had on us. It will be difficult to leave this special place this evening that has touched many of our hearts in special and sentimental ways. Although the departure tomorrow will be rough, our group is ready to embark on the next adventure 
part of our journey. Until then, it’s always to remember the impact that you have made on serving others. As mentioned in Matthew 5:16, “And the same way, let your light shine before men so they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” As they say in Costa Rica, “Pura Vida.” (Pure Life)
us to a very nice lunch of corn tortillas, chicken, rice, tomatoes and fresh goat cheese. It was a nice opportunity to get to know other members of the staff at the YMCA such as the teachers and administrative staff members.After lunch, everyone went back to work and switched roles for the afternoon. This afternoon shift was just as productive as the morning time. Once the afternoon shift was over, Xinia invited the group into the gym where she thanked everyone for all of their hard work. She extended her gratitude and appreciation to everyone by giving each individual in our group a cross. Also, she gave Forrest a Jesus sign to take back to our YMCA as a reminder of our service here in Costa Rica. It was a difficult departure to leave the children and the staff at the YMCA. All the little girls gave the guys kisses on the cheek and the little boys did the same to the ladies. Too cute! After the goodbyes, we headed back to camp for a “Costa Rican style BBQ” that the staff held for us and their appreciation to our servitude in the past few days. They invited Wendy and a few other members from the Co-op
. It was a great opportunity to recognize those others that make such an impact on the YMCA. The dinner was delicious and they even grilled chicken, sausage, etc. on a huge grill, complete with tortillas, and more traditional Costa Rica food. Everyone enjoyed the meal and the fellowship of others on our last evening here. We ended the evening with plenty of expressed gratitude, hugs, pictures, and of course- dancing! Our group continued to “dance the night away” and improve our dance skills- we even learned a traditional Costa Rica dance! In an overall reflection, today has been an incredible day full of expressed servitude and gratitude. Personally, our group has truly recognized our impact on the lives of others here in this community as well as the impact that the staff and volunteers have had on us. It will be difficult to leave this special place this evening that has touched many of our hearts in special and sentimental ways. Although the departure tomorrow will be rough, our group is ready to embark on the next adventure 
part of our journey. Until then, it’s always to remember the impact that you have made on serving others. As mentioned in Matthew 5:16, “And the same way, let your light shine before men so they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” As they say in Costa Rica, “Pura Vida.” (Pure Life)
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