DAY CAMP, COSTA RICA STYLE! (Sunday, March 2nd)

Brought to you via Nick & Stacey

First off…it was FREEZING last night! We are also truly learning to live like missionaries, as we have no hot water. But, that didn’t deter us from an AMAZING day!
As you read in the last post, some of us met up at the concrete slab (yes, concrete, not a field) to get in a quick soccer game. The boys were excited to show off their foot skills, and (boy could they play!), while the girls stayed together to do dance and movement games. It was fun to learn the Costa Rican spin of games that we play at the Y back home. After a hearty typical Costa Rican breakfast of eggs, beans, rice and cheese, we did an assembly to get ready for the day. After some songs and a Thought for the Day we did a counselor contest. Our group thought they would be a bit sneaky and surprise Forrest and Nick with a makeover! All the campers were extremely pumped as they got to cover Forrest and Nick with a tutu, body paint, glitter, colored hair spray, and just about every single piece of make-up you could imagine. It was concluded that they were pretty much the ugliest looking woman ever!

Morning activities were a huge success. Campers played parachute games, a crazy water relay, teambuilding activities, and made picture frames and lanyards for arts and crafts. We also found out more about the campers; most of them live close to the YMCA in downtown San Jose in the projects. The YMCA partners with the camp we are staying at Campamento Oikuomene. We may have told you earlier that we are staying at a YMCA camp. This is actually incorrect. The camp is owned by a Co-Op, and they partner with the YMCA to bring the children in on the weekends and in the summer time for FREE. We were told that the children come from dysfunctional homes and are extremely impoverished.

After activities, we had a big lunch of steak, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, and tomatoes & lettuce. We must point out that this camp serves absolutely the best camp food we’ve ever had, I think that’s why we keep telling you what we eat!

After lunch, we continued to spend time with the kids, focusing on the kids, taking a million pictures with them, and making lanyards. It was also a chance for the kids to play with all the equipment we donated to camp, but unfortunately it then was time for the kids to go home. L As the kids were telling us goodbye, there were no hesitations as they bear hugged and cheek kissed us all. Although we only had 24 hours together, it was incredible to see such a deep connection through language, age and cultural barriers. God is amazing, and nothing is impossible when He takes over!

We were sad to see the kids leave and camp felt empty without them, but we made it work as we took some time for a much needed rest. The group split for the afternoon; some napped, some took COLD showers, some walked the river, some played cards, some hiked to the top of a mountain, but whatever the activity, it was a bit of wind down time!

The rest of the afternoon and evening we spent together as a group. We did dinner, games, talking, laughing and really just getting the chance to enjoy each other and reflect on the trip so far. We closed the evening with devotion, preparation for Sunday, and recognition of the day’s accomplishments, whether goofy or serious.

We cannot wait to see what tomorrow holds when we roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. Manual labor projects at camp are on the agenda, so a good night’s sleep is the plan. Please continue to pray for our health, our safety and the team’s unity. We really want to be used as God desires, so we are all working to follow His lead, even when it’s not our pre-set plan or within our comfort zone. Pray that we hear His voice and we are covered in His grace as we listen.

Until next time….