Our last work day, 4 team members stayed at the Iglesia to paint a second coat to the newly painted kitchen and Sunday School area. The rest of us had a big project. We were to draw and paint playground sized games on Elementary School’s basketball court. The director had a vision for two of the drawings, but did not know what she wanted us to make for the third. Pat, our Team Leader, brainstormed 4-square and came up with a brilliant idea to use flags as the drawings in the squares. With Costa Rica making a run in the World Cup, nothing could have been more appropriate. We worked very hard hoping and praying we could not just draw and mask out the drawings, but could actually get them painted before the rain came. The director was dubious but as we begin working hard and praying hard that the rains would not come until the task was finished. God heard us and the the paintings were finished. The children came out classroom by classroom, lined up and told us in unison, “Thank you”. They loved the gigantic games in bright colores. They especially loved learning how to play 4-square and the four flags chosen for the game; France, Italy, US, and Costa Rica. Most remarkably, when the paint was put away and we were heading home, the rain started pouring down. God is Good! We were so blessed to be a part of seeing the wonderful smiles on the children’s faces and the gratitude from Alejandro, the janitor. Little do they know, they touched our hearts way more than we could begin to touch theirs.
Friday was our free day. First we went to the Volcano Poas. Once again, the day was gorgeous and there was only a few fluffy white clouds in the sky. We were able to take many photos of the volcano and the lake. However as soon as were ready to leave, the clouds began to roll in and we could no longer see the lake. After our delicious lunch at Fredo Fresas, we thought we wrere going to another park in the cloud forrest. As it turns out, it was a zipline tour that consisits of 12 different stations, the last one being 6 times longer and faster than any of the previous. We decided to let go of any fear and try out the zipline, including our friend and guide, Andres, a young man from church. This experience is one none of us will ever forget. We screamed, laughted and climbed up the mountain to reach incredible heights. Each station more spectacular than the last. We were above the trees as we soared across and the sightes and feelings we felt will last a life time. When finished, the chauffer informed us that we were the first tour of the week because the rains had not allowed them to open the stations. In addition, once we all were in the van and headed back to the city, the rains came rolling in with “gusto”. We had to pull over for a few minutes at a souvenir shop because of low visibility from the rains.
Wow! Two days in a row, God allowed us to work hard and play hard keeping the rains at bay until we were finished. What an awesome God we have!
