Hola Familia y Amigos!!!

by Kayla Romero & Bryce Koleszar


The day began with another morning of Vacation Bible School with the children in Los Guido, and everyone had a blast. Not only did dozens of new faces arrive at the lot today, but several kids and parents attended for the second consecutive day, which was neat to see. Our favorite activity was dancing with the kids. The whole team really gets into it! It is so cool to see so many kids come from all around the small city to take part in the VBS activities. God is doing so many things, and is touching so many young lives and it's cool to be a part of.



Seeing the conditions people live in, at first can cause us to develop a sense of pity, but when you think about it, we are all the same in God's eyes and He loves us all the same. And through the work we are so blessed to be a part of, you can really see God's love flourishing in Costa Rica.

After a delicious lunch, the boys played soccer and the girls painted finger nails. The soccer game was Ticos (Costa Ricans) VS Gringos, and the gringos took the title 8-7, which made up for our tug-of-war loss. The victory was great, but the best part was seeing two Costa Rican brothers playing with us who had just accepted Christ yesterday after our VBS activities. Those of us who weren't playing soccer or painting fingernails were holding a vocal and music workshop for the worship team and choir of New Life Church.




Today we also went to Hiper Mas, a supermarket similar to a Walmart, to purchase items to make food bags that we will be delivering to some of the most desolate areas in the country. It was awesome to have 9 carts full of food. Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy, initially because we're gringos but mainly because of the fact that we had a line consisting of 9 shopping carts. All in all the experience was so awesome, especially because we know that the food will be going to families in need.

To close out an extremely busy day, the team attended the Costa Rican carnival in Zapote. Several of us decided to brave a couple rides, and it was quite hysterical. We had the hopes of sitting in on a bull-fighting show, but the arena was sold out, so we are planning to attend on Friday. It was a hectic and crazy experience, but all of us are glad that we had the opportunity to attend.

The team is excited for tomorrow, which is the last day of VBS in Los Guido. We continue to pray for the people of Los Guido, Tejarcillos, and La Carpio, primarily asking that God will use us to answers the prayers of these people.

So, that's it for today. We had a blast ministering and playing with the children, and ended the day with a little excitement. Until next time.

Christian Light Foundation

For even MORE photos and updates visit www.CLFCostaRica.com!!

Time With the Kids

by Eric McClellan

Our first full day in Costa Rica is officially complete and we all had a really great time. Our day started out when we went to Los Guido to do Vacation Bible School (VBS) with the kids. We split into groups and walked the streets to find kids in the neighborhood to join us. We all had a blast singing, dancing, playing games, and spending time with the kids of Los Guido. Sad to say though, we did let our country down when we challenged the Costa Ricans to tug-of-war.




After VBS, we all left to La Finca ("The Farm") to do some work. We all pitched in and sanded down about twenty newly made wooden benches and stained them to match the cross in the church. We even got some more time to play around with all the kids from VBS. All in all, we had a really great day. I already know I'm gonna miss this place and all of kids that we spent time with.




I couldn't help but notice a shift in my perspective after today. The idea of Costa Rica that I had before today was one of a very poor nation. It's easy to stop and look at the conditions in which these people live and wonder how they can handle so much. Vandalism and theft plague the partly paved streets, with trash, stray dogs and sewage everywhere you look. I would have expected that these kids would be struggling with the hardships that they have to deal with every single day, and yet they are completely unphased. Instead of pity for their situation, I felt a desire for what they had. Though these kids live in conditions worse than just about anywhere in the states, they glow with joy and literally live every day to the fullest. I hope I can learn some of that resiliance and think twice the next time I want to complain about something.

Team Photo

Finally Here

By Josh Hager

Well, we're finally here. Following 6 months of preparation, prayer, and fundraising our team of 19 has arrived in Costa Rica. After nearly 20 hours of traveling (including a 7 hour layover in San Salvador) we loaded a bus and headed to the Mission House. This house will be our home for the next 10 days...and a beautiful home it is.

It's hard to explain everything I am thinking and feeling as I eagerly await returning to La Finca. La Finca (the Farm) is located in the town of Los Guido and is one of the primary ministry areas for CLF Costa Rica. Just thinking about the place makes me smile.

Hundreds and hundreds of kids flooding the field for a week of Vacation Bible School. Dozens and dozens of children coming to know Christ for the first time on the cement floor of an old barn. A prayer walk around an empty section of field where now stands the New Life Church of Los Guido. Making tamales with kids on Christmas Eve. Laughter. Tears. Hugs. These are just a few of the memories I have at La Finca AND I am confident that God has even more prepared for us over the next week-and-a-half.

Tomorrow morning we will load a bus and head to this beautiful place. God WILL change MORE lives, create MORE memories, and build even MORE relationships!!!

Please pray for our safety and unity as a team and that God would give us an abundance of opportunities to make His name known!

We Made It!!!

We arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica a little after 4:30 P.M. and are now settling into the Mission House. You can expect an update within the hour.

16 HOURS!!!

In 16 hours we will be on an airplane headed for San Jose, Costa Rica! We are so excited for all that God IS going to do. Please keep our team, the missionaries, and all of those we will come in contact with in your prayers.

For additional photos, videos, and updates visit www.CLFCostaRica.com and click on "Team Reports".