Trip Journal

Thursday-Sunday 

Thursday was another great day. During the day we advanced in the construction. In the evening we had our Christmas party, gave more than 100 gifts to underprivileged children and gave clothes to all who needed. We praise the Lord for the opportunity! After the party we went downtown to see the Christmas lights, eat an ice cream, and also visited two catholic churches that had Christmas carols.

Friday. Even though it rained in the afternoon, we were able to advance on the roof (see pictures). In the evening meetings the group was large and a number of people decided to give their hearts to the Lord!

Sabbath: Program at church the whole day. In the afternoon we plan to go to a concert at a nearby church. Sunday: Tour to the Waterfalls and the Poas volcano!

As always, Thank you for your prayers.

Wednesday, December 23

Beautiful hot sun. The group worked hard at preparing the building for the “roof”. Lots of wire, metal and cement need to be in place. We are hoping to be able to have the roof structure up by Friday and finish the entire building by Monday. You can see how much we advanced in today’s photos (link above).

The Lord showed His mighty care for us this afternoon when we went to our homes, it started to rain heavily in many sectors, but it spared our building! If it had rained at the work site, it would have heavily affected the concrete we had just poured. We praise God for His protection.

More blessings:
- We received the visit or the conference president to our meetings.
- Daniel preached a powerful and clear sermon about the Sabbath.
- Judi preached on the reasons and benefits of Prayer.
- The puppets are continuing to be a huge attraction and blessing.
- Today the attendance of both children and adults doubled.
- We have more than 150 gifts all packed for tomorrow’s Christmas Party
- All participants are doing well and enthusiastic about seeing the project completed.
- We appreciate your prayers for our safety and evangelism.

Tuesday, December 22

On Kevin’s sermon yesterday, he had not brought his script, so he was preaching off the power point presentation. It so happened that in the middle of the sermon the computer froze. The incredible thing is that Kevin continued preaching as if nothing had happened, and was able to finish the sermon by memory. The Lord used him in a mighty way.

Today some worked with steel, others with cement and yet others packing toys and sorting the clothes to give away. We have more than 100 gifs packed for children.

Just on our second day and… we finished the block!! In the picture, you can see Don and Kevin laying the last block. Tomorow we will work getting ready for the roof. God’s willing, the construction will be finished and even painted by Monday.

The attendance to the meetings tonight almost doubled, praise the Lord. One of the greatest atractions are the puppets. Kids love them! Also Dr. Hernandez had her health talk, Kate-Lyn Edwards preached on the Wise Men, and Pastor Yensho preached on the Sabbath. All did a great job!

Monday, December 21

The day started with rain. As you know, if it rains, we can not work… and we have only 5 days to build the whole structure. We gathered for our devotional and prayed ferverntly for God to stop the rain. He did, and we were able to start laying block. In just one day we have more than 40 % of the block laid. Praise the Lord for stopping the rain and helping us advance so much.

Monday Afternoon. Pr. Ortiz took a group of youth to the neighborhood to invite them to the meetings. The group was surprized and glad to see some of them attending the evening meetings.

At night both Kevin Winklepleck and Pr. Ortiz preached and the Lord used them. Lots of visitors came. Food? It could not be better! It´s tasty and plentiful. The people? Are friendly, talkative and hard workers.

Sunday, December 20

I wanted to tell you that by the grace of God we ARRIVED safely to beautiful Costa Rica and to our different homes. We also had excellen connections and smooth flights. Two suitcases were missing. Thank God they were found a day later. When we arrived, the people were waiting for us with an extremely tasty dinner. At night, Bobby preached a powerful sermon. The Holy Spirit empowered him as never before!