And That's a Wrap!

Well this is it! Wow, it seems like just yesterday that we arrived in Costa Rica and began our first day here at the campus and now we're all packed and ready to leave for home! For our last day, we worked to complete some painting, trim installation, staining/sealing of trim and even began installation of ceiling boards for the porch covering at the entry of the Multiplication building. We worked straight through our afternoon break to wrap up as much as possible. As can be seen in one of the photos below, Paul (our fearless team leader) got a little hungry so taking matters into his own hands, picked and devoured a green mango off of one of the many fruit trees on the campus!

Steve Wright has commented that we helped to make great progress on the building during our stay, which was quite encouraging to hear! As much as it feels good to hear this, it feels even better to know that within a matter of only two months, this building will be opened for usage in training Latin American missionaries as well as a meeting place for Tico (Costa Rican) youths in the local outreach programs here.

This mission trip has been such an amazing experience for all of us. Not only have we been able to serve God, but have also grown spiritually in our daily devotion to Him. We've met and developed friendships with some wonderful Christian Ticos and gringos (Americans) and have even gotten to know and grow in fellowship with our trip team members! All of us had an opportunity to either learn or practice their Spanish, teach some English words to the Ticos who worked beside us, and learn more about Costa Rican culture!

It is truly a blessing to have the opportunity to be a part of God's awesome plan here in Costa Rica! Thank you to all our friends and loved ones at home for all your prayers and support. We'd like to invite you to join us in continuing to pray for all the missionaries, both Ticos and gringos, here in Costa Rica and throughout the world.

We love and miss you all and will see you soon!

Here are some before and after pictures of the Multiplication building during our stay.

Before:

After:

Almost Wrapped Up...

The week is drawing to a close...boy has it rushed by!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is our last full day in Costa Rica.
According to Steve Wright, we've accomplished all he had set out for us to do - so now we are in the "bonus round" where everything we did today (and will do tomorrow) is less work to get done before the official opening of the multiplication center in September. That makes us all feel great because as much as this trip is about opening ourselves up to God and inviting him to transform us, we also wanted to be of service. Knowing that we've accomplished all they hoped of us and more is really fantastic.

Paul and Megan setting some baseboard

This week we've been examining God's role as Chief Architect and General Contractor of our lives, with Christ as the foundation upon which we are called to build. Each of us has looked at, both individually and as a group, how those relationships work. I am personally so grateful to have had the chance to come here and see the things I've seen and to meet the people I've met. I definitely recommend to anyone that if you feel called to serve on an International trip like this, contact the zone leader for that Country and check it out.

Kevin showing off his high-up painting skills

Tomorrow we'll work a little bit shorter day before we pack and get ready to say goodbye.

Wake up call for Saturday morning is 3:00 a.m.

We've loved being here but are really anxious to get home.

Blessings!

---Kirk

Costa Rica - Day 6

Today was our rest and relax day at the Multiplication Center, but we didn't do too much of that. We headed out to La Paz waterfalls for most of the day. The site is a great tourist attraction where we saw many birds, butterflies, snakes, frogs, and of course the waterfalls. We truly saw how much God appreciates diversity. Pictured here is Kirk inviting a toucan to walk on his hand shortly before it bit Megan (don't worry, there were no injuries).


As we wandered through the butterfly exhibit the passing butterflies stopped for a rest on our team members. At one point Ki had several on him and in this picture Dylan inspects them. Another neat feature was that they had many living cocoons on display and we got to watch as the butterflies emerged.


The highlight was obviously the waterfalls. As we walked alongside the series of waterfalls, we experienced the power of God in his creation. As we got ready for a team picture by the falls we realized we left Kevin behind at lunch. The food was really good and I guess he wasn't ready to leave. In the meantime, we took several other pictures including the Huckabays here.


After a few minutes we found Kevin and took the team picture. On the way home we also stopped at a few more tourist attractions including this giant ox cart.



During the trip back we experienced more Costa Rican culture as we were backed up in traffic on a two lane road. The law in Costa Rica regarding traffic accidents is that everyone has to stop and wait for police. We were stuck for hours, but eventually made it back with no worries. Having the Wrights along with us as tour guides has been an awesome experience. We can ask any cultural questions and we learn more about this country than if we had come on an expensive tourist trip.

In the evening we got to talk to another local missionary, David. He is working with youth in the neighborhood and is also leading a mission to Nicaragua. The relationship between Costa Ricans and Nicaraguans is very strained so relating with them is very difficult. Although David has been to Nicaragua before, this will be the first time he is leading a group on his own. It was inspiring to hear his story and see his energy and enthusiasm for the Lord. We ask that you pray for David: that he might have wisdom in leading the team to Nicaragua in late September, that the youth in Nicaragua would be open to his message, and that David would recognize any new longer term calling from God for another mission field.

- Steven

Another Day in Costa Rica

Today is another day in Costa Rica. (as the title explains)
Anywho, we are all having a great time serving God. Steve says that we are making some HUGE progress on the building. We did some painting and usual stuff.
What has been really cool is hearing from some people that will be using the building. Their stories have really explained the importance of our work. The building will be used for many great things that will honor God. I am very thankful for the prayer support that we have been receiving. I appreciate it all. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all!

-Ryan

Day 3 and 4

Day 3

Day 3 was Sunday and we had a "day of rest." Actually, it was a cultural day. We went to the Wright's church with them. Here is a short video clip during one of the worship songs.

The pastor was very enthusiastic and Steve thought that the pastor was talking about dead fish, but actually Steve Wright corrected him later. He actually was talking about sin (pecados not pescados).

Later, we went to lunch at a local Costa Rican (tico) restaurant. Here are Ryan and Kendra enjoying their lunch. We all had family style dishes consisting of grilled chicken, pork, beef with corn tortillas, avocados, and fried plantane bananas. Yummy!

After lunch, we stopped by the Britt coffee plantation company store to load up on coffee and candies at great prices except I got 1 less bag of candy that I paid for. Then we stopped by the campus to do some devos (devotions).

At 5pm, we all walked down the hill and hopped on a city bus to go the Wright's for dinner. After an all American meal that Paul was craving, Ivan and Xinia shared with us about their ministry. They are Ticos who are currently missionaries ministering to locals, but their hearts are to serve in Africa and eventually Chile. It's amazing to listen to these missionaries stories and how they are willing to drop everything and go where God is calling them. Ivan told us that if we remember one thing about ticos, we should remember the phrase "pura vida" - pure life. Later around 9:45pm, we hopped on the bus to go back to the campus guided by Sergio who is another missionary living at the campus supported by Equipos Internacionales - Costa Rica branch of ITEAMS. After we got dropped off, we walked back up the hill to the campus to get some rest for another day of work.

Day 4

Steve Wright said that we would be "hitting it hard" today - and we did. Ryan and Kendra finished painting the office room upstairs. Kevin and Brandon continued to work on "stoning" te fireplace. Paul and Steven helped hang 3 doors. Megan, Kirk, and Ki worked on more painting. Also, in the afternoon, Megan, Ki, Paul and Steve tried to finish up grouting the outside wall stone and Ryan and Kendra started helping sand and cut baseboard.

Even though, we are working hard, we always take a break before lunch to work on devos. It's important so that we stay focused on God's work and not our own. Here are some of us in our devotional time.

During lunch, Woody joined us since he was back from a trip. It was cool to hear him pray for lunch in Spanish. After 10 years in Costa Rica and 30 years in Latin America, you learn to do that pretty well. After a long hard day, Steve surprised Kendra with a birthday cake since it was her birthday today. That was a nice surprise.

After dinner, Ernesto Alfaro shared his testimony and a little about his ministry with the youth. His story was intreaging and the work that he has going on to minister to the youth was mind blowing. His main focus right now is growing the youth group called Cultura Vertical, which numbers around 80 kids total with 45-60 kids showing up on a regular basis. He is also working on dicipling individual youths, teaching seminars, and working on all the graphic designs for the youth ministry. He shared about several youth who he and his wife had discipled and now they are discipling others. It was great to see and hear that the building we are working on will enable the local missionary work to reach out further by bringing in and training more local missionaries. They are planning a youth retreat in early April and they are praying that at least 150 local youth show up as well as North American youths. There will be some Lakeside youth attending as well. Please pray for the following:

1. For a good turnout for the youth retreat in April.
2. For Pisaro who Ernesto is currently trying to minister to right now. Pisaro is a 17 year old and does not see what purpose he has and why God would want anything to do with him.

-Ki

Day 2

Today was our first full day of work, and to Steve's suprise we were able to get a lot done. Painting and stone work was our plan of action as we divided into groups for different jobs. This afternoon was our first real rain. It started at lunch time and is probably still raining. At times it got to be so loud in the building that it became very hard to hear some one right next to you. We continue to be impressed just how good the food is. The cook works hard all day to feed us, creating every masterpiece from scratch including the fruit drinks. We've continued with our construction themed devotions and discussed how God is the Master Builder of our lives. I'm excited for tomorrow as we will be going to church here. Please pray that we can continue to grow closer to God as we put our best foot forward in every task given to us.

~Kevin

Outside stone work

Grouting the stones

Inside stone work around a fireplace

We even got Kirk up on the scaffolding

Day 1

We made it! After a long night of "sleeping" on the plane we arrived in San Jose at 5:30 am. We felt the effects of the struggling airline business. No food what so ever on either of our flights (2hr/5hr). We landed in Costa Rica hungry and tired. Our host, Steve Wright, quickly grabbed us and put us in a van and we all headed up the hill to the Sonlife campus for some breakfast. After breakfast we took a short nap and then it was time to take the tour and get briefed on the work that we would be doing while we are here. After Lunch we began a light work day and did some interior painting of the Latin America Multiplication Building. I was very impressed that we were able to put forth a pretty strong effort after very little sleep. Tomorrow the heavy work begins. The focus of today was Hebrews 11:10, "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect was God." As we build and as we work...we look forward to what God is doing in our hearts. We are praying that the work we do will be a blessing to the ministry that is here. But we are also putting our faith in our architect, that He has a plan for each us on this trip, that He will grow us through this experience.

Time for Bed!

-Paul

Costa Rica Here We Come!

Well, this is it! This evening we board a plane to Denver, meeting up with the rest of our team for a connecting flight to Costa Rica, arriving at 5:25am! We’ll hit the ground running by putting in half day’s work on Friday after dropping off our stuff so that’s pretty exciting! I’m definitely going to have to try to get some snooze in on the plane! A feeling of nervousness and excitement tossed in with a pinch of doubt continues to wheel around within me as we zip up our suitcases and spend a few “quality” hours with our kids. My nervousness stems from anxiety venturing into an “unknown” and a foreign continent. This is my first time off of North American soils since arriving from Vietnam almost 30 years ago! Another (small) aspect of my anxiety is from doubts of my own abilities/skills. How is God going to use teeny, weak little old me in a construction zone??!? What about the kids…are they going to be okay without us for such a long period of time? Will our sisters “survive” Joshua’s tantrums?!? ;)

Above all though, I’m very excited! I’m excited to find out what God has in store for me; for any hidden abilities that He had given me but I’ve never stop to realize. I’m excited for the fact that He has chosen weak, little ol’ me to serve Him! I may not have construction skills or muscle strength as some of the team members (ok maybe all), but I do know one thing for sure that I have and that is a humble and willing heart to serve our Almighty! “…for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48)

During the preparation for this trip, one important lesson I’ve learned is to rely more on God’s strength, power and authority. He has taken care of us in bringing so many loving and supportive friends and share partners. He’s taken care of our financial needs for this trip. And now, I know that He will take care of our children and family, provide for a safe journey, and give us physical and spiritual strength to serve Him in a mighty way!

Thank you for your love and prayers!
Megan

God's work

On Sunday, Ki wired 2 motion sensor lights. It was an all afternoon task with a good amount of drilling holes on the outside of the house and crawling around in the attic. On Monday night, the Yoon family arrived in LA in order to drop the kids off with a tag team consisting of my sister Hae and Megan's sister Alyssa. We came early to help Hae with some house renovations since she recently bought her first home. I got to work with my sister's boyfriend Moss this morning. We got a good chunk finished today and I will be back to work with Moss tomorrow. I guess you can call this week pre-mission training work. If this is a preview of what is to come, then I definitely need to rely on God's strength and not my own!

I'm really happy to be helping out my sister and I feel the same about Sonlife Ministries and International Teams in Costa Rica. I know that the work I do will be well appreciated, but there is a difference. The work that I did at home and Hae's house will be thoroughly enjoyed and used by us and my sister. But the work that we will do in Costa Rica will enable God's work to be accomplished more effectively and will be used by many more people to enable Christ to have meaning to hundreds and perhaps thousands of people.

Please pray for the following:

1. The Wright family - for strength in their marriage and for their children to have stability.
2. For the spiritual and physical health of missionaries in extremely challenged mission fields.
3. That the focus of our mission team and all missionaries will be the message of Christ.
4. For strength and health of our mission team.
5. For protection and emotional strength of the mission teams' children and family members left at home.

Thanks,

-Ki

The Last Supper (Before We Go, That Is)

We all attended the 4:30 service at Lakeside today, and then met with our families for dinner together.

We prayed that God will bless our trip and that our work in Costa Rica will advance his plans for us.

Back Row (left to right) Steve, Ki, Paul, Kirk
Front Row (left to right) Kevin,
Meagan, Brandon, Ryan , Kendra

T minus 1 week

Now we're down to the final week of preparation. I have still yet to absorb the enormity of this opportunity we've been given. Last night my Lakeside small group prayed for me and laid hands on me in preparation for the trip and it was a great experience. As we prayed it was impressed upon me that this trip is a big deal. A chance to come together with other believers and serve in communion together will be a tremendous blessing, and my prayer is that God will use us to be a blessing to others.

My sabbatical began this week so I've had a lot of time to rest and reflect. This morning I was reading in Matthew and two verses in particular remained with me. In Matt. 19:29 Jesus tells us that anyone who makes sacrifices in this life for His Name's sake will be rewarded a hundredfold and inherit eternal life. A little over a year ago Steve and Jamie Wright with their boys moved down to Costa Rica to serve at this facility as permanent staff. They gave up their friends, family, jobs, and possessions to become servants. They went seeking not reward, but genuinely following the path they saw God set before them. I ask that you would pray with me in petitioning the Lord to fulfill his promise and to use and bless the ministry of the Wright family, as well as grant each of us grace that we might seek after God's plan with equal diligence.

Also, in Matt. 24:14 Jesus described the signs of the end times and he said that the gospel will be preached in all the world to all the nations. What an opportunity to go and be part of God's plan! We will be doing a small part to help provide a place where missionaries will train to go out and proclaim the gospel, bringing closer the coming of the kingdom.

Please continue to pray that God will bless our journey and use it to bring glory to His Name.

-Steven

Are we there yet?

Two weeks from today we will be on an airplane flying to Costa Rica. I'm not real excited about spending a crazy number of hours stuck in a seat squished between Paul and Kirk. However, I know that when we get there the work we do will be worth the trip. The commitment of the missionaries in training at this place in Costa Rica blows me away and I'm excited to be a part of their preparation to share the gospel. I have no doubt that God has chosen me to go to for a specific reason and I look forward to being impacted just as I'm helping to impact those we're serving. Please continue to pray for us as we finalize trip plans and preparations. Pray also for our families as we will be away from them for 8 days. -Kevin

Wow, Two weeks from tomorrow!

I can't believe it is almost time to GO! Ever since I returned home from Costa Rica last November I have been anxiously waiting for the day to come to take other Lakesiders back with me to experience and see what God is doing there. I can't believe that the time is almost here. As we prepare to go, I am amazed by the team that God has brought together! I am amazed at how much support we have received from our Share Partners! I am amazed at how many people have committed to pray for this trip! We serve a great God, and He continues to amaze me...and we haven't even left yet. It has been such a joy for me to watch each of the individuals on the team take a step of faith and commit to GO. They have made the commitment to leave home, their family, give up their time (vacation time in most cases), all to go and serve the people in Costa Rica for the name of Christ. It is truly a blessing and a gift from God to serve with this team.

-Paul