Gloria a Dios!

Today we awoke to a chilly, yet refreshing morning. It was the first morning that only four people were up before 6 A.M.- meaning that the kids (and leaders) were finally starting to sleep in. Despite being tired and sore, we were rolling by eight o'clock. The cool air was replaced by the heat, but the kiddos were fantastic, and ready to work. It is exciting to watch them work together as a team. They are really starting to understand how to do the work themselves. Each of them have different strengths- some are physically strong, some are detail-oriented, some are encouraging, some are leaders, some are followers- and everyone is figuring out what they are good at and working to excel in it. It is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ at work.

At the park, there was more wall-building and dirt-moving. We we able to get a lot of work done, and have so much fun. The girls worked on the wall while singing "hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work we go" and learned about each others lives. The boys were incredibly determined to fill a ditch before we were rained out. We had to call it an early day due to the weather. Lightening and tons of re-bar sticking up in the air are not the best combo.

At the church, we're continuing to make progress on the foundation wall. We are learning that in construction, just as in life, there are set backs, but you just have to buckle down, adjust, and keep moving forward. Overall- a good day of work.

After a DELICIOUS dinner (the food here is truly incredible) we headed over to Iglesia Methodista Palabra Viva, which is the church that we have been serving at, to experience their Wednesday night service. The students were amazed by the vibrant colors and lively worship. There is a zealousness for the Lord that is tangible. The sanctuary is practically an open air gymnasium with green mesh walls. This is a huge contrast between the "Metho-dome" as we are so fondly called.

When worship began, some of the local teenage Costa Rican boys went up to the front and began dancing to the songs. Immediately, the kids ran to the front and danced along with them. It was so incredible to watch. Here we are, in a foreign country, not knowing the language, jumping around and attempting to mumble the words as a form of worship. Then they began to play to play the song "Here I Am To Worship." Imagine this- half of the voices praising the Lord in English, half praising the Lord in Spanish. All praising the same King as one body. Wonderful.

The presence of the Lord out-shines the humble appearance of the building. It was great for the kids to get to see that it doesn't matter where, or how, or in what language you worship- as long as you are loving the Lord and have a heart to worship Him, He will be glorified. Gloria a Dios, as they said this evening.

~Sarah T.

Charlie Strong, Strong Missions Director, with leader Micaeli


















Ready to start the day!














Sifting dirt for mortar


















Harrison and Jake hard at work


















Boys getting dirt to fill a ditch! They were so determined.















Sarah T. and girls making a perfectly straight retaining wall!















The rain ended our day early, but we all worked together to clean up and head out.