Fut.i.Val

A Glimps of Fut.i.Val

This morning we had a chance to do some painting at a school that is in a very poor and rough neighborhood. We were really sure what we were going to be doing but we stopped at the hardware store on the way to buy paint and supplies. When we arrived at the school we found out that we would be painting their cafeteria walls and tables. We had only 2 hours to paint while some other from the group went to the store to buy groceries to distribute later in the day. So we sanded, painted and rolled, and got the job done.

Allie and Janine

Lisanne and Hillary sanding tables

After lunch we met up with Ricardo again and he brought us to a community where we were able to deliver 60 packages of food. This is a community that one of the fern farmers lives in. It was very eye opening. We were delivering one plastic bag of food that Ricardo said could last for 3 months if they rationed it well. Most of the homes we visited didn't even have a way to cook food. One of the really interesting things about our experience living here at the hotel and even just being in Costa Rica is that there is such severe poverty right next to beautiful homes.

Next we delivered bags of jerseys, shorts, and balls to Fut.i.val which is a ministry led by 2 former World Cup national players. After they retired they started Fut.i.val which stands for Faith - Integrity- Values. They have invested in an extremely poor ghetto area. They host a clinic 3 days a week. First they gather the kids and speak to them from the word and talk about Christian values. Then they play games and end with more testimonies and teaching. They use donations as rewards for good behavior. If they see a child coming consistently and working well with others they can get new cleats or clothes. It is a great example to see they way they selflessly give to this community that could never give anything back to them. They are following God's plan.

Our last game was after a long day and it was expected to be a pretty challenging match against much older girls. The girls played really well despite being tired, cold and wet! The score was 0-1. After the game Liz was able to give her testimony and we handed tracks to the other team.

I think it was a fulfilling way to end our time here in Costa Rica.

We will boarding the plane shortly. Please pray that these things that we have seen and heard will stay in our hearts.

4x4 and a Fog Cloud

Today has been a very long and rewarding day. As the days are winding down, we feel the need to fit more and more into each day. God has used some amazing people to help facilitate our time and let us experience new things.

As originally planned, today was our day to go zip-lining. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Their was no rain and the sky was clear enough to see a volcano in the distance that is usually covered by clouds most of the year.

Girls with the volcano in the distance

It was a vigorous hike and very exciting to make our way through the rainforest with such beautiful nature around us. We didn't see any monkeys, although some of us acted like them and we made sure to stay clear of the tarantula!

Nikki on the zipline

Steph, Sarah, Erin & Lisanne (Ocho!)

After zip-lining we went to Fresas for lunch. It was one of our favorite meals last year and this year did not disappoint. We enjoyed delicious fruit juices and typical beans and rice with meat and fried plantains!

As I mentioned before, the girls really wanted to find more ways to give back to the people around them. Ricardo, the owner of the hotel we are staying in, was anxious to connect us with a community of people very close to the hotel that are in great need of our help. They live in a very remote area and we would not be able to get their by van. Last night we purchased over $600 dollars worth of rice, beans, sugar, salt, oil, coffee, soap, and hygene items to distribute to 20 families. Today Ricardo met us with 2 of his friends with 4-wheel drive vehicles. We needed this to reach the remote areas that they live in. For us it was a great excursions, but our eyes were also opened to the reality of the way so many people live in this country.

Erin loading bags of food onto 4x4

Steph and Ruth

Sammy, Diane, Steph, Ruth, Erin, Nikki, Kate & Sarah

Coach Juan and Coach Tony giving soccer balls to family with many children

Our 4x4 excursion and the zipline were highlights of the day but we still had a game to play. It was dark and starting to rain. When we finally got to the field it was in a cloud and with the lights it was very hard to see what was going on. At times we couldn't even see who had the ball or where they were. There were many obstacles during the game, some weather related and some culture related. We came out with a score of 0-3.

Everyone was drained after such a long day of excitement, emotions and challenges. Ruth and Erin were able to give their testimonies after the game. They all pulled together to realize that despite the losses what they will remember in the end is not the score of the game but the ways they were able to witness to the other teams and reach people who really need help. Their efforts here will have eternal value more than any win can compete with.

Tomorrow we will have another full day. Please pray that all will run smoothly and that we don't have to compete with Tico (Costarican) time. Sometimes we get a little delayed!

Finding refuge

Today was a long and full day of both soccer and ministry. We started out the day with teaching PE classes at a school. Jane helped us with running drills and warm ups before playing handball and soccer. The school was in a very dangerous area but the kids all seemed to be well taken care of. Their was a dental clinic included in the school. After the class all of the little girls went around with their school notebooks to get autographs. Next we moved to another area of the school and taught another class with drills and 4 on 4 games of soccer. We were able to leave balls and jerseys with the man who is a volunteer to teach PE at the school.

Alex, Erin, Mickey with chicas from the school

Sammy in the newly renovated school at Roblealto

Our guide this week has been a 17 year old boy named Sammy who has been mentored by one of the SCORE missionaries. He has assisted us with all of our games, translations, coordination of places to visit and serve. Sammy's parents run a foster home named Roblealto. It is essential to communities outside of San Jose. We were able to visit their today and play a friendly game of soccer with some middle school age boys.

Parents that go through hard times with drugs, not having work, or being in a bad place where they cannot take care of their children can apply to have their kids live at the home. The complex has many homes, a school, farm and sports fields. Each house holds 10 children and host parents. The children can stay there for up to 4 or 5 years. This ministry that Sammy's parents support has been a great blessing to many parents and children.

We presented some balls, toys and shirts to the directors to be able to hand out as rewards for good behavior.

One of the little boys who played in the soccer game stood up and gave a testimony of what God has done in his life and what the foster home means to him.

Despite the hardships their families are enduring, there is a refuge they can go to where they can learn about the refuge they can have in God.

After a long and rewarding day the girls had another soccer game. This was the most competitive match so far. The other team was very strong at the start but we kept up. The final score was 1-3. We welcomed the challenge keeping in mind that their players were a little older and Costa Rican's are very talented in soccer.

We are ready to rest up for another full day tomorrow with some great adventures in store.

beans and RICE

Amanda

Liz

Coach Tony giving Grand Island Soccer Balls to the Costa Rican Coach

Our game today was on a turf field at a very nice sports complex. We did win the game 11-0 however the other team was not the same skill level and our translator was the ref. At one point a 10 yr old girl was on the field! Many of the players spoke English which made it easy to communicate about who we are and what we are doing in Costa Rica. After the game we stopped by a local restaurant for an authentic meal. Lots of beans and rice....and fried plantains.

We had to adjust some plans today because we were unaware that their was a holiday in Costa Rica today. Most people go to the park or take a vacation. We wanted to visit an orphanage or foster home but were unable to. The girls were a little upset because we were having trouble coordinating a way to server today. We tried many ideas but nothing followed through because of the holiday. The girls have such big hearts and were willing to sacrifice playing soccer to be able to help the homeless or visit with the elderly in a home. But nothing was working out. After stopping at one shelter that was closed, our driver and translator brought us to a Salvation Army so we could ask if there was anything they needed. They asked for rice, they just needed rice. This mission serves breakfast to about 150 homeless people each day. They were not serving today because of the holiday and were not going to be able to serve tomorrow because they had run out of rice. So we went to the closest store and purchased $200 of rice which will last 12 days.

Janine carrying rice

There are also 6 men who live in the facility so they can start to get jobs and they give a portion of their wages back to the Salvation Army so they can improve the facility and feed more people. There are just a few men who have experienced being homeless as a result of alcohol and drugs. God delivered them from that place and has empowered them to be resourceful and rely on Him to bring what they need. Today they needed rice.

A treat this evening was to go to a local restaurant with Ricardo, the owner of the hotel we are staying at. More beans and rice! He has been a big blessing to us so far and we are looking forward to getting to know him better throughout the week. Ricardo will be making some connections for us over the next few days so we can make donations and provide basic food supplies for very remote families.