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!
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