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.