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.