Thanks for joining me on my mission trip to Costa Rica.
I headed out early Tuesday morning, kissed David goodbye, and made my way through American Airlines’ new automated check-in service. Gone are the days of a person checking you in. Everything is automated. My machine wouldn’t process my e-ticket, so I stood in line and waited to speak the attendant. She informed me that they no longer had computers that could check in customers that I had to use the automated system. She sent me back to the station of computers and told me to ask the manager in that area for help. When I told the manager at the station that the computer would not process my ticket, she sent me to another line. The gentleman at the counter of the second line walked me back to the automated computer stations and using his override key, successfully got me checked in. I then had to take my suitcases back to the first line, get baggage tags and then manually take my suitcases to the security scanning area where they would be scanned and then loaded on the plane. I then headed to the gate with time to spare. Not once did I lose my cool. My thought was, “I’m on God’s mission, He will take care of it!”
I flew into Miami airport awaiting my connection and had the pleasure of meeting my parents and Ruby, since we were all transferring planes out of the Miami airport. We boarded the plane together. Ruby went to first class (She was cashing in her frequent flyer miles), and I was able to convince a kindly passenger to trade seats with me so my folks and I were able to sit together. We caught up for a bit since I hadn’t seen them since last year. Then I dozed off for a bit. (I’ve always been able to sleep quite easily on planes.) When I awoke and looked out the window I saw a large spread of rich green trees and land as far as my eyes could see. It was very lush green. No visible signs of civilization. I’m not sure where we were. We were 30,000 miles in the air, so I’m not sure, Mexico maybe.
We arrived safely at the San Jose Airport in afternoon around 4pm Costa Rican time which is one hour earlier than EST and two hours earlier than USVI time. We made it through customs and immigration. Thankfully Mom had printed out the emails with all the addresses and contact names in Costa Rica. I would have been stuck on the questions asking where are you staying and who in the country do you know?
We get the to baggage claim and for some reason, I have a sinking feeling about my bags. And yes, one of my suitcases is missing!
I filled out the missing baggage claim, give AA all my contact info of the hotel we are staying in 4 hours drive away, and say a prayer hoping for the best. For some reason I’m surprisingly calm. I even smiled and laughed with the attendant. She gave me a small bag of toiletries with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Again my though was, “I’m on God’s mission, He will take care of it.” If God’s sees it in His best interest for me not to have church shoes or church clothes to wear, since it is in the missing suitcase, I’ll still go in sneakers and jeans.
>
We met Pastor Dobias who was waiting for us outside. We then waited for another group of volunteers that were coming in from Idaho. We all, 18 of us total, then took a small bus from San Jose to the town of Siquirres. It was about a four hour drive through a rainforest, up one side of a mountain, down the other to this quaint town where our HUB site is located. It was a dark, foggy ride and it was raining. We couldn’t see all that well looking outside the windows and I was wondering how was the driver seeing as we drove around the winding roads. But I knew, “We were on God’s mission, and He will take care of it.”
We arrive at our hotel just before midnight. Got our rooms and got something to eat at the attached restaurant that was still surprisingly open. The next morning we got our first real look at our location. It is tropical and reminds me of being in the Virgin Islands. It is a mild 80 degrees. There are lots of palm trees, coconut trees and other fruit trees growing around. Everything is mostly green since it rains for short periods every day. Our hotel is located next to a small farm, (which explains the unique smells) also it explains all the sounds were heard during the night of cows, chickens and cats.
We spent most of our first day in orientation and didn’t have much interaction with the locals. The language is Spanish and only a very few know English. We got a break in the afternoon and were able to change some of our dollars into colones at the bank. We then went to the market to purchase water and for me, I had a list of necessities I needed to replace. <
But here is how the Lord works. Just before we left for the market, I went to the receptionists and told her that my suitcase had been lost and that AA said they would deliver it if they found it. I was informing her in case someone came while I was away. (Although I was wondering would they really deliver it, if they even found it, and would they even find this hotel out in the middle of no where.) I was in the minivan with the other group members just as we were about to pull out, a man yells out for us to stop ---someone wants to see me. I get out of the vehicle and there is my missing suitcase! AA had found it, drove it the 4 hours to the hotel, and wanted to personally deliver it to me with their sincere apologies. Praise God!! Isn’t God good! God had already answered my prayer hours ago and it was simply on its way! I didn’t have to get anything at the market …..except the drinking water! ☺
Tonight we are meeting with our translator. We are also going to actual site where the meetings will be held and will work out all the final details to begin the crusade tomorrow night. Keep us in prayer. God is already doing amazing things, it’s already on the way!
I headed out early Tuesday morning, kissed David goodbye, and made my way through American Airlines’ new automated check-in service. Gone are the days of a person checking you in. Everything is automated. My machine wouldn’t process my e-ticket, so I stood in line and waited to speak the attendant. She informed me that they no longer had computers that could check in customers that I had to use the automated system. She sent me back to the station of computers and told me to ask the manager in that area for help. When I told the manager at the station that the computer would not process my ticket, she sent me to another line. The gentleman at the counter of the second line walked me back to the automated computer stations and using his override key, successfully got me checked in. I then had to take my suitcases back to the first line, get baggage tags and then manually take my suitcases to the security scanning area where they would be scanned and then loaded on the plane. I then headed to the gate with time to spare. Not once did I lose my cool. My thought was, “I’m on God’s mission, He will take care of it!”
I flew into Miami airport awaiting my connection and had the pleasure of meeting my parents and Ruby, since we were all transferring planes out of the Miami airport. We boarded the plane together. Ruby went to first class (She was cashing in her frequent flyer miles), and I was able to convince a kindly passenger to trade seats with me so my folks and I were able to sit together. We caught up for a bit since I hadn’t seen them since last year. Then I dozed off for a bit. (I’ve always been able to sleep quite easily on planes.) When I awoke and looked out the window I saw a large spread of rich green trees and land as far as my eyes could see. It was very lush green. No visible signs of civilization. I’m not sure where we were. We were 30,000 miles in the air, so I’m not sure, Mexico maybe.
We arrived safely at the San Jose Airport in afternoon around 4pm Costa Rican time which is one hour earlier than EST and two hours earlier than USVI time. We made it through customs and immigration. Thankfully Mom had printed out the emails with all the addresses and contact names in Costa Rica. I would have been stuck on the questions asking where are you staying and who in the country do you know?
We get the to baggage claim and for some reason, I have a sinking feeling about my bags. And yes, one of my suitcases is missing!
I filled out the missing baggage claim, give AA all my contact info of the hotel we are staying in 4 hours drive away, and say a prayer hoping for the best. For some reason I’m surprisingly calm. I even smiled and laughed with the attendant. She gave me a small bag of toiletries with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Again my though was, “I’m on God’s mission, He will take care of it.” If God’s sees it in His best interest for me not to have church shoes or church clothes to wear, since it is in the missing suitcase, I’ll still go in sneakers and jeans.
>
We met Pastor Dobias who was waiting for us outside. We then waited for another group of volunteers that were coming in from Idaho. We all, 18 of us total, then took a small bus from San Jose to the town of Siquirres. It was about a four hour drive through a rainforest, up one side of a mountain, down the other to this quaint town where our HUB site is located. It was a dark, foggy ride and it was raining. We couldn’t see all that well looking outside the windows and I was wondering how was the driver seeing as we drove around the winding roads. But I knew, “We were on God’s mission, and He will take care of it.”
We arrive at our hotel just before midnight. Got our rooms and got something to eat at the attached restaurant that was still surprisingly open. The next morning we got our first real look at our location. It is tropical and reminds me of being in the Virgin Islands. It is a mild 80 degrees. There are lots of palm trees, coconut trees and other fruit trees growing around. Everything is mostly green since it rains for short periods every day. Our hotel is located next to a small farm, (which explains the unique smells) also it explains all the sounds were heard during the night of cows, chickens and cats.
We spent most of our first day in orientation and didn’t have much interaction with the locals. The language is Spanish and only a very few know English. We got a break in the afternoon and were able to change some of our dollars into colones at the bank. We then went to the market to purchase water and for me, I had a list of necessities I needed to replace. <
But here is how the Lord works. Just before we left for the market, I went to the receptionists and told her that my suitcase had been lost and that AA said they would deliver it if they found it. I was informing her in case someone came while I was away. (Although I was wondering would they really deliver it, if they even found it, and would they even find this hotel out in the middle of no where.) I was in the minivan with the other group members just as we were about to pull out, a man yells out for us to stop ---someone wants to see me. I get out of the vehicle and there is my missing suitcase! AA had found it, drove it the 4 hours to the hotel, and wanted to personally deliver it to me with their sincere apologies. Praise God!! Isn’t God good! God had already answered my prayer hours ago and it was simply on its way! I didn’t have to get anything at the market …..except the drinking water! ☺
Tonight we are meeting with our translator. We are also going to actual site where the meetings will be held and will work out all the final details to begin the crusade tomorrow night. Keep us in prayer. God is already doing amazing things, it’s already on the way!
I am looking forward to what great adventures God has in store for us!
1 comment:
Hi Jewell! I'm very thankful that you & your family made it safely. Already God is answering prayers! That cute little thing you are holding - what is it & will you be able to bring it back?! lol Much love and continued prayers.
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