Half way home

Dr. Hargrove and I wanted to update you on the mission. Our students are working incredibly hard both on site and with their academics. They are doing a great job! This week, as Suzanne pointed out in her previous post, we're working with an affiliate of Goodwill. Our mission this week consists of painting the front exterior wall, the rampway for handicap access, the front fence, and the front gate. It's a lot of work but our students are up to the challenge. We have one more day in San Jose before we head off to Manuel Antonio. MA is located in the southwest corner of Costa Rica on the Pacific Ocean. We'll take a tour of the national park on Saturday morning and then turn the students loose for some much needed rest before coming back Sunday evening. Next week we start our project at Funda Vida, which is also located in San Jose. FV is an organization that cares for children from low income families. They've just purchased a building which is in dire need of some TLC. So we'll be doing some more scraping, sanding, and painting, the Lord's work as Pator Dimas calls it.

Let me say a word about the Goodwill affilliate. The Goodwill affilliate is home for many of the disabled adults in the area. They operate as a nonprofit and all the staff volunteer their time to support it. No one is paid a salary. It truly is a labor of love for the volunteers who take care of these adults. Without this facility these adults would have nowhere to go or nothing to do. Here at the affiliate they work on their fine motor skills by putting together games, closepins, and other items which are then sold all over Central and South America. The money they do make from the work goes straight back into the affilliate in order to keep it open on a daily basis. Without such a place, they would not be making the contribution they do. Every morning they greet us with a great big smile and a pat on the back. It's been very moving to work with them.

The building we're working on is in need of repair. Without the help of your sons, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers, they would not be able to do the work themselves since they cannot afford the materials or the workers to complete the task at hand. The work we're doing here is just as important as the work we did at the church last week. It may not seem glamorous or related to the way we understand "mission" work, but it is very important work and we're glad we could support this most worthy cause.

Today was our last full day at the Goodwill affilliate. We got quite a bit accomplished today. We even had time to play a little soccer with some kids from the neighborhood, two handsome boys, Victor and Carlos, and two beautiful little girls, Julianna and Rebecca. We had a blast! At the end of the day we were invited in for a group picture with the staff and the adults. The adults made a sign in Spanish that translated to "Thank you so much and may God bless you"! It was a touching moment and a great way to end the day. I hope we can get that one posted ASAP for you to see.

Please continue to keep Dr. Hargrove and all of our students in your thoughts and prayers. Again, we're very proud of all of them for all their contributions on this mission.

Joseph, Joshua, and Javan I think about you all the time. I miss you all very much. Please continue to take care of your Mom, and Peaches too! God bless.

Buenas noches!

Greg Domin