Costa Rica–update…..

July 21, 2017 | Stacy

Well – life got busy as VBS began, and I didn’t get to do daily Costa Rica updates.

But we got our son back from his first short-term mission trip in the wee hours of Friday morning.

He did not take a ton of photos, but here are some from his camera.

And I have a few some of the other members sent to me.

They spent one day doing a debriefing in a hotel on the Pacific coast. The sand was very course and the waves were strong. A few team members were baptized that day.

We are going to let him sleep in in the morning as the rest of us head out to our last day of VBS.

Nigel’s missions trip to Costa Rica–Entry 4

July 16, 2017 | Stacy

I do not have anything in the way of descriptions for today’s photos.

Nigel told me via texts that they finished the fence project today.

He also told me that he and his host family’s son, Juan Carlos, have been enjoying games of Jenga and playing soccer in the evenings. He says the food is good and he is having a great time.

Nigel’s missions trip to Costa Rica–Entry 3

July 14, 2017 | Stacy

Our pastor and wife took and shared a LOT of photos today.

My personal favorite is the one Tiffany sent me just before I went to bed. This is Nigel and his friend Gunnar on a prayer walk in Carpio. The man in chartreuse is our Worship pastor, and former piano teacher.

D.L. (pastor) explained that our team of 25 separated into four smaller groups for the morning to serve in different areas. Three members of the team took part in a women’s retreat. A couple of members worked on painting a new logo for the CFCI ministry center. Another group worked on a construction project at the CFCI ministry center. And another group ministered along side Ticos to run a children’s program for 85 children. And that was just in the morning.

After lunch the team cleaned up from the morning ministries and went on a prayer walk. During this walk they visited families that Pastor Christian ministers to frequently. They prayed for needs in their families. The last family they visited was another Pastor that Pastor Christian knows, named Alejandro. Alejandro’s son, who worked with his father has a worship pastor, was murdered just a couple of months ago. D.L. reports that team members’ hearts collectively broke for this man and his family.

As they went on the prayer walk they needed to cross this bridge one at a time.

In Carpio, they passed out some of the 1000 dresses they took from the Dress-A-Girl ministry here in Rochester. Dress-A-Girl brought 10 suitcases with 100 dresses each to our church last month for distribution in Carpio. To God be the glory!!!

D.L. explains that as they were completing their walk Brady offered to reach the high places on this painting project for the woman.

Nigel’s mission trip to Costa Rica–Entry 2

July 14, 2017 | Stacy

Team leader, D.L. Walter provided more images at the end of Day 2.
It sounds like the gentlemen in the group worked to help with construction-type projects while the ladies assisted in women’s and children’s ministries.
I know these images are not in order, because I know some are from morning worship. But I’m not sure exactly which order they DO go in, so I will just leave them like this.
I’m excited for the members of this team. It’s just so awesome to have time to focus on other people. I know that sounds funny, especially in our culture where we are so aware of our personal busyness and are always hearing how we have to carve out “me time.” In fact, I think way to often most of us are constantly aware of just how many more minutes until we have more “me time.” I love that a short-term missions trip like this encourages participants to just totally focus on what can be done in Jesus’ Name. Their host families and the ministry is taking care of meal provision. That means these workers can get up in the morning. Get ready. And GO. Go and DO.
I’m in awe of how it all comes together.
And I’m so glad Nigel could go and do.

This one is like a VBS-style or sidewalk-club style children’s ministry.

Lunch for women and children in the neighborhood.

I think this is morning worship/devotion time.

They are enjoying magic tricks despite language barriers.

D.L. preaching.

I read that these guys put in a hard day of work. Praise God for young men, strong muscles, and willing hearts!

Nigel doing, um, something…. ♥

1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace

Nigel’s mission trip to Costa Rica–Entry 1

July 12, 2017 | Stacy

Packing started slowly…

But we managed to get Nigel (and other team members) to the Buffalo airport by 5:00 A.M.

(photo credit K.Petrucci)

The team’s leader, Pastor D.L.Walter provided a quick note and a few images at the end of their very long travel day.

The team:

Some instruction.

Outside ministry headquarters.

The team members each went with their host families where they will lodge for the duration. Nigel is rooming with his friend Dom.

Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

In Between Birthdays!

July 7, 2017 | Stacy

It’s a little bit busy here these days.

We had exactly one evening where we could celebrate our July birthdays with grandparents.
Of course I forgot to take many pictures.

Nigel and Marie’s recital

June 4, 2017 | Stacy

It was a musical weekend!
Nigel and Marie had their recital this afternoon. They have been students of Nate’s for a few years, Nigel having switched from piano to guitar about 18 months ago.

It was a beautiful recital.

Flower City Work Camp – 2017

April 21, 2017 | Stacy

This was the boys’ second year participating in Flower City Work Camp. It was the first year I participated. The boys each served on Work Sites and I was an adult leader of a Sidewalk Club.

I have very few photos of the boys, but I have a lot of my time with Sidewalk Club. Our club presented two VBS-like programs at two different vacant lots in the city to the kids in the neighborhoods with the goal of sharing the gospel to them.

These photos are from throughout the week.
I reported Monday afternoon to get some group work done with our team and to decorate our vehicles.

Here’s my team. ♥

Tuesday morning I had my first taste of “send off.” This is when the Sidewalk Club teams encourage the work site kids on their way to their work sites.

Sidewalk Club teams work on their presentations for the day, and have devotions. I must say I was blown away by the devotions our student shepherds led.

We ate lunch at 10:30 A.M., loaded our cars, and went to our sites.
Our first day the weather was gorgeous. We only had a few kids at our first site, and maybe double at our second site.

Wednesday morning I got to visit a bit with Gabby, who was on another Sidewalk club. She’s from our church and I’ve know here since she was in 3rd grade.

LoDestri Foods had donated gobs and gobs and gobs of tea to the ministry. We did what we could to knock down the pile every day. We handed them out to everyone we met.

Elena being Barrabas.

Micah with some of the tea we took to the sites to give away.

Wednesday – was wet. And cold.

We got more tea on Thursday

And a ton more rain.

It was a great week. I believe seven kids came to Christ on our Sidewalk Sites.

And Nigel and Stewart had a great week on their sites, as well.

Meanwhile, Marie and Tab held down the fort at home.

Students’ CBS Play.

March 29, 2017 | Stacy

It’s that time of year again. The older kids got to be a part of the annual CBS play. Stewart has been doing FLCC Biology class this semester and was not part of the production, but he DID get finished in lab early enough to come over and watch it!