Month: June 2016

This morning the team wrapped up our water meter installation project! After lunch, we drove through the Media Queso procario where Agua Viva installed the first well. It was quite humbling to see the living conditions in these communities, and quite obvious that they would not have had access to clean water without the good work of Agua Viva. Then we had the pleasure of going to the drill site go see the latest well come alive with water. Amazing!

Part of the group handed out more shoes to the community kids, and then continued the afternoon with VBS, where Lyndsey made balloon animals for the little ones.  We ate yummy mangoes off of the trees and headed back for our farewell celebration with the Agua Viva team, where we shared Communion.  Tomorrow we head to the resort for some R&R and play time!

Our journey continues… Although we speak different languages, being a kid is a universal language.  When our Winter Park kids play with the community kids, the community kids just light up with joy. All of our Winter Park kids are trying to practice their Spanish with the community members. We got a bit of a surprise the other day:  when we were installing the water meters, Kent had had told us that there were only 5 water meters that we had to install – there were actually FIFTY. Kent had made an error in translation. Ha!  Weather-wise, it is either very hot and humid or rainy and muggy – much like Central Florida, but the rain can cycle in and out multiple times/day. More of the donated shoes from our kind Orlando friends were given to children who lived around the work sight. They were so excited!

The Kent Akins team left Saturday morning for Los Chiles, Costa Rica for a week of serving with Auga Viva Serves.  They hit the ground running on Sunday.  They skyped with the Promiseland Children back home at FUMCWP, attended a beautiful church service and led the community’s children in small groups, took a tour of AVS wells in the area, and sorted and distributed the hundreds of pairs of shoes so generously donated by FUMCWP members and their friends.  They also found time to receive some puppy love from the new AVS mascot!

Stay tuned for more pictures and stories as the week progresses.  God is moving in this place!

In Promiseland on Sunday, the kids made 200 hygiene kits for the refugees that are stranded in Los Chiles, Costa Rica. The kids packed the bags with a washcloth, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste. They also put in cards that said “Know that you are loved!” on the front. Each card was also personalized by the kids with a note or coloring. Thank you to all the kids and volunteers that helped spread the love of Jesus Christ with this meaningful project for people in need.

We welcome home three returning mission teams today and celebrate their service: The Rebuilding Hope team led by Steve Schaal worked on building accessibility ramps, installing water lines and plumbing fixtures, and painting in Dalton, GA.  The Impact Singers served and sang their way to Key West and back at places like senior centers, botanical gardens and a wildlife refuge.  Locally, Student Ministry served at South Street all week by providing day camp and working on projects around that community.  Yesterday, our first Costa Rica team left for Agua Viva Serves.  They are led by Kent Akins, and will work to provide clean water and build relationships through offering VBS in Los Chiles this week.  Please keep them in your prayers.  Our church is practicing being the hands and feet of Jesus this summer all over the world!