VBS Schedule

Here is the latest update from Costa Rica:

Hi Families of Young Missionairies - 

The ministry has been fast and furious these first two days, and it's great to know that you are all praying for us as we go into each of the villages. Like I'd said before, we have divided ourselves into three (3) separate ministry groups. Each group is a stand-alone team, equipped to carry out all of the duties necessary for a successful VBS experience. Each group has been assigned two different villages for ministry this week - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Each team returns to the same sites each day, so that we can build rapport with the same kids and parents. Here is a snapshot of what each day looks like:

First, we start out with a time of open play for about 45 minutes, with the kids that are already waiting for us. We play a variety of games, including but not limited to, soccer, basketball, frisbee, jump rope, baseball with plastic bats and wiffle balls, and bubbles...lots of tiny, soap bubbles.

Second, we get the giant, colorful parachute out, to help gather the children to us, and play a couple of fun, interactive games with them. 

Next, we lead the kids in some fun praise and worship songs that we've learned in Spanish, and that leads into the memory verse that we are teaching them throughout the week. 

Now comes the lesson for the day that one of our team members gives to the group, via a Pura Vida sponsored translator. And then once the lesson is done, we try to reinforce it with a humorous, yet meaningful skit that a few of our team members have prepared (again, with the assistance of our translator).

We finish the lesson with a fun and creative theme-related craft, that the children can take home with them. As soon as our last crafts are being completed, all of the kids line up single file to get their snack for the day. By this time, we've been at the site for about 2 hours, and we usually get picked up by our bus after about 15 more minutes of play time and clean-up time.

We head back to the Pura Vida compound for lunch and rest time, and then head back out to our 2nd village at 1:30pm, to do it all over again, with our second group of children.

It's been neat to see how our kids have really started to connect with the village kids, now that they've had two days to hang out together! They are really trying hard to work at communicating with them in the Spanish language, and are ministering a ton of love through hundreds of individual interactions. You should be proud of them :)

Well, it's time for our group meeting, so I have to run...God's Grace to You and Pura Vida,

Mr. Z.

Costa Rica Mission Trip

As many of you know, Michael Durrill left late Saturday night on a mission team headed to San Ramon, Costa Rica.  His school, Cornerstone Christian Academy, is working with an organization called Pura Vida Missions running VBS in nearby villages and working on some other small projects for Pura Vida through the week.  Please pray with us for the team's hearts to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, for health and safety, and for unity among the team members.  

The first report came via email today:

Day 1 was a very good day for the team - thank you very much for all of your prayers being offered up on our behalf! Our flight to San Jose was uneventful, with most of our group sleeping for at least half of the 5 hour flight. There were some of our kids however, that felt it necessary to remain awake and talkative THE ENTIRE TRIP. Yes, I still love them, but they will be paying the price tomorrow morning when we get them up at 5:30 for our morning jog :)

 After a 45 minute drive we arrived at the Pura Vida compound in San Ramon, and were greeted with a tasty, light breakfast. We then had a couple hours of free time, which most  used to get some shut-eye...however, once again, there were some who chose not to sleep at all, but rather to play cards, jump rope, and play a strange version of basketball keep away, that they somehow managed to play with no basketball hoops...go figure.

After a tasty meal of mexican spaghetti and salad, we had a time of group orientation from the Pura Vida leaders. Then, for the next two hours, we broke up into our three (3) team groups to review our initial plans for the week's VBS activities.After that, we divided into two busses, and drove to our six village areas where we will be holding our VBS sessions, and canvassed the areas with flyers announcing our presence in their neighborhoods for the coming week. It was a great time for our kids to become acquainted with some of the locals and to see the very difficult living conditions that most of these people have come to accept as normal. 

Tomorrow (Monday), we will hit the ground running, conducting both morning and afternoon VBS's, Please pray for us that we will have God's anointing and that He will have prepared the local's hearts for ministry.

We will continue to share updates as we receive them.  Thank you for praying for Michael and the CCA team! 

- Pastor Mike

By Our Love (Song by Christy Nockels)

The wildfire assistance mission teams are honored to share this video compilation of photos from the opportunities we had to serve in Estes Park, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.  We praise the Lord for the work He did on our hearts through this outreach.

Colorado Springs Team

Our final service day was scheduled to help the victims of the Colorado Springs wildfire.  The team that day was made up of the following people:  Tyler Babb, James & Shauna Boyce, Diana & Michael Durrill, Becca Fleming, Paola Gonzalez-Pacheco, Stefan McDaniel, Kenny Post, David & Julie Rudie, and Erik Zertuche.

Fort Collins Wildfire Teams

A large group of people went up to Fort Collins and were split into two groups to work on two different homes.  The first group was made up of: Jason Ammon, Steve Fensler, Paul & Jill Ice, Adam & Rebekah Johnson, Heidi & Stefan McDaniel, and Tori Schneider.

The second group, which worked on Gary & Martha's home, included:  James & Shauna Boyce, Mike & Michael Durrill, BJ & Becca Fleming, Chris & Gannon Holder, their boys CJ & Joey and their cousin, Zachary.  CJ and Michael found a collection of rings, the most precious being Gary & Martha's wedding rings.

Estes Park Wildfire Team

On our first scheduled day of service most of the projects had been called off due to heavy rains in the area.  Lysiane Bashford & Diana Durrill were able to still join a small group of men & women from the area to help a family in Estes Park begin the process of sifting through the ashes of their home.

Colorado Wildfire Assistance

Valley Community Church members had the incredible opportunity to come alongside victims of the 2012 Colorado wildfires and serve them as they begin the process of rebuilding.

Samaritan's Purse International's relief programs provide desperately needed assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease and famine.  It is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization and we were honored and humbled to partner with them in this ministry to Colorado families.

Pictured (left to right):  Tyler Babb, Paola Gonzalez-Pacheco, BJ Fleming, Erik Zertuche, Becca Fleming, Steve Fensler, David & Julie Rudie, Jason Ammon, Adam & Rebekah Johnson, Jill & Paul Ice, Shauna Boyce, Michael, Diana & Mike Durrill
Not Pictured:  Lysiane Bashford, James Boyce, Chris & Gannon, CJ & Joey Holder, Heidi & Stefan McDaniel and Tori Schneider