The Adventure Begins

By now most of you are aware, AnaGrace, West and I are here in Costa Rica.  We spent the first couple days with family and soon I prepared to adventure into the village of San Marcos.  On Monday July 9^th, we agreed that the kids would stay behind to be with cousins while I went into San Marcos with the Perez family.  We loaded up the pick-up with supplies and heading in for the first phase of work. 

On Tuesday, July 10^th, bright and early, the work began.  The weather was perfect.  A bit of overcast, ensuring that the sun wouldn’t make it unbearable to work.  At times it would sprinkle just enough to cool off the air. 

At 7:00am we began just the family and two other members of the community.  Soon others would join in to help.  As word got out, more joined in, young and old, others came to observe and others even came asking if we could build the next oven in their village.

I thought we would work all day in hopes that we would finish the first step, the foundation.  We worked until 10:00 pm that night, completing both the foundation and the second step including the base, made of cement block. 

Although the work was hard, the process different and the climate at times unbearable, the experience was incredible.  We would take breaks oven.  We would cut down coconuts to drink fresh coconut water (the kids you all purchase at the grocery store for $2.50).  Cristina would make sure we will well nourish, offering us fresh papaya, fresh pineapple, typical meals, coffee and plenty of water. 

Special thanks to all who have been supporting us in this effort. 

Without your support and financial help, this would not be possible.  The family is very grateful for all that we are doing.  They are excited to and feel so blessed that we have chosen them to share in this partnership.  If you did not have a chance before I left, there is still time.  We were able to raise enough money for the oven, but are now hoping to raise enough to build a shelter large enough to cover the oven and a small working area.  As in the past, you can give through PayPal, using your PayPal account or a credit card in the upper right hand corner of this blog.  If you prefer to write a check, Chato doesn’t leave until July 21^st and Jeff doesn’t leave until July 28^th.  Just let us know.  The check should be made out to Costa Rica Explorers. 

Until my next post, blessing to all!