Maggie speaking for the whole group

We had church today with the Cabecars and it was an amazing experience. These are people who truly love the Lord! They all pray at one time - even when the pastor is praying. They sing and worship just like we do. The ladies all showed their quilts and were so proud. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Many of them came the first day with no expression, very reserved and withdrawn. But in church today they were all a totally different woman! Laughing and smiling and so apreciative. It was so nice to be part of the blessing. Michelle and I took the children out to Sunday school when the message started. There were ONLY 22 children! We were quite busy taping Ester crowns and had a coloring book about the story for them. Then our bus came and we started back to the city. One unload to cross a river and one flat tire later, we made it!
Tomorrow will be another busy day, and then back home.
Can´t wait to see all of you!

Maggie :)

Hola again!

What a busy day! I'm sure we will ALL sleep well tonight :) It's hard to believe this is our last night in this area. What a joy these Indian women have been. Sharilynn & Lindsey gave several haircuts today, Michelle helped the teens with bracelet beading, Lindsey also showed the teens how to make decorated hair accessories, while Maggie, Teresa, Julie and I helped the women finish their quilts. Tomorrow we will be able to start our day a tiny bit later - their church service starts at 10 am and goes 'til 1 pm. Please don't get any ideas Pastor Terry ;) haha! We will be leaving here at around 3 pm - then starts our BUMPY ride back. Looking forward to getting alot of good pics though. We arrived in the dark so I guess we missed some awesome scenery.
Still missing you all!
Tammy

Hola from Teresa!

It is Saturday night already! What an awesome day we had. The women finished their quilts and we gave them ribbon, pom-poms, trim, etc so they could decorate their quilts. They really went wild when they decorated them! They are so creative. It was so awesome to see their smiles, laughter and talking to one another. We each made up a little packet of things to give to the woman that we worked with. We included, a lip stick, finger nail polish, hair bands, a comb, emery board, and lip gloss. They said that they are coming to church tomorrow with their nails done, lipstick on and hair done up. They each gave us a hug goodbye. Some will not be joining us tomorrow for worship because the live so far away. Some walked up to 4 hours just to get here. It would take us 9 hours to walk there. It just shows how physically (it's mental too) fit they are.This is walking through the jungle, up many muddy and slippery paths. It's interesting we can complain because we can't find a parking space close to the door.

Kathy, you asked about info about the junge. It rains alot, very muddy and you slip and fall and get mud all over you when you take a walk through it. Lots of very tall trees (banana trees, etc), vines, very tropical looking. There are no monkeys here because they have all been eaten. Believe it or not we saw pigs, cow, chickens and horses. Not quite what you would expect. I did take lots of pics. Looking forward to showing them to you all!

Tomorrow we leave this area to stay with other missionaries at another compound. I hope to get a good night's rest. Love you all!

Hola from Maggie again

Today was an incredible day! The ladies all finnished their quilts and the joy on their faces was the coolest thing! These women have been such a blessing to me in so many ways. During Bible study time, it is amazing to see them trying so hard to soak up as much kowledge as they possibly can. Mayala, in particular just can't seem to get enough.
It has been such an incredible experience to be part of history. We have been told that this is the first time that there has been a women's conference for these people. They have been so receptive to us all.
Still missing you all. If anyone reading this talks to my husband, teach him how to reply, PLEASE!!!

Maggie :)

PS - there will be NO SEWING when I get home!

What a blessing it is..

Hola;!!! Everyone, all is well here!! It has been so amazing just being here, these women have really opened up and smiled. It is awesome to think this is the first time a team of women have come here to teach like this. I feel it is an honor for us all to be a part of this. The Jones family, have been here for 40+ years and this is the first for this. God, sure has allowed everything to fall into place from every detail. He sure is a detailed oriented God!!!! The veiw and the beauty of Gods handy work is breath taking so green and lush. Phillp and Saukeen have true hospitaliy in hosting us and the gift of serving God by teaching to the Caebecar Indians. It sure is a privilage to also be here and teach & serve.
We have been on 3 hikes, wow I'm sure out of shape but will in shape. The moutains and trails we have been on have are steep, muddy, ruff and a challenge. But FUN..
Saukeen is having a bible study with the Caebecar women on the book of RUTH, in caebecar. It is the first time to have a bible study with the women by themselves. We have been part of it. They have a desire to know Christ more. We should have the desire just the same. We prayed over these women and they have so appreciated it, that has been emotional for them and us.. We will be needing prayer for our big day on Saturday, I will be cutting hair all day and will be finishing up the Beautiful quilts they have made, teaching the crafts and etc. Also, Sunday is our trip back to the city, pray for safety.
Thak you all for supporting this trip, I have been blesse!!
Love, Sharilynn

Friday already?!

Today we worked on quilting and more than half of the women finished! It was an awesome feeling of fellowship and accomplishment today! To actually see this amazing quilt that they made by hand to take back to their families was really something. Quilting wasnt the only art we brought to the Cabecars....last night after dinner we showed two of the Cabecar women, Margherita and her daughter Rita, how to knit! It was so amazing to see how these women just pick up things so fast! It feels really good to know that these skills are going to be carried on and on and on to other Cabecars whom they will teach! Cameron made a comment on how this week has been like "Bible camp", and it is so true. Studying the Word with one another and using our own skills and abiliities to connect with another culture. I am so grateful for this and I know the Cabecar women are so grateful for all of this too.

We went on another nature hike today with Emily, Abby and Christine as our guides. It was so beautiful! God's creation is breathtaking! I cannot imagine being able to see this view of mountains and plants and flowers and waterfalls on a daily basis. What a blessing.

This entire experience has been filled with the Holy Spirit! Truly.

This is Teresa typing on Michelle's blog:

What an adventure this has been! I am very much enjoying the quiet time in the morning. I sit on a rock by a waterfall and spend time reading the Bible, praying and journaling. I love hearing the sound of the water. It's very peaceful. The quilting has been going very well. Some of the Cabecar women can sew very fast. It's been fun seeing the fabrics that they pick out. It's like their personality comes out in the selection of the fabrics. I can't wait to see them all done!

In the weeks before coming to Costa Rica, I walked on the treadmill. I must say that it didn't really prepare me for the steep climbs that I did the last two days. I had a hiking buddy, Abigail, a friend of the Jones' hike with me. I was always at the back of the pack and would stop and rest. Tatianna, a Cabecar Indian, stopped to get me a walking stick. That was so sweet of her and it made my travels so much asier. I was trying to think of where in Michigan there were as steep hills as here and we couldn't think of any. Today we hiked to a Cabecar home. Up several steep hills, through the jungle which was very muddy from the rains earlier, through a stream that was very cold but felt wonderful and up another steep hill. Total, it was about 2 miles. We visited for awhile and they served us tea. We will post the video of the home later. The Cabecar's live very simple lives. They walk miles and miles everyday. One of the women who came to learn to quilt walked 4 hours to get here. The hike back was easier, because it was mostly downhill, but it was very slippery and muddy and it was getting dark. I thank God for giving me the strength to make that hike. The jungle was beautiful and I enjoyed the conversations with Abigail. I know I will sleep well tonight!

I got back in time for a delicious dinner. We had tacos, Costa Rica style. The food has been fabulous! I love and miss my family and friends, but the time here has been awesome! Looking forward to what God has in store for us tomorrow! Love to Bob and the rest of the family!

Greetings from Maggie

First contact at last!
The trip has not been an easy one by any means, but it has been a blessing. The Cabecar women are very friendly, kind, and extermely appreciative. They are picking the skills up very well, and the communication barrier has not been bad at all. We get our point across by hand gestures and a lot of modeling. Some of the women sew VREY quickly, and straight!
The starts very early, as some of the other ladies have said. What they have left out is really a prayer request. You see, the Jones family has some roosters. They have broken internal alarms! They start crowing about 3am - if God can close the mouths of lions, surely with you all praying He can close their beaks!!
I am missing my family terribly. I love you all.
See you soon,
Maggie :)

Hola! from Costa Rica!! Wow! What an experience this is :) Last night after supper Phillip and Saukeen told us a little bit about themselves, how they met and what brought them to this ministry. What a wonderful blessing they are! After that us "girls" went back to our house and had our own devotional andshort of a wind-down time. That was a blessing to me - what awesome friendships we are forming. Our hope was to be in bed by 9ish. Our days start very early here :) After our own personal quiet-time with God, and another great breakfast we headed to the church to have a Bible study time withthe Cabecar women (studying the book of Ruth, which has been quite cool to me-most of the girls went on a hike yesterday afternoon and Maggie and I stayed behind and had our own little devotional time with both of us reading the book of Ruth) and then to get started with our sewing. Pretty comical - the Cabecar woman I am paired up with to "teach" (Zoila) was sewing circles around me :) Haha! Maggie and I stayed behind this afternoon to help finish up some sewing so we are ready to move on the the next step tomorrow and the rest of the group took another hike to one of the Cabecar woman's home (Maria). I'm looking forward to hearing all about it and see some of the great pictures I know they took.

I am missing my family (AND FRIENDS ) very, very much! And yes that also means the furry ones ;)
Love to you all!
Tammy

Feb 2, 2011

I just want to start out by saying how amazing the Jones family is. They are the family that we are staying with. (Phillip, Saukeen and their 4 children) On their property they have a home, guest home, church, school, and a Cabecar house in the making) This morning we woke up and all split up for an hour of prayer. We were encouraged to go and find an area that we could read or journal or pray. After that we all met for breakfast. Carmen, a Costa Rican missionary who is currently staying with the Jones' does most all of the cooking. the food needless to say was delicious. After that we went into the church and met with Cabecar women for a Bible study. Saukeen led the trilingual study (Cabecar, English, and Spanish). The love of the Holy Spirit present was beyond words. Each of the women shared a little about themselves and we prayed for each of them. Then the crafts began. We began step one to making our quilts. We have most of the prep work finished and tommorow we will begin sewng!

What an adventure God has given us...

Hola!! Wow what an adventure we are having. Our flights went smooth, except we left late in Detroit getting deiced. So, we were late getting into Charlette, NC and we ran to our flight and praying all our bags would make with us. Praise GOD they did.. The drive to the Jones' was quite the adventure ride. Driving in Coasta Rica is just crazey, but our driver was awesome. Then we reached the mountains what a beautiful sight and winding roads. Dirts roads, if love to mud bogg, you would have had a blast. Thankgodness, for my motion bands. Lots of bumps, potholes, water over roads, the singing bridges, and curves. I'm glad it was dark out. The drive from the airport was about 5 hours. When we arrived we had dinner and was ready for bedtime..
The alarm was set at the wrong time and went off Theresa got at 4 am and took a shower. Then I got up and took mine. I woke up Michelle and she said oh it is still dark it is not time to get up yet. Go back to bed for 2 more hours. Then the roaster started to crow.. what a pleasant sound!!! The day here has been beautiful and God has blessed thus far.. What an amazing time
we are having with the Jones and the Caebecar women.

To my family I love you and missing you..,
Thanks for Loving me oh so well,

Sharilynn

Greetings from Costa Rica!

Hello Mr. Spann and my wonderful students... I bet that as I write this you're all enjoying a wonderful snow day? We are having a great time in Costa Rica! Yesterday the Lord blessed us with some terrific travel - we managed to avoid the snow in Michigan, raced through the airport to catch our plane in North Carolina, and finally landed safely in Costa Rica. But that's only where the adventure begins!!! We had a 4+ hour van ride into the jungle and the road was bumpier than you could imagine. The roads were very narrow and I thought that at times we were going to tip right over the edge... our van drove over bumps and stones and tiny rivers of water until we finally made it to our jungle home.
This morning we woke to a beautiful view of many kinds of fruit trees - tangerines, papaya, and grapefruit. We started the day with a little "God-walk" (remember those 2nd and 3rd grade?) and I found a quiet spot on the hillside to look at God's creation and read from His word. For the rest of the morning we studied the book of Ruth with the Cabecar women and then began our quilting projects. I think that you would all love it here very much! I can't wait to share more about our adventures and thank you for praying for all of us.
God bless,
Mrs. Kreh (a.k.a. Julie)

Praise!

I Just wanted to tell you a praise: today I went out to lunch with my friend Julia and I was telling her about a little anxiety I was having. You see, 6 years ago I flew down to Costa Rica for the very first time. I was going there to learn Spanish after I graduated from college. The Spanish school I chose had a big brother/big sister program. This program was to help the incoming students find a place to live, show them where things were, and to pick them up from the airport. Well, when I arrived in January 2005 there was nobody at the airport. I was in a foreign country with no ride and no idea where to go. I didn't even know how to call my family back home for help. To add to my stress, I was toting two 70 pound suitcases.(I was moving there for half a year) Therefore, I couldn't move to far. Thankfully after standing around for 2 hours or so and being haggled by the taxi drivers one of them offered me his cell phone. I called the school and by the fifth try someone picked up. It was a Sunday afternoon and the school is closed but this someone had forgotten something and returned to the office. I believe the Lord intervened to help me. So eventually I got to where I needed to be and for my big sister, I can't be upset with her, her father died and she went back to the US to go to his funeral.

Since this time, I have flown many times into Costa Rica and every time I have a little anxiety that my ride won't be there. So, just after telling this story to my friend Julia, I received an email from the missionaries assuring me that my ride would be there. The Lord is FAITHFUL in His timing!

I cant believe the time is finally here!

I finally finished packing my suitcase! What a relief that was. We spend the afternoon at the church packing up all of our supplies....6 suitcases! It is so wonderful to see the generosity of people! I am really excited to use arts, crafts, and hair cutting as a way to minister to other women. I'm so thankful to be a part of such an awesome team of women! I pray to God for strength and wisdom for all of us on this mission! 31 hours until departure!

The Devil's not going to Win

Wow, we have been all been handed trials this week. Spiritual warfare it does attack us all in different ways. From locking keys in your car, family in the hospital, and my daughter Elizabeth, breaking her arm. Yes, she broke her arm on Saturday @ a birthday party. Please, pray for her healing!!

Well we are packed we have 7 suitcases full of supplies to take weighing 50+lbs. Thank you, to all have given. Overflowing with thankfulness. I went last week to Michigan Beauty Supply to buy our bio-degradeable shampoo and in conversation. I mentioned our mission trip and what we were doing. That I was going to teach haircutting and manicures. How cool!! I get to teach something I do, everyday and use it as a ministry. They ended up donating some supplies to our trip.. Thank You!! The Devil is not going to win, we are putting on the armor of GOD. Trust in him and lean on him in all situations that we are faced with. Yes, I think we are all a little scared, nervous, excited about the adventure of the unknown!!

God is Good, Please Pray for us all!!

Sharilynn

Time is getting close

We are in the home stretch right now. I have my bag almost all packed! Just tying up some loose threads (pardon the quilting pun) making sure Rich can keep his trips to the grocery store to a minimum while I am gone. Sometimes, that is a challenge when you have to cook for 10 kids!

I have been so overwhelmingly blessed by everyone in preparing to go. People have volunteered to help Rich with daycare, people have been fervently praying, and people have dug very deeply into their pocket books. I have been so touched by every gift I have received, a mere "thank you" doesn't express my heart.

There have been so many opportunities to share the gospel with people before I have even left, from the WalMart girl helping me get a camera case, to the Fashion Bug clerk helping with zip line pants, to a group of ladies I get together with bringing sheets to me. It has already been a blessing, I can't wait to see what God has in store for us when we get there!

Thanks again to you all!
Maggie :)

A typical day in the jungle...

The following is a typical day that we may have while we are in the jungle.

6:30-7:00 a.m. - get up and ready for the day
7:00 a.m. - breakfast
7:45 a.m. - Saukeen Jones a missionary will give a devotion in the Cabecar language
8:15 a.m. - teach quilting classes until lunch
12:30 p.m. - eat lunch
2:00 p.m. - continue teaching quilting and teach teen girls other trade crafts
6:00 p.m. - eat dinner
7:00 p.m. - our hairdressers will be teaching a few women how to cut hair
8:00 p.m. - devotions
9:30 pm - off to bed

We shall see when we arrive what our days will actually look like. More on this later.
Michelle

God provides!

It is so awesome to see how God provides for the needs of His people and for the Cabecar women. I received a the card in the mail from a dear friend. It read, "You are getting this contribution earlier than I planned (this was around Christmas) because the Lord sent me a check for a settlement from Centurytel. (My phone I had when I lived in Caro 10 years ago.) I'd filled out the claim form and had completely forgotten about it. Our church is challenging us to give to people in need, so I am giving to the Cabecar women. I thank the Lord that He has enabled me to do this."

I am so blessed to serving on team with these wonderful women who love the Lord and desire to serve Him fully. It's been great getting to know each and everyone of you.
Blessings,
Teresa

My turn!!!

Ok, I guess it's my turn since I'm the last to hear from ;-) Things are falling into place for the trip - it's getting close!! Very exciting! It has been amazing to see the how well we have bonded as a group and the friendships we are forming before we even go on the trip. It's been heartwarming to listen to everyone share their testimony. I'm still working on my Spanish - please pray for me in this area. Thank you so much for partnering with me on this trip with the very generous financial and prayer support. It's overwhelming to me (in a good way :-) )!!
Blessings!
Tammy

generosity

Today Teresa and I (Michelle) did all of the supply shopping for our trip. We were awed by the amount of generosity we encountered. We shopped at the Joann's for the bulk of our supplies and the workers there, after hearing that we were going on a mission trip, were super helpful and trying to find ways for us to cut costs. Many of them took extra time with us by asking many questions about our trip and asking if they could come. What sweet dear women.

We then headed to Fabric Fair in Bay City to find some inexpensive fabric to be filler in our quilts. We told the sales lady about our trip and I asked her if she wanted to help us out in any way. She said, "definitely!" She was so enthusiastic about our trip. She gave us a great discount on bolts of fabric. She also asked us to make a small sign that she could put out for her customers to donate fabric to our trip as well. How sweet! When we were walking out the door another worker called behind us and said, "spread the Word!" What encouragement from a perfect stranger. Teresa and I just looked at each other and giggled with excitement and thanked the good Lord for these blessings.

Next we headed to lunch where Teresa asked our waitress if she had any prayer requests that we could pray for. She was taken back but in all seriousness asked for us to pray for guidance for her life. Teresa asked her more specific questions about her life and what kind of direction she was looking for. The waitress seemed grateful for someone to ask.

Lastly, we headed to Purple Sage, where we met Sarah. We told her about our mission trip and she was delighted to tell us that they would be happy to support our trip and donate all of the beads. Teresa and I couldn't believe it! Sarah picked out 9 strands of seed beads and told us to pick out 6 special decorative per strand. We cut each strand in half to make up 18 little kits for bracelets. She provided the little bags, the clasps, crimps, and loops to attach the bracelets. She even suggested and donated a charm of a vintage looking cross for each bracelet to go on each one. She taught us how to put them together and gave us printed instructions in case we forgot. What an amazing time we had there. She was very encouraging. As Teresa and I walked to the parking lot together we grabbed each other and in unison sent up our thanks to the Lord. We were so giddy!

Generous: the trait of being willing to give your money or time
A BIG THANK YOU!! to the stores listed below. You gave to our trip/cause today so generously.


Check them out at: http://www.purple-sage.net/

Check them out at: http://thefabricfair.com/shop/

Michelle

It's getting close!!

WOW!! How time has surely come upon us fast. I'm getting very excited about this trip, yet still nervous not really knowing what to really expect. But, God is in full control!!! We really had a great time bonding Sunday, as a group. It was like Christmas, going thru some of our supplies. We really could still use some cotton fabric for quilting, fabric cutting shears, thread and nail polish(new or used). We thank you, for all of the donations we have already received.. I think we have come up with a schedule, for my children while I'm gone. Please pray for Paul, Elizabeth and Matthew. I'll miss them.. Pancakes and McD's will keep them full, along with PB&J's.

God's Love to All!!

Sharilynn

Team Costa Rica

Here is our team: (starting from back left) Maggie Thompson, Julie Kreh, Teresa Yaeger, Tammy Weisbarth, (middle row left) Michelle Minnihan, Lindsey Galvas, and (front row) Sharilynn Peake

I'm finally posting!

Yesterday was a great time of fellowship - eating, talking, laughing and crafting (well... more like planning our crafting) - all things we ladies love to do! We heard great testimonies from Lindsey and Maggie and I am so thankful for every person that has been vulnerable and shared a piece of her heart and life with the group. Not always easy to do but well worth it for those of us listening. Thank you to all of you who have donated so generously with gifts of money, supplies, and prayers. I feel very humbled to be a part of the group and and to be "sent" out as a representative of Grace. Hard to believe that we're getting so close - my excitement quotient has definitely gone up a few notches!!!

Praise the Lord!

Thank you so much for all your prayers. We were given the great news today that we have hot water! We found this out because of a second praise - Michelle was able to talk to communicate with the missionaries there. We were busy finalizing details today, so we didn't have time to work on our quilt. Things are coming along very nicely!

Things are getting exciting!

I found quite a few crafts that will be easily duplicated for work with the children while we are there.
I am feeling pretty good about our Spanish lessons.
Now I am praying we will have hot water!