Costa Rica 2007

What a week!

2007-07-30T07:17:00.000-04:00

We made it back safe and sound! What an awesome week seeing God work in the lives of our friends in Costa Rica as well as our own team. God's Word was definitely shared with many people from the Sunday service, to open air preaching downtown, to one on one conversations. It is so nice to be reminded that all true believers are part of one body!

A huge thank you to all of you who prayed so diligently for us! God began to work before we even left the airport. Please pass this web site on as a testimony to your friends and family.

Our team:
Pastor Rory Wineka
Dan Klein
Jay Baughman
Mike Pence
Lynn Pence
Mim Pence
Christina Boutsikaris
Tad Leach
Scott McClain

A day of rest

2007-07-27T09:13:00.000-04:00

Thursday was a nice day of rest as we went to the beach. A few of the guys had some witnessing opportunities as well! Everyone is blessed by how God has worked this week and all of us are ready to see our families and share what God has done.

Thank you for your prayers and support!!

Almost there!

Yikes!

Dan waiting to surf a set

Lunch

Cannon Ball!!

Open Air

2007-07-25T23:09:00.001-04:00

Today was a great day of sowing seed! God held back the rain all day! We went downtown and Greg was first to do some open air preaching and then Will. We had good crowds and both guys spoke really well! We passed out tracts and had some conversations. It was truly a blessed time as many seeds were planted today! Please pray for God to give the increase.

Next we went back to the church and had a good time of fellowship and sharing.
Tomorrow we get some R&R as we head to the beach.
Thank you for all of your prayers!!

Greg starting things off

Passing out tracts

Some good conversations

Christina using her Spanish!

A local heckler

Will takes a turn

Tin roof -Part 2 (Tuesday)

2007-07-24T22:32:00.000-04:00

Today was a good day of work. We finished up the roof and did some painting. The shop owner, Isaac, was very thankful. We were all picturing the thousands of tracts that will be passed out from there next week. We spent the better part of the day there and afterwards ate at the church. Tomorrow we are going downtown to do some open air preaching and pass out tracts. Please be praying for the people we will be in contact with!

Day 2 - getting started

Tearing off the roof

I am NOT scraping anymore

Scraping away

Hey...no photos please!

Chatting with Isaac...the shop owner

Looking good!

Painting in style

Hey! 5 colones!!

Tin Roof...Rusted (Monday)

2007-07-24T00:07:00.000-04:00

Today we started work on a tire repair shop in Cartago. About one and a half million people will be walking down the road the shop is on during Romeria next week. Greg has a deal with the owner to fix his roof. In return Greg will be able to setup a tent on his property to pass out over 200,000 gospel tracts during Romeria. Coca-Cola has donated the money for the tent, uniforms, hats, and also cokes to sell as well. Because it rains every day during this season we had to divide the work. Today we painted the tin and prepared the framing. Tomorrow the new tin will be put up and we'll paint the shop.

Next we took a quick trip to see the basilica. (the main Catholic church of Costa Rica)

Afterwards we had dinner and played volleyball at the church. Everyone is doing well and having a blessed time serving the Lord and fellowshipping with our Costa Rican friends.

The tire shop

The roof

The road in front where the people will be walking by

You missed a spot!

Master painter Dan-o and his assistant Taddio

We put Rory to work too!

A Coke and a smile

The foreman inspecting the work

Get it Christina!

Sunday at the churches

2007-07-22T21:52:00.000-04:00

Today was a great day spending time with Greg's congregation. It was a time to meet new people and see some old friends. After service we had lunch (rice and chicken) at a local seminary. Afterwards we went up into the mountains to a small startup church. The Pastor heard Greg preaching on the street one day, got his tract, called him up and invited him to preach. It was a pentecostal church but the Pastor seemed to have a heart for the Lord. Greg preached a strong message based on the "good test", judgment for our sins and restoration. It was very well received by the people. Tomorrow we will be doing some construction work. Thank you for your prayers!

The "sanctuary"

Worship team

Some dorky gringo gave the message today

Lunch at the seminary

"Mucho good-o"

Jay "the Jolly" Baughman

Awwww

At the church in the mountains

Back to School

2007-07-22T00:19:00.000-04:00

The highlight of working with the kids today was definitely Franchesca. She received Christ as her savior as a result of the day's activities and reading one of the tracts we passed out. Praise the Lord! Greg gave the gospel to every child present and even some of the adults were interested! We went to 2 different schools today. Tomorrow after service we will be visiting another local church. Thank you for your support and prayers!

Rory, greg and Will scoping out the first school

Mike and I work out some personal issues (Biblically)

Game time!

Greg gives the gospel

Dan does the robot

Mike passing out tracts

The group

Go Christina go!

Tad teaches the kids his 20 minute workout

Coconut ice cream? Que?

Jherson with the kids

We made it!

2007-07-20T20:26:00.000-04:00

There was quite a bit of stress today as our flight out of Akron was delayed one hour! We weren't sure if we would make the connecting flight in Atlanta. Praise God we arrived in Atlanta with a few minutes to spare and the plane for Costa Rica was late! We made it on board and all of our luggage did too! God was already working before we left! Please pray for us tomorrow as we will be ministering at a local school. Check back tomorrow night for more updates.

Trying to rearrange flight times...a mess!

We made it on the plane!

In Costa Rica!

Hi Lynn!

Waiting for Greg

The soccer field in use and being rented!!

Will and Jay (the great Joton as he is called here)

Quote of the day

"This place is a 3 ring circus run by clowns"

-Rory Wineka referring to the delays by and hassle from Delta