2010 Trip is Taking Shape

Well hello friends!  It has been a long time since our last post, but I am excited to say that the 2010 Costa Rica trip is taking shape, and on July 3rd, the team leaves Edmonton, Alberta, destined for San Jose, Costa Rica!

Tonight was planning meeting #10, which is officially our last planning meeting.  Previous meetings were spent planning the work groups, the women's ministry activities, the vacation Bible school, fundraising, etc.  Tonight, time was spent preparing the team with travel information, addressing questions and concerns, discussing cultural differences, and ensuring many important details were addressed and in place.

We also spent a great time in reflective prayer.



There was also a short bit of time to work in groups on the various ministry areas, trying to finalize last minute details and plans.

It is a large team this year, with a broad mix of generations.  The team is gelling, and anticipation is building as our date of departure nears.

Please pray for the team, and the upcoming trip.  We are so needy for prayer.  Below is a quick list:
- that the Lord would supply for the needs of the team - financially and otherwise
- that He would prepare the hearts of each team member, and also every friend that we meet and contact in Guarari
- for protection as the team travels, and that our baggage would arrive safely
- for the YWAM base and the staff there
- that nerves would be settled, and that worries would cease
- that the team continues to unify and gel
- for the young children that are going on the trip this year, that their lives would be greatly impacted by what they experience in Costa Rica
- that relationships will be formed, and old ones will continue to be nurtured
- that there is less of us, and more of Him
- that we will be the hands and feet of Jesus.
- *Travel issues - Airline restrictions may substantially reduce the amount of luggage we can travel with this year, without paying extra fees for more baggage

A pressing prayer request is for the VBS planning team.  Planning the VBS activities for the children is a substantial task, and currently the group assigned to completing this task is feeling the pressure of the amount of work it is requiring this year.  As such, they have scheduled an extra meeting to get this completed.  Please pray for them specifically that their planning and details will quickly fall into place, and that the preparation and sourcing of supplies will be completed soon.

Don't forget that along with the children's ministry, we have groups planning ministry events for the women, for the men, and as well the ongoing building project  They all need your prayers.

Posts on the blog will start to ramp up now as we get closer to departure date.  Additional schedules, prayer requests, and information will be added as they come up.

Here is a higher resolution photo of the team.  Note that are four people missing from the photo. (click the image for a larger preview)