We decided we should start our day with a good breakfast to sustain us through out our first day of VBS. We met at 6 am in our hotel's restaurant to eat at breakfast Buffett and it was delicious!
I could make myself sick off the plantains!
Photo booth prop fun!
We had a great first day of VBS! We had over 60 children in attendance! These students are from all over as many of their parents have come here to learn Spanish at the Spanish Institute to be sent out as missionaries to Spanish speaking countries. Some children were from as far away as Ethiopia and Canada while some were from as close as our back door in Charlotte.
Registration
Looks like a good crowd of kiddos
Miss Val, as she is known here in Costa Rica- welcoming the kids.
Rebecca and I aka "Fish and Bait" in our opening skit video
Today's opening theme was "God Knows Me"... Just as God knows every one of those animals he put on Noah's ark he knows us. Olive the Octopus has the adaptation of camouflage and can blend into her environment. We made camouflaged Olives and hid them from each other.
Snack break in Pelican's Seaboard
A delicious lunch was prepared for us after VBS. The spaghetti dish was very tasty and the kiwi type juice was the perfect addition to wash it down with.
Val hanging out in the tent
In the afternoon we were blessed with the opportunity to visit what we would consider an orphanage- Casa de con "House of Bread". This is an amazing story and testimony to the provision of God.
This beautiful home houses 46 children who otherwise wouldn't have a place to go.
Husband and wife, Victor and Melba, have been married for 50 years with 6 biological children. When their daughter was 13 years old she had cancer and was very sick. The doctor treating her was also treating an 9 year old boy who had cancer. The boy's family had abandoned him and the doctor asked Victor and Melba if they would care for him so the little boy didn't have to die alone. They took the boy into their home - and God miraculously healed both their daughter and new son. In thanks to God for sparing these two children's lives they promised him they would open their home and care for neglected children for the rest of their lives. So for the last 35 years they have cared for 100s of children.
The house is 3 stories tall. From the top of the house you could see into the open windows - the bunk beads where they sleep.
For the first 30 years of their ministry to children Victor and Melba lived in a much smaller house not adequate enough to house everyone. About 4 years ago a wealthy man put his house on the market. This wasn't just an ordinary house - it was a rather large southern plantation style house (like you'd see in the United States) sitting on a large piece of land in the middle of the city with enough yard for the kids to play in. The man selling the house had shown it to several prospective buyers but when he heard about Victor and Melba he gave them the house- he wanted it to be used to raise children in it as he had raised his.
Children playing in the play area when we arrived.
Seeing as rice and beans are a major staple here, eaten with every meal we wanted to bless them with some. It takes a lot to feed 50 mouths 3 times a day. The school children do not go to school for full days like American children do- so lunch is eaten at home.
Val also informed me that public schools here are in session February - November, the rainy season. Their "summer break" is December and January the "dry season".
While we were playing outside with the children I had to stop and admire some of the beautiful plants and flowers growing there.
Our observation after playing outside with these children is that our American children are given a disservice with the constant inundation of technology. These children were content with the bare minimum. They knew how to be a kid and enjoy the simple things of life.
This young lady has an amazing story. She was born perfectly healthy and normal. Her mom's boyfriend beat her head in and broke her legs before she was 2 years old. When she came to Melva and Victor she was not talking or walking. She would push herself around on her legs. She did eventually learn to talk- but she first communicated singing hymns. Her love for music was very evident today. Her smile was resilient. A missionary connection found a doctor in New York to operate on her legs and stretch the tendons in her legs. For what was a very painful procedure and recovery she showed no signs of discomfort but instead smiled - revealing she had learned to cope with immense pain at a very young age.
Mr Jason riding the see saw with a friend!
Ms Rebecca in her element playing baseball!
Melissa making a new friend.
Team work to get the beach volleyball unstuck!
Peek-a-boo! I see you!
I decided trying to get a group of little girls together for a picture is like herding cats!
Ms Rhonda blowing bubbles with a friend.
Who knew bubbles could bring such excitement to someone!
Margaret playing beach volleyball with a new friend!
When this little girl was very young her mother tried to kill her twice because she had been raped. First she tried to boil her in a pot of water but luckily the child's aunt intervened. The next time the mother placed her in a garbage bag and sealed it shut. The aunt rescued her again this time and was able to place her with Victor and Melba. Unfortunately the mother was raped again but seeing how well her daughter was taken care of- before she even had her son she arranged for him to be placed with Victor and Melba- naming the baby Victor in honor of the man who helped save her daughter. The mother came to her senses and returned for her children- taking them away from Victor and Melba. Unfortunately she became very troubled and tried to kill herself. With God's provision her suicide attempt was not successful and God opened the door for her and her two children to come back and live with Victor and Melba.
This special needs 17 year old, Luicito, was dropped off at their doorstep in a box as a tiny infant because his family didn't feel prepared to care for him. As an infant he cried a lot and Victor was the only one who could soothe him- they have developed a very close bond. When Victor has to go away he usually takes him with him.
This cutie let me push her on the swings.
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