Seacoast Mission Trip Recap
Three days and two nights in a rainy, remote Indian reservation in the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica — it doesn’t sound like a dream vacation. But for the team of 15 Americans from Seacoast Church, plus another dozen volunteers, the conditions were ideal for a life-changing missions experience!
We left the “comfortable” accommodations of El Jardin Sagrado early Monday morning, embarking on our journey to the Cabecar Indian reservation near Paso Marcos, Costa Rica. The “town” of Paso Marcus is made up of a few scattered houses and one pulperia (convenience store). The Cabecar village we were going to was several kilometers past Paso Marcus, reachable only by foot, horse, or very reliable 4×4.
The bus pulled up to Paso Marcos around 10 o’clock Monday morning. It would take over two hours and four trips in the one 4×4 truck we had to carry all of our supplies and people the remaining distance to the Cabecar village. I was on the first truck ride. A handful of people, including Tomas, the pastor of the small church there, was there to greet us. I don’t think they fully understood why there were only a few of us on that first truck ride — and a mountain of supplies — but I’m sure they figured it out as loads two, three, and four of finally made it.
In all we totaled 29 volunteers — 17 Americans, 11 Ticos, and 1 Columbian — and we were going to serve Cabecar Indians with medicine, clothes, helping hands, and love.
It’s hard to paint a picture for you of how far away from the hustle and bustle of San Jose (much less the United States) this place was. But it’s even harder for me to describe what a blessing it was to meet, get to know, serve, and love the Cabecars. They were so humble, so appreciative of the medicine and clothes we gave them. I know it’s cliche, but I really felt we got more out of the experience than they did. We got to see how they live. We got to hear their language. We got to see the smiling faces of the kids as they took off their heavy rain boots and tried on sneakers for the first time. We shared meals with them. We experienced their music (which sounded a lot like Appalachian Bluegrass). And we worshiped with them.
Like I said, it’s hard to paint this picture for you, but I have an idea for giving it a shot. Actually, I have two ideas. Number one, I’ll let you see real pictures from the mission trip! (It’s a lot easier to load up a slide-show than it is to write about it!) Here’s the link.
Number two, I’m going to ask members of the mission team (you know who you are) if you’d like to share your experiences, feelings, and emotions. How did the trip to the Cabecar village affect you? How about the rest of the mission trip? And how has God used it to impact your heart? This might be cathartic for you, a way to help you readjust to life in the fast lane of America. Or it might be something as simple as “The canopy tour was really rad.” Whatever thoughts you have, we’d love to hear them, so fire away.
While we’re waiting for comments, I’m going to begin working on a video from the mission trip. I’ll have that for you soon. Until then, Sibo kjeiyinopa (that’s God bless you in Cabecar).
Bill Cecchini said:
While we’re using cliches, I’ll go ahead and get mine out of the way early:
It changed my life.
This morning I cried almost the entire way to work. I don’t cry. I’m not trying to sound like a big tough man, it’s just the truth. I’ve been moved and touched deeeeep down inside in a way that only an experience like this can do.
I think my favorite part about the trip were the relationships that were formed. It’s amazing how a trip like this can form such a strong bond between 15 strangers and a handful of Ticos who we’d never met before.
I’ll never forget this trip. It’ll always have that sweetness of “my first time.”
Toma Tomalo! Toma Tomalo!
Therese said:
This was my first (but not last) mission trip. I was amazed at the huge amount of work - money, time, prayer, energy and coordination that goes into a successful mission trip. It was so great to be a part of the work that God is doing in Costa Rica through Nathan and Amber - and all those who give of themselves to the mission field. The whole team worked as one - no task was too great or too trivial! Truly this is what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus! To God be the glory!
Tony said:
This was actually my second trip that I have taken with Seacoast. The coordination involved to have everything come together as one was amazing. We transported a large number of people into a very remote area. Some of us hiked in to save time with our only working vehicle. Once in place we began work immediately. There we worked nite and day in some of the worst conditions. The mud was everywhere, the bathroom and shower conditions were passable, but if they were any worse, it would not have mattered. I’ve never seen so many people come together to work with one common goal..To make life a little better for those less fortunate. In Costa Rica last week God was looking down through the heavens and smiled as he saw his children at their best. There were moments that I to cried and hurt inside, I want to do it again next year….
Larry Ammann said:
I personally received much more from the mission trip than I gave.
Andi Ammann said:
I have to say that this trip was an adventure. The team sacrificed so much of their comforts with no complaints. I think we are all better people for the experience and I am happy to hear they’re ready to go again. It was so heart warming to see my Tica friends again. I didn’t have to wait till heaven to hug them again. The good you all did is treasure stored up in heaven. God is pleased. Please do not let the experience fade away. Plan your next trip now.
Tiffany Walczuk said:
I’ve lived in Charleston since I was 3 but I’ve never quite felt like it was my home. Being in Costa Rica was the most I’ve ever felt at home. One of the things I miss the most is how nice everyone was in Costa Rica (that we encountered). I have never felt so welcome anywhere in my life.
“You Are Good”, Dios es bueno and Toma Tomalo will always be a part of me. Thank you, Nathan and Amber for making this the best experience of my life! I’m still so amazed at your selflessness. Yall are awesome!
Tiffany Walczuk said:
I have another thing
I just talked to Shirley online and somewhere through the bad translation (we were using translation sites) and the distance between us, we managed to thank and encourage eachother. It was a conversation that I’ll never forget, short and sweet, and it touched me deep in a place I didn’t know I had.
Nathan said:
Wow. I’m so encouraged reading all of these comments. You guys were truly a wonderful team. Amber and I felt could see your hearts melting for the Costa Rican people during your time here. My prayer is that you’ll never lose your excitement — and your burden — for serving God and people through cross-cultural missions.
Rheagan said:
This mission for me was truly life altering. It has softened my heart in a way I did not think was possible. I have spent a lot of hours this week reflecting on our days spent with the Ticos and Cabacars and at times it seemed somewhat surreal. What I realized I brought home with me was an understanding of what should be truly important in life. No its not just one thing but a multitiude of little things that never really amounted to much prior to this eye opening experience. I had prepared myself to tell stories when I returned home, none of which come out as meaningful as the moment they were created. I show pictures that again dont begin to capture the beauty of the people who surrounded us.
I had expected it to be so much more of a sacrifice and upon my return home I saw that I was willing to sacrifice almost anything to regain the feeling of sereinty that I had in Costa Rica.
I want to thank each one of my team mates for being true to who you are. If there is something I will miss most of our time together it is the honesty and truth that each of you hold. Thanks to Amber and Nathan for sacrificing all that you have to be who you are. The two of you are hands down the most incredible couple I have ever met. God blessed me with the priveledge of getting to know you both and I cant wait to see you in Nicaragua.
Rheagan said:
Forgive my spelling, I guess I should have proof read before posting
Mary Jean said:
WOW, our mission trip to Costa Rica was incredible. I tell those here in Mt. Pleasant that ask that it was “9 days with the Holy Spirit”. I have continued to pray for the Cabeca Indians. They taught me so much about appreciation, humbleness, contentment and faith. After a family walked 2 days to come to our clinic, and thanked us for their care, I knew the Lord had a plan for them. The wife, Felicia got saved right there with us! Thanks Nathan and Amber, for 9 days that I will never forget, and feel so blessed to have been a part of.
God Bless You,
Mary Jean
Nathan said:
I’m really touched by your comments, guys. Don’t lose that fire! Go on more mission trips!!!
I hope we can have a big Costa Rica reunion when we’re in Charleston in November!
Tavo Lugo said:
I can’t say enough about Costa Rica. I felt very blessed to have been able to communicate with the people. God opens our eyes alot wider when were out of our comfort zone’s. I truly hold this experience deep inside my heart. I loved meeting the Tico’s and the cabeca indians. I thank the lord for blessing me with the oportunity to serve in Cost Rica. Nathan and Amber I love you guys! Thanks for doing what you do.
God Bless,
Tavo
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[...] this guy, Bill Cecchini, when he came to Costa Rica on a medical mission with Seacoast Church in 2007. Our mutual love of blogging, sports, being sarcastic, and the concept of “real, raw [...]
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[...] this guy, Bill Cecchini, when he came to Costa Rica on a medical mission with Seacoast Church in 2007. Our mutual love of blogging, sports, being sarcastic, and the concept of “real, raw [...]