Costa Rica Trip -- Part 2

I should have finished posting about the trip a long time ago, but I didn't take many pictures of the trip, and just recently got some pictures from someone else. These pictures shows some of what happened during the actual retreat. Again, it was for missionary women in the Costa Rica area. I'll let the pictures explain:


These are two of the team members, both from Oklahoma. They both lead sessions throughout the retreat. One lead two sessions on bitterness and forgiveness, and the other lead several sessions on children ministry.


Two more of the team members. The one on the right is from my church here in Austin. She and the main leader lead one-on-one counseling sessions with the women during the afternoon free time. The younger woman on the left was another speaker. She grew up as a missionary kid in Ecuador and went back to Ecuador after college and ran a home for abandoned children for nine years. She had to return to the states for a sudden family illness and was refused back into Ecuador, so she is now in Arizona, waiting for God to show her what He has planned for her next. She shared her story during two different sessions. Not many dried eyes after her speaking.


This is the founder of Pure Joy International and our main speaker on the trip. She is really a gifted speaker. Her story is very interesting, because she applied with the IMB two different times. However, both times when they asked her where her "people group" were located, she replied that they are all over the world, not truly understanding what that meant. Both times, the IMB refused her because she didn't have a "country" or "people group". She then realized that her "people group" were the missionary women located all over the world, and she's been traveling ever since to various countries ministering to missionary women.


During praise and worship time. The younger woman lives in the jungle ministering to the people there. She said that it had been a really long time to be able to praise and worship in her native tongue...and even see anyone other than the natives there.


Another praise and worship time. The woman with the long hair and glasses is 10 weeks pregnant...and has three grown children in their 20's! I couldn't believe it -- she is 47! Doesn't she look good?!


During craft time that was held after the night sessions. They really enjoyed these times. We also had lots of chocolate laid out on tables for them during this time. We brought TONS of chocolate...and it was all gone before the last day. True women for you!


More craft time!


We also had prayer time with the missionaries. The older woman on the left was such an inspiration to all of us. She and her husband has been living and ministering in Costa Rica for over 50 years now. She now takes care of him due to his Alzheimer's. Her whole family, children and grandchildren, all live in the same city as her and her husband. They even all gather together for lunch every Sunday, and she makes sure they speak English while together :) Such an amazing woman!

I hope that helps you understand a little more of my trip. It really was an amazing trip, and it was such a blessing to be able to minister to all the women there!