Starting in 2008,  each senior class at Maryville Christian School will be going on a mission trip to Costa Rica.  As a Christian school we felt obligated to give our seniors the chance to experience servanthood and ministry first hand in a foreign field.  They have had years of training in Bible classes and their churches.  Before they leave MCS, we want to prepare and inspire them for a lifetime of serving God.  What better way to conclude their years at MCS than to have them serve the Lord by proclaiming His message to the suffering and lost in a foreign land?

A mission trip is a potent way to help the seniors to grow closer in their relationship to God.  They will also grow closer to each other as brothers and sisters as they share this special time together.  Our graduates need to experience a different culture.  By going to Costa Rica, they can see how others in the world live and realize how truly blessed we are as Americans.  Perhaps most importantly, serving in a foreign field turns the focus off of oneself and on to the needs of others less fortunate.

Please click here for details of the 2009 trip to Costa Rica.

Please click here for details of the 2008 trip to Costa Rica.

Details of the 2010 trip to Costa Rica

Sunday evening, after having eaten supper together at Cracker Barrel in Cartersville, GA we arrive at our hotel near the Atlanta airport at around 8:00 p.m.  We met together as a team in the breakfast area of the hotel at about 8:30 after we put our luggage in our rooms.  Dr. Burroughs is taking the lead as far as Bible instruction is concerned this week, having prepared studies based on wisdom in Christ.  After the meeting we went to each room and weighed the check-through luggage.  While some of the students watched a DVD for awhile all were in bed attempting sleep by around 11:30. 

Monday we started our day at 3:30 a.m.  The hotel began to shuttle us to the airport at 5:00 a.m.  We were all through check-in and security by around 6:15 when we met in the food court of concourse E to eat breakfast.  Boarding began at gate 4 at around 9:00 a.m., leaving Atlanta at around 9:50.  The flight had a fair amount of turbulence but otherwise uneventful.  Tyler and John had never flown before.  John thought that the flight was boring and Tyler assumed he would be freaked out, but he wasn't.  After an extremely hard, bumpy landing we arrived at the gate around 1:00 o'clock Central Standard Time. 

We went through immigration quite easily except that I filled out my forms in pencil (so did others) and the official made me get out of line and go fill it out again in pen.  We were picked up by Evelin and other Score staff members and arrived at the Nazarene Seminary where we are staying at about 3:00 p.m. where we had a snack, rest, play, a visit to the local supermarket and then orientation at 5:30.  Supper was spaghetti and was delicious.  Devotions afterward were again led by Dr. Burroughs.  We then began telling of things we appreciated about Hannah, Cody, and Andy.  It was a wonderful time concentrating on the things the Lord has done in these three seniors' lives.  Tonight we'll enjoy hearing about biblical wisdom again from Dr. Burroughs and speak about the things God has done in three more students' lives. 

Today we had breakfast at 7:00 after many of us guys had freezing showers (but we are very awake!)  We took a public bus to the center of San Jose where we spent about an hour distributing gospel tracts and having some great Spanish conversations with the people of Costa Rica.  We also went to a local ice cream shop and panaderia (bread store) where we enjoyed the local wares. 

Right now we are having lunch.  As soon as we're done we are going to the supermarket to buy food for the poor village of el Guido where El Hueco is found.
 -Mr. Reynolds

Hi, everybody, it's Jordan.  First of all this trip is such a blessing and is amazing and we've only been here two days.  Yesterday we ate an amazing lunch at the SCORE compound (all of the food has been incredible!) and then hung out for a little while.  There are two adorable dogs here that are loving all of our attention. 

So, After we ate, we went to the grocery store to buy food and other needs for the people of Los Guido and specifically a few in El Hueco.  We bought sugar, spaghetti noodles, rice, oil, black beans, milk, and coffee.  We bought 10 of each item, and we also bought a pack of diapers.  By the way, Costa Rican stores will accept U.S. dollars, but not any damaged or barely ripped ones, and we had to figure that out the hard way.  When we got back into our bus we sorted all the food into 10 separate bags each with one of the items, and 5 of the bags received 10 diapers.

We began our drive to Los Guido, and just during the drive I could tell that this area would be extremely poverty stricken.  I noticed a lot of the structures were made out of sheets of tin.  There were adults and children alike walking around looking extremely dirty, sometimes without shoes or shirts.  Then our bus driver made a stop and Pastor Gabriel and a woman entered our bus.  Pastor Gabriel gave us a huge smile, but I could tell the woman had been crying.  The woman's attire would not hold up to our MCS "standards" of a dress code.  She had piercings and tattoos and was dressed somewhat provacatively.

We then drove a little more and then stopped and walked down to a schooling area.  There were kids ranging from 5 years old to kids our age.  Pastor Gabriel then explained what these people go through and that they are happy.  He emphasized that these people are without iPods, cell phones, FaceBook, and a lot of other things that we couldn't dream of going a week without.  Then he went on to say that these people are happy because they go to church, they praise God , they smile, and that they are happy because they have Christ in their hearts.  Pastor Gabriel then told us that these people are just like us, the only difference is hair color, eye color, and nationality.  Though there is a language barrier, we are still brothers and sisters in Christ with the people of Costa Rica.  Dr. Burroughs then prayed for all of us and after the prayer the woman that had entered the bus decided she wanted to share her story with us.

The woman told us that her name was Lucia.  Lucia told us her story in Spanish and there was a man to translate for her.  It was very hard for me to listen to personally because I understood her story in Spanish, so I heard the pain and regret in her voice as she spoke, but then having to hear the story in English too was extremely painful.  Lucia told us that she had been with a man that is the father of her first child, but he abused her.  She explained how afraid she was and she was even scared to try and get out of that situation.  Eventually she did, and then Lucia told us that she began prostituting herself and using cocaine and alcohol.  She then became pregnant again, and this child has a different father than the first.  Lucia said she was in such a dark and sad place that she considered killing her child and then committing suicide herself so that she would not have to suffer anymore.  Lucia then decided to go to church where she met Pastor Gabriel and he began talking to her.  She then said that she knew that even though times were terrible and she did not have much, that she still had hope because of Christ's love for her. 

At this point tears were being shed and Pastor Gabriel asked for us girls along with Mrs. Burns and Mrs. Newberry to circle around her and pray.  After the prayer she gave us all big hugs and thanked us.  We gave Lucia one of our bags of supplies that we got from the grocery store.  Another woman then came and introduced us to her and her baby girl and just explained the work being done at the school.  We also gave her a bag.

Then Pastor Gabriel took us down to El Hueco.  I did not understand what last year's seniors meant by it just being a hole in the ground, but this is seriously just a hole in the ground.  There is trash thrown everywhere.  Once you climb down the stairs you see tin houses that are the size of my living room.  Families of 4 or 5 are living in these tiny spaces.  As you walk you notice trash lying around, food with flies all over it, or even diapers that have been torn up by dogs.  We then met 3 different women that told us about their families and showed us where they lived.  All 3 of these women received a bag of supplies.  Even though I saw pictures of El Hueco first, it is still hard to comprehend that people actually live in those conditions. 

We then went to one last location.  We went to a school complex with kids in high school ages.  Then Pastor Gabriel introduced us to 7 girls.  I could not figure out at first why we were meeting these 7 girls.  Then Pastor Gabriel asked each of the girls how far along in their pregnancies or how old their child was.  All of us girls were completely shocked.  One of the girls already had an eleven month old child, and then one was two months pregnant.  Three of the girls received a bag of supplies and Pastor Gabriel told them they would write down the others names for them to receive supplies sometime too.  Then Kate and Mrs. Newberry prayed for the girls and Mrs. Newberry had said something during the prayer that really stood out to me; she prayed for the girls and the babies growing inside of them.  Amerrica pointed out later that these 7 girls would be like the 7 girls in our senior class.  We are the same age as them, and yet where they are at they are being accepted and helped, whereas if something like this were to happen at MCS, they couldn't be kicked out any faster.  The experience opened my eyes as to how uneducated people are in other locations on protection and purity and how important it is. 

Tuesday's experience is one I will never forget and even though it was not easy to go through, I, and I know my class along with the chaperones, are blessed that we went to Los Guido and El Hueco yesterday.

- Jordan

     On Sunday, we got the chance to spend some time at the Iglesia Biblica Bautista orphanage, which was one of our best experiences of the week.  Here we got the opportunity to spend some time with children who had been taken out of tough situations and into one of hope.

     Some of the boys in our group got the once in a lifetime chance to play soccer with some of the Costa Rican kids.  Despite our boys' age and size advantage it seems that they never stood a chance against the Costa Rican boys, who had soccer prowess beyond their years.  No one really kept score (or at least our guys chose not to) but it was obvious that the Americans lost this battle.  Still this was one of our most fun activities of the week and I'm sure the guys would never pass up a chance to paly with those kids again.

     As for the less soccer-inclined of us, we got a chance to play some games with the other children.  As for myself, I made the best bond with a young man named Kevin.  Kevin is ten years old (although he looked much younger) and was handicapped, walking only with the assistance of yellow canes.  However, he did not let this dampen his spirits.  Kevin was remarkably witty and cheerful, playing along with the others in games of Uno and (with a little help from me) hide-n-seek.  He especially touched me with his great attitude and perseverance despite his condition.  Ever step he took was victory, and he showed it on his countenance.

     This orphanage was truly a blessing to us, but also for these children.  The orphanage is run by a family from the United States who provides these children with lessons to help them in life and eternity.  At most state-run orphanages, children are kicked out once they reach age 18, often leaving them with no choice but to turn to the rugged life on the streets.  Here, however, there were kids 18 and older, as well as some workers who were older but had been there since they were children under the care of the orphanage.  This family also cares for handicapped kids like Kevin and Dito, a severely handicapped child (blind, mute, epileptic) whom Mr. Reynolds stayed with for most of the day.  In their care, the children receive a quality education in which they are taught English, which we were thankful for, but more importantly gives them a distinct advantage in life.  The orphanage also gives the children quality Christian education, giving them the key to true joy in life, joy which can exist despite economic standing.  It was truly a blessing to all of us to spend time with these children, and see the work of God being done in Costa Rica through some of our fellow Americans.

-Cody

On Wednesday, we left to go to the beach.  The best part about the beach was the buffet without a doubt.  The first night we were there Kurtis ate so much he got sick just because it was too good to stop eating.  The beach was also pretty incredible too.  This was the first time many people in our class got to see the Pacific Ocean. 

The first morning, there were about 5 or 6 people in our class who went for a walk to go watch the sunrise around 5 in the morning.  The rest of us found sleep much more important than going for a walk to see the sun rise.  During the day, we had many activities to choose from.  The entire class went on a walk on one of the resort's nature trails and that was pretty cool.  After that, 5 or 6 of us, including Mr. Denton, went on a walk to go to the other beach.  That was a lot of fun just to get to see more of the coast and it was very beautiful. 

That afternoon a good majority of us went and played putt-putt on the resort's course, and then we all ran back to the beach and stayed there for a while.  When we were there, Kate was buried up to her neck in the sand and was left there until the tide came back in.  Of course we were nice enough to dig her back out befoer she drowned.  After having some fun in the ocean we all went back to the most magical place in the world, the resort's buffet.  We had one more incredible dinner and ate way too much again.  Well that pretty much sums up our beach trip!

-Andy

On the Saturday of our trip, we got the opportunity to watch a soccer game between the home team, Saprissa, and the away team, Liberia.  Upon our arrival, we immediately experienced something none of us had ever seen or heard before, tons of fans going absolutely nuts.  The skills portrayed by the players were beyond anything I had ever seen other than on television.  The fact that we were able to see all these things in person made it all the better.  The concrete bleachers lined the field and had a cheering section at the far end of the field.  We sat very close to the cheering section, which was just as entertaining as the actual game.  Throughout the entire game the fans were running up and down the concrete bleachers while yelling and screaming their team's chants.  Even though it was a chilly, misty night, there were fans sitting in the stands without a shirt much like we see in NFL games.  These were the exact definition of die hard fans.

The final score of the game was 3-1 with Saprissa coming out on top! This opportunity is something I wouldn't change for anything.  Being in the crowd was amazing, not being able to understand the chants was probably the best thing for us, and it was a cultural experience like none I have ever experienced.

-John

     There were so many beautiful things in Costa Rica.  Abrupt, large, in your face, wonderful things.  Like many things in life, however, the magic was also abundant in the small.  Whether it be a samll Costa Rican cupcake or a small child with enough intelligence to blow away any high school student  feebly attempting to learn a second language. 

     Flying into Costa Rica and beginning our descent I was taken in by the view of the mountains.  La Montanas.  They are huge and forceful and everywhere.  You can't escape them.  From the seminary, to the churches, on the streets and on the way to the coast they are there and they are inescapable.

     Unlike the mountains of Costa Rica there are other things-smaller things-that would be easier to ignore, to tune out.  But if you manage to eliminate the small things, you manage to eliminate one of the biggest parts of one of the most blessed experiences I have ever had. 

     The day before the beach...I think it was the day before the beach, my timing is a little off...we spent a day working a day at the SCORE compound.  I was placed in the kitchen to help the two ladies who were making lunch.  I was more than happy because I was in an air conditioned environment, in one of the places I most enjoy.  I spent the next two hours washing lettuce and juicing limes native to the compound.  I aslo got my first taste of true interaction.

     A lady by the name of Damaris, was the lady in charge.  Tall and dark and kind, her skin was the color of black coffee and she was at least a head taller than my 5'7.  While kind and engaging she had an infectious laugh.  I know what harassment sounds like no matter the language and she was receiving plenty of it from our good natured guide Manolo.  I also know what a rebuttal sounds like and she was delivering them with a bright smile and hearty laugh.  She spoke accented English and began to ask me questions about our trip and what we had done and where we were headed.  As we began to talk I got to speak to her about one of my favorite things-talking to a Costa Rican cook, who even in Central America adds butter, cheese, and cream to instant mashed potates-it doesn't get much better.

     It was talking to her about the Costa Rican sunsets and the "culinary arts" that made me realize early what my favorite part of this trip would be-the people.

     Before I got a chance to interact with some more new people.  I got an interlude of beach time with my class-people I think I pride myself on knowing a little bit better.  The drive to the beach was an event in and of itself.  Ninety-two degree weather, crocodiles, and red necks are just memories waiting to be made.  After taking a stretch break and realizing bits and pieces of most of us had turned red we walked across a concrete bridge high over the river, home to crocodiles looking as if they'd just stepped out of the prehistoric age.  Once back on our big red bus we proceeded to coat ourselves in suncreen.  And enjoy the rest of the ride. 

     We arrived at the beach around four and were going stir crazy after thiry minutes of arrangement making.  We got off the bus close to five, stepping into humid, overcast cobblestone roads.  The air was warm and thick and smelled like saltwater and flowers.  After settling in our room, locking ourselves out of our room, and then being let back into our room, Hannah, my wonderful beach roommate met everyone and decided it was time for the beach.  After a record time bathing suit changing into we all wwp (walked with purpose) toward the beach, a sense of anticipation pushing everyone forward.  The next four hours were spent on what we all deemed, "the ugly beach".  Ugly-not an accurate adjective.  It was officially given its name after next day's beach La Playa Blanca (you'll see why).  As we walked onto the thin shore, the sand was soft and wet, velvety, rather than the thin coarseness of the Gulf we all love so much.  The sun was already set and the warm air was barely enough to make the cool water pleasant.  You could tell everyone was overjoyed to be here.  To be swimming off the coast of Costa Rica.  This is what we had all been waiting for.  After everyone had worn themselves out in the surf, after the excitement and adrenaline had faded to a pleasant glow everyone made the transfer to the pool where games of chicken and signs followed.

     Then came the buffet.  I have a feeling the male individuals within our class would do it more justice but I'll do my best.

     A large flat top grill, cauldron-like soup pot and a large buffet are starred in the open air veranda.  And the guys are licking their chops before all the wonderful smell even hit us.  After we all find seats, Mr. Reynolds prays and the girls are left in the dust.  (The boys were wonderful gentlement the whole trip...except when the buffet itself came into play.)  Choices ranged from white fish with mango salsa, yucca root, various unidentified but delicious vegetables, soft white rolls, grilled sirloin with a rich, spicy suace, and chicken with almonds.  Fresh juice was everywhere we went.  Just about everyone's favorite was Guabana-a delicious, creamy mix of what seemed to be coconut, pineapple, and banana.  Oh and don't even make me talk about the delicious dulce de leche pastries.  Ok I will-I ate at least five of the rich pastries with soft moist puff pastry-like layers, thick, creamy sweet milk filling.  There simply are not enough words to describe how good they really were.  But any who!

     Fast Forward to next morning.  Several of us decided to make the sacrifice and wake up at 6:00 in order to see the sunrise.  After a jog down to the shore, we all got settled onto a rocky section and waited...Little did we know we were in an inlet... so we may not have seen the sun literally rise but the pink cast on the water and outlining the mountains in the distance was worth the wake up call. 

     Ambling slowing back down the beach Michael spotted a promising looking coconut, and being the ambitious individual he is decided to go at it.  With the help of Keyser, a rock, and a large stick the coconut was soon released from its giant brown cocoon and was soon split open and Sarah and I were allowed the privilege of chewing on the sweet, chewy pulp.

     Flash forward again-after an extraordinarily hot hike, we decided it was time to hit the second beach.  Several of us headed back to the hotel to grab swimsutis and sunscreen and started the two mile trek to La Playa Blanca (the white beach.)  After the mostly uphill hike we got to a point high above overlooking the white shore.  The blue water and white sand were framed by bright, pink blossomed trees and the rocky shore laid in the distance of the right side of the shore. It was absolutely beautiful, unfortunately this is the moment where the other beach earned its name.  As we walked down the hill and emerged from behind the trees (after Jordan had interpreted the security guards Spanish instructions about not removing any marine life) I felt like I had stepped into another reality.  It was hard to believe we were here in this beautiful, tropical place.  You see pictures of beaches like this in brochures and in travel magazines, but it is no comparison to when you're standing there face to face with bright blue ocean.   I'm afraid La Playa Blanca did have some victims-David and Emily were assaulted by a sharp rock or unruly urchin which resulted in some minor scrapes.  It was just completely surreal, 10 or so seniors from Maryville (or Knoxville) Tennessee swimming in the ocean in Central America.  It was all so amazing.

     The beach was definitely a time and opportunity with a group of people I never get tired of. Walking on the beach in the cool of the early morning, late night games of Revolution on the hotel porches and watching Jeopardy before dinner are just a few of the things - the small things - that made this trip so special.  And it was the people involved that brought life and value to those small things.

     As we headed back inland to San Jose we looked forward to days ahead of souvenir shopping, zip lining, and one of the service opportunities I had been looking most forward to, visiting the orphanage.  On one of our last days in Costa Rica we pulled up to a Baptist church run orphanage and were itching to get out of the bus as Ramon, one of our guides, gave us a short list of instructions.  The boys once off the bus, were almost immediately whisked away to start a game of futbol.  Us girls ventured inside to see what and who we could find.  A little girl came walking out of one of the rooms, and I began to ask  her some questions in Spanish (or attempted to.)  I wanted to ask her another question, so I turned to Jordan, our resident Spanish "turn to" and asked her about the wording.  I heard the little girl say, "Como te llamas."  That's how you say it in Spanish.  Priscilla spoke fluent English and Spanish.  I won't fill you in on all our activities at the orphanage, I'll leave that to someone else, but the most valuable part of that day for me, once again, was not the experience in and of itself.  It was the people that made the experience. 

     Priscilla, smart as a whip, and a true leader was inspirational to say the least.  Her intelligence and charisma blew me away.  She had a kind but commanding nature, she was no sad little orphan girl.  And then there was Kevin to whom words can do no justice.  He was astoundingly, hindered physically by handicap, but he didn't let it stand in his way.  He was quick, witty, funny, and smart.  And he forced you to see past his crutches into who he was.  The thing about these kids is they are selfless.  They have dreams and desires like so many other children, but they do not whine, or manipulate in order to get them.  I don't want to say they were all content in that orphanage, I of course think that they want more than a life within that orphange.  But they had joy.  It can bless your heart and break it all at the same time.

     To be blessed and broken.  I think that was what the trip was all about.  Meeting and knowing people who live differently than we do and learning to appreciate it.  Hearing the rare, kind, heartfelt words of friends I cherish with all my heart.  Meeting and talking to people - real people with real stories.  That to me was one of the most remarkable aspects of this trip.  The Little Things.  The little interactions, with strangers, with chaperones, with friends, with the Costa Rican people.  The Holy Spirit used these things to make me stop and realize it's not about the shock and awe of the experience - it's the people in the experience that inspire it. 

-Kate