Southside Team, 2015

Well, in February we welcomed 4 guys from our home church.  Although we were sad that it wasn't a bigger group of familiar faces, we were super excited for the 4 that came.  We decided to house them and feed them in our house and make it like visitors rather than a team.  It was a lot of work having 4 more people in the house, but we loved every minute of it!

3 of the 4 men had been on the trip several times: Pappy, Johnny and Micah; but it was the first time that our youth pastor, Matthew Riley had been here to Costa Rica.  We were super excited to show him what we do, where we do it and why we love it so much.

Here is a look at their week (oh, and 2 of the 4 got sick like the second day here....it was NOT fun for them....)

We found bottled Cokes for Pappy!

Walking back to AP from Phase 2

Cutting "grass" bamboo on Phase 2

Looks impossible

Riley on Phase 2 with church in background

The small river between Phase 1 and 2--yes, those are soap bubbles!

Looks impossible

The finished product!

Skateboard ministry with Sergio

Matthew Riley sharing with the skateboarders-Bruce interpreting

Pappy playing Sorry with Emme!

Pappy with Zianny at cell group

After all the cutting

Cell group at Eliel and Rode's house--packed!

Lunch with workers

Serving lunch to workers at AP

Eating at our house includes Emme taking orders for breakfast!

Skateboard ministry

Dinner over the Central Valley at Ram Luna

At the cell group with Eliel and Rode

Poor Pappy didn't feel good!

Waiting for the bus! Everyone LOVED it!!

These two old guys on the public bus and being sick=GREAT DAY!

Night of worship at our sister church, Rio Azul

Pappy and Johnny on top of the waterfall!

Us on top of the city!

Cinnamon rolls at the Thomas' house

Pappy taking on the grass with a machete!

The new ramp they built

The guys and the kids on the new ramp

Downtown with these fools!

We were so thankful to have these guys in our house! Even though they were sick and had a shortened trip because of the weather, we enjoyed every minute of it!

We hope for 2016 that we have a FULL group from Southside! We love seeing familiar faces and sharing with our home church what we do here!

In HIM,
the crawfords

First Dental Team of 2015

So last year we started partnering with Costa Rica Dental Missions and the Scheduling Institute to welcome dental groups to our Multi-purpose building at the Abraham Project.  Last year, they had an interpreter that worked with all of the teams; however, he moved back to his hometown of the Cayman Islands.  So, it was proposed that myself and Steve Jr. would help interpret for the dental teams.  To say that I was nervous was an understatement! I know practically nothing about dental terms in Spanish OR English!!!  Although I had experience interpreting back when we lived in the States, interpreting Spanish--let alone 2 spoken languages--was not in my comfort zone!

However, we welcomed a great dentist and 2 assistants from Canada.  I couldn't have asked for a better, nicer or more easy going group!  Dr. Yazdani, Camille and Alyssa.

The team checking out Rio Azul on their last day

I am so thankful for the opportunity to interpret again.  Although it is a lot different from interpreting between English and ASL, I know that it is something that I miss terribly.  Hopefully this can fill the small hole in my heart....but never can fill it completely!

Here is a look at the dental clinic that week!

The whole team!

Learning the ropes

Interpreting for the first patient

It's not always just work in the dental clinic!

Getting to try some pipas! YUM!

The normal...."Where is everything dance"

Although Camille looks amused, the patient did not!

So thankful for Dr. Melania (middle). She is an awesome dentist, teacher and friend!

This was Camille's normal spot

Camille actually got to do some new stuff!

Even the dentists work and clean in our clinics!

Cutting the pipas, thanks Bruce!

And eating the inside....YUM!

Even had time to practice some Spanish!

Like I said earlier, I was so grateful that this team was my first experience interpreting.  They were so patient and flexible and I couldn't have gotten very far without Dr. Melania! 

Well, I guess add this to my list of work experiences...hopefully the next time will be better!

I have started volunteering/assisting Dr. Melania on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the dental clinic when we don't have teams.  I am trying to learn as much as possible so I am better prepared when dental teams are here!  Pray for me!

Blessings,

the crawfords