I can say this again….Wow what an experience Costa Rica has been! This year in only 2 days a HOME has been built for not one but two families! I am thankful for another amazing experience with co-workers and the beautiful people of Costa Rica. Time away from DOW work to do the Lord’s work.
Traveling: Now this was a new experience to say the least…. from leaving Abilene one morning, spending over 12 hours hanging out in Dallas, to then chilling in Miami… let’s just say we were all happy to get to Costa Rica. As a disclaimer: we saved money, but I think we will all choose to spend it next year! All 5 crazies are in the image below!
Day one of the build: Starting off with the concrete slab, our team quickly got to work! Most of us were on the previous trip last year and worked well as a team together building the home last year. I believe the only new additions were those painting for our home. Our awesome team is pictures above! One great thing about working with people you have already done something like this with is knowing what is happening or about to occur and where to step in and start working. We all quickly found hammers and began framing the house. Once the 4 framed walls were up, the internal framed walls went up and then the exterior and interior walls (painted by our newest team members) were next. Windows were put in and all the trusses for the roof were put up on just day one! The plywood went on the roof and the tar paper was put on before it was time to go due to the rain!!!
Day two of the build: We added the remaining interior walls, as well as the trim inside and outside of the home! The roof was finished on both houses by the awesome roofing team and we all found roles to fill in to wrap up the build. At one point I was painting, and another I was added trim. One minute I was sweeping with the broken broom… while another minute I was trying not to fall off the ladder! The electricity was finished up, everything was looking great with all the touch ups and fresh paint inside and out….and we finished the home in just TWO days! Another thing I truly enjoy about these trips is the laughter. I find so much JOY in working with my co-workers, the moments of hard work followed by acting a fool. See image of FUN below, as well as the final view at the end of two hard working days! 😉
Day three on the build site: Since we finished the building part and all the touch ups yesterday, all we needed to do today was finish up cleaning the work site and prepare the homes for the family to come home. We prepped the home with the built bunk bed, the full size bed, the tables and chairs and once the family returned – all the things that they purchased! It was a beautiful site to see and what a humbling experience to share in His great work in Costa Rica. We ended up having additional time so we got to see parts of Costa Rica we had not seen which was a neat experience! 
This is definitely a trip that you have to experience for yourself to fully understand! My hope in the years to come is that more people will step up and step in to doing His GREAT WORK where ever we go!
God is good! ALL the time!