“This was my third trip to Costa Rica and my second time as a team leader. It was different in the sense that we had more people (15 total) and a few bumps in the road starting at departure gate. A missioner canceled his flight due to illness, luggage was lost, we had one driver for a now divided group, a team member got injured while out on a day trip and we had to look for orthopedic supplies around the area before the flight home to prevent bigger issues. Sigh. Thank God it was all good and we all came home safe and sound! 

Leading the team involves a lot of work, even before the trip. There is a ton of planning, logistics, fundraising, and communication. 

At the work site in Costa Rica, even more work! Language interpreting, plastering and sanding inside the sanctuary, sink installation in the kitchen, installing brackets for gutters outside. Even the fun was work, because I coordinated our day excursions to the volcano, rain forest, coffee plantation, and the like.

But you know it was worth it.

Yes, there were challenges. I’m not talkative, so it’s always a challenge being the interpreter and doing the Spanish conversation club as I have to talk and socialize more than usual. And I never worked on scaffolding before. 

But reuniting with the local people we haven’t seen since 2019 and introducing newbies to the life lived in Costa Rica is wonderful. Getting to spend time with ALL the missioners was wonderful.

My favorite moment of the trip was the morning devotion from Reiko (Crabtree).  She shared her experience and how she came to be a missioner, how she saw God in Costa Rica…and her love for God was felt among all of us.

I’ll miss my Costa Rica friends and the love they have for us. Even if you have just met them, the people of Carillos treat you like family and make you feel home, like you are part of their family. 

• Galilee missioner Helga Ishikawa

Read more about: Costa Rica 2023