¡Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica

Hola amigos y familia!

Since we touched down in Costa Rica on August 12th, our “L-Squad” (similar to how we name tropical storms, The World Race alphabetizes each squad with an initial) spent one night together at a Hostel in San Jose for cultural immersion training.

From there we split our team of 20 women into 3 teams of 6-7 people. Team Bloom, Pinky Promise & Squash Sisters are our chosen team names. Each team has dispersed across Costa Rica. My team (“Bloom”) is serving in the middle of the country in the Mountains of Turrialba, Cartago with the church “Comunidad Cristiana Nazareth”. Team Pinky Promise is up North in Los Chilies and Squash Sisters are out West in Nicoya.

MEET TEAM BLOOM:

We are a crew of physically and spiritually fit women that love serving and connecting with our new Turrialba community. Listed below in the order that we are pictured above (left to right).

Morgan Corrigan is our Worship Coordinator. She is an Oregon raised ranch girl, that knows how to work hard and can always be found singing a song while wearing a smile. She is down for running, playing volleyball and working out. Morgan basically speaks another language with her background in ranching, which has been so fascinating and entertaining to our whole team. Morgan is the first to direct and lead our team to prayer in all situations. 

Morgan Noonan (“Noons”) from California is our Health Coordinator. From Santa Cruz California, this adorable elementary school teacher and former college swimmer nearly qualified for the Olympic trials. God is using her now to bring light and laughter to any room. Our team and ministry partners naturally want to joke and laugh with her. She has forged relationship with our team and ministry community through her inviting personality that exudes fun. This woman of faith also prays fervent prayers which reveal her deep rooted faith and limitless beliefs in the power of Jesus Christ. 

Kayla (aka “Shayla”/ “Kayak”) is one of our two Full Squad Leaders. Technically Kayla belongs to the entire L-squad, but has been a blessing to have live with us for the first 2.5 weeks. Kayla is from South Carolina and is a former World Racer and Squad leader. She “is so kind and also” (Kayla-ism) has beautiful Bible wisdom. Her a laid back leadership style gives others the space to learn, but she will gladly save you if you ask for help. She can always be found with her head in a book reading, which makes sense why she brings insight and thought-provoking perspective to each conversation. Huge win that Kayla is fluent in Spanish and willing to translate for us when needed.

Savanna (aka “Sav”/ “Sabanna”) is our Team Leader. This bubbly ray of sun is a teacher, a High School soccer coach, and summertime white water rafting guide from Maine. This easy going, smiley girl is always up for exploring and adventure. She has fire for Jesus and a beautiful heart that loves and accepts others right where they are.

Dana is our Beauty for Ashes Coordinator. A Michigan born, Salt Lake City, Utah residing ICU/PICU nurse. She is a former college basketball player, rock climber and great outdoors lover. Dana is a natural leader with a bold faith that will lift you up and point you back to your maker. She is someone that you could pour out the ugly parts of your life to, dissect it and walk away feeling freed. Tough as nails, but has a soft heart that loves others with grace.

Me but the team calls me “Schneffanie”. I am our Logistics Coordinator. I am a former Orangetheory Coach from the great state of OH-IO. But you most likely know that and are already my friend/family if you are reading my blog.

Caroline (aka “Carl”/ “Carlos”) is our Treasurer. She is a Georgia youth group leader/pastor that lights up at the sound of any youth group games. She is a natural problem solver during any team building exercises. A straight shooter that has a way of diving conversations from shallow to deep with a question. She is here for realness and her authenticity is valuable.   

MEET OUR MINISTRY COMMUNITY:

Pastor Armando

“Mondie” is a true man of God who shows us kindness and support. We struck gold with our host family. Armando & his wife Naomi, have 4 daughters and a son. They live in the home above the back of the church where we stay. They have graciously opened up their schedules to spend time with us and integrate us into their church and local community. 

Judith

We pronounce her name like “Udith” or “Udy”. She is the SWEETEST human. Judith prepares all our meals and Cafecito (3pm coffee, cookies and conversation; a custom I want to hold on to forever). Judith fills the room with her adorable giggle because she is always getting a kick out of us. I wish I could bottle up her laugh and take it with me.

Hugo

If you are around Hugo for more than 10 minutes you’ll quickly understand why he studied engineering.  He literally knows how to build and fix anything. He drives us to worksites, he works hard along side us on construction projects and playfully supervises us from getting injured.

Bernardo

“Bernie” is our other construction leader, who worked with us to help lay a back patio for the church. He is a patient teacher for this gang of inexperienced concrete pouring chicks. He is full of life and joy and laughs. 

WHAT MINISTRY HAS BEEN LIKE THUS FAR ON THE RACE:

Naturally you first think about the North American comforts you are giving up, but then they become a small sacrifice as you melt into the warmest community, full of heart, generosity and laughter. Abandoning comforts like understanding the language, having warm showers, sleeping on a mattress, air conditioning, internet service, and flushing toilet paper down the toilet are a lot easier when you are wrapped up in the hospitality and natural beauty of Turrialba, Costa Rica. 

We’ve spent our days in a variety of construction projects like building a patio for the church, rebuilding gutters, painting church walls and holding an event that distributed clothing to the local community impacted by devastating floods. We have also had the chance to directly interact with the church congregation through Sunday services, youth group & prayer nights. Today we will be teaching English to young adults and tomorrow will be traveling up to a church in the high mountain area of Turrialba. There we will hang out with a youth group, play games and and act out bible story skits.  

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I should mention that we also quarantined for 10 days at a private home in the mountains during the middle of all our ministry projects. Praise the Lord, our team’s health is fully restored. Thank you for any prayers! Quarantine was quite a peaceful environment, that yielded rich team and faith building. I’m working on a quick video to show you the highlights of that experience, so stay tuned!

Thanks for caring for me and reading about my WR journey. I’d love to know what questions you have and what you’d like to hear more about. 

Personal Reflection Question to leave you with: What modern comfort could you abandon temporarily to help you draw closer to God?