It's My Last Week?

This past weekend me hannah and brady went to the beach. It was so pretty! I had never been to that one before. Brady rented a surf board...so i learned how to surf and we pretty much shared the board all day. IT WAS SO RAD!! Ive wanted to do that foreverrrrrrrr!

The First Pres team came in on Sunday!! I had been counting down the days till they arrived so i was pretty excited to see them. Its like a little piece of home! I'm so excited to work with them this week. And on friday we are all going zip lining and to the hot springs. SUPER STOKED!

On another note...this has been the most life changing 2 months. The amount of spiritual growth has been way more then I could have ever imagined or asked for. Ive learned so much from how to fight to how good God really is. Don't get me wrong... I  don't fully understand it, and I'm not sure that i ever will, but I have come a long way in 2 months. Words can not express how thankful I am for all of the support I have received through you guys. My support system is huge it blows my mind sometimes. I'm having a hard time explaining in full my experiences on here...but i will be more then happy to share some when I get home! I am starting to prepare my self for the reality of coming home. This chapter in my life is coming to a close, but that does not mean I cant take what I have learned with me. I'm SO excited to come home and tell you all everything and to work on things that need worked on. This trip has been a blessing and I wish it was something everyone could experience at least once in their lives (but hey if you are actually interested and are of the college student age they do the internship program every summer :]). 

Even though this will be my last blog post from costa rica (this time at least) I might continue to post a few after I get home. Cause you know...culture shock might be pretty intense.
Once again thank you for all of the support you guys have given me. I wish i could express how thankful i am!
I fly in on sunday...and land at around 9:30 pm...So see you all soon after that

~Alex

So something I haven't really talked about is the children's homes and how they work. The property currently has two children homes with a total of 19 orphans ranging from infant to 12 years old and some are sibling sets of up to 3. They have been taken away from their families because of drug or physical abuse issues. There are some cases that are very difficult and can sometimes take 3 years for the children to be declared abandoned so they can be adopted, especially when other members of the family appeal the case and try to take the kids (which is a current battle). The project has never had to release a kid when they become 18, they have always been adopted before then.

A couple nights a week the interns cook dinner for the kids and the house parents. This is also the majority of bonding time we get with them. Its one of the most rewarding things I have done here. Its reassuring to see their joy and love of God despite their situations. Some of the kids have given their lives to God since they have been in the home. Their joy and laughter is very contagious! Each  night before dinner they pray and thank God for what they have. It is very hard to put into words what one feels when they are in the homes working with the kids. I think its something that everybody should experience at least once in their lives. It makes me realize how much I have and very thankful. I know that God has a plan for each of these kids and we continuously pray they they will get a stable christian home to grow up in.

We fasted again yesterday. It was a lot harder the second time! Hannah and I were fighting headaches and pain  most of the day. Our main focus was praying for the church, children's homes, leadership, and phase 2 of the project.
Some land across the river was recently purchased and we are hoping to build more children's homes (that's what phase 2 is). As they have done with everything, the project is relying on outside support and partnerships to get the money needed in order for this to happen. I'm very excited to keep up with Amy and Jonathan (the intern coordinators) and hear what happens with that.
Well I have a week and a half left! I know there is more i have to do here, but if yall could keep e in your prayers as i get ready to come home that would be much appreciated =]
I know that culture shock will be a big one and I will miss everyone here a ton! But I am VERY excited to see all of you when i get home and share the stories that I have not had time to talk about here.
Thank you for your support it means the world to me! See you guys in a week and a half. I will try to blog again if I get internet
~Alex

110 something degrees with 100% humidity

Hey guys!
Sorry its been so long since my last post...I've been on some crazy adventures as usual. This past week the interns went to Rincon with the team from Kentucky that's here to build a church. The team had started it two or so years ago...but the health department decided it was not safe and that some changes had to be made. The church requested around $10,000 to finish the project. We didnt know for sure if they were going to be able to make it until 2 days before we left (that's a leap of faith on their part right?) God permitting the church got the money and we were able to buy the supplies needed. 
We slept "outside" for the entire week (there was a roof over some concrete). They gave us some foam sleeping pads so it was pretty comfy! Every day it was at least 110 degrees and 100% humidity. I don't think any one had worked or been that sweaty...ever. The work consisted of digging out the rocks and dirt to lower the surface, mixing concrete, poring concrete, painting, and hanging rafters for the ceilings. I pretty much painted the whole time. We painted the rafters, some weird metal things, and benches to go in the church. Doesn't seem like very hard work but when its at least 110 degrees and 100% humidity anything is hard! It tested our relationships and our attitudes, but we made it through and grew along the way. 
While we were there we got to go down to the "beach" because it was about a 5 minute walk. The "beach" is part of the gulf and the land pretty much just meets the water. It looks like a lake because its so calm and does not smell like an ocean at all. its very pretty though! We caught some iguana for dinner! i got to skin it and clean it out so we could eat it. It tastes like chicken with the texture of beef =]
we got to go fishing too! I got 3 fish! it was super fun. Oh and fresh coconut cut from the tree is really good. 
Me and hannah (one of my roommates) had to say goodbye to the rest of the interns today and yesterday...so we are having a rough time. But we get an intern from seattle today named Brady (apparently he came with first pres last summer? i dont know him though). So a new chapter is about to begin and me and hannah are pretty excited! Sorry this post is brief i have limited time as usual.
I will try and post something next week!
Talk to yall later!
~Alex