Good morning to you all!  Our time is quickly coming to a close here in Costa Rica. We are about to head out for some site seeing and relaxation, so i will be sharing with you the past two days here. 

June 21

On Thursday our team visited a coffee farm to learn about the work and importance of coffee for Costa Rica. We learned about how they use the land in the most natural way to produce a lot of coffee. We also learned that many of us have been making coffee the wrong way and have been storing it wrong as well. It was a very educational and fun time.  After the tour, we loaded the bus and made our way back to camp for a quick lunch and to load the food bags. When we finished eating, we jumped on the bus and made our way to the school to meet with the teacher so he could show us the places to distribute the food bags.  Each bag had apples (which we learned was a huge treat here) a pineapple, rice, beans, sugar, corn meal, hygiene bags, toilet paper, etc.  The teacher took us to several houses where we learned that many of the kids in the school received maybe one meal a day. Doing food bags was not initially planned for Costa Rica, but after learning the need and with the request of the teacher we went for it. God will always let us know needs of others if we will just listen. Thank goodness for the love of this school teacher, who presented us with another opportunity to share the love of Jesus. When we finished, we went back to camp to clean up and have dinner before heading to the Church in Naranjo for the last night of the Gospel Meeting. After worship, we said our ‘see ya laters’ to Cary Hadley, who headed back to San Jose to catch a flight back home on Friday. 

June 22

Yesterday we had breakfast then loaded the bus to go to the church in Naranjo to do some painting. When we arrived the preacher and some members were there to show us what they wanted us to help them with. We split into three teams. We had one team outside working on the fence, a team painting the classroom and a team painting the outside. We worked for about 2-3 hours before having lunch provided by the church. (On a side note: we have been eating wonderfully while in Costa Rica. Like I am pretty sure I have gained more weight 🤦🏻‍♀️). After lunch, we cleaned up and played some volleyball before heading back to camp. Of course we couldn’t leave Naranjo without stopping at the bakery for some coffee and different pastries.  After having our afternoon bread fix, we made our way to camp to repack our bags and prepare for our day trip to La Fourtuna. We had dinner around 5 then a devotional before heading to bed. We are in our way now to La Fortuna for a day of relaxing. Then tomorrow we will have worship with some local brethren. On Monday some of our team will heard back to the states and some will head to Honduras for 12 days of continued service.   Thank you all for your prayers. I hope you will continue to pray for the work in Costa Rica, safe travels and the work in Honduras. We will see you soon. 

Brandy B

July 20

Good morning from Costa Rica!! I hope you are all doing well!  We are all doing wonderfully here. 

Yesterday was our last day working at the school in Sabanilla. The kids in this school are just so well behaved and kind. Before the Bible lesson began, the kids in English class sang some songs and danced for us. After they were finished, we all met for singing and a lesson on Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego. (Side not: I am a horrible speller, so if anything is misspelled I blame it on living in Mississippi. 😂). When the lesson was over, they divided into three groups for a puppet skit, snacks, and activities. Before the children left for the day, they each received a bag with school supplies and some hygiene items to take home. When kids had left, the English teacher shared some information with us about the kids in the school. After hearing the stories, the group attempted to present some funds to the school to purchase needed supplies. However, the teacher requested we use the money to make food bags to give to the families of the children in the school. So we made our way to the store and purchased rice, beans, fruit, sugar, flour, coffee, dried milk, etc to place in the bags.  We came back to the camp to break down the supplies and put them on the bus for delivery tomorrow. 

We had dinner at the camp, then loaded the bus to go to the church in Naranjo for the Gospel meeting. Cary Hadley has been presenting lessons on God did not say that. He’s been sharing thoughts/ideas that we use that are from the Bible, but taken out of context.  Last night, Cary shared with us that we can’t just be a “good person” we have do the will of our Father.  After the lesson, we spent time with our brothers and sisters then loaded the bus for camp. 

Tomorrow we will be seeing some of the sites and delivering the food bags. 

Our time is growing shorter here!  Some things of us will be home soon, while others will be traveling on to Honduras for another campaign! Please pray for safe travels over the next few days and the ongoing work. 

Love you guys 

Brandy B

June 17

Good morning to everyone that decides to read and keep up with the happenings of this years TORCH mission trip.  My name is Brandy Barnett and I will be keeping you guys posted on the work we will be doing in Jesus name.  For the next 8 days our team will be working in Sarchi, Costa Rica with a school and will be having a Gospel meeting with the Naranjo Church of Christ in Naranjo, Costa Rica.  We are all very excited to be here sharing and spreading the love of Jesus.

Yesterday, we had our first full day in Costa Rica worshiping with our brothers and sisters at the Naranjo Church of Christ.  Cary Hadley, who is from the Orlando area, delivered our sermon about King Solomon.  After the service and before Bible class, the youth presented all the fathers a gift for Father's Day.  After the presentation, we had small fellowship to meet the brothers and sisters then we had class.  The preacher, Edie, led the discussion on prophets and apostles with Jonathan Lovett translating.  (Side note: I am very proud of Jonathan he was very nervous about translating and did a fabulous job).  When Bible study had ended, we loaded the  bus and made our way to Sarchi to meet the Coronados for lunch.

We had lunch at a Restaurant with a beautiful view.  I cannot remember the name of the restaurant, but it is one we eat at yearly.  Everyone ate well, then did a little shopping at the shop at the top of the hill.  We then loaded the buss to come back to camp to begin preparing for VBS at the school starting Monday.

We worked on VBS for a while, then had dinner.  After dinner we completed the VBS work for Monday then headed to the cabins for devo.  After devo, lights out!!

Today is the day we start VBS work with the school and the Gospel meeting.  Please pray for the work and the travel we will be doing throughout the day.  I will post again in the morning or tonight.  Also, I  will try to post pictures, but it will be through facebook because it does not upload on the blog very well.  I will tag as many people as I can that may be interested or on the trip.  Please share these photos with any one that would like to see them.  I will also post the link to blog on Facebook after every post.  Thank you all for your prayers and positive comments.  We love you all and will be back home before you know it.

Love
Brandy B

Blue skies and Rainbows

Wow what a busy past few days. The team has been working so hard to share the love of Jesus in Honduras. July 6,7,&8 were extremely busy. We had a total of 8 house builds, a visit to the hospital, one medical clinic, one food distribution, work out in Didasko, a team going to buy fresh food at the market to send to Didasko, several devos, and a trip to the Jesus statue. So as you all can tell we have been working so hard!  Today was a day we finally were able to get a quick breath and spend time getting to know one another better. We had worship this morning learning about the importance of shining our lights in this world full of darkness.  Afterward, we went to Mi Esperanza to learn about the ministry that helps women learn a trade to support their families. We were able to shop for products made by the women to help support this beautiful ministry. To learn more you can go to www.womenofmyhope.org. After doing some shopping we went to have lunch then headed to the Valley of Angels to do some more shopping. We loaded the bus at about 4 and went to Santa Lucia to meet with Tim Hines for singing devo. After devo we came back to the mission house for dinner and headed to bed. 

It's been an awesome day. It's hard to believe there are only 2 work days left.  Please continue to pray for the groups as we go into our last two days. We love you all and will see you soon.  

Love y'all. 

BRANDY B

Rainy Skies and Mud Pies

Happy 4th of July! Even though our missionaries weren't able to celebrate in the United States, that didn't stop people from donning the American flag from head to toe with pride. The day started out with a meal fit for hard workers and a motivational devotional from Andrew Jonas. While the translators and doctors went off to the medical clinic, everyone else headed out to build houses or lead VBS. The day was overcast and the clouds crawled over the surrounding mountain tops as the builders hammered away. Around half way through the day it started raining cats and dogs. The dirt turned to mud and the grounds became more useful for slipping than walking. One of the groups was fortunate enough to have mostly completed their house, but the other two groups were nowhere near completing their homes. The builders worked on despite the trying weather conditions and finished around midday. Since the buses couldn't drive on the muddy roads, the builders had a mile long walk after completing their houses. Everyone made it back safe and sound, albeit exhausted. The medical clinic was hard at work that day too, managing to help over 200 people. The warm and hearty dinner was met with great appreciation from the diligent missionaries. The nighttime devotional was lead by Andrew Jonas. He talked about how although we are tired we are following God's command to go and spread the gospel. 

July 5th was met with less patriotism than the previous day but with no less excitement. Jeremy Myers lead the morning devotional and sent everyone off with encouragement. The groups were medical clinic, house builds, or VBS again and people eagerly jumped into another work day. The medical clinic has another successful day and kept their track record of seeing over 200 patients while VBS entertained the children. The house builds were hindered again by rain and mud but the persistent missionaries built on. Once everyone was done with their jobs for the day they returned home to warm showers and dinner. Andrew Jonas ended the night with a devotional about bringing God back home with us after the trip. Until next time, adios!

First work Day

July 3, 2017

Yesterday we started with breakfast at 7am - 7:50 am.  We had eggs, beans, toast, and fruit.  After breakfast we had morning devo.  When devo was over we split into five teams (3 builds VBS, and medical).  Everyone received their assignments and loaded supplies to on buses to begin the dat thy.

The medical team went to the same place they worshiped the previous day, Nuevo Oriental.  *side note, I am not the best speller in the world so there is a very good possibility the places we go will be misspelled.  The medical team worked throughout the day and saw about 200 patients.

The three house build teams and VBS all went to the same community.  It is a newer community and I honestly cannot remember the name.  While the teams began building, the VBS team started the VBS.  The three teams built throughout the day and finished just before the rain began.  There are now 3 families with a dry place to sleep

When we finished we came back to the mission house for dinner and then devo.  Today we will build three houses and have another day of medical clinic.

Thank you for all the prayers.

Brandy Barnett

It begins

July 2, 2017

Today the Terry Reeves team arrived. It was a day of travel for a majority of the team that is here as of now. Jermey Myers group and about 10 of Terry's group went to worship with the church in Nuevo  Oriental.

Jenny Lovell group, Chad Chapman group, Terry Reeves FCA/ Bell Shoals group, Sarah Hinson and Katie Gerstemier have made it. We have some coming in tomorrow and I believe one in Tuesday. The plan tomorrow is a medical clinic, 3 house builds and VBS. Please send prayers for travels and the work.

Also please be advised there is a media fast every other day, basically on the even days everyone can get on media. The blog will be posted nightly. Ok. I'm off to bed good night.

Brandy Barnett.