Costa Rica Mission Trip - June 2025: Update #5

We kicked things off with breakfast and a devotional from Caden, who focused on the story of Rahab and how the lessons from her life can be applied to our own. It was a solid reminder as we headed into our final work day. The team was ready to finish strong. After wrapping up the morning, we made our way back to the church to get started.

The plan for the day was straightforward. Finish painting and close out everything we had started earlier in the week. We had a lot to knock out, but everyone stayed focused and pushed through. At lunch, we were able to try Costa Rican-style pizza for the first time and it did not disappoint. Once we wrapped up painting, it felt good to take a step back and look at what we had finished. A ton of hours and effort had gone into the project, and seeing it come together made for a proud moment.

Later that evening, we hosted a men’s night cookout at the church. We had steak and sausage with chimichurri, and it ended up being one of the best meals of the trip. More importantly, it gave us a great chance to spend time with guys from the local church and connect even with the language gap. There was a lot of meaningful conversation and it felt like everyone really leaned into the moment.

After we ate, Ben shared his testimony, followed by a word from Kirk and Mark. What started as a few prepared remarks turned into a full group discussion, where both teams opened up and shared stories and encouragement. It was a strong way to end the night. Saying goodbye afterward wasn’t easy, but everyone left grateful for the relationships that were built and the experiences we will take with us. —Caleb Pratt