Hey Vineyard Family & Supporters,

The team of 16 students & 4 leaders all met at the church at 9:30 am Saturday morning to pack up, get some final instructions, and head out for our destination of San Jose, Costa Rica!  Everyone was on time and we took off about 10:00 am for the O'Hara International Airport in Chicago.  Although, one of our leaders Matt LaFree tripped while loading John Michael (who is in a wheelchair) on the bus and scrapped up his leg pretty good.  Please pray that this would not hinder Matt throughout the rest of the week. Matt got bandaged up (he seems to be doing ok) and we were on the road.

We got to all ride together in the new Vineyard bus, which was super cool for team bonding as we played "Heads Up" (an iPhone app/game) most of the way there.  We also took some time on the bus to chat with our prayer partners about what they were most excited/scared about in regards to the trip and took some time to pray together before we arrived at the airport.

When we arrived, the bus dropped us off right at our terminal and we got through check in, baggage check, and security really easily/quickly (I was surprised with being the Saturday after Christmas - PRAISE GOD!).  We then had a couple of hours to burn before our flight left. so most of us got some lunch and waited to board the plane to San Salvador.

We landed in San Salvador to catch our connecting flight,with no issues at all,only having to walk across the hall to our new gate!  We landed in Costa Rica with ALL OUR LUGGAGE.

Delynn (our host), had his team pick us up right on time at the airport.  We had about a 15-20-minute drive to where we are staying this year.  We unpacked and settled into our rooms.   Delynn then did a brief orientation and then we settled in for some sleep so that we would be prepared to head out first thing in the morning for Pastor Pablo's church (who we partner with here in Costa Rica), where I will get the opportunity & privilege to preach (my first time preaching with a translator - I AM EXCITED!). 

The team is currently getting ready for bed and excited about getting some sleep...it has been a long day of traveling. We are looking forward to meeting the church members and spending some time getting to know them tomorrow and also for what God brings our way throughout the rest of this week in a culture unlike our own!

Thanks so much for your prayers! And, thank you to those of you who supported the students or the trip financially!  You have given them an opportunity to expand the Kingdom of God in the lives of others as well as their own.  

Matt Poorman

Pastor of Student Ministries