So I really DO like bananas...

Life in the banana fields is quite the interesting thing, I have discovered. I think I like it...for one thing, the bananas taste a whole lot better here than they ever will in Canada.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the following pictures as they tell the story of our time in Coyol.

The church of Coyol welcomed us with open arms upon our arrival...
Here is the line of houses...all the same, all in a row, all land owned by Chiquita.

And so that you don't forget...these Chiquita tiles are in the backyard of every house.

We arrived on Saturday, to do a joint kids program with the church. The church had just received a shipment of the Operation Child Shoeboxes from Samaritan's Purse, from Canada! So we got to do some songs and a little skit, and then sat back and enjoyed the joy on each child's face as they picked up their specific box. (If anyone wants an idea of what is a good gift to send? Notebooks and pencils were the highlight...school supplies are in high demand here!) Having youth work with kids in Costa Rica is one of my favourite things to watch. Language barriers seem not to apply for children....and they love the crafts. They spend hours on crafts!

And then, one of my favourite moments...our "insider" view of the banana fields. Here you see where we walked, along the concrete slab that runs under the cables in the field. The cables carry the bunches of bananas to the processing plant.
Here Alfredo, our tour guide, who used to work at this plantation, shows us how the workers climb up into the trees to cut down the banana bunch. Note the cable running by...and picture a bunch of bananas hanging from this cable.

Julia shows off how big these suckers get...

Blue bag it? So all the bunches of bananas are covered with a blue bag...placed to protect the bananas from water damage, from bugs, and from whatever else may cause the banana to not grow perfectly... Another favourite part of the week for me: English classes. Here the Oregon youth teach the students the parts of the body...and then proceeded to teach them the "hokey pokey".The school was simple and in need of much supplies (including a new coat of paint on the chalkboard), but unfortunately all the Director had requested was English classes. Most schools in Costa Rica have an English teacher, but this school is currently without. The students LOVED English classes......and were always happy to see us.

Back at the church we worked on a couple of projects: New signs for the church...

and benches for the church - aren't they pretty?

Our last day in Coyol we celebrated Hannah's birthday (one of the students from Oregon). Unfortunately she didn't know about the tradition where you get an egg cracked over your head on your birthday...(she's in the blue shirt)

Finally, here I am with Esther - together with her husband Nelson, they pastor the church that we worked with this week. I have utmost respect for the two of them. I was privileged to stay in their home for the few days we were together, and watched how they lived their lives with doors open to the community. Their home is a living room for the community - they welcome them in, pray for them, feed them, and simply hang out with them. They are living examples of what it means to "do" ministry. I am thankful for my time with them...and with those delicious bananas!