Here are some videos of Joshua swimming in Costa Rica:
22 April 2009
17 April 2009
AA.com Business ExtrAA
Business Name : Casa Viva
Business ExtrAA # : 798383
When you book a flight through American Airlines you have the opportunity to include a business ExtrAA number to go along with your registration.
Adding this number allows you and our organization to draw frequent flier miles.
Next time you book a flight online please use Casa Viva's ExtrAA number. This is a small way you can donate to this great organization.
Your gift will help place fatherless children into the loving care of a family.
Business ExtrAA # : 798383
When you book a flight through American Airlines you have the opportunity to include a business ExtrAA number to go along with your registration.
Adding this number allows you and our organization to draw frequent flier miles.
Next time you book a flight online please use Casa Viva's ExtrAA number. This is a small way you can donate to this great organization.
Your gift will help place fatherless children into the loving care of a family.
16 April 2009
A different kind of team
Casa Viva hosts 10-15 teams a year, but this team was different. It was the kind of experience that was more like a breath of fresh air than a crazy, hectic, leave-you-feeling-exhausted type of experience. Not because they didn’t work hard, because they did. As a matter of fact by Wednesday evening we were accomplishing projects that were on our “someday-maybe-hopefully” list. Instead it was a breath-of-fresh air trip because it was a reminder that God has a plan for each and everyone of us. He has uniquely gifted us to fill a specific need in His Kingdom.
As the week started out we were excited to discover some specific skills that we would have never even thought to ask for. We quickly learned that this was the kind of team
Rich, a commercial door installer by trade, brought a high-level of construction knowledge that lead to the repair of several commercial doors in our offices as well as the construction of three professional grade desks that we only dreamed of having some day.
Cindy, a realtor turned stay-at-home-mom, quickly set out to sew curtains and a slip cover. Her skill was far beyond anything we had ever even thought to petition God for.
A father-son-son combination, the Hamms, saw the trip as an opportunity to grow and serve together. And while they did accomplish much, they also served as friends and encouragers for the Aspegren boys.
Jeff, at a towering 6’ 6” was a great encourager and motivator on the team, but his physical stature came in very handy on Tuesday when a portion of the team replaced the ceiling in a Casa Viva home.
Connie and Bitsy’s cooking prowess was tested when they served a meal to 100+ Costa Ricans. The last person through received the last scoop of green bean casserole and the final role. A feat that was reminiscent of Jesus’ feading of the 5,000.
Greg and his son Cody were on the trip to serve alongside each other, but Greg’s role as a business coach and trainer came in very handy. At a time where Casa Viva is standing on the edge of something great, God sent Greg to provide professional coaching for Philip and Matt.
Tom’s heart for God’s work in the lives of the fatherless was evident from the moment he joined the team. He was there constantly encouraging and caring for Casa Viva families and fellow team members shown through.
See Photos
(This team originated from Wheaton Bible Church.)
As the week started out we were excited to discover some specific skills that we would have never even thought to ask for. We quickly learned that this was the kind of team
Rich, a commercial door installer by trade, brought a high-level of construction knowledge that lead to the repair of several commercial doors in our offices as well as the construction of three professional grade desks that we only dreamed of having some day.
Cindy, a realtor turned stay-at-home-mom, quickly set out to sew curtains and a slip cover. Her skill was far beyond anything we had ever even thought to petition God for.
A father-son-son combination, the Hamms, saw the trip as an opportunity to grow and serve together. And while they did accomplish much, they also served as friends and encouragers for the Aspegren boys.
Jeff, at a towering 6’ 6” was a great encourager and motivator on the team, but his physical stature came in very handy on Tuesday when a portion of the team replaced the ceiling in a Casa Viva home.
Connie and Bitsy’s cooking prowess was tested when they served a meal to 100+ Costa Ricans. The last person through received the last scoop of green bean casserole and the final role. A feat that was reminiscent of Jesus’ feading of the 5,000.
Greg and his son Cody were on the trip to serve alongside each other, but Greg’s role as a business coach and trainer came in very handy. At a time where Casa Viva is standing on the edge of something great, God sent Greg to provide professional coaching for Philip and Matt.
Tom’s heart for God’s work in the lives of the fatherless was evident from the moment he joined the team. He was there constantly encouraging and caring for Casa Viva families and fellow team members shown through.
See Photos
(This team originated from Wheaton Bible Church.)
13 April 2009
Back from Costa Rica
Dear Friends and Family,
Last Thursday, Kristin, Joshua, and I returned from Costa Rica where we served the Casa Viva staff and families. We spent three days working in the brand new Casa Viva offices, two days working in the homes of CV families, and Thursday evening hosting a family Easter event.
Casa Viva Offices
On Monday, Thursday, and Friday we worked in the Casa Viva offices. Casa Viva Costa Rica moved to new offices this past January. We spent time painting, sorting donations, rewiring some outlets, and building book shelves, tables, desks, and a divider wall. The divider wall and table were for an art room in the basement. This art room will be used as an activity center and art room for children while their parents are meeting with CV staff.
Casa Viva Families
On Tuesday and Wednesday we spent time serving inside some of the homes of Casa Viva caregivers. On T
uesday, half of the team and I went to the home of Rigoberto and Lupita. We spent time dividing a long room in two. The newly created room will be the home of two Casa Viva children. These children (ages 2 and 4) will be moving in sometime in the next few weeks. As we spent time in their home it became so very evident that the CV children will be moving into a loving, caring, and God-centered home. Lupita was warm and inviting. Rigoberto was willing and excited. And their two biological sons, Jonathan and Stephen, were ecstatic about these additions to their little family.
Easter Event
On Thursday Night at least 100 people showed up for our Easter Family Event. We taught the Costa Ricans about America’s way of celebrating Easter. We served ham, green bean casserole, and cake. Each family made an Easter Tree. We played games, hunted for Easter Candy, died Easter Eggs, and enjoyed a great evening together. It was fun to see CV families we have interacted with over the past years and to see how the children they care for have grown.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers as we served in Costa Rica these past two weeks.
Matt, Kristin, and Joshua.
Last Thursday, Kristin, Joshua, and I returned from Costa Rica where we served the Casa Viva staff and families. We spent three days working in the brand new Casa Viva offices, two days working in the homes of CV families, and Thursday evening hosting a family Easter event.
Casa Viva Offices
On Monday, Thursday, and Friday we worked in the Casa Viva offices. Casa Viva Costa Rica moved to new offices this past January. We spent time painting, sorting donations, rewiring some outlets, and building book shelves, tables, desks, and a divider wall. The divider wall and table were for an art room in the basement. This art room will be used as an activity center and art room for children while their parents are meeting with CV staff.
Casa Viva Families
On Tuesday and Wednesday we spent time serving inside some of the homes of Casa Viva caregivers. On T
uesday, half of the team and I went to the home of Rigoberto and Lupita. We spent time dividing a long room in two. The newly created room will be the home of two Casa Viva children. These children (ages 2 and 4) will be moving in sometime in the next few weeks. As we spent time in their home it became so very evident that the CV children will be moving into a loving, caring, and God-centered home. Lupita was warm and inviting. Rigoberto was willing and excited. And their two biological sons, Jonathan and Stephen, were ecstatic about these additions to their little family.Easter Event
On Thursday Night at least 100 people showed up for our Easter Family Event. We taught the Costa Ricans about America’s way of celebrating Easter. We served ham, green bean casserole, and cake. Each family made an Easter Tree. We played games, hunted for Easter Candy, died Easter Eggs, and enjoyed a great evening together. It was fun to see CV families we have interacted with over the past years and to see how the children they care for have grown.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers as we served in Costa Rica these past two weeks.
Matt, Kristin, and Joshua.
10 April 2009
Saprissa vs Heredia Futbol Game
In my last few days in Costa Rica this Spring, I asked Tito Flores to take me to a local soccer game.
We got to go see a Heredia vs. Saprissa Game.
Saprissa is sort of like the New York Yankees of Costa Rica. They are the team who sells the most jerseys. Has the most fans and the largest stadium, which is unfortunate because their jerseys are purple with a dragon. I chose to root for their opponent: Heredia.
We saw them play at Heredia. who has the smallest stadium, but a World Cup Costa Rica Team star. At the beginning of the game, Heredia was in second place to Saprissa.
There were a couple of major scuffles and in the end a penalty kick put Heredia on top to move into first place in the division.
I had so much fun. I would definitely do it again... Do you want to come next time?
We got to go see a Heredia vs. Saprissa Game.
Saprissa is sort of like the New York Yankees of Costa Rica. They are the team who sells the most jerseys. Has the most fans and the largest stadium, which is unfortunate because their jerseys are purple with a dragon. I chose to root for their opponent: Heredia.
We saw them play at Heredia. who has the smallest stadium, but a World Cup Costa Rica Team star. At the beginning of the game, Heredia was in second place to Saprissa.
There were a couple of major scuffles and in the end a penalty kick put Heredia on top to move into first place in the division.
I had so much fun. I would definitely do it again... Do you want to come next time?
24 March 2009
20 March 2009
Costa Rica Here We Come
On March 26th we leave for Costa Rica.
We (Kristin, Joshua, and I) will be there primarily to lead a week long mission trip from Wheaton Bible Church. We have 11 participants coming down to work on the Casa Viva offices, repair some Casa Viva families, and to throw an Easter Family Fun Night for al the Casa Viva staff and families.
During this Easter Fun Night, families will wonder between 5 stations learning about the importance of Easter, playing games, eating dinner, and learning about American traditions associated with Easter.
Additionally each family will walk away with a tree that they have decorated to teach their children about Easter during Holy Week. There are 12 items that hang from the tree based on the resurrection eggs by Family Life today.
In addition to being in country for this trip, we will be around a few extra days to do planning, work, and to be with the Casa Viva staff in Costa Rica. While in country we'll be staying with Phil and Jill Aspegren just a block or so from the team house.
We'll also spend some time with Tito and his family.
We (Kristin, Joshua, and I) will be there primarily to lead a week long mission trip from Wheaton Bible Church. We have 11 participants coming down to work on the Casa Viva offices, repair some Casa Viva families, and to throw an Easter Family Fun Night for al the Casa Viva staff and families.
During this Easter Fun Night, families will wonder between 5 stations learning about the importance of Easter, playing games, eating dinner, and learning about American traditions associated with Easter.
Additionally each family will walk away with a tree that they have decorated to teach their children about Easter during Holy Week. There are 12 items that hang from the tree based on the resurrection eggs by Family Life today.
In addition to being in country for this trip, we will be around a few extra days to do planning, work, and to be with the Casa Viva staff in Costa Rica. While in country we'll be staying with Phil and Jill Aspegren just a block or so from the team house.
We'll also spend some time with Tito and his family.
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