A VOLCANO WAKES UP

The last major eruption of the Turrialba Volcano was in 1866.  As one of Costa Rica’s largest volcanoes, it attracts visitors year round. In fact, brave visitors used to be able to hike down into the main crater. However, in 1996 small rumblings started to increase, and time spent at the summit was limited to 15 minutes due to increased gaseous activity.

This past March 12th and 13th, the Turrialba Volcano woke from its slumber and started spewing flumes of ash into the air. The three eruptions that happened over those two days are regarded as the most significant volcanic activity in the last century. As a result of the significant amount of ash in the air, the San Jose Airport was completely closed, with over 100 canceled flights.

What happens when a Joshua Expeditions group is scheduled to depart Costa Rica on the day the airport is shut down due to an unprecedented volcanic eruption?

Lives are changed.

A CURVEBALL AT THE END OF A GREAT TRIP

On the morning that the volcano erupted, Group Q187 had already spent six amazing days in Costa Rica. They spent time at the hot springs in Fortuna, zip-lined through the rainforest canopies, crossed the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges, taken a Catamaran Cruise to Tortuga Island, and spent two full days serving a local ministry. On the morning of March 13th, they were scheduled to depart from San Jose International Airport to return home, tired but happy after a busy trip.

OVER 100 CANCELLED FLIGHTS

We got word of the airport shutdown here at Joshua Expeditions Headquarters soon after the group found out. Our JE Guide in Costa Rica kept in touch with our airline department, and we were in immediate contact with the group’s scheduled airline. The ripple effects from the cancelation of over 100 hundred flights in a single day were devastating. We rebooked the group on the very earliest flight out possible. That flight was three days later than the original departure.

The idea of being “stranded” in a beautiful, warm country like Costa Rica may seem absurd to all of the friends and family back in the US who had been jealously viewing all of the fun-filled photos the group posted to social media sites. However, even though the group was perfectly safe, and having three extra days in a Pura Vida paradise is never a bad thing, there was an immediate need to find something appropriate for a group of almost 40 people to do with the extra time.

EXTRA TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

A situation like the one that the volcano created, could easily have spiraled into three days of stress about booking last minute activities, worrying about who will foot the bill for the extra trip days, and losing site about why we believe in travel in the first place. Instead, we paused to pray and ask God for guidance.  There will always be curveballs whenever you travel, but we believe in God’s sovereignty and know that there are always needs.

On our Costa Rica House Building trips, a Costa Rican crew lays a concrete foundational slab before the group arrives. That way, when the group shows up, they can jump right into framing the house, adding the roof, walls, and windows, and have a complete house in three days. (You can check out this video of a house built here.) The process of finding the appropriate property to lay the slab and interviewing the family who will receive the new house can take weeks. After talking with our JE Guide in Costa Rica on the day the volcano erupted, we found out something truly incredible. A single mother of three children had completely lost her house due to a fire. The only thing left was the foundational slab.

Following what we believe to be the Holy Spirit’s lead, we donated the money for the building supplies, and the group spent the next three days changing the lives of Guiselle and her children Jerry, Carolina, and Valeria.

A NEW HOUSE

Our JE group got a lot more than they bargained for on their trip to Costa Rica. Not only did they get three extra days on their trip, they got the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on a family there.

Here is the group in action during the “extra” days on their trip.

It’s not every day that we can say a major volcanic eruption led to changed lives. This group of willing teenagers showed great character, flexibility, and a desire to serve and make a difference with the extra time that they had. We pray that God will continue to provide fore Guiselle, her family, and the people of Costa Rica.