I have aptly named my big backpack "The Green Monster." Attempting to repack it yet again is one thing, carrying it is another! And my experience of getting to debrief was very different than the rest of the team. Each of them packed themselves and their things into the ZOE church minibus. While they were doing this, I was on a coffee date with two lovely ladies that a friend and I met while doing park evangilism. This was my last chance to see them before I left Costa Rica. So our team had the plan that two of them would send their bags, but wait back for me and take the bus with me to the hostel.
When I returned no one was there. I assumed they would be back soon and went to finish packing the green monster. I finish. No one has come back for me yet. I wait. There was just a split second of panic where I wondered if I would be staying at the school forever. Finally they return and the adventure begins.
About 45 pounds are strapped to my back, and 5 pounds to my front. We trek to the bus stop. As the bus rolls up I see everyone on the bus staring… I am sure their thoughts were something like "look at the gringo who can barely stand!" We found the wheelchair area on the bus for me to stand in. I then realized I had no idea how far we were going. We were being led by two of our Costa Rican friends who were being pretty quiet on what the exact distance of travel we were going to take. After standing for quite awhile two seats opened up. I sat sideways in order to fit. I filled both of the seats! I was sitting for a mere 2 minutes when we came to our stop.
A long walk in the dark took us to our next bus. This time I went straight to the first two seats I could find. Another long bus ride. Then another long walk. Finally we reached the rather hidden hostel. Jamie looks at me and says, "good job Laura! You have been wearing that pack for an hour and a half!" Needless to say I was happy to set it down!
All this was to bring me to debrief. This is a time for our team to rejuvenate and refocus before entering into our final country. We will have sessions with two AIM staff who have come down from the states to be with us for debrief. We will also have much needed rest time.
Thank you for your prayers up to this point. I appreciate them more than you know!
"The distance is nothing when one has a motive." -Jane Austen
