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Through chats, youth activities and plain old soccer, a group of 16 youth and adults from Community of Christ Lutheran Church in North Carolina grew in relationship with the community of faith in Quitirrisí, an indigenous community close to San Jose.

The North Carolina youth, who visited ILCO July 28 to Aug. 4, collaborated with community members in painting the exterior of the 5-year-old church structure in Quitirrisí. Group members stayed in community members’ homes and in the church building, and participated in a number of activities with the youth group, such as a Q&A session, a bonfire (complete with s’mores) and a walk to the river at an ILCO-owned parcel.

An intergenerational group of 14 Lutherans from Faith Lutheran in Coon Rapids, Minn., visited the ILCO July 18-24. The group spent several days sharing with the community of La Carpio, an urban community with a strong Nicaraguan immigrant presence, and learned about some of the issues confronting immigrants in Costa Rica.

Faith Lutheran collaborated with members of the community in painting the main worship room on the first floor of the church building in La Carpio. They also shared with the children’s circle and youth groups, and even received a dance lesson from the traditional dance group.

Thirty-three youth and adults from Southwest Texas Synod painted, planted, rollerskated and shared with ILCO youth as part of a July 8-15 visit aimed at learning more about Lutherans in Costa Rica and assisting in projects at ILCO’s Centro Manu retreat center.

The group included youth from three Texas congregations: Grace Lutheran, MacArthur Park Lutheran, and Christ Lutheran, all in the San Antonio, Texas area. Activities included Vacation Bible School with the children of San Martín, a rural community of faith with a strong Nicaraguan immigrant presence. San Martín youth also shared with ELCA youth in a rollerskating event and a special Christmas in July celebration. The Texas youth helped in a variety of small projects in Centro Manu, and also painted the interior of the church in San Martín.