The Elevate Youth Group at First United Methodist, Winter Park, FL has a very active mission program.. The 20-person team, included five that had worked on projects in Los Chiles previous years. Also Richard Brelsford, the adult leader, has been working on Agua Viva projects for over five years. His enthusiasm and experience was key for the group to being very effective.
The team members were involved in three basic activities: constructing a new house; participating in morning advanced English classes; and helping with afternoon children’s program at the local Methodist Church. Most members participated in all three activities over the week.
In mid-July Richard will lead another, similar team to complete the house.
Starting a New House
The house’s site is a few blocks from the hotel where the team stayed in Los Chiles. The house will be an addition to a family’s group of very modest homes. It is built using reinforced concrete panels following an approved government design that resists damage from earthquakes. A simple, small house by US standards, it will be a major improvement for the family.
The pictures below capture the team’s progress constructing the house over the week.
Work site team getting organized
Starting off the work with a prayer
Digging a 3 ft deep hole for a column
Fran welding roof truss
Columns are reinforced and heavy
Bringing in the concrete mixer
Setting the column in concrete
Chente directs the aligning the column, setting it to the correct depth and making sure it is vertical.
Nash and Chente get the column into place
Some post holes had to have water removed.
A crew brings a panel to the wall
Michael and Nash get the 70+ lb concrete panel into place
Lots of hands lift the concrete wall panels
The panels are insterted in slots on the sides of the columns.
The concrete panels are slowly lowered by pressing on them.
Installing a truss for the roof
Communion and house dedication ceremony
End of week, walls up, roof on.
English Classes
Every morning four or five youth participated in an advanced English class. This has been an excellent way for the team to build relationships with their peers in Los Chiles.
Helping out at an advanced English class
At English class the games require correct and quick responses.
The English class had a volleyball game
Afternoon Children’s Activities
During this week school was out so there was good attendance. Craft projects, simple games, singing and sports were the main activities. On Thursday there was a Water Day – which includes lots of activities that involve having fun and getting wet!
Afternoon children’s program
Slip and slide is a favorite.
Water day!
Bob with AVS in Costa Rica 
