Dates: April 3–10, 2020
Leaders: Nelson & Tanya Amador
Participants: Open to all
Trip Description
Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. . . ”
More than 90,000 Nicaraguan refugees have poured into Costa Rica escaping the violent repression of the Ortega regime. Most who cross the border arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs and their personal story of how they avoided being shot by paramilitaries or police. 500+ unarmed citizens have been killed in Nicaragua by the corrupt Sandinista forces keeping Daniel Ortega in power since April 2018.
In response to this migration crisis Corner of Love has established a new headquarters close to the Costa Rica-Nicaragua border to provide relief to refugees who are arriving tired, hungry, and emotionally raw, as they experience the devastating sadness of leaving behind their homeland and loved ones.
Consider joining this team and be a part of their new beginning in life. This group will stay near Dreams Las Mareas in Costa Rica and each participant purchases their own flight into LIR, Liberia, Costa Rica. (You may also arrive in San José (SJO) and take a bus north to our headquarters.)
Each participant will volunteer daily to organize supplies and set up the relief center to serve migrant families. All team members will have the opportunity to meet and pray with Nicaraguans on their refugee journey. Though we will work every day, three of the volunteer days will include mobilizing families from the border to a nearby city where their needs are assessed and files are created to document their medical, nutritional, and safety needs. In addition, our team will provide clothing, medicine, towels, blankets, toiletries, and bus fare to their immigration proceedings in Costa’s capital city of San José.
Since 2000 Corner of Love has been lending hands to serve Nicaraguans in need, leading as many as 30 medical-dental-optical groups per year. In Nicaragua we have also built numerous schools, churches, and even outfitted our own hospital, and clinic. Though we are sad to see the level of danger near our San Ramon, Matagalpa headquarters, we hope you’ll be a part of this special season of mission in Costa Rica. We are needed now more than ever!
Trip Cost
$1450 payable in the U.S. (We welcome additional fundraising for our Refugee Relief Center. [Additional $500 fundraising goal for refugee medicine suggested, but not required. Corner of Love operates a full Rx pharmacy and all treatments are dispensed free of charge to refugees.])
$150 payable in Costa Rica
$75 (recommended amount) for spending money
All team members may solicit 100% tax deductible donations in connection with their trip by using Corner of Love’s EIN No. 36-4612230. For more information contact trips@corneroflove.org.
Suggested Itinerary
Your city-LIR (Liberia, Costa Rica)
ARRIVAL DAY: April 3, 2020
DEPARTURE DAY: April 10, 2020
All team members buy their own plane ticket and give Corner of Love a copy of their flight itinerary. ANY flight arriving and departing on the indicated dates is fine. It is okay to register for a team before purchasing airfare, just indicate “not yet booked” and send when you buy your plane ticket.
Alternative Itinerary
Your city to SJO (San Jose, Costa Rica)
Alternately, you could fly in or out of San Jose and take a bus to or from Liberia. Note that the route takes 4.5 hours or more. You would likely arrive a day or more before the suggested arrival day.
Early Arrivals/Late Departures
Costa Rica has much to offer as far as tourism. For Corner of Love it is no problem if you choose to fly in before the suggested arrival day or stay after the suggested departure day.
At the request of participants, here are a few tips about Liberia-area accommodations:
Many team members choose to come in one day early to rest a bit before the mission starts. We recommend HILTON LIBERIA for this. They have a free shuttle from the airport. On most trips at least one or two Corner of Love participants opt to stay at the HILTON before the mission start date. If you book at the HILTON, plan on taking their free shuttle (let them know you are arriving) and take your mission cargo luggage to the hotel.
For those who want to do some shopping, we recommend BEST WESTERN LIBERIA, which is right across the street from Liberia Walmart. (Shuttle to/from airport available for fee)
For those that like mountain and National Park activities, zip lining, animals, and authentic Costa Rican outdoor fun, we suggest BUENA VISTA DEL RINCON. (They can arrange transportation to/from airport for a fee. Note that it is about one hour from airport.)
If you are looking for a beach holiday, there are HUNDREDS of choices. We have heard many people rave about DREAMS, TAMARINDO, and also PLAYA HERMOSA.
Contacts
U.S. Office: trips@corneroflove.org
Ask questions via text: (206) 419-1133
Trip Coordinator: kirby@corneroflove.org
(For those in Washington State) Schedule pick-up of luggage at Maple Valley office: (425) 432-0433
Forms & Links
- Donate Towards This Trip
- Printable Costa Rica/Colombia Trip Application
- Online Costa Rica Trip Application
- What to bring – Costa Rica
- What’s Needed – Costa Rica
- COL at Peñas Blancas Border
- Watch latest Video
Corner of Love Main Office
23745 225th Way SE Suite 209
Maple Valley, WA 98038
(425) 432.0433