Thompson Thrift Positively Impacts Communities in Costa Rica
March 8, 2024
San José, Costa Rica
Thompson Thrift team members went on a recent Vision Trip to San José, Costa Rica, on February 16-20 with one of our global partners, ICM. This was Thompson Thrift's first-ever Vision Trip to Costa Rica.
The group visited five churches, hope centers, and children's centers in and around San José, including a ribbon-cutting celebration and dedication at the TT-funded Labranza Hope Center.
The team learned more about the Costa Rican culture by attending a welcome reception at the Assemblies of God denominational headquarters, visiting a dynamic primary school in an under-resourced community, handing out gifts and toys to pastors and children, having dinner with the superintendent of all Spanish-speaking Assembly of God churches nationwide, hosting a team-building adventure ziplining through the rainforest and participating in mini-vacation bible school at two of the churches.
“TT Serve is excited to establish Costa Rica as our fifth market area for Vision Trips and church building projects. This beautiful country was very welcoming to our team, and I was proud of our team members for their enthusiasm, can-do attitudes, and service throughout the trip. One of our interpreters who traveled 8 hours to support our team particularly inspired us. He is pastoring among indigenous people in a remote region of Costa Rica. We also were impacted by two dynamic teachers at a primary school in an impoverished area who exuded vision and passion for their work. We left the country much closer to each other and pondering how we should positively change our lives as a result of the people we met.” – Keith, Director of Philanthropy.
“Truly a privilege to participate in the 2024 Costa Rica Vision Trip. It gave us the opportunity to make a meaningful impact to communities in need while gaining valuable perspective and fostering personal growth. We also built meaningful relationships with other TT team members and participants. It was an incredible and life changing experience. Lessons: Be Kind and Be Grateful.” – Andrea, Community Manager.
“My participation in the 2024 vision trip to Costa Rica was nothing short of transformative. It expanded my awareness of the world and encouraged me to cherish every moment, no matter how small. I will never forget the memories made and the people I met. Thank you Thompson Thrift!” – Sam, Construction Services Administrator/Office Manager.
“The Costa Rica vision trip was a truly unforgettable and unique experience. The trip was not only extremely rewarding, but monumentally humbling. I feel I got to know the others on the trip in a way that would be totally impossible in my everyday work life. It’s amazing to see the impact we are able to leave on people thousands of miles away from our home and office, and I really feel that I left the trip with a bit of a different perspective on life. Thank you to Keith and Paul for the opportunity to be a part of this trip. And Pablo for saying my number and being the reason that I got left behind at the restaurant while the bus drove away.” – Kevin, Capital Markets Analyst.
Thompson Thrift looks forward to hosting four additional Vision Trips throughout 2024 to Panama, Merida, Guadalajara, and Guatemala.
