Synthetic Soccer Field

Johan making his plan a reality.

We have been inspired by one of Bridget’s English students, Johan, who is 19 and studied accounting at a technical high school. For one class his teacher divided students into small groups to write business plans.  Johan’s group focused on developing a passion fruit farm. After graduation in 2016 Johan wanted to make the business plan a reality, but his peers lost interest. Johan came up with a new idea - to build a synthetic soccer field so children, youth, men and women could play anytime. A place families could enjoy that was free of drugs and alcohol. A place to foster success, respect, effort, equality and discipline. 

The synthetic soccer field's beautiful view!

With his father’s support Johan researched synthetic fields in Costa Rica, wrote a business proposal, and received financing from some investors.  His father dedicated a piece of his farm land to the project. Johan hired, and worked with, the excavation company that cleared the land and laid the foundation.  Then the synthetic turf was rolled out, the lights and nets went up, bleachers were made, and a concession stand was built where his mother started a business selling refreshments.

Hosting the first of many tournaments.

In August Johan began talking to his father about the soccer field and by December 2017 Sintética Piedra Redonda S&S hosted their first soccer tournament.  Local teams and teams from the surrounding communities participated in the opening event. The soccer field continues to be a popular place for families to gather in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends to watch the fast paced 5-on-5 games or to attend training and conditioning classes. Johan hopes it will be common for people to ask, “When’s the game at the synthetic field?” Seeing such a motivated young person like Johan is inspiring. 

Ron (wearing UTSA shirt) and his students.

We also have been inspired by the talented UTSA finance students that came to help with our Microloan Project. They volunteered to spend their vacation with us and to celebrate New Year’s Day they organized a carnival for the community. Ron Sweet is their professor and the treasurer of ICDI. His assistance with the Microloan Project has been invaluable.

Paul and Bridget in Costa Rica.

If you would like to come and help us with EnglishClasses, Maintaining the Emmanuel Center or other projects in Costa Rica email us. We can always use an extra hand.  We would be glad to give you more information and put you on our 2018-2019 calendar.

Please be praying about:

- English classes starting in Feb and March 
- the new roof for the Emmanuel Center

- strong marriages for us and our friends

- our Cabécar language classes

- the repair of our vehicle

Serving Him,

Paul & Bridget