Pura Vida, 2016

Our team was beyond ready to see what the Lord had in store in Costa Rica!

First and foremost, I praise God for His mighty works and his choice to use broken vessels like myself and others to spread His name. I just wanted to update everyone on how the Lord is working mightily on international soil- specifically in Costa Rica! This post is long overdue, but the message and His ministry is still the same. I would like to personally thank each of you who supported me financially through purchasing my necklaces and tees- the Lord provided above and beyond what I ever could have imagined. I especially want to thank those who immersed my team and I in prayer before and during our trip. Prayer is a vital part of our spiritual walk daily, but even more so as one is called on mission. The Lord is and was gracious throughout the entire trip, carrying our team through heartache, homesickness, illnesses, injuries, and especially through spiritual warfare. Our God is so good as He strengthened and encouraged each of us spiritually throughout the week. Daily worship and praise as a team was such a refreshing time to thrive in our faith.

The Lord worked mightily in my own life before this trip; He restored full dependency in His power, faithfulness, and love. He reminded me of the ultimate purpose of living for his eternal kingdom, especially in periods of singleness. This time in life without commitment to a significant other, children, or dependents is the most critical time in one's life to be used for His glory, without any strings attached! Use the time the Lord has given you to its utmost potential-- He is calling you for a reason! He also restored ultimate joy in my life. Joy that is indescribable and incomparable to any other. Joy in the work of my Savior.

I was blessed with the opportunity to serve with my International Biblical Studies class in San Jose, Costa Rica, with Students International. Students International is an organization that partners with short-term teams, but continues to serve in the area for much longer. There were different capacities in which our team served while we were there: Sports, Social Services, Special Education, Woodshop, and Microfinance. I had the blessing to serve with three of my dear friends in the Sports site where we had the privilege to share the love of Christ through sports with children living in various villages surrounding San Jose.

The sports group after a long day of soccer and hiking. (Featuring our godly leader, Thompson!)

Many of the sports that Costa Rican children enjoy are similar to sports we play here in America. Of course, the favorite is Soccer; however, they also enjoy participating in Basketball, Football, Four-Square, Hopscotch, you name it! Seeing their face light up with joy absolutely melts your heart. It most certainly puts our lives as "wealthy" Americans into perspective. They are content with their lifestyle- one that consists of rice and beans, one-room houses, filthy water... Our culture looks down on that, yet they consider it a blessing! Why is that? Why can I not be fulfilled like that-- content, perfectly happy with what I have?

One of our favorite children at the Los Guido site. His smiles and laughter were contagious!

They prefer to play four square in Costa Rica with their feet, but the Americans couldn't catch on...

Timothy and Thompson don't take the game lightly!

Each day, we were blessed with attending different sites. This allowed us as a team to develop relationships, though very short, with multitudes of children who live in the suburbs of San Jose. Many of these areas were politically corrupt, impoverished, and full of crime. Many of the children we were able to connect with came from broken homes, and teens were often involved in gang-like activities. To them, it is strange to see a group of "gringos" in their area loving on them and playing sports in the street. Many tourists completely avoid the areas in which we were serving. In fact, our presence in those neighborhoods that citizens on the bus would ask if we missed our bus stop... back at the capital! It was humbling to see how special our simple recreational activities brightened their lives, even for a few short hours. Smiles, giggles, and the sweet sound of Spanish continue to resonate in my brain-- even several months later. I have never experienced a greater joy or amazement in the Lord than while speaking with several teenage girls during our Ping Pong Club one afternoon. It still amazes me how the Lord allowed me to speak with them and understand our conversations... that lasted two hours. (Yes. I believe the Lord most certainly was speaking through me. It felt like a Tower of Babel and speaking in foreign tongues kind of moment! Who knew this Mississippi girl had such a niche for Español?)

Three of the girls that Caitlin and I instantly were able to connect with. They love to sing, dance, do gymnastics, and chase you while trying to tickle you!

Thompson with the group of boys that attend bicycle club every week! They learn about Christ and His love for them, learn to fix their bikes, and enjoy godly fellowship off of the streets of Costa Rica.

Sports team with the group at Ping Pong club! 

The views in this country are beyond spectacular. It is quite difficult to even put into words (or capture on camera!) this beauty and relay it to others. Ironically, Costa Rica is quite the oxymoron, of sorts. In the middle of our week in Costa Rica, one of our team leaders took us on a hike up the mountainside to allow us to see the magnificent volcanoes surrounding the communities we were serving. Upon our arrival at the clearing, we could see for miles within the "bowl" of volcanoes (and let me just say, the view was absolutely breathtaking!). Each of us was speechless at how amazing our Creator is and stood in awe of His handiwork. In the midst of our amazement, the team leader took the time to explain to our team that, as Americans, we see the area as absolutely beautiful-- some would dare say perfect. However, this is not the case with those who live in the area.

No-- indeed, it is actually quite the opposite. You see, when the locals climb up to the top of that hill and look out over the community, they only see the area for what it really is. In their eyes, that view is complete filth. Impoverishment. Crime. Corruption. Greed. Often as outsiders, we come in with the wrong view of service. As missions-minded Americans, we are not there to "fix" the problem. We are truly there to humble ourselves out of respect for the example set by Christ to become servants. Missionaries simply join in the work the Lord is already doing at every given moment.

No picture will ever do the absolute beauty of God's creation justice.

Pray for Costa Rica and these trials that locals face everyday. Pray for their government, social issues, and general safety for the children who live in the communities surrounding San Jose. Students International is continuing to pour into these children's lives as the Holy Spirit moves. Pray for continued strength, safety, wisdom, and perseverance for each staff member and intern who are there each day. Seeds are daily being planted-- pray that they will take root and spread not only to these kids, but that they would grow within each of their families. From the families to the communities. The Lord is doing MIGHTY things in Costa Rica. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. Every tribe and nation is longing to hear the good news of hope that can only found in our Savior. How is the Lord calling you to contribute to this longing? How are you being called to serve right where you are?

We hated to say goodbye, but we know God is still working mightily in this land!