Costa Rica Recap

We are safe and sound in the Dominican Republic where we get to partner alongside Mission of Hope this month in ministry. Mission of Hope is extremely close to my heart and I will tell you why in my next blog post, but before we move on completely, we must recap Costa Rica.

Costa Rica, for me personally, was a really hard month.

Coming in from Nicaragua, we switched teams for the first time since we started. Now, I love all my squadmates, but there is something specifically special about those that you had all your world race “firsts” with. First travel day, first host experience, first ministry, first feedback, first walk home in the pouring rain (and there were many), first disagreements, first reconciliations, first debrief, first EVERYTHING.

Safe to say, I missed my friends a ton. Between that and being struck with a bit of homesickness of my mom, my church, and my friends back home- everyday truly was a push and a strong ask from the Lord. For those praying for me, thank you! I felt the strength from those prayers that built me up.

However, with this past month being more difficult than the previous in some ways; there were still so many incredible and joy-filled moments throughout my time in Costa Rica. Here are a few:

• Building relationships with the YWAM staff Rasta, Elsi, and Connor Bean (aka Frijoles)
• Visiting the BriBri indigenous community with Karina Beach
• Easter in Costa Rica and getting the opportunity to speak at church on Easter morning!
• Combined women’s days with our other women team down the road
• Getting to know the men from teen challenge addicition rehab program
• Being chased by a monkey at the National Park (yes, this happened to me)

Also, lots of growth in the Lord!

Recently, I have been in Deuteronomy and going through an in-depth study of the Old Testament books. Deuteronomy is jam-packed with an inside look on God’s character, his faithfulness to fulfill promises, and his absolute sovereignty. A verse that spoke to me deeply was this:

“The Lord did not set his affections on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other people, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharoah king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Deut 7:7-9

This verse brought me comfort and helped me see God in the way of loving Father; remembering that our reality is that we serve a God who does not need us, but wants to use his creation for his will and purposes on earth. It’s humbling to know that God works out of his love for his children, and not based upon our merit or works. As humans, we tend to blur the line of what our responsibility is while on earth. Here, we remember that it is to keep the commandments of God, who is faithful and who has graced us with unending love and mercy.

Stepping into this next month in the Dominican Republic, I am feeling strengthened by prayer, the support of friends and family, and the Lord’s kindness by giving me a piece of home on the race in the form of Mission of Hope. Thank you to everyone for your encouragements and reminders that because of God, we can do hard things. I praise God for the pursuit of his children, not because we are deserving; but, because we are HIS.