Before I continue the story of Adelphoi’s month of Unsung Hero, let me share some pictures from Pearl Process. If you remember one of my previous posts, one of the ministries we visited consisted of women who create mosaics to sell. When we flew out of the San Jose airport, I found a display of the women’s mosaics in the Cafe Britt store. I was honored to tell the clerk (who assured me the mosaics were handmade) that I met the women who make them!
Our next journeys on the quest for Unsung Heroes involved the jungle. We went first to Mighty Rivers in La Alegria (www.mightyrivers.net). At the moment Mighty Rivers is an ecofarm with deep relationships in Talamanca. Talamanca is the southern area of Costa Rica where the indigenous people live. It is made up of many villages and is the poorest region of the country. A family from one of the villages lives in the main house and cares for the land year-round. The family hopes to teach others from Talamanca how to farm sustainably. They also dream of installing a water system in the villages, something that does not yet exist. Another project on Drusilla’s heart is housing for the children of Talamanca who are orphaned or need more help in school. The farm may be three hours form the people, but the people are never far from the thoughts of Mighty Rivers staff.
Drusilla recognized our fatigue from traveling and allowed us space to rest and be renewed. A spirit of renewal is what she hopes rests on the land. And boy, can we attest to it! Internet was no option, as remote as we were. And although I enjoy keeping up with everyone, it was a relief not to have access. Instead I caught up on journaling and processing the month. Our team devotions in the morning were rich and relaxed. Then we helped out around the farm, doing small chores. Our afternoons were filled with time to enjoy each others’ presence or take time by ourselves. We enjoyed ice cream, yogurt, and fresh milk from the neighboring dairy farm. We swam and jumped in the river. Nighttime discussions between our team and the staff about ministry and dreams were sweet. And nothing was ever rushed. Plus, we were surrounded by nature – fields of cattle, rivers, and jungle.
Zach and I went to the river one day and were quiet long enough to see a few howler monkeys in the trees anove us, as well as toucans. I had wanted to see a toucan the entire time in Central America. So I prayed that God would send one by, and He did! In that moment I was reminded that God wants to give me the desires of my heart, even (and especially) the small ones.
If I could describe Mighty Rivers in one word, it would be this: Peaceful.
