I was so blessed in Costa Rica.
The weather wasn't too bad. It was hot, but the heat was a dry heat so the shade made a difference. And it was windy, which felt great.
No one on my team got sick or injured. Except for occasionaly falling off ladders… But otherwise, everyone was healthy and it was all around a great month!
My team had the priveledge of working with ZOE future leaders. We did just about everything missionaries do.
We did work around the school; it was neat to see how a Christian shcool in Costa Rica opperates. I used a belt saw to sand down desks. That was fun, and my arms got an amazing workout after that! We did a lot of yard work, painting, and other things to get the school looking nice.
We helped Pastor René and his family move into a new house. It was a lot of fun connecting with them and getting to bless them. His family was such a blessing to us during the month. Pastor's two children, Raquel (23) and Dany (21) are completely bilingual. They have such good American accents that you can't tell which language is their first language and which is their second. Raquel and Dany were so helpful when I asked them questions about Spanish. Pastor said at the rate I was going, he could see me being fluent in just a few months! I don't know about that, but I guess if I lived there then that might happen!
We went to a hospital to pray over sick people and talk to them. That was such a good day. I got to meet some wonderful translators that were such a huge help in communicating witht he sick. All of the translators that helped us became my friends. They are such wonderful people.
We also went to a prison. That was a lot of fun. I loved talking to them about Jesus and hearing their stories.
My favorite thing was going to the Youth group one Saturday night. I love that age group! Those kids were so amazing. It was neat watching them run the entire evening. And watching them worship was the highlight of my time in Costa Rica. My soul was filled with complete joy being with them.
We did a lot of other ministries too. But these were the hightlights.
A large part of my heart remains in Costa Rica. I fell in love so hard and so fast. I have never felt so strongly that I belong somewhere. But I was made for Costa Rica. I know I will go back there.
My heart was broken when I left. I knew how much everyone meant to me. But I didn't know how much I meant to a lot of them. My prayer is that I could have had some kind of impact on their lives. They had such an impact on my life.
I want to blog about specific people that touched my heart. So I will.. Hopefully soon.
I know I haven't blogged a lot. And I am sorry for that. I will try to do better with it and try to get one out a week if I can.
I really want to share what is going on in my life on a much deeper level. I want you all on this journey with me. And I am being selfish by not sharing more of this with you.
I love you all and miss you very much!
Heading out to do ministry in Nicarauga tomorrow!
Much love
Mal
