First off, I want to apologize for the lack of an update since I got to Costa Rica. To be honest, my mind has been so overwhelmed with everything and it has been difficult for me to sit and just collect all my thoughts to compose into a blog post.
Without further ado, here’s the update you have all been anxiously awaiting:
X Squad landed in the beautiful country of Costa Rica last Wednesday night at about 9pm and after sitting at the airport and going through customs and immigration, we split into our teams and went our separate ways for the month. Team Flood Sisters is working with Conexion Ministries in San Jose and honestly, we could not be more blessed (and spoiled)! The people in this ministry are like a family to each other and they have adopted us into this big crazy family. We have had the opportunity to do so much in the 9 days we have been here, including working at a school with 1-6 graders, teaching about values and playing games; sorting 3,000 sweaters (yes, you read that right…3,000), teaching children’s church, loving on people we meet and painting a church. The great thing is that this isn’t all we will be doing this month! We will also be teaching English and doing prison ministry at a local women’s prison (which I am most excited about).
Our hosts, Bryan and Beth Tatum are absolutely wonderful and are the most loving and selfless people I have ever met. They just celebrated their 28th anniversary and it gave me hope that love like this still exists in a world where there are so many divorces and broken homes. Also, in case you’re worrying about the food, we are eating like queens…Bryan used to be a chef at Disney World (need I say more)!
Favorite Story of the Week:
One of the first nights here, I prayed that God would just reveal Himself to me in the simplest way…remind me why I am doing this and why I’m crazy enough to spend 11 months away from home outside of my comfort zone. Last week, we worked with kids at a school outside of San Jose…one day we worked with 4-6 graders and the next day, 1-3 graders. In first grade, there was a set of twins (y’all know I’m a sucker for twins…and God knows this year is going to be so hard being away from my own twin) who were both wearing Minnie Mouse shirts, jean shorts and matching bows…(think of adorableness and multiply that by 100).
I was sitting on the bleachers watching the kids play and one of the twins came over, sat down next to me and I smiled at her. A few minutes later, she scooted over closer to me, handed me one of her cookies and gave me a hug. (My heart was exploding by this point). I went and asked Beth how to ask someone if they are a twin in Spanish…by the time I got back over to the girl, I had completely forgotten how to say twin in Spanish and she thought I was asking her what her name was for the 3rd time…then she got frustrated and a bit annoyed. Whoops. When the kids were going back to class, the other twin came over to me the biggest hug a first grader can give. I almost cried.
What has the Lord been teaching me?
The past week, the Lord has been teaching me so much as well as showing me things He wants me to walk deeper into with Him. One of the biggest things He has been teaching me is about loving others.
Love- (noun) an intense feeling of deep affection.
– (verb) to like very much, find pleasure in.
– (synonyms) care, compassion, fondness, tenderness, adoration, warmth
I am not good at communicating verbally…throw in a completely different language(that I barely know) and it’s a recipe for a lot frustration. There are so many people I have just wanted to sit and have a conversation with and get to hear their story, but a lot of the time they don’t speak English (or they speak very little) and I know only a handful of Spanish.
Through my frustration and the language barrier, our sweet Lord has gently reminded me that in order to love someone, you don’t have to speak the same language. Love defies language barriers…love knows no boundaries. Loving someone is sitting on the floor coloring with a child, giving a high five to a kid who is discouraged because they aren’t the best at the relay game you are playing. It is smiling at a person you pass on the street or graciously accepting food someone works so hard to make for you knowing they have so little yet they are giving you so much.
This next year is going to be filled with so much growth. I know it is going to be hard and I know that sometimes I will want to throw in the towel and just come home. But, I am excited to walk deeper into the ocean with Daddy.
