I have arrived! After two shuttles, six hours at the airport, a three hour flight and a final bus ride, we are in Costa Rica. We have driven through rolling hills of lush vegetation, miles of rainforest and the most beautiful mountain range I have ever laid my eyes upon. We have passed small mountain towns with fruit stands at every turn and farms as far as the eye can see. I am falling in love with Costa Rica. I have already pictured myself living in a small house on the mountainside, growing coffee and growing old.
Last night, we stayed in San Jose at a church called Iglesia Luz y Vida (Church of Light and Life). The Pastor, his wife and two others were there to meet us when we arrived. They gave us an incredibly warm welcome. None of them spoke English so we communicated in broken Spanish and a lot of laughing and hand gestures. Their hospitality was amazing. Pastor Pilo had his friend come and translate some words he wanted to share with us. He wanted us to know that he was grateful to have us and that the money we paid to stay there was going toward building classrooms for the children. He was beaming and overjoyed to have us there and we were equally as excited. Two days ago we had no where to stay and last night they opened their doors to us, not only providing a place to sleep but showers and food as well. They cooked us a full meal this morning and invited us to come back whenever we wished! God was definitely in San Jose and He relieved Himself to us through Pastor Pilo and his family.
After breakfast, as I sat there looking around at those I’d traveled here with and our new comrades, I felt the overwhelming presence of love in my heart. They are a group of people truly on a quest to find more about what God created them for and to help others find that as well. A group of people thrilled by the promise of adventure and enticed by the unfamiliarity and wonder of new places, new people, and new discoveries. A group of people who’s main desire is to know more of God; without distractions, without pressure, without structure. It’s beautiful that regardless of our personalities, race, nationality, or language, we share a connection together, one that is the same in every language. We share the love of God, the creator of the Universe and all people on Earth. I hope one day to come back to visit a Pastor Pilo and his family, they really loved us well.
Currently, I am in a cab on my way to my ministry destination. I’ve been in this cab for about six hours heading to Los Chiles. It has Wifi people, who knew! Our ministry for the month is an organization called Fundacion Resplandecer (Shine Foundation). They help at risk youth in the area. As of right now, we’ll be doing manual labor on the farm. They give a lot of what they grow to the children who don’t have enough to eat and sell the rest to support their ministry. About 20 minutes ago we arrived in Los Chiles, but PLOT TWIST, we found out that the bus station we were suppose to meet our contacts at was actually an hour back the way we came. They are suppose to be picking us up and then driving us another half hour to where we will be camping. So here we are, back in the cab! We are heading back toward the mountains and I have time to write this blog, so as unfortunate as all of this may seem, it’s actually quite a blessing. On the World Race, everything about our schedules are subject to change and to be honest, I’m enjoying the unknown. When things like this happen, it pushes us more toward God and toward trusting that everything will work out exactly the way it’s suppose to. So far, Costa Rica and this journey has been nothing short of miraculous. My heart is full, I am present and God is with us. Cheers to change!
