My brain is ever running and sometimes gets the best of me. To be honest, this process of The World Race hasn’t been the easiest. I found it quite difficult to say goodbye to a job that I loved and had to have some tough goodbyes to loved ones. All to have my living quarters packed in a 70 L bag, not knowing when the next shower is going to be, let alone have the little normal things that we so often take for granted in the states. However, leading up to the race to now being in Costa Rica I have found the Lord answering my prayers time and time again. The Lord reveals to me every time why I am doing this crazy thing.
Training camp & Prophesies
To get World Racers prepared for the 11 months, AIM puts racers through this crazy thing called training camp. Where they expect you to tent, eat (not the best) cultural food, and meet the people that will be your community for the next 11 months. Being slightly introverted and having the pressures of fitting in with a group of approximately 50 people was a little nerve racking in itself but also, I was given a lot of discouragement in hopes that this whole world race wouldn’t work out for me. Ultimately, Satan was telling me I could not do The World Race when I didn’t have my family’s approval. My family and I are tightly woven, we have much love for each other and the thought of leaving them for 11 months was a tough thought just as it is. But without their approval was a whole different level, it would be unbearable. One night of worship, leadership came up to me. He had the Lord put on his heart to say to me that the stars are looking down on me and saying how proud of and loved you are. He kept getting the pictures of flowers. At first it didn’t really hit me and to be honest, I was thinking it was a little weird because I’ve never experienced anything like that before, but then I thought of my great grandmother and it made me feel much better. She was a strong Christian, very strong in her faith. I remember when I would stay with her, she would go to bed two hours early every night to say her prayers before she went to sleep. My greatest memory with her was enjoying each other’s company in the car and her all the sudden stopping on the side of the road to pick flowers and fruit. That was her thing, she was that cute little old lady on the side of the road just picking away. She loved nature and she loved the stars, she could recite all the constellations. I can’t help but smile when I think about her. Encouragement came from that vision from the Lord and I’m thankful it was shared.
That same night, there was another beautiful vision from the Lord that was shared with me. It was a cocoon breaking out and blossoming into a beautiful butterfly. This meant for me, that during this journey I will be able to fully break from my shame that I’ve been carrying and just reassured me that I am doing exactly what the Lord wants me to be doing. I went home encouraged and had to get back into the swing of work. Time went on, I kept praying and found myself with my mom before launch. Her last prayer to me was “Jesus, I release Rebecca to you.” This for me was huge, I was able to leave with a sense of peace and feel a new level of excitement. Shortly after saying good-bye, I flipped opened my bible and was led to Isaiah 40:29-31 in my bible. It reads “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.” How encouraging this was for me. I know on this trip, there will be times where I will be tired, home-sick and missing my friends and family but, I know He will always work for my good and that I don’t have to worry.
And to whoever is reading this, I just want to encourage you with whatever kind of pain you are dealing with or maybe your faith is struggling, just know that God never changes. Accept His provisions and care for you. Patience obtains all things and His love will always remain. Relax and be confident that His purpose for your life is perfect and right. He wants the best for you.
Feet on the race
Partnering up with Oceans edge has been an amazing experience. We have been able to do an array of different work from construction for the property to helping with business classes, prayer walks, women and children ministries. The Lord has put together an awesome crew here with a rock solid faith that has already made an impact on my life. The missionaries here put their absolute trust in the Lord and gave up everything to see a revival in this city and let me tell you, they are making a difference and The Lord is moving!
Stepping on the soils of Jaco, Costa Rica is absolutely breath-taking; it cascades with rainforests and mountains and the beaches are absolutely gorgeous. It has easily surpassed the most beautiful city I have ever been to however, there are levels beneath this beautiful looking beach city. Jaco is known to be a very dark city. It is known for its sex tourism, drugs and alcohol and the economy here strives off of it. Prostitution is legal and often times, children get caught up in it for the money and/or they don’t know any different. But, Jesus brings light and hope to this city and the Lord is still in control despite all of the darkness.
One of many ways, Oceans Edge makes a difference is through Kids Club. Kids Club was made for the sole purpose of giving children an education and also, to learn about the bible. They prepare a different lesson every week and more often than not, the parents end up getting involved too. Another thing Oceans Edge is able to do, is women and homeless ministry. They invite people in to getting to know Jesus through bible studies, prayer sessions and every week, they are able to provide meals for the homeless and sometimes end up paying out of pocket to be able to love on these people and give them a good meal.
Oceans Edge’s dream and what they are working towards is to build a business for the sole purpose of giving the skills to people on how to manage their own business to sustain a healthy life style to provide for their families. Overall, I feel so grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve these people of Jaco and at Oceans Edge. To be in missions and be living in a Godly community is a dream come true. It’s been an enlightening to see such huge hearts for the Lord and for the people of Jaco, it is amazing to see such an urgency and enthusiasm to learn.
People back at home
Pray for the city of Jaco. Pray for the businesses and the people striving off of this evilness of sex trafficking, and child exploitation that they find a different path to survive. Pray for the people that do believe in Jesus to stay strong in their faith for we all grow weary and this darkness would be hard to see each day. Pray that they would be the light and the seed needed to see a change in this city.
