My squad and I have successfully made it Costa Rica, praise Jesus for such an easy travel day! Though we have only been here 5 days, I feel the Lord is already teaching me soooo much. If I am being completely honest, I don’t think that I totally counted the cost of what I was doing until we got to the base in Costa Rica. I had this “what did I get myself into” breakdown. I realized that I had left what I knew of my life in Iowa and parts of my heart scattered all around the United States. But none of it was in Costa Rica. Surrender. Such a lesson. Something that gave new meaning as soon as we got here. The first few days were kind of hard. Though, I found myself feeling guilty for pouting about this amazing opportunity that the Lord has given me. Costa Rica is now my home and I was sitting there wanting to go home.
I feel like I have been given a new perspective about my town and life as I knew it. I spent a lot of my life complaining about the town I grew up in because ‘nothing really happens here’. Which to a degree is true. What I had really failed to appreciate is the community that I had. I have people in my hometown that love me so so well. I was part of an amazing church where I was able to meet some of my best friends. It really hit me how #blessed I am to have such a community that I miss so much. A community that I missed so much I was sitting in my bed in Costa Rica, c r y i n g because I wanted to be with them. Not everyone has that. Learning to count my blessings day by day.
Surrender. Jesus has already been proving himself faithful here. For as sad I was the first night, I have found myself quickly adjusting to life in Costa Rica. It’s starting to feel normal. I’ve realized I have community within my squad, like I have community back home. And 9 months is a long time to be gone, but I’m taking it day by day here. Each day looks different and Jesus shows up everyday. In the little things. I was doing my morning devo yesterday, sitting in our backyard, early in the morning. Our backyard has this gorgeous view of a little town in the distance and a few mountains, it’s insane. I was just sitting there listening to the song ‘Not in a Hurry’ by Will Reagan (a real banger, listen to it !!!!). That song just gave me the peace of mind I needed for the day, and the next day. It’s such a pure reminder that Jesus is not always going to show up right when YOU want him too. He will be there all in His perfect timing. And it’s not something to rush.
Our ministry is an after school program called ‘Lifting Hands’. It’s a place where kids from the neighborhood can come and get additional classes. A place where we just get to love kids. Anything from english to playing board games. Ministry looks different than I thought it would. Again, learning to surrender my expectations. We have only had one day of ministry so we really don’t know what we are doing yet. But, as I was reflecting on how our ministry looked, I thought about how this is the gospel. Whenever I picture ‘preaching the gospel’ I have this picture of going and telling people about Jesus. Sure, that is part of the gospel. But the gospel is also this: humbling yourself to serve others and love them. Living out the Kingdom that God intended for us to bring to the nations. It may not seem like we are doing a lot at times, but any form of service is a way to love people. And that is the gospel.
ALSO: A quick fundraising update. I am still in need of about $200 by the end of the month. If you feel called to give, you can do so with the ‘donate’ button. Jesus is already moving in ways I didn’t expect and I don’t want to miss out on it. Even $2 helps. Thank you so much to all my donors already, I have been blown away by the generosity of everyone who has donated. And as always, please keep my squad and I in your prayers and we continue to adjust to life on the field.
All my love,,,,,Kat <3
