Pura Vida!
I was in Costa Rica for three months and got the opportunity to make some REALLY close relations with the Abraham Project and its members. Most of my time in Costa Rica has been spent working the landscape at the Abraham Project alongside a gentleman named Luis. Since day one Luis has welcomed Relentless as his own family and has shown us nothing but love and a joy that comes straight from God! This man is by far the most joyful man I have EVER met and He always directs the praise to God…when I think of Luis I think of Jesus. Luis was homeless for 35 years before he became a follower of Jesus, and now has a home, a wife, and a family. He is very patient with the language barrier and has done his best to learn as much English and share as much Spanish as he can. Luis went much deeper than just working hard alongside us, he was a brother to us. Luis often blessed us with snacks and drinks, and he even invited us over to his house for a Tico dinner! He is so hospitable, kind, generous, joyful, and above all loving! In Costa Rica if one wants to be close friends with someone it is traditional to extend an invitation to their home, so it was very humbling to receive an invitation from such a special man of God! As time went along I grew closer and closer to Luis. When communicating through our broken spanglish, he would tell me that he wanted me to be his son, and he didn’t just say it but he showed it! Despite a language barrier, Luis poured into me through the language of Christlike love. He constantly reminded me, “Tyler, mi casa es tu casa” (my home is your home). I truly felt like I was a part of Luis’ family, and I had so many joyful and fruitful conversations with this wonderful man. It was so hard leaving Luis behind but I know that one day I will see him again whether thats on this side of Glory or the next!
There were so many wonderful things that happened in Costa Rica! My team and I got to do street evangelism, cell group ministry, worship, youth and daycare ministry, construction, landscaping, community outreaches, and we even got to go on some incredible adventure days and explore this beautiful country! I am so grateful for my time in Costa Rica, the people I got to meet, the people I got to share Jesus with, the Abraham Project, the community of 50 World Racers that I got to live with, the food, the culture, the life lessons, and above all deeper intimacy with my Heavenly Father! God most definitely used Costa Rica to break me in and bring out my deep passion for missions, because I had no idea I’d love missions as much as I have! Costa Rica will always have a special place in my heart and I hope to return one day!
