Hey y’all!
Just wanted to come on here and give a big ol’ update about these last 2 weeks here in Jacó, Costa Rica! Let me just start by saying that these past 2 weeks have been so much of blessing. A lot of y’all know that just 3 weeks ago, I was in a tough spot. Constantly feeling upset, always feeling like home was a better place for me, and overall just down and almost angry at why God sent me here. But let me tell you, God has turned that around. Just 3 weeks ago, I was sitting in my room at the end of myself, and finally, after much inward wrestling, I said, “Lord, I surrender my happiness to you.” And little did I know, all that was needed for the 180 heart turn was surrender. I love that this is how God works. I love that he requires are hearts to come to complete state of reliance of him. How much more sweet trusting in Jesus is when we know the pain of relying on ourselves instead relying on Him. It truly is SO sweet to trust in Jesus. Since then, I’ve seen God turn my heart around, and on top of that, he has turned my situation around as well. Which is such a blessing. I love looking back on that and realizing that FIRST, Jesus changed my heart, THEN the situation, when I was praying the whole time for my situation to change, so that my heart could change! Again, I love that God works like that.
As for ministry these past two weeks, I’ve had some pretty amazing experiences y’all. Jacó is a beautiful little surf town that attracts people of all kinds, and it has been amazing to minister to as many of them as possible. I think the craziest ministry experience I’ve had thus far has happened these last 2 weeks. For the past 2 Wednesday’s, us as a team have had the opportunity to go into one of the main prostitution hubs of Costa Rica. A hotel/restaurant that attracts over 1,000 woman from all over the world to each week. An eerie place on the outside. It even has flocks of crows that just sit right outside of it. (No where else in the town do the birds chill. Literally just in front of this hotel.) We go in as pairs, sit at the bar, order a soda, and start conversations. And man have we seen some fruit. When we go, people are confused, but most don’t really care. We stick out like sore thumbs just because of the fact that we are in sports shorts and oversized T-shirt’s, so naturally, people ask if we know where we are. Are reaction is always, “of course, this is Cocal! We know where we are.” I’ll never forget one gal in particular who I was able to converse with asked me if I knew that the only woman that come here are prostitutes, and that other woman probably shouldn’t be here. That led to a conversation and eventually we got in the topic of church. She told me that she used to go all the time and she missed it. I then invited her to the local church we’ve been serving at. I haven’t seen her there yet, but I have faith that she will come soon! After our conversation, one of my friends handed her a bible verse written in Spanish that a couple of us had written before we came in. She immediately shoved it in her phone case and said, “for reminders.” We all became teary eyed. There are many other stories from Cocal, and it has been a crazy, and unexpected blessing to be able to go into a place such as this. Another one of my favorite outreaches has been through the local church we have been serving at. At the local church here we’ve been able to help in youth group, Sunday school, worship band (my HOME) and many homeless outreaches! It has been amazing to be able to serve at this church, as it feels a lot like home for a lot of the team.
With all these being said, I feel blessed. I am so thankful that I’m in Costa Rica being able to share God’s love in so many places and in so many ways. I feel like this is a dream in ways. I can’t believe that this is where I’m called to. Thank you Jesus! To all who have prayed for this mission and my heart on this mission, thank you so so much.
This Thursday we’re headed to Panama for our last country. We are serving at a YWAM base there! I can’t believe we’re already almost in our last country, so I’m trying to soak up the moments! But, nonetheless, I am deeply looking forward to a nice 4-for-4 from Wendy’s back in the states.(:
Again, thank you to everyone who supports me, sends me words of encouragement, calls/ texts me, and lets me know they love me. I have the best family ever.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act” – Psalm 37:4-5
