I mentioned my ministry in my last blog but being that I have now officially begun my day-to-day ministry, I can key you in on the sitch.
After a long bus ride we arrive in the city of Alajuelita, San Jose, Costa Rica. Alajuelita has been historically known as one of the most dangerous and unsafe places in Costa Rica, but in recent years has inclined. The area which my ministry is in has never felt unsafe during the day, and I am not there at night so, to me, it is rockin’.
My ministry is a private christian school called Love At Work ICS (International Christian School). The school also runs a life center. My team is broken up between the two locations. Elyse, Avery, Molly, and Savana go to the life center. Brooke, Melina, Hannah, and I work at the school. Brooke and Hannah work with the preschool teachers. Melina works with the English teacher for the younger grades (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). I work with the high school English teacher, Oscar. High school in Costa Rica goes from 7th grade to 11th grade and they graduate at 17 years old.
The life center is a place about 7 minutes drive from the school. It is quite literally in the slums of Alajuelita. The life center is a place where children can go to get tutoring, games, a devotional, and food. It keeps bellies full, spirits high, and children off the street. It was established only 3 months ago and has had tremendous success since then. I don’t know much more about it considering I am only there for 3 hours one day a week.
I could go on and on about how amazing my students are. About how unique they each are. About how they make me laugh. About how they try their best to speak English to me and teach me Spanish (even though I am the worst). They are all so smart and they make my day better just by allowing me to come and be there with them. Not only do I get to spend my days teaching them alongside Profesor Oscar, but every afternoon I tutor children from 3 pm – 5 pm with my teammates.
Tuesday is 1st and 2nd graders; Wednesday is 3rd and 4th graders; Thursday 5th, 6th, and 7th graders; Friday is 8th and 9th graders.
Tutoring is quite honestly the highlight of my day. Rather than simply assisting Profesor Oscar, I get to command the classroom and teach. They struggle with my English words and I struggle with their Spanish words. It’s so fun. Oscar leaves me a list of things they need more practice with and I try to help them. I also have been helping them review spelling words for their spelling bee this week. When the spelling bee is over I will begin working with them on science. Pray for me lol.
My wise friend Avery shed some light that our mission here is not to make radical changes in the country of Costa Rica. Our mission here is to aide, support, and serve the ministries that have already been developed. It’s about serving those who are serving. Not to say that we couldn’t if be God’s will because NOTHING can stop His plans. But just to keep hope when we’re feeling down, that what we do still matters. This has brought so much peace in my mind about feeling like I’m not doing enough.
I do tutoring to help improve their grades (and give teachers a rest).
With improved grades comes a higher prestige.
A higher prestige means more students want to pay to go there.
More students paying to go there means they get more money.
More money means they can build the permanent facility they so desperately need.
A permanent facility means more room.
More room means they can accept more students and have an impact on more lives.
That’s my amazing ministry I get to work for. It’s awesome.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this insight into my everyday life in Costa Rica. Maybe you can give me money now?
Pura Vida!
