Jaco, you were
sunset swims
sweet friendships
unexpected teachers
walking and sweating 110% of the time
appreciating the smallest breeze
rest in the midst of work
sand that clung to my skin
daily icecream runs to El Barco
Wednesday prayer in an airconditioned room full of faith runners who humbled themselves in front of God and each other
mystery morphed into clarity
shadows made lighter by Spirit
another piece of my puzzle being connected
changing me even in having moved on to the next country
and Jaco,
You remind me of shelter
You brought remembrance of who my Shelter is
I felt as though I woke up every day and fell in love with one more thing about you. You were said to have been one of the darkest places in Costa Rica, and yet as prophetic words were spoken and people that loved Christ were committed to sticking around, you began to change. The Jaco I got to experience was exponentially different from the one that we were told of from twenty years ago. Though there is still much for Jesus to do in Jaco, I saw the ways that light had broken through and enveloped the city. I saw it in the smiles of business owners and the way that the tide kissed the sand each morning. I heard it in the fervent prayers of the people and in the wind that floated through the palms.
I imagined that I would be working with local Costa Ricans for ministry, doing occasional manual labor, and evangelizing. What I didn’t imagine was how many ways there are to do ministry in Jaco. Not only did we do manual labor and work on the property, but we did projects to give a facelift to the local park too! We got to prayer walk and cover the city and it’s people with words of life. We were blessed to serve at the church, Horizon! We stayed busy providing childcare to the church and to local missionaries, and our help for a volunteer appreciation night & marriage conference. We loved the ways we were able to serve. But during that time, I felt like we weren’t connecting much with the locals. What I skipped right over was the fact that we were connecting to and serving the missionaries and people at Horizon & the Edge – and they ARE locals. They’re here long term and chose to create a home in Jaco. You see, Jaco is a beach town – and tourists are constantly passing through, so I had to get vision that was outside the box. We came to Jaco to serve people who live in and love Jaco. Christian or not. Costa Rican or not. Tourist or not. It was small minded to think that tourists and local missionaries were outside of the boundaries of our ministry focus, yet here I was with all my questions because I had once again put ministry in a box. Wherever my feet are, ministry is there. Whoever is standing near me, ministry is there. Whatever country I am sent to, WHOEVER is there is who God is asking me to love and spend time with. This was the first month that wasn’t exactly what I imagined for the World Race, and so it was the first month that I questioned the ministry we did. And now it’s the first month of eyes opening and willingness sprouting in my heart.
The last week that we were there, I was graced with the privilege to be part of the team working on JBI. This is the Jaco Beach Initiative, and in it, the Edge advertises local businesses for free – we go and ask questions about the business, as well as the who/where/what/when/how/inspiration of them. With that information, we create an ad and put them on the site. These teams do this because they LOVE Jaco and believe that if anyone can bring change to Jaco, it’s the business owners and influencers and that is so crazy and so TRUE! On top of this, we ask if there’s anything they need (or that we can pray for), and from that, create a list where the needs & prayers of every business in Jaco are in one document that we pray over. I freaking love this ministry and Jaco! I saw new passion rise for this avenue of outreach.
Jaco, Costa Rica – thank you. I hope to see you again!
Finally – I want to thank a couple humans!
Sarah – dude!!! Thank you for being a picture of obedience. You were still kinda fresh when we got there but the way you attack every day with renewed grace and tenacity to bring Kingdom to where you are is such an inspiration and I loved getting to see it. I felt seen by you even in your busyness, and partnering on JBI made me love ya even more! It was an honor to see the passion you have for this ministry and Jaco, and it was so fun to do that together. You work so hard to bring excellence to whatever the Father asks you to do! You give 110% all of the time, and you never pass a chance at conversation with people – and that kind of intentionality is what changes the game. Your faithfulness is beautifully reflected in how you live each day. I can’t wait to see what God’s continued to do in you and through you! Missing you!
Stephanie – You freaking changed my life!!! I know you don’t do social media, so I hope someone can show you this haha 😉 I didn’t know I was going to have a hard goodbye with you, but I’m glad I did. You pursue people on a level that reflects the intimacy you have with God. You fight for those around you to give themselves grace but not forget that there is higher ground we have access to. You brought the different parts of the Trinity to life, and made them all more real and relatable. The drive you have to see more of Jesus and know the heart of the Father is so deep that it draws others in. The way that you approach and converse with the Holy Spirit invites others to see the familiarity and relationship accessible to us. You’re seriously such a joyful human and your light pierces through shadows. I am so grateful for the time I had with you, because I always left challenged but encouraged. You give such a solid example of knowing your identity and choosing to walk in it! I love ya & I am grateful for your voice and your friendship Steph! <3
Hannah – you are the epitome of Wonder Woman. You come in with the intensity and the peace of knowing what needs to get done but also that it takes time to get there. Every time I was around you, conversations were intentional but we also laughed a lot – you have a steadiness about you that is evident in everything we saw. From the way you work, to the way you have continued loving & fighting for Jaco over the years – from the ways you served with us and how you thanked us too. You’re a person that someone can count on. You bring people safety but you also bring them the challenge to see where we are headed. Your determination is unmatched and your absolute trust in the promise of God is so rad to see firsthand, and I loved learning from ya and just getting to know you!
My mentors – Julie, Debbie and Amanda – Y’all challenged us with some hard questions and allowed us space to not only share testimonies but to just laugh and relax with one another. Hearing all three of your stories was an honor and I am so thankful to know each of you. I felt like you guys saw through all the crap and the facades of good attitudes that were sometimes brought to the table, and you simply wanted to hear the honesty of how we felt and where we were. It was safe and it was freeing. I miss each of you and hope to cross paths again someday! Jaco and your families are so lucky to have you three <3
Bri & Maddie & Kayla – you three were the sweetest and most unexpected additions to my time in Costa Rica!!! WOW! I freaking love you three and enjoyed every conversation and every joke, every hug & every dream y’all talked about! You three are sunshine and bring such a clear perspective to things. I love the way that you guys embrace what life is and live it moment by moment. You’re somethin’ special friends! Miss you guys!
