This past week, we traveled to Rio Azul (“Blue River”), another suburb of San Jose.
The view was incredible, and exactly how I had imagined Costa Rica to be: watching the sun rise over verdant tropical trees, coffee bean fields and an active volcano (!).
It was the first time our team had traveled to a new location together. We missed La Carpio and our host family (Seth & Andrea), but were ready to serve with our new hosts for the week. My teammate Jessica stated: “My goal is to work them out of things for us to do!” And with our Father’s strength and grace, we did!
We helped them finish construction projects that had been waiting for 3 years (or more!): repairing desks and chairs for the children, patching holes in ceilings, re-wiring lights, and painting LOTS of walls. Though these projects seemed relatively straight-forward to accomplish, the church family had lacked the manpower and funds to complete them. What a blessing for us, at the end of four days, to be able to see so many finished projects that may serve their community for months to come.
One night, Pastor Gilbert invited us to participate in a prayer meeting at the church. As I sat in the front row with my teammate, Bee, waiting for the pastor to call us up to lead a few worship songs, I was again amazed to be able to translate the pastor’s message for my teammate. It was a message I needed, too.
So often we go to our Father in prayer with a need-based mentality, he said. “God, I need ______. Please heal ______. Please do ______ for my family. Please, please…” and while God our Father does hear our prayers, He already knows and understands our heart. He knows all our needs. We are free to just thank Him!
Homesickness had begun to sneak in a bit for me earlier that day. But as we stood with 30+ brothers and sisters in Christ, all giving thanks to God in our own languages, I felt no desire to be anywhere else. It was a moment to be fully present – and I didn’t want or need to be anywhere else.
Speaking of thankfulness… My team has given me more than one reason to be grateful. I thank Father for:
-A team that works hard and encourages one another along the way.
-A team that takes care of me, and notices when I may be feeling a bit under the weather (I have a cold this week).
-A team that loves to sing and worship together.
-A team that laughs a lot.
-A team that takes turns cooking amazing meals for each other.
-A team that appreciates The Lord of the Rings.
-A team that challenges one another to depend on our Father more and more.
…Until next time!
