We waited expectantly on the second floor of a coffee shop, seated in a makeshift circle around two tables pushed together. The light squeal of milk steaming was the soundtrack of our morning. Six pairs of eyes shifted around the room, and then she arrived. Our first meeting with a potential Unsung Hero was in full swing.
Let me give you a little background information on what this month’s about, and what an Unsung Hero is. This month, me and my team will be pioneering through different parts of Costa Rica to find new ministries for Adventures in Missions to partner with. We call the people who run these ministries Unsung Heroes, or people who work hard to expand the Kingdom and would benefit from having a missions team partner with them (ie. future World Racers). We are extremely blessed to have this unique opportunity, and are totally reliant on the Lord for direction and provision during this time. Hence, how this first meeting came about. One of my team mates got a tip from her friend who had gone on the Race before us. She had brushed shoulders with a girl connected to a ministry in the area. A few messages back and forth lead us to meet with her on the second floor of that coffee shop.
Graci introduced herself, we made a little small talk and dove right into some questions about the ministry she serves with. New Life New Glory is a ministry that is passionate about reaching the “lost causes” of the San Jose area. They partner with other ministries in the communy to reach prostitutes, homeless, and innercity youth. We were captivated by the passion in Graci’s voice as she talked about the Kingdom being brought in San Jose through New Life New Glory.
She shared parts of her own story, how community plays a key role in her spiritual growth, and how she’s able to serve. She is a woman passionate about missions, in fact she’s headed to Amsterdam this spring to bring the Kingdom in the Red Light District! At only 20 years old, this girl is more on fire than anyone I’ve ever met. During our meeting she said “after this conversation I’m not going to be the same person, and you aren’t going to be the same people either.” And she was right. We were brought together as a strong force rooted in Christ to change the world. Starting with empowering New Life New Glory.
After we that meeting in the coffee shop, we set up a meeting with another person in the church to learn more logistical details. The woman we spoke with was so sweet to us, and as we left she said “this is your home, if you need anything come to us.” It was beautiful how the Lord used a meeting with a potential ministry partner to inspire us and ignite a new passion in our hearts. We were reminded of the fact that we are all a part of the body of Christ, and we had the privilege of connecting this amazing group of people with future racers.
As the month goes on, I am in awe of how the Kingdom is being built in Costa Rica. Through people who go out and DO things for the Kingdom instead of just talking about it. People who are not in it for their own glory, but for reaching out to the lost. People who put their own needs and desires behind to serve their communities in bringing the gospel to the streets. We get the privilege of recognizing these amazing people and celebrating them. These are the heroes that don’t make it to the history books, the people whose work is truly worth celebrating. We are blessed to call them Unsung Heroes.
