Jaco, Costa Rica. I know this may come as a big shock to my friends and family reading this, but I am proud to announce that I have somehow now become a morning person! I don’t know if this is the new Cherish, or if the two hour time difference had something to do with it, but whatever it is…you can now count on me being up soon after the sun makes its shining arrival. Most of our days in Costa Rica started at 6:30am (still trying to catch up to Nannaw and Papaw) because anytime after that was filled with ministry, and finding a quiet time later wasn’t always possible.
A typical Costa-rican day looked like… me trying to find a beach during any free time at any point in the day, so you can bet most mornings I walked to the beach to soak in the ocean view while reading my Bible. After quite time, it was exercise time. Two of my teammates, Nayelly, Rebecca and I would try to create our own beach workouts while trying our best not to be intimidated by the unusual and intense workouts of the tica (local) surfers.
We would come back just in time for team stretching with one of our ministry hosts, Carli. Following this we would make breakfast, clean up, and then begin the days work!
We worked on many projects for our host site, Oceans Edge. Oceans Edge is an amazing ministry that reaches out to the community and partners with local churches to bring the love of Jesus to Jaco.
None of us ever quite knew what the workday would hold, but we were almost certain it would always involve pick axes, shovels, and wheel barrels. I can‘t tell you how many times I wish I could have called Crown A Excavating (my oldest brother Austin’s business) to come take over and show me how it’s done. Austin, I think my calluses can speak for me: I admire what you do more than ever before. It’s really hard work.
Some of the projects we were able to help with on the property:
Building a new roof over the bunk house
Digging multiple trenches for new piping
Digging out and replacing a water cistern
Hauling rocks from one end of the property to the other to be used for construction
Clearing out and creating a pathway along their house
Painting walls
Breaking concrete
Filling up sand bags from the beach to take back to fill in holes
Digging up and replanting trees
Raking out mosquito and scorpion infestations
Outside of the property we were able to partner along side with Oceans Edge in some of the amazing ways they are impacting the community. Multiple times we were able to join locals in fighting for the city of Jaco by going on prayer walks to pray against the sex trafficking and prostitution that happens in Jaco. I was honestly blown away by our hosts and how much they have poured into their little community. As we walked around praying, they knew each business owner, their stories, and how we could be praying for them. This mindset of intentional community is one that I want to adopt and bring back with me to Lancaster someday when I go home.
One of my favorite memories of the month was a time I was able to help with something called, “who’s who”. Two other girls and I walked from place to place, asking for basic information about their business. We would explain to them that this info will go onto a free information website where visitors can look to know what is happening in Jaco. After we got to know more about them, we would ask if there is anyway we could pray for them. The responses we received from this invitation blew me away. Almost every person we spoke to opened up to us and expressed how we could be praying for them and received prayer with open arms. ??One particular lady really touched my heart. We walked into Jaco Beach Club where a warm and friendly lady named Angela was the receptionist. She gladly answered all the questions she could understand through my horrendous attempt to speak Spanish (more like English with hand motions) and at the end we asked how we could be praying for her.
She was so surprised we asked, but then tears filled her eyes and she began to explain that three weeks ago she went through a huge break up with a man she had been together with for 9 years. Angela and her 8-year-old daughter were left to figure out how to manage on their own. We were able to pray with her, and after she shared with us, “You must be angels” sent there that day. She wanted prayer for her daughter who had recently been asking questions relating to beliefs and Angela said she didn’t know how to answer them. We invited her to church, and she was ecstatic about it and even ensured that we got her phone number before leaving so that we could contact her about it. Afterwards she came over to us and gave us the biggest most heartfelt hugs and I felt overwhelmed with how much just asking someone for prayer could really do. Praise the Lord!
Throughout the month we had the opportunity to experience other stories like this one and each one left me feeling amazed. A lot is happening in Jaco and I am so happy that we were able to join in on what the Lord is doing even if it was for a short time!
Your friend,
Cherish
