1. The first time I met Julissa she was crying at her desk. With my broken Spanish I tired to ask her what was wrong with little success. Her teacher told me it was a headache, and maybe she did, but my spirit felt like it was more than that. The next few weeks I got to know the beautiful, kind-hearted, loving Julissa. One day walking home from school she ran out of her house and gave me a hug. My heart broke seeing the living conditions she had. I don’t know too many details, but I know she comes from a broken family. It doesn’t seem fair…why have I been given to much, and Julissa so little? God loves her so much and I am so overjoyed that I had the opportunity to tell her that.
2. I’ve only spent one week with this little angel but she has left a lifetime of impact on my heart. Gema is eight years old. She lives with her mom, dad and three brothers in a tiny house in the slums. They have no kitchen and cook over an open fire. They are extremely poor and she often comes to school in a filthy, torn uniform. She always has a huge smile on her face and greets me with a giant hug. She loves to dance, laugh and play between classes. I’m not sure how I’m going to say goodbye to this precious child, but I am so grateful our paths crossed so I can be praying for God to move in her life.
3. This is Cindy, the teacher Sarah and I were paired with this month to teach English. She is going to be a lifelong friend and we have shared so many fun times together. She has driven my team and I all over the country on our days off and spent tons of time with me in school. Saying goodbye to Cindy feels like saying goodbye to a sister. She has the kindest, most generous heart I’ve ever encountered and has blessed me in more ways than she’ll ever know!
4. One day on the bus a girl said “Where are you guys from?” I said, “The United States.” She replied, “But WHERE are you from?” Then I realized she spoke English! She was from California and is working with a team here from Northwestern, a college in St. Paul, MN that my college used to play against! One member on their team is interested in the World Race. We had their team over for dinner and all prayed for each other. It was no coincidence that our paths crossed, but rather apart of God’s divine plan. Fellowship with them was so refreshing and I couldn’t believe I was eating dinner with girls from my HOME all the way in Los Guido, Costa Rica.
5. This month wouldn’t have been nearly as wonderful without these five ladies. We have laughed, cried, prayed, cooked, and played together for almost four weeks. Living in community 24/7 comes with many challenges. It requires you to be flexible, and forgiving. But community is truly a gift from God. I have learned so much from this girls about myself, the Lord, and life. It’s so comforting to know God hand selected us to work together this month. These aren’t just my teammates, they are my life long friends, my sisters!
6. Teaching in the schools has blessed my life more than I could have ever imagined. Sometimes I think the students ministered to me more than I to them. This month affirmed my love for kids and desire to work with them someday. I felt so energized and full every time we left school and couldn’t wait to return the next day. Kids bring so much joy and laughter to my life, as well as teaching me patience and humility. I’m not sure what my future will hold after the World Race, but Lord willing children will be involved!
-Christen <3
