We’ll be leaving Los Guido, Costa Rica soon and I’m not ready to move on.
Several say that you won’t remember much about your first country on the race. Even our host here in Los Guido, Mark said that we won’t be able to recall much by month 11. Maybe so. But I’m certain Los Guido will always have a special place in my heart. I’m an original person. I’m a sucker for the original of anything, for the first time of something, or for that first love. It stays with me. And for Los Guido, it’s my first. My first of the World Race.
This past week, my team and I spent a lot of time with Mark to go out into the slums and invite people for a movie/popcorn night that my team and I wanted to provide for. Along with Mark, we had Memo, Joseph, and William walk with us. These guys are a part of the church that Mark planted and have incredible hearts that serve in every possible way for the community of Los Guido and the church. These guys are no older than 20. And to end the week, before movie night, we had the great honor to hike with the guys up to one of the hills where you can see all of Los Guido. We hung out with each other, took pictures, laughed, teased, and most of all prayed over Los Guido. It was such a windy and sunny day and I knew the Spirit was there with us.
Once our refreshing hike was over and feeling like I wanted to stay even more then, I kept hearing “sons and daughters” from God. I don’t always get these immediate feelings, but I knew God was trying to encourage me. I knew He was trying to tell me that it’s okay to leave Los Guido and move on because we’re sons and daughters. Sons and daughters of the King. I didn’t come to Los Guido to make more sons and daughters of God. They were already here and they’ve been around me this entire time… The youth group my team and I helped with for VBS in the streets of the slum. Sons and daughters. Memo’s sister who led us to door after door to pray over individuals and their lives. Daughter of the King. The guys handing out invites with my team to all ages of people on the streets (even to men that honestly I was afraid to talk to). Sons of the King. Then there’s my team, the World Racers. Partnering with a community of believers whose vision is to make disciples out of disciples. We’re the Sons and Daughters of the Living King! And we’re out here looking for more sons and daughters.
Sometimes we’re not called at the moment to do the tough job or see a miraculous event happen before our eyes. Sometimes we’re needed to send out invitations for a movie night to join in with the children of God. And sometimes we’re needed to go on top of a hill and pray over a town. To pray for the sons and daughters that still may not know that God is their true daddy. To pray for the ones that will come after my team and I. And without a doubt, to pray for the ones who stay here in Los Guido and keep fighting the good fight.
…. Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to me. 2 Corinthians 6:17 & 18
