Costa Rica
Imagine dropping your first born child off at college. The sweet moment you have been hoping for all your life, seeing them exceed! Knowing the full potential in them and having the beautiful day of seeing it come alive. As you try and make small talk, trying not to embarrass them but it still happens; as you jokingly try and laugh it off, you see the frustration in their eyes just saying, “I’m an adult, please leave me so I can start my school year.” The last thing you want to do is leave though, but you know it’s time. You gather your things and ask one more time if they have everything they need. Then you stand up, take a deep breath and say that hard goodbye.
This month was a hard goodbye. My heart was touched and left in three main areas of influence. While at Costa Rica we worked on the outskirts of San Jose within the slums called Los Guido. Our ministry included pouring out love to children from ages 1-16 that came to the feeding center, teaching English at a Christian school from grades 3-6th, and investing into youth leadership at the church our host founded. The feeding center fed around 150 children from all over the area and accepts anyone who comes. The school consisted around 300 kids from the ages of 5-15. Then there is the youth leadership, who are young but know their scripture. I see amazing potential in them.
We built great relationships with so many people there and brought them joy within the love of the Lord. It was more of a month of discipleship than anything, by spurring many people on where they were in their walk. So many people in many different places, but with a hope in a country that has little hope. I was blessed to be a part of the slums and God opened my eyes in seeing the potential in the children of the future within such a desolate situation. What an amazing Father: to open my eyes and see people for who they will become rather than who they are right now.
With that perception and His love it opened many doors. I was able to break through the toughest children in the school with love. I was able to experience the love of a father, older brother, and a friend. God rocked my heart for the community in knowing them. His love knows no language barriers! I wish I could tell you each one I have fallen in love with, but no one wants to read a five page paper. Just to show the fruit of what God did and how He used me, over 2/3’s of the school knew me by name. The young adults were inspired to live loud for their faith by learning from my walk. The teachers became close friends and the “hard” children gave me gifts before I left. The children at the feeding center loved me and some of them didn’t want me to leave. Who am I that God has blessed me with this amount of love? I am a child of God. Whom He deeply loves and is proud of me.
