September 15th was Independence Day in Costa Rica, and we were lucky enough to be in the midst of the festivities. This day commemorates the independence of all of Central America from Spain in 1821. The celebration actually began the night before with a parade of children and their parents carrying faroles – homemade lanterns that symbolize the freedom torch. The tradition of the freedom torch runs through much of Central America and originates from a story about a Guatemalan woman who took a torch in hand to motivate her neighbors to celebrate the announcement of freedom from Spanish rule.
The Independence Day parade consisted of traditional garb, dances, music and costumes. Below are some of the moments I captured.
Political independence is great and all, but what does it mean to really be free? We have a God who invites us into true freedom – freedom from shame. See, the nature of shame is pretty dark. It seeks to only steal, kill and destroy. Shame lets you think that sins you have repented of are not fully covered by the blood of Christ. Shame puts fear into your heart at the thought of full vulnerability. Shame says you won’t be accepted for all you are and says that you are what you did in the past.
But what does freedom say?
Freedom says you are 100% irrevocably covered in the blood of Christ. Freedom says that sharing the darkest parts of your heart invites others into freedom. Freedom says that Jesus takes you exactly as you come to Him – whatever that looks like – and that your past is inconsequential.
As I watched the smiling faces in the independence parade, I thought about the unmatched joy that comes from planting our feet on a foundation of love. How different would this world look if we walked in freedom rather than shame?
How different would Jaco look if they celebrated true freedom over shame? You see, Jaco is nicknamed the “Vegas of Costa Rica”. This place is riddled with false freedoms. Freedom to sell your body. Freedom to escape reality through drugs and alcohol. Freedom to purchase anything you could think of in a phallic shape (yes, this is real, and they are everywhere). As an outsider, it feels so backwards to have the motto “pura vida” (pure life) written everywhere in a place where prostitution is legal and celebrated. I see so much beauty in Jaco. The surfing and hiking are stunning, there are iguanas and super kind Ticos everywhere, and the vegan options are BOMB. I already love this city so much that I want to highlight these sides of Jaco that I feel really do embody pura vida, and thankfully, my ministry this month does just that!
I am working with a group called Marketing Edge, which has an initiative called Jaco Beach Info. This is a website that wants to promote all the businesses that are working to improve Jaco and make it a better place to live and thrive. We get the privilege of revamping the website, expanding their directory of businesses, and creating photography and profiles that share all the great things about those businesses. Honestly, this is a dream job for me and it is incredible to build relationships with people while also providing this free service for them while flexing my creative muscles. Beyond that, our ministry hosts have a huge vision for Jaco as a whole. They’ve started a movement here called We Are 611, which Jaco Beach Info and all their other community initiatives fall under. It feels like we are part of something really monumental here, and I feel so privileged to work with Oceans Edge and advocate for a better Jaco.
Jaco desires freedom and I can see a future of Jaco thriving in freedom. Yeshua wants to impact Jaco, and wow, I’m stoked to come alongside Him in changing this beach town for the better.
grace + peace
If you liked what you read here and feel led to partner with me on mission – please feel free to support me by praying for me, subscribing to this blog and by donating! I still need to raise about $5,000 to hit our total fundraising deadline – just click the orange donate button at the top of this page or check out my store.
