When I was on the plane to Costa Rica. God told me “You will come back bold, strong, vulnerable, loving, and more willing than ever. You will come back with pieces of each person you met and each place you went. Emmy you will be transformed and renewed the next time you are in the States .”
So as I leave Costa Rica I would like to tell you all the pieces of people I have picked up and how Costa Rica has affected me.
Helen
About: Helen is the principal at our second ministry here. She does so much all day with just running the school ;however, she makes sure she loves every single person that is there for the day. Where she goes there are smiles, laughs, and a big hug! Even with the language barrier she spoke all the English she could to us even when it was difficult for her. Helen is so encouraging and truly thankful for what she has. When we went to our third ministry we found out she also helps run the youth group on Saturday too that we are involved in. This women has a family, works Monday-Friday, and pours herself out to the youth of her community on Saturday. Every time I tell her how amazed I am with her or how well she shines Jesus, she just points up to the sky with her finger and from the depths of her heart she says “It’s all my Dad.” She is just truly amazing.
Want I learned from Helen: Helen may truly be my role model. I inspired to be like Helen and give my everything so my community may know Jesus personally! She is joy, she is love, she just pours out Jesus so well!
Joyce
About: Joyce is from our first ministry. After lunch time when the teacher takes the kids for nap Joyce would sweep and mop up all the little rice pieces with a big smile on her face. EVERYDAY. With a so much joy. She truly radiated joy like I have never seen before. She is the main person that taught me you could love without words because when she would smile at me I felt loved! Funny story I didn’t know her name was Joyce till 2 days before we left and her name is perfect for her.
What I learned from Joyce: She is so Joyous. I hope what ever I am doing I can radiate joy and smile like Joyce did!
JC
About: On the bus one day to our second ministry we prayed that the language barrier would no longer be a problem. When we got to ministry we were introduced to JC our translator. He is 18, he loves Jesus, and loves serving Him like no one I have met. He also speaks perfect English so our prayers were for so answered. We had countless times of laughing and he endured all of our “Como si de sa…” moments. However we had many more conversations about loving people and loving God more. JC actually ended up coming to be a translator for our base for when we go out into the community and pray for people! JC became a very good friend to us all and I am so thankful for him.
Fun fact. Before I left the States I prayed in each country I would get a person or a group of people I know God has placed there for us. Well for Costa Rica I got a teenager boy that we would be involved with his family and become good friends. His mom and sister was at our ministry everyday so we were involved with his family and we become such good friends. God Is So Cool! He had a plan for sure.
What I learned from JC: When we said goodbye Jc said “I do this for the name of God to be know not my own.” That is what I learned from JC. He serves Jesus with so much joy, love, and humility. He is so willing to say yes to God and is so committed to his community. All of it is for his loving God to be known.
Alfredo
About: Alfredo is our bus driver for the last two months! I would explain him as the most joy filled man I have met, who loves to worship, loves people with intentionality, and truly loves his Father. Alfredo doesn’t speak English but in one week learned all 50 names on our squad and calls us all by our name. Everyday he comes in singing worship songs and has us join in. Everyday he goes around says your name, hugs you, and gives you a hug. Everyday he lights up the entire house and bus with his smile. Alfredo, even through the language barrier, has gotten to know me and our entire squad.
What I learned from Alfredo: I have learned how much love is shown through simply learning someone’s name and acknowledging them every time you see them. Alfredo has taught me to be fearless and do things you won’t always do (like play soccer with a lot of teens, or dance funny to worship music ect.). He has taught me Joy is truly contagious and Gods love is so powerful!
Little girl with pink glasses.
About: She is from our first ministry. She is around 7 and is pretty shy. From the first day I fell in love with her and wanted her to know how loved she was. On the last day at that ministry she came up to me made a heart with her hands and then we danced together for a long time. Instead of being shy like she usually was she had a huge smile and carried so much joy with her.
What I learned from the girl with pink glasses: She showed me an answered prayer and the love of a child.
Girl in pink shirt
About: One day we went out to different communities in Costa Rica just to be there and pray/do whatever needs to be done. When we were driving on the bus to the community I saw a picture is a little girl in a pink shirt. I thought it was just my imagination and kinda blew it off. However when we got into the tin community that winds up a hill I saw a girl around six in a pink shirt. Then I heard God say “Just let her be a kid today.” So that is what I did we played anda (tag), we danced around like weirdos, and we just hung out for an hour being kids. Then when we were leaving I didn’t have a translator so I couldn’t say much but I told in my broken Spanish “You are a beautiful princess.” I saw her eyes light up and a joy come over her face.
What I learned from the girl in a pink shirt: I learned how God wants up to serve and love others in the simplest ways. Also sometimes the weird things in our minds may not only be our imagination it may be God! The girl broke my heart because I want her to be able to live a life where she can be a child. I want her to know she is truly a beautiful princess. Yet God brought me from USA to Costa Rica to tell her that and to spend one hour with her. He can do sooo much more in her life!
Taxi driver
About: We had a taxi driver for our way back home at our second ministry. He would use google translate to talk to us while we drove home…not the safest but it worked ha. We learned a lot about him. He lived in the community his entire life and knows so many people, we FaceTimed his family once or twice, and we talked about all the things we did and he would give advice on where to go next in Costa Rica. He had a bible on his dash that was always opened. When we asked about it he said a women randomly gave it to him one day when he was having a really hard day. He doesn’t read it but it gives him hope. We talked a little bit about it but not to much; however, I saw Jesus pursuing him through us and the people around him. Our taxi driver was truly interested in how we were and wanted to know us.
What I learned from our taxi driver: I learned how each person we encounter especially everyday is worth having a relationship with. Also I saw the pursuit of God in this man.
Metro the community
About: Our last ministry here we were out in a community everyday inviting kids to come play and learn about Jesus with us! I loved how metro (our third ministry) was so involved in the community. Every Tuesday we went out for house visits to just sit with the people and listen to what is going on. The community knows on Tuesday’s metro is in the community if they want us to stop by or just talk.
What I learned from being in the community: I learned how much you can love someone by being consistent and available. I want to be present in a community and be available for my neighbors. Also to know everyone by name and simply love them where they are!
Paula
About: Our last week in Costa Rica my team went to a camp in the mountains of Costa Rica. Paula serves there and she is full of passion and the love of God. She is passionate about the church, about worship, and about everyone coming together for God. With her worship language barrier is broken and the spirit is so present.
What I learned from Paula: I learned the importance of the church. I was reminded worship is so much bigger than just singing songs. But most importantly I saw how much our passions can change those around us. I want to shine my passions for Jesus like Paula does.
There is so many more people and places from Costa Rica that has effected me and pieces i have picked up for my life. Yet I will leave it at this. There is so much God does in everyday life, in everyday people, and in simple things. I want to continue to learn from them and know Gods character more through it all!
Let me know who has affected you recently or how have you seen Jesus in others?
Thank you Jesus for Costa Rica for everything you have taught me and all the fun memories I have had.
