Well what do you want to know? Because I can tell you about those really awesome off-days spent exploring the Costa Rican beaches and trails, or relaxing in the Dominican mountains!!!
Or about all my crazy spontaneous adventures? Because yes I caught a two dollar boat ride across a river into Panamá from Costa Rica, or I rode a random horse we found with a rope tied around his neck in the middle of the Caribbean mountains!!
Or about all the interesting and yummy food?
Because in Costa I discovered my favorite food is pinto with natilla and sweet plantains, or how our food in the DR is cooked by the sweetest abuela and it is ALL true authentic Dominican food!!
I could tell you a million stories that would make anyone want to do this!!
I would leave out the days spent crying about the future. I would leave out what’s it like to be sick in a foreign country with out your mom. I would leave out how many times I didn’t feel enough. I would leave out how I constantly felt like a failure during face to face evangelism. I would for sure leave out what’s it like to live so close with a person who makes it clear they want nothing to do with you. I would leave out the days where I just didn’t want to do it anymore. I didn’t want to choose in. I didn’t want to love like Jesus. And I didn’t want to take a cold shower!!!!
The race wasn’t easy and if you ask me in passing how the last nine months of my life were, I will quickly say, “SO SO GOOD!!” But the short stories about adventures and friends and travel mean nothing compared to what God has taught and shown me.
Because what made those days exploring the Costa beaches wasn’t the amazing views or the cool trails, it was how they were spent with my forever friends I communicated with through broken Spanish and google translate. Oh, how I miss those people!
What the Lord taught me this day: how to truly be a FRIEND!
Because what made the days spent relaxing in the Dominican mountains weren’t the pool or breathtaking mountains surrounding me, it was the nights with Miguel listening to his testimony through my friend trying to practice her Spanish. Or me trying to tell him how I met the Lord and having NO idea if he understood any of it.
What the Lord taught me this day: The Lords heart for His children is transnational and gentle!
Because what made the day I crossed into Panamá wasn’t the missionary clout or the sketchy boat ride, but the time spent sitting on the shore with our host listening to his heart on missions and kingdom.
What the Lord taught me this day: He has a plan and purpose for us all, we just have to abide!
Because what made the day chasing that horse in the mountains wasn’t what it felt like to ride him with all my team mates watching in awe, but how I spent the day doing manual labor with two of the goofiest Dominicans that I’ve grown to know and love.
What the Lord taught me this day: His yoke is easy and His burden is light! Choose joy!!
Because what made the food delicious wasn’t the abundance of it or the amazing home-made hot sauce that goes with everything, but the mornings spent woken up at 5 am to cook for the entire squad with Elsi, our host, who loved us like her own.
What the Lord taught me this day: How to see Him in everything! He gives us what we need and sometimes that looks like gifting me with a woman who loves me and reminds me of my mom when I miss her more than anything!!
Because what made our authentic Dominican cuisine wasn’t all the strange combinations or the leche straight from the utter, but how Margo randomly dances with the joy of the Lord and brings her grandson, Carlos, to hang out with us while she cooks us dinner everyday.
What the Lord taught me this day: a little more of what to live and love like Jesus looks like and His consistency!!
These moments are the ones I will think of when I say, “oh it was so so good,” in response to the question I already feel coming.
20 days left.
20 days more with the strangers that have become my family. 20 days more making memories I will tell my future kids about. 20 more days in the DR!!
Love,
A girl who will always be ‘Big Paw Paw’ to some.
