My team and two other teams had the chance to go to an indigenous area of Costa Rica this past week for ministry. This was such a humbling and uplifting week for me. An ordained time by the Lord, as He knew exactly what I needed. A time away with no distractions but just to be with Him and to simply love on the people of the community here. I felt I got to be realigned with why I am here and what I am called to in life.
The first night we were in Talamanca we were told to organize a church service. I sat next to a lady named Belice and we prayed over one another and worshipped alongside each other, it was a beautiful and encouraging moment that God gave. He has been building and building on what a church community looks like for me. Especially because I have been a little worried about what community is going to look like when I go home in a month. Community is living with intentionality and availability to the ones around you. Sharing the gospel is simply BEING like Christ. Drawing each other closer to our Father through not only words but also our actions. I felt I got a new heart again for reaching out and the urge to spread kingdom through the outflowing of love. My heart was set on fire by the Lord, as I stood worshipping God that night. I felt His refreshing presence through the people around me and just a space to be with Him. It was like a weight lifted off and I just got to rejoice with these brothers and sisters in Christ.
Community is cool people!
Our ministry each day looked a lot like house visits to people so far in the jungle it took about an hour trekking through mud, up and down mountains overgrown with green. It was incredibly gorgeous. It was a little tough for me with my torn acl but God showed great conviction in that. Throughout the race I’ve had it prayed over and I believe He brought healing into that emotionally. It has been somewhat of a discouragement and challenge throughout my time in each country, but the Lord brought to light this week that it wasn’t holding me back or limiting what He has for me. He revealed my truest potential and spoke strength over me. Any pain or struggle we are feeling is nothing compared to the pain Jesus went through on the cross for our mistakes and our sins. These people we met were so far out into the wilderness that they could not physically get to a church so we brought church to them! They would have to hike for two plus hours just to get to a clinic or a church service; this was a reality check. I can make it a little of that ways walking to share a bit of the gospel, to worship alongside them, to hear what the Lord has done in their lives, and to pray over them. As we walked through that jungle to bring kingdom, I thought of Jesus and how He would do the same and more for each one of us, His children. This experience brought me a lot of thankfulness, even in the little things, as having a church community that supports me is so big and impactful! How can I say I am not going to church because “I am too tired or just don’t feel like it,” when others don’t have the option or struggle so desperately for that church. These families strength in their faith was so inspiring to me, the full reliance on their God and to continue seeking without a constant support system.
It’s been physically draining but spiritually filling. I had the chance to pour into others, into a community that struggled with knowing God, through this the Lord filled me up.
We had a women’s ministry one of the afternoons, I was so excited because this is what I’ve been waiting to do the whole race. All of the women of the community came together, there we got to do art together and love on one another. We were able to talk about where we find our identities, how the Lord loves and sees us. As I looked around the room, God revealed to me His undying love for these daughters of His. I felt full by the spirit, my heart was so overwhelmed of compassion and love. The same friend Belice from the first night of church came and we both got to talk about Psalm 139, how it related to our testimonies and what the Lord has done in our lives. Being vulnerable with our lives and how God is at work in that makes the body all the more stronger.
I encourage you to share with the people around you just what you have been going through or what God may be doing in your life, someone may relate to that or someone may be able to speak life into that situation. Being relational is such a significant part of the church body and growing the kingdom. It brings safety and intimacy along with it, where you can find people who will walk alongside you through both high and low moments. In 1 Corinthians 12:25 it talks about how God has made us all apart of the body, each a different part but all support another, there should be unity rather than division. Step out, talk to someone new, pray over them and the Lord will use that in incredible ways to grow your faith and others.
What a blessing from the Lord it was to stay in Talamanca. To receive an overflow of peace and grace from God in my time away while also just pouring that same love out onto the people of this community.
