Our first full day in Costa Rica, we were invited to attend the wedding of two members of Zoe Church. It was a great way to break the ice with the ticos (Costa Rican people) and had the added bonus of cake and peach tea!
The first time I saw Dalila, she was cleaning the bathrooms for the wedding guests with a huge smile on her face and in a beautiful green formal dress. She radiated joy.
The wedding was scheduled to begin at 10am and we were given a taste of “tico time” right away! The wedding started closer to 11am which gave us time to meet some of the congregation. It was then that Katie (our FABULOUS ministry contact) introduced us to Dalila. Katie translated as Dalila told us that she was here to serve our every need and was so thankful we were here. WHAT?!?!? Didn’t I come here to serve?? Not to be served?
The next day at church I had to reintroduce myself to her at church and used my best Spanish (“Lo siento, pero tu nombre no recuerdo” something to the effect of “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember your name”) because honestly I didn’t quite “get” her name since it didn’t relate to any American names I knew. That’s when she told me, “Dalila. Como Samson y Dalila.” Ahhhh! Delilah! Only pronounced completely different… What a beautiful name for such a beautiful, spirited woman. Side note: Holy coincidence – the message at church included a tidbit about Sampson and Delilah!
A few days later, I was blessed to be able to share my testimony at a women’s gathering just before Dalila shared her tragic story. I was shocked and heartbroken to find that this most joyful, gentle woman had lost her husband less than a year ago. She shared an incredible story of her husband coming to the Lord prior to his death and God comforting her in His loving arms leading up to and following her loss. This woman who had every right to be sorrowful and mourning and hurting found JOY unspeakable. I’m reminded of a quote from Devin, a friend in Alaska – his testimony is the story of “immeasurable joy amongst deep sorrow.” Dalila has found IMMEASURABLE JOY despite the circumstances because she has the joy of the LORD. Her path has not been without difficulty but everyday she decides to CHOOSE JOY.
So my question for you is – are you choosing joy? Do you have the hope of eternal life? Do you know that it gets better than this crummy life for those who belief?
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice. – Philippians 4:4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. – James 1:2
I cannot possibly describe the connection I felt with her from day 1…isn’t it awesome that we have such an incredible, unspoken bond through the Holy Spirit? We don’t speak the same language…but smiles & Jesus break down every barrier.
I’ll leave you with a picture of Dalila and I walking home from the children’s ministry in Cinco Esquinas (Five Corners.)
-Jenn Dannelley
