In honor of 11 countries in 11 months and a lot of new experiences, I am going to sum up each month of ministry by listing 11 things that I learned that month! Some of these things may be funny, and some may be really serious. Let’s see how this goes!
11 Things I learned In Costa Rica:
1. Empanadas are my love language. Enough said.
2. I am seen, known, and loved by the Lord. Always. Despite my perfectionist tendencies, I am always enough for the Lord, and He will never forget about me.
3. Costa Rica has a lot of butterflies, and they’re a lot of fun to hang out with! My team spent a solid hour playing in a butterfly garden one day!
4. Spiritual Gifts are real, and we need to strive to activate these gifts through the Spirit. I have gifts that I didn’t even know about, and I am excited to learn more about them and see them in action!
5. It rains A LOT in Costa Rica… BUT when you’re with the fam, even the beach is still fun in the rain!
6. I learned how unifying it is to cook and eat dinner together as a family. Times spent in our kitchen dancing, singing and even having food fights are some of my favorite memories of this month! I also learned how to cook some awesome Costa Rican/Honduran food for our bestie, Moises!
7. Language barriers melt when people share a love of music! My students taught me how to play the ukulele and we often jammed to Twenty One Pilots because that’s their favorite! We even formed a band called “Ticas in Russia!”
8. Community and vulnerability are definitely difficult, but they are both CRUCIAL as we walk through life. I love my team so much. I love they way they love me, I love the way they challenge me, I love who they are individually and as a unit. I’m so thankful to do life with them.
9. Learning Spanish is HARD, but I get by with a little help from my students! I love when they get to teach me things!
10. For so long, I’ve relied of the approval of others to fill me up and dictate how I view myself rather than finding my identity in the Lord. I never even realized that this was so so prevalent in my life, but God has so lovingly and intentionally revealed this to me this month. I’m still processing and working through this, but hopefully I will be able to write a blog post about it soon!
11. It hasn’t been the easiest month of my life, but I’m PUMPED to keep going on the Race! I’m excited to learn, grow, and watch my team grow. I’m ready to walk in love and boldness towards the Lord, and I know that great things are yet to come in these next 10 months!!
Much love and Pura Vida!!
Jordie
