ZOE International School and Church
My team and I have arrived safely in Costa Rica! So far it has been an amazing experience. We are working with a ministry called ZOE International this month in San Pedro, Barva, Heredia, Costa Rica. I think it’s actually in San Pedro, but that’s how it’s listed so we will go with that! ZOE is a school for preschool through 9th grade students, and there are only about 17 students in the school. I will be teaching Science and English classes to 7th and 9th graders. There are only two 7th graders and one 9th grader, but it is such a blessing to get so much one-on-one time with them. It is so much different than teaching to a classroom of 30 students in the states!!
In my element!
ZOE is also a church for the community. They have a church service and lunch every Sunday and youth group on Saturday nights. This church is so on fire for the Lord!! We went to a youth event on Saturday night, and we worshipped through singing and prayer for at least 4 hours— with a snack break in the middle of course! The people of the church accepted us with open arms, and they were so excited for us to be serving with them.
The amazing view right in our backyard!
On Sunday morning we had church. We got to meet all of the members and experience the strong presence of the Holy Spirit in their church. There was dancing, praying, singing, a message, and even prophesying! I am so excited to learn more about the Spirit this month. Everyone here is so excited to pour into us, and I think they may be serving me more than I could ever serve them this month!
I really believe that God put our team in such a Spirit-filled atmosphere so that He could fill us up completely before we truly head out to pour into others. I have still been struggling with hearing the Lord’s voice, but I am already seeing His presence in my life more and more everyday! I am so excited to see how he moves in my team this month!!
Our little kitchen!
So far, my favorite experience in Costa Rica has been cooking with our new friend Moises. Moises is an intern at ZOE. We love to invite him to eat with us since we cook our own food. We have become really close with him through dance parties and breaking bread together. Last night, Moises cooked an authentic Costa Rican dish of rice, beans, fried plantains, cheese, and guacamole. Katie and I got to help Moises out in the kitchen by cutting vegetables and washing dishes. I even made guacamole, and it was awesome! It was just nice to get to know Moises’ heart for missions, and even learn a lot about the culture through food.
Enjoying our dinner with Moises!
I made guacamole!!! (I also look like I’m missing some teeth, but I’m definitely not!)
Victoria loves beans!! Yummy!!
Some of our other adventures…
Early Saturday morning shopping at the farmer’s market in Barva!
Appreciating some bench art in the park with my team!
Selfies with Moises!!
We love hanging out at the local coffee shop, Rincon Dulce! We’ve befriended the workers there because we might be a little obsessed!
We had a pizza celebration because our God is so good!
This is the board that my team has written our norms on. We want to take full advantage of this month. We want to make sure we are a community that is active in pursuing each other and the Lord, along with serving in every way we can!
Overall, Costa Rica has been pretty amazing so far, and I know this month will only get better!!
Pura Vida!!!
Jor
