Update for Month 3 of to the World Race
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Ministry: Conexion
Currency: Colones (but also USD)
Toilets: just no flushing toilet paper!
Showers: hot and very nice! Yes HOT!
Sleeping: apartment style with bunk beds
This month we are staying with a couple, Beth and Bryan who used to live in Alabama. Beth is energetic and doesn’t have an off switch :). Bryan is a past Disney chef so we have been eating like queens this month! They were called to be missionaries in Costa Rica about 7 years ago. They recently sent their triplets off to college so they now have room to host world race teams in a small apartment behind their home. It has been such a blessing to be taken care of so well and also has been a great place to spend time alone as a team because we have not had that yet.
Beth and Bryan are a part of a ministry called Conexion. Conexion was started by a Colombian family about 13 years ago. The type of ministry work we do ranges from hosting medical clinics, putting on concerts and organizing sports camps.. all at the same time. As an organization they own all of the equipment necessary to host these events. We travel all over San Jose, setting up, hosting the event and then tearing it all down. They are very long days but are always exciting and new. We have got the chance to meet so many Costa Ricans and also other North Americans that have spent week long trips serving with Conexion. This month I played soccer for the first time, went to my first professional soccer game, got to watch teeth extractions, got my own teeth cleaned by a teammate, leaned a lot more Spanish and fell even more in love with this culture and the people. The Conexion team are truly something else.. They have taken us in, loved us so well and built a bond strong enough that they call us family.
Our off days this month have been a great time to explore San Jose. Our first off day we took a short bus ride to the downtown area where we explored different shops, churches, and restaurants. Another off day we got to attend a soccer game and sat with the crazy fans (similar to a student section), chanted along with them even though we don’t know the language and acted like true fans of a team we knew nothing about.
I know for most people when they think of Costa Rica the first thought is the beaches and surfing..but the city of San Jose is so beautiful as well. So much to see and do and it sits in the mountains so the views and weather are perfect!
For our last off day we got to sight see even more with a local Tico named Daniel who is friends with a girl on my team. We played the entire day by ear and it turned into an incredible one..
STORY TIME: We left the house that morning without any expectations and assumed it would just be a normal tourist day. Daniel took us to one of the highest points on the mountains so that we could over look the city. The view was breathtaking and we all just stood in silence overlooking Gods creation.. San Jose is busy, loud and full of people but from that high up it looked so peaceful and calm. A few moments later a man came up to us. One thing I have noticed so far on the race is that no matter the conditions of the country, the language or culture, those that are in need have the same look in their eyes. A look of desperation and need for more of food, money, love..Anything truly. In this mans case it was food. I didn’t need to know the language to understand the gist of what Daniel and him were speaking about. The man was thin and absolutely in need of food but even more so than that, he was in need of love.. The authentic kind where you just sit and listen to his story, without judgement of the alcohol on his breath, the sores on his arm, or the unwashed clothes. Just as much as the man was open to ask for food and money, he was open to sharing his story. Daniel wanted to help but first wanted to know the best way to help and that was seeing this man as God sees him. He began sharing his story and from the little Spanish I have picked up on I knew he had a large family he was providing for, that they were all hungry and also that he has some sort of illness. The conversation went on and I lost track of what him and Daniel were speaking about but a connection was forming and Jesus was orchestrating it all. As Daniel began sharing about God or Dios as it is in spanish, the man began to weep. A grown man asking young people for help, holds nothing back as his tears fall on the dirt road. Realizing that no amount of food will ever satisfy him like Jesus can. He repeats a prayer with Daniel while holding out his arms in surrender..giving his life to Christ. I of course still cannot understand the words but I could understand the emotion pouring out of him. The feeling of discovering what grace and mercy is. I get chills now going back to that moment.
To know that Wednesday is more than just the middle of a week, a mountain is more than just for the views, and a man asking for help is more than just a person asking for help.
I pray for the seeds that were sown that day to continue to grow and be fruitful for his life and also his families. It also opened my eyes to know that while “off days” we are off from ministry, I should always be ready for the Lord to use me at any moment and know that I can share about his love and sacrifice in every “normal” day.
We leave for Panama this week and once again I am leaving a part of my heart behind. Goodbyes are hard and this month will be the hardest thus far but I am learning that when I leave each country with a hole in my heart is an opportunity to ask for Jesus to fill it back up with his truth and love. To learn what he wants to show and teach me. Learn to love deeper and without reservation each month.
Love,
Jourdan
