I have been in Costa Rica for about two weeks. It’s been nothing but challenging and breathtaking.
I left home on September 7th, (the day after my 18th birthday) and spent a few days in Atlanta for this little thing called “Launch”. Where my whole squad meets up at the hotel, some with family, and we did some bonding and learning things needed for the next 9 months of our lives.
The enemy had been working overtime trying to discourage my squad and I, trying to defer us away from this experience, and journey with the Lord. Anything from nightmares to discouraging thoughts. In my case it was thoughts. I have always struggled with never feeling good enough. This trip included, Satan has continued to make me feel inferior to my peers.
On the last night of launch, before we left the country. We had an amazing worship session. But also during this amazing session was when my thoughts were at an all time high. Looking around, observing my fellow squad mates praising our creator with everything in them. I felt lost. And everything came running at me. I remember just staring at the front of the room and it felt like I was in a Star Wars spacecraft going light speed through my past. Everything was flying past my eyes every little mistake and every little disappointment, and moment. All of a suddenI felt a hand on my shoulder and it was one of my squad leaders. She started speaking to me and said, “God kept telling me, her. It’s Her. I am so proud of her”. I completely broke down and started bawling. (If you know me you know i am NOT a crier, or one to show any sort of emotion.)
I then realized so much has happened to me, I have legitimately been through hell and back. But He has kept me alive and well for a reason. The biggest thing I learned through this is, its okay to not be okay. God loves us everyday no matter how “together” our lives are or how good of a follower you are.
September 11th, 2016 I boarded a plane to Costa Rica, saying goodbye to the good ole USA until June. It was the beginning of the rest of my life, stepping on that plane.
Being in this country I have experienced so much in the short two week span. Tattoos, praying over random strangers, malls, walking through the city, lots of construction and new hair do’s. The people here are so grateful for what little they have and it seems to be the poorest economically, happen to be the richest in faith and loyalty. We have been serving in an local dump community and every day we are there they make our team, all 6 of us a extremely generous lunch with portions too big for my stomach. My most favorite thing about the culture so far is the 3 o’clock coffee and quesadilla break. Muy deliciouso!!!
