When we arrived in Costa Rica it was Sunday April 14th, the first day of Holy Week. I had never heard of Holy Week before and for those who haven’t either it basically means most of Costa Rica rests from their normal activities. They do this to honor Good Friday and Easter Sunday. So, coming into Costa Rica we were told we don’t have ministry because everything is shut down.
Our days looked very different from a normal ministry day but our ministry hosts knew ahead of time and planned things for us to do.
Our mornings started off really late, at least on World Race time.
We ate breakfast at 8am, giving plenty of time to sleep in, spend time with Jesus and do anything else you need too.
Didn’t have sessions until 10:30-11, which again gave us so much time to ultimately start our days so filled with Jesus. Leaving Nicaragua and mini debrief was more exhausting than most travel days and debriefs, it was so nice that the leadership we were working with decided to give us rest in the morning because I know I needed it! Getting to sleep in until 7:45am and still get to have tons of time with God was exactly what we all needed. It was so great!
Sessions usually looked like leadership teaching on something and helping us get to know them more. They were trying to fill days because of Holy Week so our orientation was dragged out more than usual. It was really great because we spent a lot of time on different topics and having discussions. We got to know our ministry hosts SO well and they all are so intentional!
Since we are at an AIM base all of our ministry hosts work for AIM which I find Super cool!
Kevin & Ana :
They both went on the 11n11 in 2013, Got married in 2015, did G42 in Spain and moved to Costa Rica as long term missionaries this past January!
{G42 is a sister program in Spain, it’s a discipleship school with a focus on long term missions. It’s an incredible program that will challenge, grow and teach you everything you need to know! If you are looking at long term missions I highly recommend it!}
Doug & Renee Duffy:
Their daughter did the race a couple of years ago involving them as well. They originally moved to Costa Rica because all three of their daughters were long term missionaries down here!
They left Thursday for Russia on a missions trip, if you want too please pray for their travels and ministry while there!
Crystal:
One of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. She came to Costa Rica only a couple of days before us but she has worked for AIM for the past 15 years. Mostly in Peru as a long term missionary but recently working in the office in Georgia. She speaks fluent Spanish and often comes with us ALTing or to our ministry!
Rachel:
She did the Gap Year two years ago, then CGA (5 month discipleship program through WR), then alumni team leading this past fall and now, is an intern here in Costa Rica! She is very welcoming and has so much insight for us, as we enter seasons of going home, going to CGA, going to Alumi-lead or interning as short term missionaries!
Afternoons:
During Holy Week our whole squad was together all day which was a lot of fun because we make our breakfasts and lunches. It really feels like a family in those times, Especially my family! Starting off every afternoon sitting around eating sandwiches, chips & an apple.
Then, we did ATL every afternoon. This is something our team has done almost the whole race just different lingo. Siem Reap/Evangelism, Ethiopia/House Visits, Nicaragua/Prayer Walking and Costa Rica/ATL. All a little different but with the same intentions.
// ATL – “ASK THE LORD” //
The first day we went out, I believe Tuesday, we headed into town to ATL to a park. We were talking to this man and I felt a strong urge to into this old church/garden place where people can hang out.
As we were walking I started to judge the Holy Spirit whisper because we were passing so many people. All of these what if’s started to pile in my thoughts so by the time we got inside I was to filled with negative thoughts to have the courage to say that the man we were passing was the one God wanted us to pray over.
Luckily, my teammate Jaynna has the same Holy Spirit and felt the same man was the one we needed to pray over. We walked over and started to talk. I simply asked him how he was doing and he broke into tears. God knew, God knew that man needed encouragement and I’m so glad we got to talk to him. He is a strong man of God who has Leukemia and was told by his doctors that he might have days or months left to live. Woah. That’s heavy, that’s a lot to take in knowing that your life is about to end. Yet, the whole time he was crying for his sons not for himself. He knew where he was going but his sons whom he loved so so much, have been in drugs for the past 25 years, lost in the desires of the flesh. His tears were for his sons who he may not see in heaven when their times come. To feel the pain of being separated from them for eternity but also realizing the worst part of all that they might be separated from God for eternity.
Getting to be there and comfort him, to cry with him but then to pray over him. Jaynna, my teammate was the whole purpose why we were there. Each of us shared our encouragements but as Jaynna shared, his face started to fill with hope and I could see God speaking directly to his soul through her. All she did was share her story. How her Grandmother has been healed from Leukemia two or three times when all Hope was lost because of the power of prayer and Jaynna’s dad. A man who has been in jail for the past ten years and struggled with every addiction. Who because of Jaynna being an obedient vessel is giving his life to Jesus!!!! It’s an incredible story and as she shared this God sparked something in this mans heart, it was SO cool to watch.
It reminds me of what it looks like to have perspective. Most of the time we have no idea why bad things are happening but God makes ALL things good. He has a purpose and sometimes all we can do is sit down, buckle up and ride until we see the end of the road where everything makes sense.
This was one encounter. Maybe one hour of our day. I often remind myself of the people who need Jesus the afternoons when I’m “not feeling it”. How it really is just being willing and available to allow God to work through us. He’s a gentleman, he’ll never make me do anything, it’s ALWAYS my choice. ATLing should be apart of everyday life. Always asking the Lord who needs him that day and it has been so cool to watch him work.
After ATL we have about two hours of free time, I usually go into town or stay in town if I’m ATLing in town. Usually it looks like getting WiFi, hanging out with my friends, reading my book, spending time with God, working on blogs, whatever it may be.
Dinner is around 6 and a woman from the community makes our dinners each night, it’s SOOOOO good and we all really appreciate her!
After dinner is free time until quiet hours at 9pm. Normally this varies but I find myself wanting to spend time with friends every night before we all part our ways for home. It’s a weird thought that this is all ending soon but it is and that’s life. 🙂
Love, love, love my squad & am thankful for the community God has gifted me in this season.
