wow. so, heres the tea.
I live in Costa Rica now! My squad arrived at our base on the 12th, and our first few days have been nothing short of breathtaking.
We are living at an AIM base in Curridabat. I’m basically living in a big house with 52 brothers and sisters! I never thought I would love the constant community as much as I do. Every time you walk outside, there is something going on. Someone is playing music, playing a game, or just chattin! It is seriously so fun.
A normal day at home consists of the sun rising at 5:30 AM, accompanied by the roaring of the water pump in our room. These surroundings make for an early morning most days. We get up, take a freezing cold shower, then head up to the kitchen for breakfast.
Every day, we have a consistent breakfast of cereal, either fruit loops, coco pebbles, or frosted flakes. Something I love about living here is that I can have a new conversation with a different person at every meal.
After breakfast, we have devotion, lead by one of our leaders, followed by quiet time. This is my favorite way to start the day, in community with my family in the presence of our Father. The overwhelming peace I feel during this time of day is something I can only describe as sitting side by side with Jesus.
After this, many teams head out to begin their ministry. my team has only had one day of ministry so far. We do not begin until 3 PM, so we have decided to spend our afternoons seeking ways to serve our squad and the people in our area of Costa Rica.
A little bit about our ministry! My teams ministry is called Lifting Hands. It’s located in an area called Los Anonos, where you can see drugs, prostitution, abuse, and other negative influences right outside the door. This ministry finds the kids, youth, and parents from this area and gives them classes about arts, music, tutoring, reading and writing, computer skills, dancing, cooking, and many others. Our day to day job is to build relationships with the kids and volunteers, help teach classes, and offer our service anywhere we are needed. Our first day of ministry we were assigned different jobs. Me and another girl on my team, Helen, will be helping fold clothes in a store within the ministry that sells used childrens clothing. We will be working alongside a woman named Julie, who began as a student in the program and now runs the store. She does not speak much English, but we are so lucky to be surrounded by bilingual volunteers who help translate. Julie has already shown us so much kindness and I cannot wait o spend more time getting to know her and her story. Our first day was spent meeting the staff and interacting with the kids through soccer games, coloring, board games, and them asking random questions about stereotypical American culture (classic).
After ministry, we are picked up and taken back home just in time for dinner with our squad. We eat and fellowship together. After dinner, we discuss our experiences with ministry that day and just enjoy each others company. Some nights we worship together (TRULY a beautiful picture of His love in our squad).
I am constantly learning from my squadmates. They all have their own unique relationship with Jesus, and every day they share little bit of wisdom with me straight from the Father Himself. The lord speaks through these people so clearly. It’s honestly so beautiful. They love Him so fiercely. There’s nothing they hold on to!!! we have given it ALL to Him baby!!!! And look where He’s taken us. We literally live in Costa Rica. We get to have new encounters with the Lord every day. what the heck.
one of our leaders said something that really moved me the other day.
“You have never locked eyes with someone who does not matter to the Father.”
Imagine a world where everyone lived that statement out.
So that’s my life lately!!! Crazy how the Lord switches up on you one day and a few months later you find yourself living in Costa Rica spreading His good word to people who don’t understand a word of what you say. Thank you so much for the continued support and prayers!! I would not be here without you.
See ya next week! Can I get oh ya for consistent blogging!!??!?!!
-Paige(((:
