This month is all squad month for I-Squad. Our 39 men and women have the opportunity to serve alongside some pretty incredible missionaries in Los Guido, Costa Rica! In the center of some of the darkest slums is a base, the finca, radiating the presence of God. Inside the gates of the finca is a church, a decent sized yard, the residence of some of the people who serve at the base, and a gymnasium/cafeteria, which serves as our physical home for the month as well as the feeding center.
The homes surrounding this place may be blanketed in violence and aggression but everyday from 11a-1p this base opens as a feeding center and hundreds of kids from the area make their way through the streets and down the hill to receive a free meal and play with all of us. The glory of God is manifested daily on these grounds and it’s such a blessing to be able to witness it. Despite what home may look like for these adorable kids they continue to sprint down the hill each day smiling ear to ear. The glory of God is all around us if we only open our eyes to it. Every time a child laughs I am reminded of God’s presence here and how all it takes is the smallest bit of light to slice through any amount of darkness.
Los Guido is the area we are in. Within feet of the gates we live in is a whole different world. I refuse to give any power at all to the darkness, but I feel it’s important to understand the extremity of it in order to fully appreciate the light that shines so intensely throughout it. We were told the first day obviously we stand out because we are Americans. We should not wear backpacks because they will be cut off our backs and stolen. We weren’t really sure whether this was serious until we went to get internet for the first time and while using local transportation a woman on the bus grabbed my friends pack and signaled to turn it around or give it to me to hide away. The locals are silent on the bus. There’s hardly any laughter or talk at all. When leaving the finca we are encouraged to wear close-toed shoes because any water running in the streets has some level of sewage in it. If we run outside the base or travel we’re encouraged to be in groups of at least three and a man should be with us. Each night at five o’clock they lock the gate and shut the steel doors of the cement building and lock us inside. They have their dog, Holly, patrol the grounds doing her job detouring any unwanted guests.
Los Guido is in somewhat of a valley, so a handful of days ago our group followed three town kids on a hike to the top of a mountain to overlook the entire city. It was evident how nervous they were walking a group of Americans through the streets of the slums. They kept begging us to stay as close as possible and walk as quickly as possible. They wanted our men scattered around the outside of the group until we made our way to the mountain. We walked through a trash dump and pushed our way through weeds taller than us as we reached the side of the mountain. Climbing the muddy slopes helping each other up the side we reached the top and was able to see the entire city. The view was incredible. We sat up there for some time praying for the city, taking it all in….this experience….this opportunity….how 39 people have this incredible chance….it is not about what we are doing or are able to do….we simply are willing….hungry….to see God….to see Him in new ways, in new places, in new cultures, and although we are trying to be a light to those we encounter it is incredible how all these little faces we see daily, with each hug, with each game that’s played….the kids are showing us genuine joy. They are so happy here. Sometimes it’s just about choosing joy….choosing to see God in the little miracles that surround us daily. God is here! It’s incredible how even in some of the darkest and dangerous slums in the world where evil tries to reign and take captive all within it there is a light, there’s a finca, the presence of God, a rainbow after the storm and at the end of that rainbow I’m here to testify there is a treasure! God is here and He’s moving!
