On my first month on the World Race, my team and I have been working with a ministry that provides help and support to the people of Costa Rica. The ministry, Mighty Rivers, was started by a group of sisters from Virginia who have a passion to live simply and give back to society.
We have been staying on an eco/dairy farm in a small village on the foothills of a volcano. Yes, everyone, Zack Toth is on a milk farm! That’s just one of the many ways that God decided to display His love for me this month. We have had limited access to internet and much of the outside world. In order to get to the nearest city, we need to walk two miles and catch a 45 minutes bus ride. So needless to say, grocery shopping (for anything that’s not milk) is quite an adventure!
On the farm, we have been doing various projects to help the ministry and our surrounding neighbors. In our first week, we cleared a path to a popular swimming hole where an awesome rope swing drops you into the river. We also helped one of the sisters make raised garden beds out of banana tree trunks. A few girls on the team volunteered at the Lechería where they produce all the fresh milk and ice cream. Our biggest project so far has consisted of rebuilding the house next door. The vision for the house is to be a temporary home for single mothers who need a fresh start!
Though our work has been diverse, we have had trouble finding stuff to keep us busy. Our contact is actually unable to be here this month. A few years ago, she moved back to America and has been coordinating the ministry from her home in Virginia. She has been calling us every so often with stuff to do. However, as one could imagine, it’s hard to organize projects from over a thousand miles away. Sometimes we are planning to do something only to realize that there was a miscommunication somewhere and we actually don’t have anything planned for the day. So in the midst of the quietness, we have had to be creative in coming up with stuff to do. One way we have engaged ourselves is by befriended the neighbors and enjoying time with them. We have had a blast getting to know them and pointing them to the love of Jesus. This time has also allowed us to learn more about each other and dive into vulnerability. I know the Lord is blessing this time and preparing us for spiritual warfare that will come in the future.
However, my favorite part of this month by far has been watching God transform my heart and desire to grow in intimacy with Him. For most of my life, I have never been able to sit still. Personal quiet times have always been a struggle. Sitting down to read the Bible always seemed like a chore. I always felt like I was missing out on something else that I could be doing instead. I always knew that spending time with the Lord was beneficial, but I always lacked discipline to regularly set aside time and devote to Jesus.
But this month has been different. I have begun journaling, memorizing scripture, and praying for the people around me. At first, it was hard. I felt like there was so much more I could be doing instead. But by the grace of God, I pressed on. Slowly, over the next few days, there was a switch in my heart. It no longer felt like a chore. In fact, I began to crave this time with the Lord. Some days I found myself itching for some free time so I can go spend more time with Him. The Lord is revealing truths about myself that I never fully been able to put to words. And it’s been amazing!
I am so thankful for this month. I am thankful for all the blessings He has poured out on me. He has shown me deeply I need to pursue intimacy with Him. However, even when I don’t pursue Him, He is faithful and actually pursues me in the process! He desires us. Jesus died for us. Not what we can do for Him. He simply wants us to share our lives with Him. And when we run to Him with open arms, He satisfies every desire of our hearts!
