Costa Rica to Guatemala

Hey Everyone!

Wow! I can’t believe it has already been 7 weeks of the World Race. I just wanted to take this time to update you all on how God has been moving in Costa Rica and what life has been like in the last 7 weeks. I also want to update you on what is coming! 

Ministry over the last 6 weeks has been incredible! My team, Kings Kids, and Oasis served with a ministry called Fundacion Resplandecer, lead by Tony and Rosita. God has taught my team and I so much over the course of the last 6 weeks through our ministry host, our ministry work, and my alone time with him. He blessed me with a ministry location that provided an intentional space to experience life without the distractions of internet. A location that helped me lean into intentionality with him and my community. 

My ministry hosts this month were so beautiful. Tony and Rosita started Fundacion Resplandecer in 2003 and have such a heart for Costa Rica and the people here. I learned so much about what it looks like to walk in partnership through marriage because they exemplified it. They honored and encouraged one another, and they showed us the beauty of marriage founded on Christ. I also witnessed what it means to be a prayer warrior through Rosita. She prayed constantly, night and day, and was battling the hurts and pains of Costa Rica through her prayer. I witnessed the child like wonder of Christ through Tony, who found joy in everything. He exemplified the beauty of pure joy and excitement in the presence of the Lord. Both Tony and Rosita were such blessings to my team and I. They challenged and encouraged me in my faith walk by their example and hearts for our Father. 

During our time there we worked both physical labor and children’s ministries. God used our ministry time a lot to work on my heart posture. I didn’t always understand why we were doing the work we were doing and a lot of times felt like I was letting our hosts down in the children’s ministry. It was not always easy to find the joy and positivity in the work we were doing, but God really spoke into the why behind the work. I think it is easy to get caught up on the work we are supposed to be doing and how it is supposed to be done, but the Lord really spoke into my heart the why. I learned that it is more important to work out of a posture of love and service, then a task oriented mindset. Why are we scooping water out of a ditch in the rain? Because this is how we were asked to love our hosts well today. Why did children’s ministry look this way? Because this is what these children needed in order to know God’s love better after we are gone. God taught me through ministry that it isn’t about me or my plans, rather it is about leaving his presence with those we come into contact with each day. 

Lastly, a large priority of these 6 weeks with our ministry was sabbath and it’s importance. This was my time to spend in rest with God and to know his love more. These were the sweetest times of my month. He revealed so much to me about His love for me and those around me, as well as, lies I have been believing about myself for 24 years. He taught me that I am already the woman he made me to be, that I don’t have to work towards this unattainable goal or strive to be her, but that I can just walk in who I already am. He taught me that I don’t have to earn his love and affection, but that he loves me because I am his. Lastly, he taught me how incredibly small my view and faith has been in him and that he has so much more in store for me if I am willing to ask and receive him. 

Costa Rica has been incredible and I have been blessed to finish off the last week here with my squad and WR family. We have had an incredible debrief time to process and share what the lord has done. We have had the chance to pray over Guatemala and what he has in store for us there. Lastly, we have had the time to fill our spirits and hearts with him. God has given me peace over our time here in Costa Rica and excitement for Guatemala. 

So what’s next…

On Sunday my squad and I are headed to Guatemala, where we will be serving through April 30th. My team will start our time there serving with YWAM in Guatemala City and finish our time working with Teams Commissioned for Christ International in Chicaman. 

Please be praying over our ministry hosts and over Guatemala as we prepare to move into month 3 and country number 2 of the Race!