Costa Rica Day #1

Yesterday was my first day in Costa Rica! It was so great! I am overly excited about doing ministry with our team this week. There are 3 adult staff that live here: Anna, Laura, and Patty. And there are 5 interns/volunteers: Brook, Megan, Gabrielle, Paul, and me. So, yes, we have one guy in the midst of all these girls! But he does a good job of looking after us when we are walking around town.

Yesterday our day consisted of all the interns going to get groceries! Yay, haha! Monday is grocery day at our apartment, so we walked 2500 miles to the market, back to apartment and then to Walmart and back. Okay, maybe 2500 is an exaggeration, but it was a lot of walking! I am super thankful for this time though, because it allowed us to bond as a team. It was so encouraging to hear the stories of how each one of us ended up here with LightForce this summer. God is incredible. His timing is perfect. And he planned us all to work together this week from the beginning of time. He has a purpose for each one of us individually, a purpose for our team specifically this week, and a purpose for LightForce. I am blessed to be a part of all three of those. 

While we were out walking across the city, our staff was meeting with other organizations that fight  human trafficking in Costa Rica, as well as government officials. They were discussing future plans for this ministry and so many awesome things that are in the works. I cannot go into detail but just be assured that God is using this ministry in Costa Rica to change this country and help the people that are trapped in trafficking. They are not sitting idle. They are pursuing God's purpose for them. They are not fighting the "issue" of human trafficking. They are fighting for the lives of God's children in unfortunate circumstances. If you have any interest in this or feel led to give to this ministry, PLEASE don't hesitate. Their website is lightforceintl.com

So there is a quick summary of my first day. It has been incredible so far and I know it will just get better! The only time I freaked out was being in the SJO airport by myself with no clue what to do. So, I just followed people from my flight through all of the stations until I finally saw our girls holding a sign with my name on it. Then, I was good to go! THANK YOU for your support of me and this trip, whether is has been through finances or prayer or both, thank you.

I will leave you with this song that I have been meditating on the last 2 days.

"By Our Love" by Christy Nockels

Brothers, let us come together

Walking in the Spirit, there's much to be done...

We will come reaching, out from our comforts

And they will know us by our love...

Sisters, we were made for kindness

We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us...

We will come reaching, with a song of healing...

And they will know us by our love!

The time is now

Come Church arise...

Love with His hands

See with His eyes...

Bind it around you,

Let it never leave you,

And they will know us by our love...

Children, You are hope for justice,

Stand firm in the Truth now, set your hearts above

You will be reaching, long after we’re gone,

And they will know you by your love!