God sure knew what He was doing when He asked me to stay in Jaco, Costa Rica! I couldn’t have chosen a better place to end the race.
Much of my race has looked like street evangelism, kids ministry, preaching, teaching, etc... As fun as all that is, I really just wanted a good month of practical work where I could get my hands dirty and sweat a little. Oceans Edge ministry came through with that and so much more.
A normal day runs at about 85 degrees with 85 percent humidity, so the sweating thing happens without moving a muscle. I get my hands dirty by helping my super artistic and talented teammate Averi paint a beautiful mural on the walls of our ministry location! I have always loved art but have discovered that I enjoy painting more than I had thought.
Our host, Hannah, knew my love for agriculture and did her best to find something to fill that passion. After many attempts she connected me with a local vet that was in need of volunteers. Although my interests are not in dogs and cats, it is refreshing to get my hands on some animals and poke them with needles and thermometers. It’s the little things.
There are so many people here working to bring God’s kingdom to Jaco, which brings a variety of opportunities for us to help out. We have done child care for women who are being taught how to better care for their children and themselves. We have been “life guards” at a surf club that connects the ministries with the local town kids. We have visited brothels and talked with prostitutes. We have done night prayer walks around Jaco and felt the drastic shift in atmosphere from daytime to night. My parents always told me nothing good ever happens after 11 p.m.
It has been a huge blessing to be part of a ministry that has made such a huge impact on this small town, and will continue to do so long after my team and I are gone.
With only four ministry days left, I am getting super super excited to go back to Wyhoming. Keep an eye out for my final two blogs before I close the door on this part of life!
