Going Home

It is hard to believe that we must say farewell soon. I've said it before and I'll say it again: we have fallen in love with the Perez family. It's a bittersweet good-bye. For many of us, this trip is only the beginning of this mission. There is work that we can do at home to support their ministry and everything God is doing through them. It's hard to ignore the impact they are having on young lives in Costa Rica without wanting to help. They make me want to stay just for the opportunity to work with them. We feel confident going home knowing that there are Holy Spirit filled leaders ready to care for the seeds planted by our team. Someday in heaven, we will rejoice in unity and see the fruit of our labor. We are also looking forward to another opportunity to serve the Perez family and Costa Rica

I have been forever changed. I've had an encounter with God like none before. I've met a family that has completely changed my perspective of missionaries. I've put faces to the pain of this country. I gave it all. I've emptied myself out, yet God has filled me up. Matthew 9:17 says "Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (NIV) God met us in such a beautiful way. We have been transformed, given new wineskins, and now we go home with new wine ready to pour out that wine on those who are around us--our families, our church, our friends, our co-workers, our neighbors. We all look forward to how God is going to use this experience for His purpose and plans in each one of our lives. 

Pura Vida!

(pure life)

Day 7

Good morning!  Yesterday, we went to the church in San Jose to do some serious cleaning and organizing.  We mopped, dusted, swept, hammered, and scrubbed everywhere.  That church was clean after we were done with it!

 Then we went to a beautiful church, called "the Vatican of Costa Rica" by some.  People still crawl on their knees up the center aisle and worship the icons at the front and sides of the sanctuary.  They would give their money so that these idols would forgive their sins.

 Our beautiful team.

 We went to lunch at a restaurant with a gorgeous view of the valley we're in.

After our amazing lunch, we drove through San Jose as Michele Perez explained to us how prostitution and human trafficking/sex tourism work in Costa Rica. My eyes as well as the eyes of many of my team members have truly been opened to understand how widespread of a problem it is worldwide as well as how horrific it is. It is hard to ignore a problem once you hear the stories of women and children and their needs. The picture below is of the gates that lead into the Rahab Foundation. Behind these gates is a three story building that serves as temporary housing for women coming out of prostitution or have been rescued from the sex tourism industry as well as the center for counseling and education. The women in the program must participate in individual and group counseling where the Gospel is shared openly and freely. They also receive education on a trade so they can have the tools to support themselves. 

After dinner, we decided to use our CRamily time to bless our missionary family with the gifts that we brought for them as well as the funds that we raised through various fundraisers. It felt so good being able to give something that will go directly to help their ministry continue to grow. Yet, there is still so much needed. For me personally, I know that my mission is not over once I leave Costa Rica. There's so much that we can do even from back in the states to be able to support Bob and Michele's ministry.

Today we will be visiting two orphanages. Our prayer is that we give it all away today...that we empty ourselves completely. Today is our last day of this trip on this mission field. It is definitely going to be sad saying good-bye tomorrow. We have all fallen in love with the Perez family and are in awe of all they do for God.

Day 6

Today was yet another day of God working, starting with a Sunday morning service at the San Jose church.  The worship was amazing; the team was on fire for God.  We all danced at the front of the sanctuary, and we prayed over the people standing around us.  God's presence was in that room, just like we prayed it would be.  

 The kids went to their own snack, game, and lesson time with some of our spectacular team.  The adults and teens stayed for their own service.

  After service, some of our team took a walk to invite women to our afternoon coffee and talk time.  Women brought their children, so the teenagers played with them, giving them lollipops and fruit snacks.  Ray Bohner entertained some of them with his balloon art and illusion things.  As the women of our team shared their testimonies with the women at the coffee hour, the guys worked on putting a roof on the bathrooms behind the church.
                                      

 The women at the coffee hour were touched by the stories that had been shared.  They were told that they had worth in Jesus Christ.  That, for some of them, was a new idea.  There are women stuck in abusive homes that want hope, hope that Jesus brings.

As we get ready to work on our second to last day, God's ready to do great things.  Love to all of you back at home!
{written by Kayla Petersen}