Though I only arrived in Costa Rica four weeks ago, I
already feel as though I am home here at Strong Mission. Scott and Rebecca packed our heads with
information during orientation week, and it was a great introduction to the
people and programs that we work with.
Working here is an amazing opportunity to share Christ’s love with the
people of Costa Rica, but the part that I love is helping others have the
experience of serving as Christ’s hands and feet. I love to watch people come in and experience
another culture while learning more about God’s love for them. Learning about and sharing God’s love
simultaneously is one of the most amazing experiences I have had!
---------Jenny
Well, it's approaching that half way
point and I cannot believe it! God has been so good to all of us here and I
find myself experiencing such immense joy and fulfillment in every single day.
The groups come and go, we build relationships, we laugh, we serve together,
and we eventually say goodbye. It is an interesting cycle of life that can make
one weary, but with a great staff and several days of rest we are still going
strong. I am making beautiful connections with many people and strengthening my
relationship with our patient and all loving God. Now I have to get off this
computer and go enjoy this beautiful country! Please keep the
staff and the mission in your prayers, and may God continue to bless
you and hold you wherever you are.
--Elena
Time here in Costa Rica has
seemingly morphed into some odd combination of going the speed of light mixed
in with slow motion. In some ways it feels that I have been here forever, and
yet it still seems like only a few days ago that I was arriving to this country
for the very first time. Simply being in a Latin American country again just
feels so good to me. I am surrounded by a different language and a different
way of life, but yet I have peace and for this reason I know that I am in the
right place this summer. I am blessed to be here at Strong Missions, serving
the people in this community and those teams who come to work here as well, and
I am moved by the work we are doing here. For many years, I have been
discovering and growing my passions and interests in serving and caring for
communities, specifically in looking for ways to end poverty and hunger, fight
against the presence of drugs and gangs, and also promoting fair and equal
housing. I am happy to be a part of this organization that is so dedicated to
justice and the well-being of this community and even more so for the very
small role I get to play in it. There are certainly big things happening here
this summer.
******Nicole
Things are going very smoothly here in Costa Rica and i love all
the work I am doing to help the Ticos and to help the Gringos that come to
work. Charlie said something the other day that really struck me. He reminded
us of the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes (for anyone who doesn't know
this story you can read Matthew Chapter 14.) In this passage there are many
needy people gathered around Jesus and they begin to disperse for lack of food.
And Jesus said to his disciples "They need not go away. You give them
something to eat." This really struck me because i was reminded that we
are all disciples of Jesus in our own ways and Jesus tells us to go and feed
the hungry, or support the poor, or whatever it is you are called to do
and this is a clear reminder of exactly why we are here doing the work that we
do for the people we do it for.
+++++++Nick
