So as many of you know I recently went on a mission trip to Costa Rica- to serve at Pura Vida Missions for a week. the past week has really changed my life- and I really look forward to the day I get to go back to San Ramon. When I left, I left part of my heart there. So this past week was amazing we did ministry in the morning at 9 am - oh and before I get to far Costa Rica is 2 hours behind the States so currently it feels like 7:30 pm instead of 9:30 pm to me. So fast forward - days leading up to this trip I kept praying for what I'd experience and how I know that the kids would impact my life, as I would impact their life! I prayed for what God would do in me, whether it be small or big. I had always wanted to go on a missions trip and I feel God had this one in mind for me.
So as I sit here, I experienced a lot of firsts on this trip- first plane ride, first time out of the country, first missions trip and the list goes on. I reminisce about last week and how God used the TAG times and the interns to speak to me. It felt like each day the verse they would share, it would encourage me and speak to me. little did I know that one specific verse that I would need when I got home. I've been home for almost 48 hours- it's crazy to think about that one week ago, I was ending my second night at Pura Vida Missions. Each night we heard a powerful message from Albert- one of the directors of PVM.
One verse that really stuck out to me was Isaiah 33:2 which was the verse Sierra shared. here is what Isaiah 33:2 says " O Lord, be gracious to us: we have waited for you. Be their strength every morning, our salvation also in time of distress." little did I know a week later I would need this verse more than ever, especially the "be their strength every morning." part.
Each morning we'd wake up, have breakfast and go do ministry- the two sites I went to were Volio and Las Jardines. I met a lot of kids last week, but there were a few that I really connected with. One of the greatest joys was seeing how God used me and how I loved these kids and got to know them, in a short amount of time. there was one little boy I met his name was Matias and he was a ball of fun. I loved getting to make playdoh hats for him, coloring with him, even giving him a piggy back ride, making him laugh, seeing him smile, it lit up my whole world but one of the best parts was knowing that Jesus loves him and it was amazing singing Yo tengo gozo with him. It was really hard to say goodbye.
This past week was amazing but I was reminded by Andee that just because its over doesn't mean I go back to the way I was living before I came Pura Vida Missions. I was challenged to take what I experienced their and to bring it home with me. To keep in the word each morning, to show love to people even if it is in the simplest way. This afternoon- I got pura vida tattooed on my right ankle- so that I can have a constant reminder of it isn't just an event, it is a life and that there is always an area in my life that God can increase in my life and that I can decrease. John 3:30 <---- go check it out!
One of the things that I've really struggled with since sophomore year of high school is my value, my worth, how much am i really loved. And last week especially God used tag time to remind me of how much he loves me, how much I am valued- I found myself reading Song of Solomon chapter 4 and chapter 7. these two chapters really just spoke to me and I just let it sink in how much I am loved! I have a feeling I will definitely be going back to Pura Vida Missions, at some point in my life- I'll let God guide me to specific verses and let Him show me if and when I should go back to PVM. thank you all for the prayers for our team while we were there.
I'm not the same person before I left for this trip- my life has been changed. I'm believing that God will use Pura Vida Missions in a huge way- to get the love of Jesus to the children of San Ramon. I'm praying for them as they continue ministry throughout he rest of this year and years to come. the best is yet to come for Pura Vida Missions.
that's a wrap! xo
