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Hola! We have had an eventful few days. Yesterday we were able to attend a Baptist church in San Jose. Most of SI staff attends on a weekly basis and all of the team members here went as well. The church service was entirely in Spanish, of course, which was quite the experience. We didn’t understand a great deal of the message, but it was such a unique opportunity. They have traditions such as recognizing birthdays and anniversaries on the last Sunday of the month. Two of the SI team members were recognized and received cupcakes. We were all so excited to hear worship songs that we know in English sung in Spanish. After the service, we had a traditional, and delicious, lunch at the church.
After church, we ventured to the Dixon’s beautiful home. It was so nice to relax with our fellow team members, and spend time in community. Some of the SI staff member’s children performed traditional dances. We also tasted all of the fruit that is unique to Costa Rica. As much as we enjoyed that, we were all ecstatic to have pizza for dinner! Our post dinner activity consisted of a bonfire on the hill that is part of the Dixon’s property. We ate S’mores with cookies that are popular in Costa Rica.
Nick, one of our team members, played guitar and led worship. It was such a beautiful experience, to worship our Lord in unity and in two different languages. We were all asked to share one word that summed up the experience we have had here thus far. Some elaborated on their words once everyone had the chance to share. It was so powerful to hear the way people’s hearts are being transformed. I know that I have personally felt God working on my heart and convicting me in new ways. I realized I have been doubting my God-given gifts and talents, allowing negative self-esteem to govern my life and cloud my ability to trust in the Lord’s plan. In turn, I cannot effectively share the gospel. It can be summed up with this: love God and love people. Not loving myself illustrates a lack of reliance on Christ and in order to love others, I must first love myself. Each and every person here is learning to be more obedient every day. I think for many of us, yesterday’s experience was incredibly powerful.
Today, we spent the day cleaning and organizing our ministry sites. It was nice to spend time with ministry site peers in a more relaxed environment. At the social services site, they cleaned and installed some new furniture. All of the work we did today benefits the students and makes the sites more effective. In a few minutes, we are headed to the artisan market downtown! We are so thoroughly enjoying our time here, and can’t believe a week has already flown by!