HELLO ALL! I have returned from my mission trip to Costa Rica and can't wait to tell all about it!! Let me just give a little background for those of you who don't know about my trip.
I heard about Never the Same Missions from Sisterhood, a Christian teen girl's magazine (it's awesome by the way, you should check it out!) Never the Same is a combined partnership of Susie Shellenberger Ministries and Big World Ventures. I wanted to go to Peru in 2013 but my parents were not ready for that. After patiently praying, NTS announced their trip for the summer of 2014: Costa Rica! My dad is an Allstate agent and it just so happens he won a trip to Costa Rica that same summer. My parents decided it was God telling them to let me go. I started fundraising in October by sending out support letters and raised all my money by December! The support from everyone was overwhelming and I can't thank them enough. The trip was to San José, Costa Rica and I would be gone for two weeks. It was my first mission trip and I couldn't wait to see what God was about to do.
I arrived in Florida Monday evening. We had FUAGNEM (fired up and going nuts every minute, basically a worship service we have every night) and went on to drama casting. Each team performs the drama 'Spellbound'. My role in the drama was the princess. Over the next two days, we met with our teams to bond, share testimonies, and discuss what would be taking place in Costa Rica. We also had drama training for about seven hours each day, depending on which role you were assigned. My favorite part about staying in Florida was forming relationships with my teammates. I stayed in a suite with five other awesome girls and I loved getting to know them better!! I had no idea those girls and others on my team would soon become my best friends.
 |
| Hallie and I at drama training in Florida |
 |
| Kayla and I at FUAGNEM |
 |
| Drama casting |
Our first day was an eventful one. There were two drunk men at the first park we went to and one of them had been closely whispering things in my friend's ear which made her feel uncomfortable. We later found out they had been asking her for money. We had given them a card with information to the next place we would be visiting, a church. Somehow through their rough state of mind they followed us there which was a bit unsettling. The pastor did not want to let them in, but one of our leaders had a different idea. Vera has been going on trips with NTS for years and is an evangelism machine. She is not afraid to approach a stranger on the street and convince them they need Jesus in their heart. We fed the two men peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and by the end of the drama Vera and several others had helped them realize how much they need a Savior. They were tired of doing drugs and constantly drinking. Both men surrendered their lives to Christ that day.
The next day was the same routine, we performed the drama three times in two different parks. My friend Hallie and I handed out several bibles and played soccer with the kids.
 |
| Hallie and I |
On Monday, we started going into the poor areas. We visited the slum of La Carpio and performed the drama in a preschool/church and two more times on the street. I shared my testimony in the morning which was a great experience! I was a little worried because I didn't feel that young children would be able to relate to depression, lack of self-confidence and suicidal issues but there were also some girls my age there and I hope it touched their hearts. Another fun part of that day was when it started pouring rain in the middle of the last drama. We were absolutely soaked but had a blast! I couldn't help but smile the entire time.
Wednesday was another day for excursions. This time I went white-water rafting! Even though I had to wake up at 4:45 am, I was all smiles the entire time. We were on the river for about four hours but I could've gone longer! The people in our boat made it the most fun. We chanted "U-S-A!" when we rowed and shouted "Jimmy!" when we passed a rapid. (Jimmy was our raft guide's name). By the time we got back to the hotel, all I wanted was a hot shower so I didn't participate in crazy hair night. Pedro, a leader on our team is a barber. He came up with some pretty awesome hairstyles! Pastor Jav also had an awesome sermon about God's biblical design for marriage that had my friends and I discussing it even after FUAGNEM.
Thursday was my favorite ministry day of the entire trip. We were back in La Carpio again helping with the medical clinic. Although we didn't personally help with the patients, most students from our team played with the children while their mothers were getting looked at by the staff. We also were able to provide a meal of rice and bread. I loved serving the food as I watched the same children come back for more five or six different times. While I was serving we didn't run out of food, there were actually leftovers which didn't seem possible. With God, all things are possible! At one point, we had finished serving food and were getting ready to perform the drama for the third and final time that day. We were dancing with the kids to the music and I started pretending to play the guitar. Soon, six young kids were doing the same thing! In that moment, everything was perfect. I looked around at the beautiful clouds and mountains in the distance, then at the poor run-down houses, then at all my amazing friends I had made, then into the faces of the laughing, happy children. That was when I knew this is what God was calling me to do. I had been praying for the Lord to reveal my purpose to me for a while, and I feel like that was His answer to me.
Friday was bittersweet as it was our last ministry day. We went to a park and then to a school where we thought was our last performance. After finding out we had been invited to a neighborhood to perform it again, everybody grumbled. It was extremely hot that day, but I think we were all glad to do it again one last time looking back. There was a lady there who was high and at first it was funny to watch her dance around and impersonate us. When we heard her story though, it was really depressing. Roxanne was her name, and she was one of the few people in her community to receive an education. She was a lawyer, but a tragedy had occurred in her life and she turned to drugs. Vera wasn't going to let this opportunity pass, and she started witnessing to Roxanne. As she described to us, at first Roxanne was having attitude and out of it as she should've been considering her mental state. All of the sudden, she was focused and listening to what Vera was saying. She accepted Jesus into her heart and took one of the little books we had for her. I'm not sure if she fully understood the commitment she had made, but the leaders reminded us it's our job to plant seeds and only God can do the rest.
Friday night was also guys night for our team. Guys night is when the boys on our team show how much they appreciate the girls. (It's supposed to be a surprise but I heard about it from a couple people in Florida.) After FUAGNEM, Zach escorted us to the room where we had team meetings. There was music in the background and fancy tables set up. We were given roses and served cake. Each guy gave a little speech they wrote and we finished the evening with a dance party. It was so sweet how much thought and effort they put into making the night special for us!!
 |
| Zach, Austin and I on guys night |
Saturday was my favorite non-ministry day. I woke up early to go ziplining which was fun, but not as much fun as the last time I went in Costa Rica. After finishing there, we hopped back on our bus to visit the market! I love shopping to begin with, so shopping in a different country was even cooler. I was so excited to get all kinds of cool presents for my parents, friends and cousins back home.
Saturday evening was rough because we had to say our final goodbyes. Some flight group's lobby times were 3 am while others didn't leave until 2:30 pm. I was so incredibly blessed with my team and enjoyed getting to know every single person. Although many tears were shed and not everyone may come back next year, I know we will all get to have a reunion in heaven someday!
 |
| Team 4ever! |
I ask for prayers as some of my friends traveled on the San Blas Islands, Panama for the extended trip and others who are going on the extended-extended trip to South Africa! May they continue to help further the Kingdom of the King of kings. I pray that everyone who went on this trip will not lose their passion for evangelism as we return home and resume our routines. Please begin praying for the trip next year as I will be traveling to Ecuador and going on the extended trip to the Galapagos Islands with NTS again!
"No place I'd rather be
No place I'd rather be
No place I'd rather be
Than here in Your love, here in Your love
Set a fire down in my soul
That I can't contain and I can't control
I want more of You, God
I want more of You, God..."
-United Pursuit Band
His Biblical Beauty,
Paige
No comments:
Post a Comment