In June 2015, I was offered an amazing opportunity to go on a mission trip with the Ooltewah FCA to Costa Rica and Panama. Costa Rica touched my heart, and someday, I wish to return. While visiting the orphanages in Costa Rica, I remember the children clinging to us, showing how little attention they all get individually. It broke my heart to witness these small souls living in this environment, but what could I do to make it a bit easier on them? I shared my love that God shared with me and told them that He loves them too.

A little girl, around the age of 3 or 4, named Brittany, stood out to me. She was shy at first but once I put myself out there that I would play with her, she immediately opened up and only wanted to play with me. I would push her on the swing set, play hopscotch, kick the soccer ball around, etc. It was the best feeling to know I put a smile on her face, and she would cling to me like I was her mother. It was amazing knowing how little time I spent with her, and she trusted me. Think about it, sometimes we spend as much time as we can with God, and we trust him like Brittany did with me. It's a special feeling knowing that we can trust the Lord with all our problems and that He will find a way to make us happy. Like verse Romans 8:18, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

With the idea of visiting a third world country from a first world country, I had an no idea what to expect. Walking through downtown San Jose, the graffiti art was beautiful, the stores were buzzing with people, con artists everywhere, I felt at home. I remember the yellow-orange sunset setting in the west as I was trying to capture the moment. It was beautiful, and I knew then that I was so lucky to experience this because God wanted me there.

I remember the young women walking on the sidewalks. I couldn't help but to think if they were prostituting to get money, and deep down I hope that they weren't. And again, I think of it in God's eyes. Our bodies are our temple, so we should take care of it for the Lord and nurture ourselves, but when we have no money to purchase food and the only option is to prostitute our bodies, which is worse, not doing it and starving or revealing our bodies that shame us of who we are to eat? It stresses me to think that at this moment someone is prostituting, and I can't do anything about it.

I learned how unappreciative I am of where I live and that I have a shelter to call home, as these people are lucky enough to have a roof. For one of our services to Costa Rica, we were to get a bundle of food from the the grocery store and distribute it to refugees of Nicaragua that are camped in the slums of Costa Rica (The property where the refugees were staying is land owned by Nicaragua). The plan of distributing the food was to give it to the women of a local church that are seeking God and trying to find work to support their family. We prayed over them, and it was hard to hold back the tears for these women and their families. The suffering these people go through is unbelievable, and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. As we would walk through the narrow pathways through this refugee camp I saw dogs that were dying, some that were vicious and protective of themselves, and some that just wanted love.

God has provided me amazing opportunities to voice how amazing He is, and I will never test his love for me. Stay tuned for next week of part two of my trip to Panama.