To my supporters:

For the past two months, I have wondered what I could possibly say to convey how this trip impacted me. I realize that despite all of my effort and aced writing courses, piecing together the words that could create a glimpse of clarity into the humbling adventure I experienced is going to be a greater feat than I anticipated. With that being said, I apologize for the delay.

I began planning for the trip on a whim. I felt I needed to act upon the newly founded freedom I gained by choosing to attend college 300 miles away from my beloved hometown. It, honestly, was not until I was sitting on my flight to San Jose, Costa Rica where I panicked at the reality of my situation. I prayed and prayed for hours hoping for God to grant me peace. Luckily for me, He did.

Our group resided at the Strong Missions Camp in Grecia, Costa Rica. Our assigned project for the week was building a foundation for the expansion of Strong Missions under the guidance of properly trained locals. We were challenged by a few setbacks; however, we completed the leveling, rebar, and cement processes of foundation building.

When not at the work site, we worked alongside a man named Roy, who runs a local Vacation Bible School type program during the week for the children of the community. This includes transportation back and forth, crafts, music, bible lesson, and various games. Alongside that program, Strong Mission sponsors a feeding program hosted by local churches in Grecia and the surrounding areas. The program success lies within the local churches and their dedication, so our responsibilities included playing with the children and serving their meals.

There is this town we travelled to on the Wednesday we were there. Roy had started a karate program there for the kids to teach self discipline and Strong Missions is currently beginning a feeding program there. This place is called Los Guido which essentially is a poverty stricken, organized crime infiltrated town. I could spend hours telling you the dangers of a child living in a place like this, but the most important aspect I learned was love. Once we were accepted, families would invite us into their homes and offer us food and drink that they could hardly afford and proudly introduce us to their homes and their children. They loved one another so greatly that you could feel it in your soul with just one glance at your direction. They wanted to hear our stories, dreams, and ambitions alongside telling us theirs.

I cannot thank you enough for your support because I would not have opened my naïve eyes otherwise into the horror that this world contains. I saw a family’s home burn into ruins as children screamed at the sights of their mothers and aunts running into the flames to save what little they already owned. I saw the deflated look upon children’s faces when they were told they had to go home to a place where the next meal is never guaranteed. I saw the garbage floating in the street drains where people live.

But, I also cannot thank you enough for the support because I would not have experienced a truly unique love and peace that can only be found in the Lord. I gained life long friends and partners that have seen me at my absolute worst (covered in dirt and drenched in sweat bawling my eyes out because I did not feel good enough for this trip or for what God had it store for me all while making frustrated and exhaustive comments towards everyone) and still choose to stand by me. I learned what it meant to trust God and his plans (even when people pretend to shoot at you as you enter a very dangerous community) and to be free in his trust.

I grew in my faith all while helping and supporting an organization that is developing a community into a better place. Thank you.