Two days ago I got back from one of the most life-changing trips I have ever taken.
I have traveled to many different places, ranging from Cozumel, Mexico to San Juan, Puerto Rico. I have seen many beautiful countries and places, met some amazing people and experienced some amazing things. But, the place that has had the biggest impact on me is my most recent trip to Paraíso, Costa Rica.
My church, formed a team and traveled to Costa Rica to renovate a church in this small community. While there we installed a ceiling, ran electricity for lights, built a fence, and painted until our arms about fell off. Who knew a building needed five coats of paint?
In addition to construction to the church, we hosted two services. One in Spanish and one in English. We treated around 160 patients in the areas of San José and Paraíso. We went to a school and treated children from 18 months old to sixth grade. We also visited the fatally ill one day. We also held a clinic at the church we renovated, where we treated many different ages and illnesses. During the clinic at the church, there was a grand reopening of the church that the community attended where we had music, inflatables, face painting, and games. The men of our team even went to a homeless clinic where they served dinner and gave their testimonies.
This sounds quite a lot to take on in just a week, and it was. It was absolutely the most exhausting experience I have had. During the week, I was questioning if all of the lack of sleep, 14 hour days, and manual labor was worth it.
It wasn't until the end of the week that I realized how much of an impact we had made and that had been made on us.
The women of the church made both lunch and dinner for us, which was always delicious. They constantly had snacks out like pineapple (my favorite), watermelon, Mantequilla cookies, and Chiky's (my new favorite cookie). While they were cooking and preparing everything for us, their children were running around playing with the youth that were on our team.
Those kids undoubtedly impacted us more than anyone or anything else. Their pure joy and laughter seriously brought a smile to my face every single time I wanted to cry from painting that building all five times. There was this precious little girl, Haziel, who would just smile the entire time you held her and she'd give you a kiss on the cheek.
The day we had to leave so many tears were shed. We had formed a relationship with each of the church women, their children, and their husbands and pastors who were working alongside us each and every day. Language barrier and all, we knew we all spoke the same language when it came down to it. We all shared a love for God.
Looking back, every single layer of paint, custom cut board of ceiling tile, blister, and mud, rain, and paint covered clothes, was worth it. We were able to form relationships with the people of our church who we never would have had an opportunity to otherwise. Whether it was through hours of car rides or impossible riddles, we bonded. We were able to make memories that will last forever. We were able to impact another community and allow them to form these relationships there and beyond.
I cannot wait to go back and see my second church family in Paraíso, Costa Rica. I am thankful for Facebook, because now half of my newsfeed is Spanish and I am able to stay updated through it until I am able to go back.
Before the trip, I kept saying I knew God was going to do amazing things in and through us. He definitely didn't disappoint.
