Hola from Costa Rica, fam! We have been here for just over a week and it has been refreshing to say the least. Although our days are long here and HOT…it has been refreshing for my soul after the brutal manual labor in Honduras! We are staying in a church in the town of Nicoya, which is not a super touristy part of Costa Rica, so it has been really cool to meet the community here and still be so immersed in the culture.
This month is interesting in all sorts of ways because we don’t have a translator with us! The Lord has been working in incredible ways though, and I think I can speak for my whole team in saying that we are learning Spanish FAST. The last two months were a nice warm-up, having translators, but this month we were definitely thrown into a whole new experience.
Our ministry this month is changing week to week. This week we are doing manual labor, and helping prepare the ground with rain canal-things for a church so that it doesn’t damage the foundation. All last week, however, was dedicated to evangelism and house visits. For anyone who has not been to Costa Rica, let me tell you – Costa Rican hospitality HITS DIFFERENT! The amount of homes we have walked up to and instantly been invited inside and given fresh juice is like, innumerable at this point. I swear there was a day this past week where I had like 10 glasses of juice. It’s a thing here.
It’s been humbling to see how the people of Costa Rica are not only willing to give us what they can, but they have been floored with excitement when they see us. Even when people have very little, they offer what they have.
One home we visited had a lovely 88 year old woman named Juanita, who wore a princess tiara and hugged us profusely. We sat on her porch and talked about family and Jesus and the two women who lived with her served us bread and tea. They showed us around their humble home, and I had a moment of gratitude and realization that the bread they gave us quite possibly could have been some of the only food in their home at the moment.
Our team with Juanita
Praying for her at the end of our visit
Another example of the hearts of these people is when we arrived at a home of a couple probably in their 50s or 60s. The man quickly pulled out chairs for all of us to sit down, and the wife got glasses of ice cold water for us. We sat and talked with them for an hour and a half, and learned that the man does not have long to live. He shared the problems he has with his legs, brain, and heart with us. He showed us x-rays of his pacemaker and how the doctors told him he only has a few months, max. We prayed, laughed, and cried together as this couple tugged on our heart strings and shared their lives and love with us. Again, it was a moment where I just had no words. For me, it is hard to imagine someone who has a visual timer on life to invite strangers into his home and treat them like family. Such a hard worker, caring husband, and kind soul.
We have met so many amazing people in the community, and I could share about every single experience but it would take forever so I’ll just share two more.
Diana and her family were a sweet surprise. A house we stumbled upon in the forest on our way to the bus stop. She spoke incredible English – she is in school to be an English teacher and has hopes of one day coming to America to teach. We spent a long time with her hearing her hopes and dreams and I consider her now a friend. Since she spoke English, it was easier to ask questions and really get to know her. The funny thing is though, that she was so eager to know about us. She saw our hearts as missionaries and was just pouring encouragement into us for what we are doing. Once again my mind was blown by the kindness and generosity of the community. Oh, and of course she gave us juice and cookies. Absolute angels.
Meeting Diana
Diana in her beautiful home – Lo siento yall, the website doesn’t let me switch these frames upside right haha.
Lastly, is a couple we met that owns a farm. Estrella and her husband are amazing. We met them half way through last week and have already seen them three times. We went over to their home, they showed us their land and took us for a hike, gave us juice, let us go for a swim in a pool on their property, taught us how to make empanadas, gave us more juice, fed us lunch and juice, literally set up hammocks and told us to rest, made us crepes and gave us hot chocolate…their hearts are so kind. They saw the wonder in our eyes and took us for a hike. They saw our hearts of curiosity and took us to pet their cows and donkeys. They saw our tiredness and gave us rest, and our hunger was traded for nourishment.
Our team at the top of the hike that Estrella took us on
They didn’t have to tell us twice to rest! 🙂
At the end of a lovely day with our amazing new amigos!
If you’ve ever wondered what the culture of Costa Rica is like, I have two words for you: hospitality and juice (they call it “fresco”). The people here have been a breath of fresh air. It has only been a week and a half here and I can say without a doubt that this country has impacted my heart in a way the others haven’t so far. The authenticity. The gentleness. The over-and-abundant kindness they’ve shown us. It is very humbling being a missionary and wanting to serve people who just want to serve and bless you.
Don’t know where to go from here or what to say, just wanted to share some really precious people with you all back home. Love and miss you all. <3
Walking through the town to different homes in the community
Our Ministry Host – Pastor Basilio! He’s the funniest guy ever (mr. sontag, he reminds me of you!)
Beach trip with our new friends!
This is awesome Jesse!
Thanks for the updates and pictures Jesse. I was concerned and praying for you when your mom said you were in that other country and could not contact us or be contacted. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying Costa Rica
Jessie girl! First of all, miss your sweet spirit, but so glad that I get to experience a little bit through your blog. So glad that the Spirit is using you and the people you are meeting to fill one another. Such a beautiful picture of the kingdom! Thank you for sharing these sweet souls with us!
Jessie Thanks for your updates about the area you and your group are serving others ??
Loved “meeting” these beautiful people, especially Juanita and her tiara, in this blog. And I’m so thankful to hear that this month has been refreshing for you…I can’t wait to hear more of what the Lord does in and through you all! Love you!
“Hospitality and juice” … hahaha! Love it. This was such a great peek into your world, Jessie. What a gift to be able to spend time with people who are so giving and so unhurried. May God infect every one of them with the kindness Evergreen brings, and each of you with the contentment and joy they carry.
This is SO SWEET! I feel like I’m right there with you. Well done, friend!!