Friday, August 18, 2006

PURA VIDA!!!!

...yes, it's been a while since I last updated this. i don't now how often people actually check it, but for those who do (thank you and i love you), my apologies!

I just returned to Seattle a week ago from 10 days in Costa Rica! I had the awesome privelege of leading a team of youth/young adults from the Seattle area and had an amazing time! Honestly, it was probably one of my most favourite outreaches to date. Now that I think about it, that's probably due to the short time we were there. I say this meaning one week isn't long enough for the novelty of being in another culture to wear off .... if that makes sense. If it doesn't, feel free to strike that. haha :)

Anyways, it was an amazing time! The team were all American Koreans. They were very kind to me....saying that I was part of their family. The students were so loving to one another and respectful of leadership, and gave 100% into every ministry they were a part of! The hosts that took care of us and cooked for us were people that I will never forget. I've grown up hearing that people will "know we are Christians by our love", and while that's a nice thing to say, I've never experienced that truth until I went to Costa Rica. I really feel like I saw Jesus in the team that I lead and the people that hosted us!

Costa Rica is an absolutely gorgeous country, and the people are so welcoming. The food was incredible too! Our team spent our time in Liberia, Costa Rica. We preached in schools, did Vacation Bible School for many children, went to the slum areas and held a big VBS party for the kids, later we went back and went house to house praying for people, we worshipped in Central Park, picked up trash in the community, lead sunday services at local churches and made some really good friends while we were at it. For me, it was a more typical outreach style that I was a bit uncomfortable with, but some things just work in certain cultures. You wouldn't find many drama's that would interest the people in Seattle, but they're all over it in Costa Rica!

I have more fun stories .... I'll add them once I've gotten my pics developed and can post them on this site!

Miss you all ... please keep in touch as time allows!