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Beautiful home visits and fellowship in Costa Rica

This month of serving in Costa Rica has been so delightful and had so many great encounters and experiences. Costa Rica is such a beautiful and vibrant country. The people we met are so hospitable, kind and friendly. I am so grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to serve alongside with my team at Iglesia Monte de Sion del Evangelio Caudrangular. It has been an honor to serve with Pastor Basilio. He is so amazing, caring and loves his community so much. We see his passion in fellowship with one another, making connections with people, building relationships as well as sharing the gospel. My team and I got to serve in a variety of ways through this church such as home visits, manual labor, leading the youth program and singing with the worship team during church service. I have been so incredibly blessed to have been placed in this ministry.

 

Most of our ministry days we would walk in the community and do home visits. Every home we visited we would get to know the families, ask questions, listen to their stories and build relationships. Those we met we were able to see the heart of Jesus through them, the generosity in their hearts and how they serve others well. The families are so welcoming and they would invite us inside and generous with their time. Being able to fellowship with people and listening to their stories is a wonderful way to showing God’s love and seeing the value of building relationships. Fellowship is definitely at the core of this ministry. There is a lot of peace as we were walking around to different homes. The more we go on these home visits we notice a lot of people here are so generous and have a servant’s heart. On one of our home visits one family we met made us fresh tortillas for all of us and they gave us Jicara as a gift. Jicara is made from a fruit which is made into a small wooden container used as a cup or small plate. They are a lovely family and so very kind. 

 

On another home visit, we were able to meet a lady name Juanita and her family. She is 88 years old and she is so lovable. Pastor Basillio was so helpful to this family with manual labor one day by helping cut wood and providing a message to them. The following week we sang worship songs with her and she was so excited and was praising along with us. This was such a sweet moment. Another time we visited, we helped by gathering firewood for them. At the end of our visits we would all pray with them.

 

On one of our ministry days we went to Finca de Mita which is a beautiful hotel on a farm. On this farm they provide a swimming pool, hammocks, tennis court, volleyball court and pool table and foosball table as well as horses, bulls and cows. We met a wonderful couple Minor and Estrella. We had an awesome experience to listen to their stories and talk with them. We also had a great opportunity of being taught how to make homemade empanadas from Estrella. Being able to spend our whole day in fellowship with them was a great time of fellowship and building relationships with the couple.

We also had the opportunity to do manual labor for a week. We were able to help another church which is a branch from Iglesias Cuadrangular Monte De Sion. We help sweep the floors and dug up dirt so cement to pour along the perimeter of the church to prevent flooding or any damage to the foundation. This was such a rewarding experience. 

My team and I also help organize and lead the youth program at the church. We led two sessions, one for children ages 4-12 and the second for teens. For the children we did a skit of the Noah’s Ark, we played games with them, we had a time for worship and helped serve snacks. For the teens we did a game and icebreaker, biblical teaching and a time of worship. During worship I started to dance with my worship flag for the first two songs. For the last song the Holy Spirit told me to let Tifany dance with my flag. Once I gave it to her I showed her how to use it and her face lit up and she started dancing with so much joy. I joined her with dancing and I heard the word freedom. There was a shift in the atmosphere. God’s presence were so strong in the room. It was a very powerful and special moment.

God is so good. He is moving in powerful ways in the lives of the locals through fellowship, home visits, youth program and the community. Serving in Costa Rica with my team has definitely been an experience of a lifetime and will hold a special place in my heart. 

 

4 Comments

  1. Talaya, God bless you on your commitment to Missions work. Costa Rica looks beautiful! I will continue to pray for you and Brittany as you allow God to use you for His “Perfect” plan and purpose. Thank you for the updates. Love and God Bless, Mrs. Carroll

  2. Yes, Talaya…this is so beautiful. I especially loved the moment you all danced. What a picture of the Lord’s love and of freedom in Him!

  3. Talaya… thanks for sharing such a full list of beautiful memories! It’s so inspiring to hear how God’s love is bouncing back and forth between you and the people you serve. See you soon.

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