“I had never gone outside of the country for a mission trip before until I joined my church for a mission trip to Costa Rica. In school classes we learn about the differences between cultures and different people groups, leaving me expecting to be hyper-aware of how people in the United States differ from other cultures. However, arriving in Costa Rica, I quickly forgot I was no longer in the States and saw how people from different walks of life share striking similarities. Language barriers presented difficulties but the Holy Spirit worked through them to minister to other people. He also taught me more about His character.

Our first full day in Costa Rica, my group visited Triangulo and Casa Pan, two great opportunities to meet Visiting Triangulo opened my eyes to how people all over the world, in all socio-economic levels share the same need for God. I have been learning how I constantly need God, but to see people who live in another country about to lose their home gave me a greater perspective of how God is all-powerful and cares for all of His creation. Standing in Triangulo next to a large tree in the middle of the walk-way was the first moment I remembered I was no longer in the United States. At this moment, I was not uncomfortable with being separated from my home but thrilled. Triangulo, though drastically different from what I know in the States is still home to many people. I remember looking up at the sky, recognizing how similar it looks in my home-town and making a realization of how similar people all over the world are. Visiting Costa Rica gave me more understanding of all people’s similarities and decreased fear of leaving the United States for longer periods of time.

I was blown away to learn more about Doña Melba’s family and their story. I left encouraged by how God had provided for each child and displayed Himself in so many ways. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her kids. I have been trying to learn Spanish for years (learning languages in classroom settings is not efficient) and I had the ability to interact on some level with the younger kids. I enjoyed putting into practice a skill I have been too afraid to use. I remember at the beginning of the trip, saying “yes” to God meant saying “yes” to step out of my comfort zone in relying on a translator and attempting Spanish.

Though it was hard to communicate, I recognized how people appreciated my effort and how I could communicate in other ways. As I desperately tried to speak Spanish and understand different words, the kids were gracious in repeating their sentences and working with me. We could connect over their interests and not just their words.

The same issue of language barriers came up while putting on a VBS in a different neighborhood. I remember a small kid who was too afraid to join the group inside. God placed it on my heart to approach him, but again, I was too afraid of not being able to communicate. One of the other members of my group prompted me to approach him, so I did. I attempted to play soccer with the child and could pick up on a few of the words he said. After a few minutes, he finally made his way inside with his mom and friend. I again learned how communication is more than words but tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions. I attribute any effective communication to the Holy Spirit intervening for me, I could not do it on my own at all. Talking to this little boy allowed me the opportunity to talk to his mom and with the help of a translator, pray over her.

Sometimes the experiences in front of us are less about the specific moment but what it can lead to as well. It has also been incredible being able to bring Doña Melba’s story of God’s provision back to the States. A friend of mine does not have a relationship with God, but was intrigued after hearing how God provided for Doña Melba and her family.

How God is moving is not just staying in Costa Rica, but impacting lives in the United States. Though interacting with people in Triangulo and at Casa Pan was incredible, inspiring, and a true honor, I personally grew most insight while learning about The Refuge Pregnancy Center and visiting a current member’s home. This woman had left Triangulo and moved into government housing, a far distance from her home and community. Kylie (a friend of mine in my church group), Melissa, and Briana made the trip to visit her. Along the way, Melissa had the opportunity to tell Kylie and me more about the work The Refuge does to help these women. As we traveled all over Costa Rica, Kylie and I both agreed that we could see ourselves living and doing mission work outside of the United States. Getting to talk to Melissa, hear her story, and watch her serve was inspiring. I learned about the importance of being present with someone and how loving people is not about what we think people need from us but what people individually need. The woman we visited needed our presence, not our skills. She needed community, not actions. We brought her a few necessities but for the most part, we simply sat with her. She invited us in and gave Kylie and me insight into her life. She allowed us into her life, not expecting anything back. She was willing to let us into her pain without even knowing us, what an honor.

On our way out, Melissa said something to Kylie and me that stuck, we may not fully understand how much it meant for us to show up to this woman’s house but it really did mean a lot to her. There is meaning in presence. Learning to minister to different cultures means being more aware of how people perceive actions differently. Culture is less about what people eat differently or the language barriers but how people’s perception. The woman we visited perceived our presence as having significant weight, acknowledging her physical distance from The Refuge, and understanding the effort put into reaching out to her.

Attending the church service at New Life Church was also impactful. The Sunday we visited was either the day my German Exchange friend was leaving the United States or the day she returned to Germany. During her travels, I met a German who had been in Costa Rica for the year, the year Kathi had been in the United States and accepted Christ. He lives 45 minutes (not a significant amount of travel) away from her. I had been concerned with Kathi having community when she returned to Germany, and even if they never meet, it was a moment God showed me how He can and will provide for her. Seeing God be faithful to her while she was leaving the United States- my home, to go back to hers- Germany, and me being in Costa Rica really showed me how God is the Provider, not myself. Though not a ministry moment, while I was walking in obedience, God gave me reassurance in other areas of my life, a true gift.

Reflecting on Costa Rica led to a deeper understanding of the universal necessity to depend on Christ. I have been taught about my need to depend fully on Christ, have heard miraculous stories from all over the world on how God continues to provide, but visiting Costa Rica gave faces to the idea that God really is present everywhere, at all times. God also used this time to show me that I personally can serve God in other parts of the world, making international living more of an option. I am thankful for how Melissa and Briana openly talked with Kylie and myself, sharing her heart for the people of Costa Rica, and offered insight on how an international missionary lives.”

“With permission, Marce (aka Barbie Chef) is allowing me to share some of her story.  She has been one of our translators over the years in Costa Rica; you get to know your translators as well as their stories and even their families.  Marce’s family had been estranged; for nine long years, she had prayed for her family knowing the only hope was Christ. Marce had been a spiritual farmer, preparing the field with her tears, prays, and promises from God; the field was white and ready for harvest… and the Lord would allow me to be a part of the harvest.  

Marce’s sister had a baby while we were in Costa Rica, a beautiful, healthy baby girl.  The new momma was having trouble breathing, so tests were run. The shock came when the medical doctors stated they had found spots on both of her lungs; the situation was very serious and life-threatening.  Marce received a phone call from her family for the first time in nine years!        

Dear Jesus:

My last trip to Costa Rica trip was unique because we were used in so many tangible ways; you know, like building furniture for a women’s shelter, performing skits for children’s ministry, sponsoring a hip-hop dance contest at a local church (my favorite!), face painting for the neighborhood kids, and serving in a health clinic for those in need.  However, Costa Rica 2019 was beyond, beyond, beyond anything I could ever have imagined.

Pastor Paul had asked me to stop what I was doing at the health clinic.  What? You want me to collect my stuff because you have a new assignment for me. What? “Darla, the Lord has put it on my heart for you to go to the hospital and pray over Marce’s sister.”  Pastor Paul knew I was ready; however, I was an emotional mess, wondering how I could pray over someone with possible cancer when I had just lost my husband to that ugly disease. Honestly, Lord, I did it for Marce.

Arriving at the hospital, I could believe it when I saw all those hundreds of people standing outside; they were all waiting to get into the hospital to see their loved ones.  There was no way we were going to get in, any time soon; it was going to be a very long wait. Lord, you knew the harvest was white! A heart, a life, a soul was ready! It was going to take a miracle from YOU to get us into that hospital room!  

When we went into the lobby, the main security guard was not happy when we approached her; telling us (in her outside voice) to get back outside.  Lord, she was angry and it showed. At that very moment, I knew you wanted me to pray very specific, “place us under your wings, cover us with Your hand, remove every single obstacle that was in our way, no, Your way!”  Marce had a fire lit under her! She had a boldness that came straight from her heart to YOURS! And vice versa! We needed a miracle! And my goodness gracious, we got one! Then another, then another! Excuse me while I still tear up! 

Within minutes, Marce had us in another area of the hospital where a very kind employee (angel maybe!!??!) let us in and showed us to the elevators.  However, the elevator stopped working as soon as we stepped into it. Satan was furious! This was a spiritual war for sure! No worries we will walk up the stairs, um the stairs that lead us back to the main lobby! The main security guard saw us, started to shout, and come after us!  How many times did I prayed the same thing? “Lord, place us under Your wings, cover us, and protect us! Lead us! Guide us! Get us to the harvest!” Be sure and tell me when I get to heaven, please.

By this time, I was praying out loud! I was terrified! And I just remember saying to our group, “Do not stop keep going, faster! Do not stop!”  As the security guard was about to reach us, her anger shifted towards a young man. Whatever that young man did or did not do, the screaming got louder, but not at us! We were on our floor! MIRACLE!

 A mother was sitting upstairs in the hallway, eyes red and swollen from the tears.  She could not believe that we had come to pray for her daughter!!! All those years had been forgotten because the need was so great with her daughter’s health!  I just kept hugging her, holding her, and telling her I loved her even though I had never met her in my life! Lord, you always say that to us! She needed to hear those words from You! 

When we entered the room, the new baby was nursing!  After we said our hellos, I knew in my heart you wanted me to tell her that is was nothing in me (us), nothing in our flesh; however, it was YOUR power that lived in us.  YOUR power that raised Jesus from the dead; YOUR power that obeyed when you spoke “let there be light” because all those atoms/cells came together in obedience due to YOUR power!   I loved the way she accepted that it was YOUR power that was going to be released onto her and to do major things in and for her. Tears fell and she was ready!  

I had to ask her, “If you stand before the Lord, and He asks, ‘why should I let you into heaven?’ What will you say?”  She did not know what to say! And that is ok, the only answer is YOU! Gently she repeated the tender words of giving her heart and her life to you.  She was ready to have your forgiveness; she was ready for hope, and she accepted you as Lord and Savior. It was so beautiful.

Then all of us placed our hands on her; we prayed for her breathing, her rest, and that her peace would be restored.  She told her Marce the next morning, she had not slept like that in a very long time, Wow! Lord, you granted her great sleep.  Next, she told Marce that while we were praying over her she could breathe; she was able to take deep breaths. Tears still flow at your tenderness for your daughter.  Lord, I had some oil; however, instead of anointing her hands, I anointed her feet. Odd? Yes. Obedience? Yes. Then we prayed for her healing.

 There were 5 other ladies in the room due to their pregnancies being high risk.  The need was huge, Lord, you are greater! We prayed for three other ladies, two declined.  Later, we were told that many nurses, patients, and even doctors stopped by our door. I would have prayed all night.  We returned to the hallway of a mother still in tears, who literally sat there for at least two hours while we prayed in her daughter’s room.  She had no idea as to what happened in that room; however, You knew! 

When we returned to the car, it was a mother who needed You! Needed Your strengthen!  She released it all to You! Her broken heart could barely utter any words! She was weak, and YOU were strong! She was reminded that if she would trust in You, You would fight her battle. She placed her trust in YOU! Laid it at YOUR feet! She gave her heart back to you! You accepted a mother’s heart.

The next morning, when the husband came up to the hospital, we learned he had given his heart and life to You, Lord at the very same hour as his wife.  We had no idea that as we prayed in the hospital, he prayed at home alone! The husband was telling You, Lord, “I need you, I need you to be a part of my life, forgive me.”  Two gave their lives to You, and one rededicated her life to you in the same hour because Marce had prayed for nine years!

As the husband and wife continued to talk, Marce’s sister asked her husband, “Did they pray for you? Did they pray for you?”  The husband answered, “No one had prayed for me, I was home alone.” His wife said, “You smell like the oil that they used to anoint me!!”  “No one has anointed me.” “You smell like the oil!” Lord, later I asked Katherine what the name of the oil was we used in the hospital? Her reply brought tears to my eyes then, and still does today, “It is called peace.” 

Lord, there are no words! Many tears fall, I am wrecked! For all the miracles I witnessed and was a part of, thank you for using me.”