the dream mas grande

The past week in Costa Rica has been very full and fun and also very tiring! In addition to going to language school every morning, we had our first Young Life and Wyld Life clubs and a garage sale to raise money for our organization. Young Life club reminded me a lot of my clubs with HCHS students because it was a smaller crowd of about 20 kids in a house. We had a "pajama themed" club with lots of pillow/sleepover/blindfolded related games. Wyld Life was CRAZZZY. It was my first Wyld Life experience ever, and it was awesome. "Costa Rican Snow Storm" is the traditional WL first club, and we sure made it snow! The kids are adorable and I'm excited to get to know them more as the year progresses.

some of our YL kids

award-winning jammies and slippers

bologna/snowflake making game at WL

our WL group after the snow storm! (flour bombs, marshmallows and shaving cream=craziness)

the garage sale at my new church; International Baptist Church

The past 3 and a half weeks living here have been part of a dream coming true. For the past few years I dreamt of moving to a Spanish-speaking country to learn Spanish and be part of a Christ-centered ministry. God was so generous to fulfill this desire that was put on my heart some time ago. However, coming here I realized this "dream" of going was just a surface dream. The "dream mas grande" was to be closer to my Creator, away from all that is familiar and easy to hold on to, solely clinging tightly to the hope in Jesus Christ. Learning Spanish and taking part in Young Life ministry here is a dream come true, but I've realized in the past weeks that this is not the ultimate fulfillment of my joy and purpose. I am full of gratitude for this opportunity and all the things I will learn here, but what I am most thankful for is growing closer to Jesus Christ, enjoying Him more and sharing His love with my new friends, family and students here.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit...My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love...These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." John 15:1-11

~Jesus Christ