Blog 5

Costa Rica Tuesday

Letting go of control.

Team Katy Costa Rica (TKCR) is learning about letting go of control and letting God. Part of training for this trip stressed being instead of doing. That’s difficult as the US culture celebrates busyness and measures success by what one accomplishes. Today was a day to embrace being.

TKCR began their day continuing to build the outdoor worship area. Building consists of screwing spacers into the metal framework, cutting the composite planks, fitting the cut planks into the spacers, and then tightening. And then repeating the process over and over. Building doesn’t seem much like work with all the camaraderie, 80’s music, and popsicle breaks. About one third of the deck is complete.

The hospitality the team is receiving from our Costa Rican hosts is five star. All meals are cooked and served to us. They are absolutely delicious and plentiful. Today alone, we had a full hot breakfast, popsicle break, lunch, second lunch, lemonade break, dinner, and hot chocolat e for dessert. TKCR just keeps eating!

The Costa Rica Mission Project houses a daycare and a counseling center. During the day’s rain break, TKCR got to see both. The daycare currently serves 12 children of single mothers. TKCR got to play with the children at their recess. Play is a universal language. We played tag, soccer, hopscotch, and volleyball. The adults loved it more than the children and were also more tired from the play!

The counseling center currently provides therapeutic and spiritual counseling to 40 female clients. The therapeutic providers, Priscilla and Yolanda, explained the program, how clients are referred, and the joys and growth they see in their clients. All clients are seen free of charge and they currently have a waiting list.

One of the highlights of the day was the lemonade stand. Two students who are on holiday from school this week due to Independence Day decided to run a lemonade stand. Every TKCR member was happy to support the endeavor and the lemonade was delicious.

The work that was done today was important and necessary; however, the bonds that are being built and the spiritual growth in each person is equally important. Learning to be, to let go, and to let God is happening in this place.