Costa Rica - Day 6

Our last day at Peje began with a rainstorm in the wee hours of the morning. The sound of rain on the metal is so soothing and pure: it set the tone for the day, though we didn’t know it at the time. Some projects at the site were waiting for their final touches, while others were completed just enough for the next teams coming in to be able to pick up right where we left off. It was a good, good day.

The exterior bench is sturdy and sound, and the team created a cover for the exposed pipes running midway up the wall. It will serve as both a template and an actual cover, and it helps prepare the next group to hit the ground running. What an amazing thing it’s been to watch this team push through so many switchbacks and challenges and come out shining like a newly minted coin.

The privacy walls are up and are ready for others to finish treating the surfaces. The accent wall, which adds such a beautiful touch to the interior space, is at a point where the next steps will be easy for eager hands to continue it. The recreation hall girders are glossy blue, protected from the tropical weather and heat. We’re so blessed to be able to leave our projects at stopping places that set the next teams up for success.

Today was a half day at Peje. Shortly after boarding the bus to head back to the Mission Center, dark clouds began gathering on the horizon, and one could almost smell the rain coming. Midway through our ride back the clouds opened, and torrential rains began pouring down. We made it safely back, and the rain cooled the air and continued pattering down, dancing on the wet surfaces and giving us a quiet concert inside.

It was most definitely a God thing.

After a chance to change and freshen up, we walked across the property to the building serving both as an office and as counseling space. Listen with Love, the second-floor counseling center, was funded through a gift from members of Resurrection. The five-year anniversary of its opening happens this week. We were thrilled to have time with Yolanda, Priscilla and Maria, who oversee the running of the center and counsel the clients. The center has been such a boon for the local women, teens and couples who benefit from the assistance and healing provided there.

The program currently has 46 clients with another 43 on the waiting list. Those hoping for a spot are called if a regular client cancels their appointment. This helps give those needing assistance an opportunity to meet with a counselor, if even just once. Having the opportunity to talk with a client, to pray with them or to offer them support items such as books or articles can help bridge the gap as they wait for a space to open.

Listen with Love has grown solely through word-of-mouth. The local hospital, social services and the nearby school have all begun referring clients to the clinic: unfortunately, there isn’t any form of financial support accompanying the referrals, which can be quite a challenge. All of the services offered are free of charge. Clients are seen for as long as they need to be—there is no timeline. It takes as long as it needs to for each and every person, and it remains free of charge the entire time. There has been a recent uptick in relatives, especially children, of present and former clients requesting counseling. Roxanna, the clinic receptionist, is a wonderful source of care and assistance, sending counseling information and books to those on the waiting list to offer help until they’re able to be seen.

The work done by these women is life-saving and critical, but also incredibly taxing. The bond shared by Priscilla, Maria and Yolanda is apparent for anyone in their presence. They can help aid, assist and support each other in ways most of us will never be able to understand.

Though the clinic is predominantly used by female clients, they do accept males—usually teens or couples desiring counseling. A young teenage male recently completed his counseling with Priscilla, and was asked to provide feedback, as is the custom with all clients at the end of their treatment. His feedback was this: if not for the services offered by Listen with Love, he most likely wouldn’t be here anymore.

This is part of the work CRMP is doing every single day. They are literally saving lives.

The counseling team had clients to see, so after hugs and goodbyes we headed to the dining area for fresh coffee and a chance to decompress before the next adventure: visiting the littles at the daycare center.

Talk about energy! The amount of running, gleeful giggling and games of tag these tiny humans did was almost mind-boggling. To see them safe, happy and comfortable at the daycare center lifted all our hearts. Knowing the care they’re receiving is helping them grow up in a nurturing and loving environment and experiencing the love of Jesus daily was a reason for celebrating. Watching Marcie, Dave, Keith and Andie doing somersaults, playing chase and causing the children to break out in full-on belly laughs was absolutely cathartic. The fact these services are offered free of charge to mothers doing all they can to care for their families is such a godsend.

We gathered for our final dinner at the Mission Center, which brought about conflicting emotions. This week has been such a source of spiritual growth! Being around people who just love God, and who want to spread that love; offering our help in making Peje even more accessible for both Pastor Roberto’s church and other churches wanting to use the amazing facilities; learning more about how CRMP is spreading goodwill, faith and love—it’s been an immersive experience of joy, sweat, growth, love and learning.

Fanny and her amazing crew didn’t disappoint with our meal: what a visual and literal feast! Wil and Isabella joined us, which was a treat. Our goodies from the CRMP store arrived via Wil: we’re all now going to be heading home armed with delicious coffee, decadent fruit jams and all kinds of amazing new merch celebrating CRMP, so we can wear conversation starters everywhere we go.

Our evening devotional was led by Sarah, and she closed the week in an incredible way. She used a ‘construction’ theme, which was spot-on, and asked us to reflect both with the group and in a quiet, personal way. There was so much laughter when she asked for the most memorable moment of the week! The level of connection, the memories made with this group and the bonding are almost incomprehensible for us being together such a short time. Bill told us last Saturday we wouldn’t believe the level of connectivity we’d feel with each other at the close of our service.

He was right. Beyond measure.