Costa Rica - Day 7

Everyone was up extra early this morning. Was it the knowledge it would be our last time hearing the birds sing us their gorgeous good morning songs? The anticipation of a day of adventure and brand new experiences? A bit of melancholy, knowing we’d be leaving? Possibly. Probably.

The dining area was buzzing with conversations, with the smell of coffee strong in the air. Bags were packed and waiting. Last-minute room checks. An extra piece of watermelon. Securing passports for travel. We were quietly busy, but in the midst of preparing for the day we took a moment of silent reflection. It’s September 11 today. Our days have become somewhat blurred in the best of ways, but it was important for us to take the time to remember those back home who are still questioning, still hurting, and still trying to heal. It was a somber reminder that, even in the midst of our joyful and joy-filled service week, the world continues to turn.

Wil and Yolanda came for some conversation and to say goodbye…for now. The hugs were too numerous to count and each one was a promise of new beginnings, new relationships and blessings yet to come.

Yolanda prayed for us before we boarded the bus. Once again, while we might not have known all of the words being spoken, each of us completely understood the message. Wil shared that our group had given them a feeling of rejuvenation and renewed purpose. If he had planned for weeks, he couldn’t have left us with a more meaningful goodbye.

Eduardo, our amazing driver, quickly had us on our way. The bus was winding through the mountain roads, conversations were humming, and we were looking forward to the day ahead. We noticed the bus was a bit warmer than usual, and Eduardo realized something wasn’t quite right. He quickly pulled in to a mechanic and within minutes the hood was open, and work was being done. Our group visited a local store as the bus was fixed, which was an unexpected delight! It was the most beautiful example of pura vida we’ve had, and an amazing way to close our week.

God continues to teach us in ways too numerous to count. We just need to be willing to listen.

Because of Eduardo, his quick action securing the needed belt for the bus, and an efficient and talented mechanic, we were on our way to Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos less than an hour later. Once there we were soon matched up with Valerio, a tour guide for the park, and within a few minutes of arrival we were on our way to explore the breathtaking natural wonders of the area.

Capuchin and squirrel monkeys. Iguanas. Sloths. Toucans. Majestic trees, crystal clear water and ferns towering multiple stories over the forest floor. Canopies of deep, lush green with intermittent rays of sunlight peeking through. Hermit crabs and snakes and howler monkeys: some we saw, some we heard, and all we enjoyed beyond measure! Our tour lasted a bit less than two hours, and then it was free time to be spent as we wished. A number of our group went back to the stunning beaches of the park to work on our final journaling of the trip, our ‘Jesus letter.’ It’s a letter to our future selves, and it’s a reflection of and thoughts on what this serve trip has meant, what we hope to take away from it, and how we might affect others because of it. The letters will be mailed to us in six months’ time and will serve as a great opportunity to see where that time has taken us, and where we have been led.

Others hiked a beautiful trail through the jungle and along the coast, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and its emerald blue expanse stretching as far as the eye could see. (The views and scenery alone were like a love letter from God.) Some went outside the park, visiting local shops and stores, picking items to take to friends and family back home. We’re all bringing pieces of Costa Rica home with us in many different ways.

The day’s adventures wrapped up with a mouth-watering dinner at the Airplane Restaurant, just a few minutes from the park. The entire restaurant is open-air and overlooks the water, with gorgeous wood sculptures and decorative glass bottle lights everywhere your eyes might wander. The entrance is dwarfed by an authentic C-123 Fairchild cargo plane cockpit and fuselage (now a working pub and restaurant) you can enter to explore. It was just the thing we needed to cool off and wind down after a fabulous day in the stunning outdoors of this incredible country.

Tonight, we’ll be resting our weary heads close to the airport, and tomorrow we’ll be flying home. Though our actual time here is drawing to an end, each of us has been touched in ways we don’t yet fully know, comprehend or understand. We will be seeing each other soon for some ‘next step’ activities, and that helps counter the sadness of leaving this community we’ve quickly grown to love. We’ve learned so much from our time together this week. New ways of staying connected to our faith, and new ways of growing it daily. Different approaches for spending time in worship, in fellowship, and in prayer. The true meaning of “being church,” what it looks like to live that daily, and how to help others do the same.

We’re all forever changed by our time here. Our hopes and prayers are that through the projects we did our best to move forward, and through the relationships we’ve created, grown and strengthened, the next COR serve group will be set up the best they can be to continue fostering these precious and remarkable ties—and that they’ll make those ties even stronger.

This was called a ‘Serve Trip,’ and those of us on it were called here to serve. To give of our time, our talents and our experiences. We might have thought we were coming here to give of ourselves, but something happened along the way. We’re all heading home so much richer in spirit, with more faith, new and authentic relationships, and new ways of looking at ourselves, our lives and what the future might hold.

There’s an old saying, “It’s better to give than to receive.” What it doesn’t properly explain is that, through giving, we are receiving. And that, in sum, is everything.

Pura vida.