For the past five days, my whole squad and I have been at month one debrief in Jacò, Costa Rica, about three hours away from the base where we have been living for the last month. We have debriefs at the end of month one, month four, and month nine. The point of a debrief is to rest, reflect on what God has been doing, and process all of the feelings and emotions that have inevitably been brought up by up and moving to another country and living and ministering with thirty other people. Having so much time to pause and really think about everything that happened over the last month has made me realize just how much God has done in such a short amount of time. In honor of that, I’m going to share five things that I learned in month one. Some are more serious than others, but I hope you enjoy a little glimpse into what God has been teaching me!
- Ministry is NEVER what you expect
Just in case you missed that, I’ll say it again. Ministry is NEVER what you expect. Some days, you’re told that you’ll have 5-6 kids all in the same age group to do sports ministry with, but you end up with 20+ kids ranging from 8-13 years old. Sometimes you think you’re teaching an art class to kids, and you end up with a room of adults expecting college level instruction on painting and shading techniques. Sometimes your team shows up to ministry and is asked to lead a devotional that no one has prepared for, but you come up with something on the spot and the Holy Spirit does all the work for you. Learning to let go of anxiety, go with the flow, and trust God’s plan for what ministry actually looks like has been a huge part of what I’ve learned in month one.
2. Doing laundry once a week does NOT cut it anymore
If you have a washer and dryer at home, which is probably everyone reading this, BE THANKFUL. Hand washing your clothes is a process to say the least. No matter how hard you scrub, your clothes smell bad. They smell real bad. I’m talking tropical scented detergent mixed with an underlying odor of mildew. Air drying clothes is a STRUGGLE. It’s rainy season here in Costa Rica, and it always seems to rain on your 90% dry clothes right before you get home in the afternoon to take them off the line. Also, hand washing takes actually forever. If you wait to do your laundry once a week, you’re easily looking at a whole 3-4 hours down the drain (no pun intended). To prevent spending an entire morning or afternoon of my free days doing laundry, I do at least three small loads throughout the week. One of the things I’m looking forward to most about home is using a washer and dryer again! Don’t take good smelling clothes for granted, y’all.
3. Everyone, everywhere should have gallo pinto for breakfast every single morning
Gallo pinto is the national breakfast food of Costa Rica. Seriously, everyone eats it, even the wealthy people, and the Mcdonald’s here sell it as part of their breakfast menu. Gallo pinto is just rice, beans, and spices, but it’s seriously so good. Our squad has had a bowl of it with scrambled eggs for breakfast every morning since being here, and it’s one of the things that I think I’ll miss most about Costa Rica when we leave.
4. ¡Pura Vida!
Pura Vida means pure life in English, and it’s basically the motto of the entire country. Everyone says it, and they love when you say it back. Pura Vida is a mindset and a lifestyle for the people here, and a reminder to slow down when you need to. One of my teammates even got the phrase tattooed on her arm to remind herself of how good this life is that God has given us to live. It’s also super helpful to know because you can use it to respond to almost anything. If someone asks you how you’re doing, “pura vida” is an appropriate response. You can use it to say hello or goodbye. You can also use it if someone says something to you in Spanish that no one can translate. Responding to almost anything with “pura vida” lets them know that at least you’re trying, and it always gets a smile and a laugh or a high five.
5. “Abide”
God has been giving me this word since Launch, and He is carrying it over into month two. Learning to rest and abide in the Word so that it flows out of me just like lyrics to a popular song would. John 15:4-11 has been speaking to me a lot in the last week, and I’m making it my word for month two.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it! Reflecting on God’s goodness is so so good. Stay tuned for another blog about ministry next week!
Until next time!
Nicole
I love your explanations of what life has been like here!! And you are right! Hand washing your clothes is not the same at all as having a washing machine.
Thanks, Nicole. I didn’t know about “Pura Vida,” but it sounds like a neat aspect of the culture…with some potential deeper applications there. I’m going to begin to ask the Lord to reveal to Z Squad what He might want you all to take away from living a truly Pura Vida – heart, soul, and mind – before Him. Maybe He wants to us “Pura Vida” in His continued transformation of each of you – and those of us back at home.
And always, appreciate the view into your daily lives. Blessings as you begin month two!
Nicole, here’s my take-away from each of your five points:
1. Expect the unexpected!
2. My perspective of our washer/dryer has changed from a chore to a BLESSING!
3. I want to know the spices used in seasoning gallo pinto!
4. Pura vida!
5. I love this! I love the idea of being so saturated with the Word that it flows out of you “like the lyrics to a popular song”. Keep abiding in Jesus and, according to the verses you referenced, you will bring forth much fruit and, in doing so, will glorify the Father.
Love you!!! Praying for you!!!
Ahh Nicole, I love your post. It’s such an articulate reflection on your month of ministry. Blessings to you, sweet lady. Praying for your physical and spiritual strength to continue your Race. Thank you for sharing. Pura vida!
I’ve been starting to ask the Lord the same thing as well! I think there’s a lot to learn from that phrase. Thank you so much for the continued support!
Thanks for the takeaways! I always look forward to knowing what you think about my blogs (maybe that comes from having you as my English teacher from K-11). Thanks for the prayers!! Love you so much!
Thank you so much!! Being on a team with Amanda is such a blessing, and I’m so thankful for her friendship. We appreciate the prayers so much as we get back into the swing of ministry! Pura vida!
Nicole,
Thanks for the pictures painted. I have a friend that once I told her to allow God to surprise her even if its out of her hands. Now she lives off it. It’s just being on the lookout for God in the small, the ups and downs and allowing Him to reveal himself.
hugs