Hello all of you friends who faithfully read my blog and pray for me. It has been too long since I updated my blog, I am sorry for that! Costa Rica has been a crazy ride these past few weeks. Two weekends ago I was in a costal village in Costa Rica called Costa de Pajaros. It is a fishing village that is so secluded from the world it felt like it was swallowed by the trees the second we left. I was with six people from my school doing a scouting trip because in October our whole school (20 students) is going for a week to do ministry. Costa de Pajaros is a place that you would never find unless you knew someone who had been there. When Roberto (a staff member) went to find it the first time, he passed the tinny dirt road that led to the town. It could have been a driveway for how small and unnoticeable it was. It is the only way into the town. Once in the town, you find that 95% of the population fishes for a living. Many people have never left the town or even been to San Jose. Poverty and hopelessness is the chisel that has carved out the town. It was very impactful for me to see this town and then right away think of how I can help. After returning to school we filled in our classmates about the trip and we have started the planning process for the week we will be in Costa de Pajaros.
The following week after this trip we had a class on the Feasts of Israel from a Messianic Jew. WOW!! It was an amazing experience learning about Israel from a man who has lived there and from the perspective of a Jew. If you ever have the chance, do learn about the feats of Israel.
Last weekend began a hard week. Some times were nice, but it was hard physically for me, not feeling great. That lead into a hard week. I started feeling better Tuesday, and then on Tuesday my friend passed out in class. Tuesday was slow, just looking after her. Then, Wednesday, people just started getting sick, all with different things. Thursday my friend passed out again, and another close friend got sick to his stomach. It was a blessing to care for them and the other classmates who were sick, but it was odd that about 10 of the 20 students were having sicknesses that were so unrelated. After praying and thinking we just though that it must have to do with spiritual warfare. It all was so random and was truly rendering many students ineffective.
God is doing amazing things here, healing lives and growing His children. We all know that His plan won't be thwarted and whether people are just sick because they are, or there is spiritual warfare going on, we will fight it and continue learning in class and in community.
As of now, all but three students are at the beach and zip lining. I was going to go, but I kept feeling that I needed to take time to be quiet, not care for the people who have been sick, and just be alone. I think I made the right choice. It is a blessing to take a shower for as long as I want and play music loud while painting nails and all the things that are hard to do living with 6 other girls. So today is a lonely Saturday. A very good Saturday though! I like to think that I am giving my classmates a chance to miss me.
If you think of it, be praying for the spiritual health and physical health of our community. Spiritual being the most important, but physical being the more obvious. The more I talk to people the more I am seeing that pretty much everyone has been struggling with some kind of physical ailment this past week. I have been hearing of major panic attacks, three day long head aches, kidney pain, one girl even has some kind of fluid in her lungs. Really all sorts of things are going on.
Also, pray that I can keep up energy to serve those who are sick and have eyes to see the needs of those who won't ask but still are in need of help. I have been learning this week that I can only serve well if I am doing it for the glory of Him who sends me to serve. I have to serve for His glory! I do not care for ones I love for them to say to me how much they appreciate me, I serve them so they have the assurance of how well God provides for them. Pray that I have a spirit of humility and serve for His glory alone.
<He must increase and I must decrease>
Miss Erin---exciting to read about scoping out the missions trip---but also sobering to read about the "not feeling so good" that is spreading around the school. Pace yourself---and extend yourself where God is calling you---but not beyond so you don't get wiped out. Also---I have the thought that these illnesses may have multiple causes---it seems that rarely is hardship due solely to one factor. Likely multiple causes like actual medical problems + poor self care + lack of sleep + poor diet + stress/worry/anxiety + spiritual issues/matters + choices/decisions. It's usually a little bit complicated. I miss you but I am glad that you are there---where God intends you to be. You go girl! Love, Dad
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