still more

Week two of ministry in Tirrases, Costa Rica, we saw the Lord move in so many ways! Some subtle, and some outwardly evident. This day of the week had already become my favorite by week two – in country. Reason being that we had so much opportunity to connect with people, pray with others, and build relationship. Although each encounter wasn’t long, it was apparent that our words and interactions made impact on the faces and hearts of the community, and ourselves.

Having our first month as a team, on our own, we were working through a lot of tough things: our team leader leaving to head back to the states, me transitioning into the role, having the Lord refining us, growing in community with one another, and learning how to be present while living in a big city. 

Tirrasses was a haven of pure joy amidst the toughness of life. Led by our fearless City of Christs leaders, Quique and Kattia, we walked around the city sharing the light and love of Jesus. To anyone who was open, we prayed over them and their families. The first week, we were timid to step forward and pray, but this week, the boldness had grown. At one home, I was standing back, as others prayed, and talking with the Lord, on my own. He revealed to me the prayer that Jesus spoke in Matthew 6:9-13:

“Our father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts, 

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

As the words were laid out, like a scroll, the Lord laid questions out beside each line, for me to ponder: 

Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

“How have you treated my name?”

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

“Do you live for my will to be done, or your own?”

Give us this day our daily bread,

“Do you trust / allow me to provide for your needs?”

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

“If I forgave you, as you forgave others, what would the result be? Forgiven or guilty?”

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

“Are you allowing me to refine your heart, and crying out when you need to resist the devil?”

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

“Whose glory are you going to seek, mine or yours?”

As you can imagine, these questions convicted my heart deeply. Even though I chose to give up control of my job, time with my family, the American way of life, and many comforts, there was still more. How was I choosing to forgive my new family, when they hurt me? Was I still clinging to what was easy, instead of laying those things down to do what was hard, or stretching, for the Lord? Still more…

While the Lord revealed this scripture and questions, for me, I also sensed that He intended for them to be shared with others. At the time, there was a Semester Team from Adventures in Missions (AIM) staying at our hostel, for the night. I thought, “Maybe them.” Quickly, I found out who it was the Lord intended. 

As we prepared the center for our first Girl’s Club, expecting about 5-10 girls, we were floored when 40+ women and children showed up. So many that we had to separate into multiple rooms for distancing and comfort. Our team communicated as things changed, and found where we would provide the most help. As the rest of my team led the children and teenagers, I was placed in the room with the women.

Without a translator, at the start, I worked with what I had to lead a few introductory games, creating conversation. Soon, I thought of how time would best be passed, while the women waited for the promised hair braiding (of which I could not provide). The Holy Spirit showed me that the words He had given me earlier were for this group of women. After finding someone to translate, I shared what the Lord had placed on my heart from Matthew 6:9-13. I encouraged the women, as the Lord had challenged me, through each line of prayer, to ask ourselves how we are responding to God and others. Are our lives lived for ourselves or for the Lord?

It was a surreal moment. This wasn’t the first time speaking to a group with a translator with something the Lord had revealed to me, but as I spoke, it was like I was being guided with each word. As if it wasn’t my own. Speaking with ease and calm. The opposite of loosely prepared school speech. It was evident that this was something special. After the time together, three women who were sisters even invited us to their homes the following week for coffee.

Seeing that the Lord moved in so many ways this day, was such a gift. Not because of anything that we had done, but everything that He had done. Multiplying beyond our imaging, increasing our boldness, planting unity amongst our team, providing words to speak, allowing the women to be receptive. It was undeniable that the Lord was making Himself evident, not only to us, but all those that came.

Thus says the Lord, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” -Jeremiah 9:23-24