¡Bienvenidos a Costa Rica!

It’s been about two weeks since I arrived in Costa Rica and I already feel like I’ve been here forever! We’ve had two weeks of Bible class, one week of Spanish class, and two weekends of ministry. On a normal class day, I will have Spanish from 9-12, lunch, bible from 1-4, then dinner at 7. There is always a lot of free time in the evenings, so most people either go out to a store, study, or just hang out around the Villa.

There are only 13 students, so we all became close really quickly. Our classes always spark really good conversation as well. I have already made some great friends, and I can’t wait to continue getting to know everyone as the year goes on!

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On the weekends, everyone leaves the villa to serve at a ministry sight. All the ministries are connected to churches/organizations that GAP has worked with in the past, so they have been able to continue their relationship with them throughout the years. It’s super cool to be able to invest in a ministry that I know is well taken care of whether I am here or not. My ministry is in Santa Rosa. We get there around 9 on Saturday mornings and help with their church’s kids club. This will normally look like playing games with and getting to know the kids. Though there is still a language barrier, the kids seem really excited to have us there and have no problem jumping into games with us. Kids club ends around lunchtime and at 4, we help with youth group. Again, this mostly looks like playing a game or two with them before sitting in on their bible lesson. I’m excited to see how our work in this ministry will grow as we learn more about the Bible and more about their language. Plus, I get to spend the weekend with Sami and Brandon!

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Bible class has been challenging in all the best ways. Week one, we took Old Testament Survey, which was a general run through of the entire Old Testament. Champ was the teacher, he lives in Costa Rica and will be teaching a good amount of our classes. He is loud and passionate about his work and I can’t wait to continue learning from him as the weeks go on. Week two, we took a hermeneutics class with Craig McClure. He lives in the DR, so we won’t get as much of him, but I am glad we have the opportunity to learn about the Word from different perspectives and in different styles.

Spanish class just started this week, so I am still settling in. All the Spanish teachers are from Costa Rica, and the classes are almost completely in Spanish. I am in the second level class, so I’m expecting it to be a challenge, but that’s the only way I would want it! We have been doing mostly review of the basics, which we are supposed to already know, but it’s really good to strengthen those foundations. I remember a lot when I’m reading/writing, but speaking it and even listening to it is a whole different story.

Story Time!

My roommates and I have killed a total of 5 spiders since we got here. (All by the hands of Destiny with one of her many crocs). The worst by far was when she stomped the spider and out of that spider came hundreds of baby spiders. Gwyn proceeded to spray the hundreds of spiders with hairspray while Destiny was madly stomping on them with her crocs. Needless to say, we have become master exterminators (but we still scream every time we see another one).

Prayer Requests

• That I will continue to grow closer to the students and staff at the Villa and that we can love each other well as we continue to get comfortable with each other.

• That I will continue to be challenged to grow closer to Christ through all my experiences. Bible classes, ministry, even the small things like simply spending time with new people, I hope to glorify God in everything I do.

• That I will be a blessing to those around me, both during the week in the villa and during ministry weekends.

All in all, it’s been an incredible two weeks! Thank you so much for your prayer and support to get me here, I am more thankful than I can possibly express!