pura vida
hey beautiful people
Team Pura Vida is five students from the original E4 team. We have Mady, our group leader, who has such a passionate heart for mission and the hispanic culture. Lynnie, more of a quiet personality but never lets that get in the way of making people feel seen and wanted. Sarah, our designated ‘Group Granny’, the name given in accordance with her witty humour, out of the blue comments (in a southern accent), her love for cards, and her passion for ‘sweet’ Jesus. Kenny, our jokester, our little brother, our realist. Kenny loves to have fun, get to know people, and capture memories through his vlogs (check him out on yt @ “The E4 Experience’). And then me, but you already know me. :) I fit into this dynamic as whatever is needed; I try to be serious, but most of the time I am reminding us all that life is better with a few light-hearted laughs.
That is our team. We left Peru at the end of April and spent our first three weeks in Costa Rica in two different locations, Jaco and La Montana Christian Camps.
jaco
Jaco was our first destination, where we stayed at a ministry called ‘Oceans Edge’. Oceans Edge was founded by a young christian surfer who wanted to bring Christ’s light to the place that missionaries called the “Sodom and Gomorrah” of Costa Rica. Now twenty years later, Oceans Edge has become an outreach into the town and a community building space with a coffee shop onsite. When coming to Jaco, what really caught my attention was the tourism that really brings the so called ‘life’ to the small town. When talking with the people at Oceans Edge, we learned that Jaco appeared to be just like any other cute surf town during the day, but a shift occurs at night and the spiritual darkness feels very real. It is seen mostly through the night life of prostitution, drugs and alcohol where trafficking and abuse are common. This really made my heart feel for the town, and it was awesome to be able to share light with the community through helping with the initiative to clean up the town, sharing notes of encouragement with people on the streets, and having opportunities to bless the women who work in the sex industry through small gifts and notes. Throughout our time in Jaco, I was really encouraged personally in the reality of trusting God and stepping out into new places of discomfort and seeking His will above all. I would love to go back and work with the team at Oceans Edge… and spend some more time riding the waves and soaking up the sun there!
la montaña
La Montana is a christian campsite in the mountainous area of Costa Rica, not similar to the mountains in Colorado, more like the lush, native bush (jungle) of the smaller New Zealand mountains. This place was perfect to rest and take a minute to really reflect on how I had been spiritually for the last three months in Peru. Here, God continued to show me the desperate need I have for Him and how learning dependance and trust is the key to freedom in all areas of my life. I was really tested to seek a ‘secret place’ with Christ as He called me closer to himself. This intimacy with the Lord really motivated my ministry at the site, with both the staff and visiting groups. Our ministry at the camp was mostly in assisting roles like cleaning, helping out the Costa Rican leaders, and encouraging people by sharing the Lord with them in spanglish (spanish-english combo, used often with english speakers learning spanish). When we weren’t helping with groups, we were pouring into the staff. Getting to know the staff was awesome and seeing their passion for sharing the Lord through creation, work and the Word was awesome. Working with them, I was constantly reminded of the importance of remembering and reflecting on how God has brought me ‘here’: to this place in my life. I was forced to recognise that it is nothing of me but everything to do with God holding me and being faithful to His promises in every area of my life. For a couple of days, we had no volunteers except us, the gringo’s with very limited spanish vocabulary (except for Mady), and we had to lead a group of 120 middle school aged students. WOW. It was hectic, but so much fun to use what I knew about spanish to interact and build connection with these people. Our group was challenged with only 7 people (including our team) leading these 120 students, but we really came together and were reminded of what teamwork really looks like. I also enjoyed time in the jungle by myself where I was able to listen to the vibrant birdsong and rambunctious monkeys howling at each other. God met me so intentionally as I sought Him out, and He reminded me that He is able to be my satisfaction and that selfish desires lead to destruction, but a life with Him is joy in abundance.
our locations in Mexico…
san miguel de allende
In San Miguel, our group worked with a Church in the city. San Miguel is a bustling tourist town that is centred around the large creative community. We were able to help and volunteer in multiple different ways here. One of my favorite parts of our time in San Miguel was when I was able to lead worship for a worship night. The church in San Miguel is small, but while we were there the pastor, Todd, wanted to host a night of worship… and he wanted me to lead… alone… in Spanish. At first the task seemed overwhelming and way outside my comfort zone, but God really worked through me and last minute I learned 12 songs in Spanish, and I thought I was ready. As the night began everything seemed a little chaotic, the background music was in a key that clashed with the songs that I had chosen, and before I had even finished three songs, my whole right hand that I was strumming with went completely numb. Despite the couple hiccups, God moved so powerfully in the hearts of my team and the people in the church. The Holy Spirit spoke to me about what a heart of worship looks like and the importance of doing the uncomfortable things for His kingdom.
chihuahua
Our trip to Chihuahua was a God-send, perfectly placed at the end of our international mission as a time to recalibrate, rest and seek the Lord. The church that our team worked with was ‘Capilla Calvario’, Rocky Mountain Calvary’s church plant. The Pastoral Team at the Church was so kind to our team, and they made every effort to make us comfortable and settled in as we began ministry. The Pastor of the Church, Pastor Rafa, wanted our team to use our time in Chihuahua to focus on relational ministry, where we would use our time to build up and encourage the community, specifically the young adults and jr/high schoolers. This was such an awesome week where God used the people that I was investing in to encourage me and lead me into truth! I was so deeply thankful for the time that God so intentionally worked in my heart in preparation to return to the states. Our time with the community did not look like traditional mission work, and instead we faced each day as they came, which included volunteering at an orphanage, helping organise baptisms, hosting a game night, worshipping, dinners, and lots of God focused conversation. I was and still am so thankful for the people I met who treated me as a brother and friend. I spent my 20th birthday in Chihuahua, and despite being away from my family, I felt so loved, seen and encouraged. God is truly good and faithful to place brothers and sisters around the globe that are family and connected through a beautiful love of Christ!
After Team Pura Vida left Chihuahua, Mexico, We traveled back to Colorado Springs for our group debrief. Coming back to the whole group again was crazy, and so much fun, but also very overwhelming. After so much personal spiritual growth in Central America, I was scared to step back into a place that I had once struggled so deeply in. But God in His mercy and love, reminded me that He is faithful to His promises even in the chaos and unrest. I really enjoyed being back where I was able to share my joy and love for the Lord with my team and others in our community that spoke fluent english. God used the classes, time with friends and moments of worship and praise to deepen my relationship with Him and solidify what I had learned over the past few months. Coming back from Peru and international work to the bustle of the consumerist lifestyle in the States, was also something that made my heart passionate for sharing joy. I want everyone around me and those I know to be fuelled to love because they are walking in dependance in the Spirit.
I have currently finished the E4 Life program, but am still learning and growing more everyday. I thank you all for your support and have more exciting news to share with you soon.
love you all,
Luke
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