Carol Burke's Costa Rica Experience and Reflection

 Hi Y’all, Carol Burke here bringing you my personal highlights of our time in Costa Rica.

The Lord called me to participate with our team in being his hands and feet in the work he had for us to do in San Juan, Costa Rica.

We partnered with Open House Church and Hope International to paint a wall of the Hope Center. It was more an artistic piece to brighten the wall and to encourage the neighborhood. We also came alongside the children who participated by providing a mini VBS teaching His word, playing together, games and a little craft to compliment the Bible story.

My personal take on all that transpired was in doing the great commission. I had the opportunity to connect with one girl in particular. This was mostly because she spoke English. We talked about Jesus and I came to discover  she had already accepted Jesus as her Savior. One of the things that the director of Hope Center, Ashley Gonzles brought to our attention was, like Jesus, we as His children just need to help one person at a time. This amongst the great need of the community of 60,000 people in a one square mile slum, is not overwhelming. Serving one person at a time. We had the opportunity to partner with Hope Center to sponsor a child or children from the center. Of course, I chose this my newly found sister. If sponsoring a child is of interest to you, please contact Denise Schager at dschager@friscobible.com and she can get you set up.

One of the talks that Ashley presented to us was about poverty. Those in poverty do not have choices. They often live on the edge of society hidden from sight. This making them feel invisible and alone, spawning a feeling of hopelessness. Many times, the children must quit school so they can help provide food for the family. Or perhaps a young teen will be offered a phone by a drug dealer to inform them that the authorities are near, leading those that choose to take the phone, deeper into a life of future drug dealing. Thus,the Hope center provides hope for the community in many aspects.

Another highlight for me was working together as a team. This brought to my mind what Jesus prayed for us. He prayed that we would be one, just as He was one with the Father. As we are one with The Father, we do the work he set out for us, together as one body. We each did our part, whether up on the scaffold or under. Whether we were cleaning paint brushes when painting was complete, putting up scaffolding or taking it down, teaching, playing, crafting, or doing games. We were none more important than the other. We were one, serving God for His glory. May we have made Him proud.