Lunch Lady

Hello to all! 

 

My blog posting has been a little off schedule… Lo siento. 

 

But, I wanted to send a little update of the past few weeks here in Central America. 

 

After being in the mountains of Turrialba for three weeks, my team and I unexpectedly changed ministry sites, from Turrialba to Jaco, Costa Rica. 

 

For one week, my team and I served the people of Jaco by partnering with a ministry called Oceans Edge. Throughout the week, we helped  the ministry clear out an area to prepare for a new building and did street evangelism. It was amazing to be working on a project that this ministry had been working on for quite some time. They are in the process of building a ministry business school and coffee shop, it was such an honor to help them get ready for a building that is going to bless so many people in the community. We ended the week with surf camp for the local kids which consisted of surf lessons for the locals as well as a Bible song/lesson at the end. 

 

The city of Jaco has been overcome with darkness, especially since the start of the pandemic. However, Oceans Edge and the local church in Jaco are brining light to the darkest parts of the city.  One night we had a prayer and worship night in one of the buildings on the Main Street of Jaco, it was so powerful. Singing and praying over a city that seems to be ruled by darkness, we stood in the gap and prayed for revival in the city. I am learning so much about the power of prayer throughout this journey and I am so encouraged by it. 

 

Fast forward a few weeks, I am now in the beautiful country of Nicaragua. This month, my entire squad (all 20 of us) are partnering with Light and Salt Ministry. Their mission is to, “Disciple, help, train, and empower Nicaraguans to break the cycle of mental, spiritual, and physical poverty.” One of the ways this mission statement is lived out is through their boys formation program. The formation program is an after school program for boys 9-15 years old, with the primary focus of teaching these boys about who Jesus is and how to live a Jesus centered life. Everyday the morning group receives breakfast and lunch and the afternoon group receives dinner.

 

My specific job this month is in the kitchen… a.k.a crazy lunch lady:). I work with two incredible women of God, Reyna, Martha and Dina. We cook for all the boys as well as my squad. Reyna, Martha and Dina have such a passion and love for the boys in the program, we cook everything with an extra dash of love! 

 

A phrase that we talk about a lot is “ministry is life and life is ministry”. This can look so many different ways, but one take away so far from this trip is that I truly want to always be on mission to spread the love and hope of Jesus. You don’t have to go on a year long trip around the world to spread the love of Jesus, but I am very thankful to have  the opportunity to do so.

 

Photos: 

The search for Iced Coffee. In Central America, it is very hard to find iced coffee. When we find it or try to make it, we are often made fun of by the locals. In Jaco, we found so many coffee shops with iced coffee…thanks to tourists!

 

Post surf camp. The best way I could describe it was like babysitting 30 children in a giant bathtub that is constantly trying to pull them under.. it was a great time=) On the real, the ministry that Oceans Edge does with the community is unlike any I have seen. They meet the people where they are and bring the gospel to them. I loved it all! 

 

Adventure day. Woah… ridding a horse along the coast was magical. 

 

Fun Food.

I don’t know why the bun was red… but it was amazing! 

 

 

Blue Spirulina Smoothie Bowl in Jaco. 

 

traditional Nicaraguan dish. 

 

My Squad

 

Lunch Lady in Action 

Sorting the beans. 

Making the fire to cook the beans.

In the kitchen making delicious food with my new pals.  

My new friend Elsa. We buy tortillas from her everyday. 

Last week, I had the opportunity to walk to the homes of the boys in the program and pray with their families.