What really matters...

When people think of Costa Rica, they often think of tourism.  And in fact, tourism is the number 1 source of income for the country.  As a result, many people may be surprised at the amount of poverty that exists within Costa Rica.  As I have read the reflections from everyone that went on our trip, the day we went to La Carpio was mentioned in almost everyone's reflection.  The impact of witnessing the extreme poverty weighed heavy on everyone's hearts. One thing we were told on our way to La Carpio has stuck with me.  We actually had to pass La Carpio on our way to get there because there is only one road into the area.  A road that ends at the dump.  Because when tourism is such a huge industry, you don't want people to see the poverty.  In fact, we were told that sometimes the government will give people enough money to help them move (though not the support they really need for a different life), then tear down the shacks they have built in order to keep up the i

This evening I have been working on the video for the Costa Rica mission trip, and as such have been thinking about the children we met at La Carpio. There was one moment on this trip that really broke my heart.  We were at La Carpio and I was serving juice.  Each kid received one glass of juice, and after we finished pouring the last glass, a little boy came up and asked for more.  I asked the woman if I could give him more, and she said no because there was not enough for everyone to have more.  All he wanted was more juice.  Something we all take for granted.  Another kid wanted more food.  And the same answer.  There was only enough for one bowl per kid.  This was probably the only meal these kids would have all day.  70-80 children who get one bowl of food a day. The Wednesday after we got back from Costa Rica, I was at Be 5:6 (SUMC's 5th and 6th grade ministry). There was plenty of food and drink for everyone to have as much as they wanted.  And I found myself thinking b

People have been asking about reflections from Costa Rica, and I keep promising they are coming.  But life keeps getting in the way.  So this week I am planning to make time to sit down and write some of my reflections.  Here is a moment that was brought to my mind this morning: On Thursday March 27, we went to the feeding program that Strong Missions helps support in La Carpio. There is a lot of need in La Carpio.  I asked one of our Strong Missions guides, Brooke, to send me the information that we were told about La Carpio.  Here it is in her words: La Carpio is 9 sq miles and has approx. 44,000 people living there of which approx. 30,000 are under 18. Over 1/2 the population are immigrants, mostly from Nicaragua. There is only 1 elementary school in the area so a lot of children are sent out to other areas and have to take public transport. School lunch is technically provided free, but in the underfunded, overpopulated area, they would say that it doesn't constitute any