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 buil...

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 a...

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 do...

I don't have anything specific to share tonight, but I got to experience true worship with this band tonight (Gungor), and I think they're amazing.  So I thought I would share with you my favorite of their songs... Enjoy!

Have you ever been on a tilt-a-whirl or scrambler, or any of those other spinning rides at fairs and amusement parks?  Those rides where you spin in different directions at the same time and you kind of forget which is way is up and when you get off you almost fall over because you're so off balance?  They used to be my favorite when I was younger, probably because I didn't really like heights.  But that was back before I got motion sickness on a simple swing.  I can't do those rides anymore.  But I was thinking about them today. See the theme of my day seemed to be embrace the squiggle.  I am attending the Simply Youth Ministry Conference this weekend, and in the session I am attending, which is focused on junior high ministry, we talked about how we want youth's path to Christ to be that straight line toward Jesus. We think that's the ideal.  But we know that's not a reality - so instead we think of it more as a path with peaks and valleys - kind o...

I heard this song yesterday when I was out driving and it stuck with me, especially this section: Everybody's scared to death When they decide to take that step Out on the water But it'll be alright The part that really stuck out to me was the first line: "Everybody's scared to death."  Often it seems when we're afraid we think we're the only one.  We look at other people and they seem so brave to us for the things they are willing to try.  And so we don't want to admit to our fear because for some reason our society has labeled fear as a weakness. I remember when I was in middle school the "No Fear" shirts that everyone had to have - including me.  I had one that said "Second place is the first loser."  Our society values not being afraid, so when we feel scared we keep it bottled inside.  But the reality is that with our fear bottled inside - it often has more power.  And everyone is afraid. I once read somethin...

This year for Lent I have been considering whether I wanted to give something up or add something, or even do nothing at all.  Nothing at all seemed not to be my best option since I'm clearly not perfect yet - God is still working on me so I should use this opportunity to let him. So I decided the area I need the most work is my prayer life.  There's a lot of unknown in my life right now, and prayer is the best way to remind myself to rely on God.  I will be doing a lot of this on my own time and not blogging or facebooking it, but one of the ways I connect with God is when others speak the words of my heart, and all I can do is say "yes. that."  And those moments I will share, in the awareness that my moments may speak to someone else. I heard this song last night on the radio, and it seemed appropriate for today.   Even though I don't know what your plan is I know you make beauty from these ashes. Today we are reminded that we came from a...