November 6th, we embarked on the journey of a lifetime. "We" being a mission team sent out of Liberty Baptist Church. Our destination was Lighthouse Childrens Home in Tres Rios, Costa Rica. Our goal? To be a blessing to these people who give their lives to take in orphans in the 7th most dangerous city in the world. That's right, Tres Rios is not part of the tropical paradise one might imagine when you think of Costa Rica. But I can say that I wouldn't have traded this trip for the most elaborate, extravagant island getaway imaginable. On November 7th, I shared my 36th birthday with 10 of the most extraordinary people I have ever known, as well as the Lighthouse family. A birthday that I will remember and treasure forever!!
What this trip did for me, and the others that went with me can't be put into words. Words aren't enough. If you could feel my heart, now that'd be awesome. Because then you too could feel the love that we experienced from the children of LCH. You could then feel the blessings we got from sharing our testimonies, our talents, our love, and quite simply, our time. But you can't feel my heart. So you'll just have to trust me. God poured out so much love and tenderness on our lives while we were there, using these precious children like sandpaper to soften hearts that were battling with God's plan for our lives. What most of us came back with, we didn't go looking for. We went expecting blessings, but I don't think we were prepared for what the Lord was going to do. To put it simply, it was amazing. 11 of us went out as brothers and sisters in Christ, but came back united in a way that will never be forgotten. I love those people. My heart grew so very fond of them. The ladies I shared 7 nights with forever changed my heart. They opened my eyes to things that I had been pushing away for years. And my eyes were opened towards their dreams and goals. Our pasts so similar that we knew only God could have brought us together the way He did. Ms. Carloyn, Deborah, Rachel, and Teresa, I love you. And I am so honored to have been able to spend that time with you all. What we experienced together will echo in eternity. And to the men also: Mike, Brian, Jeremy, Stephen,Teddy, Bill, and of course, my husband (haha) I love yall! Seeing your desire to do something for God by helping in any way possible touched my heart. Men who put their jobs aside, their families aside, and their everyday comforts aside to serve the Lord. I can't tell you how much that week did for me. To this day, I miss being with all of you day in and day out. I feel like you all literally became my physical family, and I experienced what can't be described as anything but "homesickness" upon returning home.
The children there became family as well. We all fell in love with them and our household family members would have been increased by at least one had we been allowed to adopt on the spot. Then the problem would have been how to choose which ones we took. I hope with everything in me that I get to go back soon to see these beautiful little souls that captured my heart.
And also hope that all reading this will get teh chance one day to experience what we did. It will change the way you look at people, at everyday life. Your eyes will be opened to a new kind of thankfulness you've never expereinced before.
