Hello! I apologize for the lack of updates since leaving the States. I have been in Jaco, Costa Rica working with a ministry called Ocean’s Edge. I have thoroughly enjoyed the work we have been able to do the past two months. 

Most of our ministry consisted of a lot of physical labor, cleaning, and painting. Some of what we were able to accomplish included painting a mural, cleaning up two different parks in the city, plastering walls in preparation for painting, building steps, cleaning and sorting at the ministry base, working at the city recycling center, picking up trash on the beach, and digging out plants and replanting them at the parks. It was really fun to see the light of Jesus being spread all around Jaco, even if the ministry wasn’t directly relational in nature. 

Twenty years ago, Jaco was considered to be a Sodom and Gomorrah town.  A very dark place. While much change has taken place in the last twenty years, drugs and prostitution are still very prevalent in Jaco today. It’s not often that a ministry has such a great relationship with the city government, so it was really cool to see that partnership at work, especially considering Jaco’s reputation. It’s exciting to think about the long-term effects that our sometimes tedious work will have on that partnership in the future. 

We ended our time in Jaco a few days ago, and are currently at debrief to rest and process through the last two months. We fly to Guatemala on Sunday! My team will be living in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. I would appreciate prayers for the continuation of good health for my squad as we transition countries.