Jaco, Costa Rica, the place where my life changed in many ways...
You want to talk about heat, I mean serious heat than let’s talk about our week in Jaco, Costa Rica! I got as dark as I can get =). Here is where, literately everything started; the first day I was in a position where I encountered one of my fears (riding a bike). I hadn’t ride a bike in over 15 years and I was drown into a situation that the only way I could get home from the red-cross to Lisa’s house (our amazing host) was either walking or riding a bike. WHY was I in the red-cross?!- you are probably asking. Well some of the girls were enjoying the waves of Jaco beach when Josh got bitten by a stingray :/! Since I was the only Spanish speaker I volunteered to jump into the Red-Cross ambulance! Two of my leaders met me with Lisa and tree bikes, - PLEASE TELL ME I AM DREAMING!! That was my inside reaction when I realized I had to take the third bike. I just knew the only way to overcome the fear or to even know if I was able to ride the bike was going to be by actually trying. So hear it comes, God molding Lizbeth into a fearless woman hahaha! I totally made it home safely and literally soak from the beach, my abs where hurting so much from laughing so hard of how awful I was riding the bike LOL I had a blast. The next day was overcoming the fear of swimming in a pool. I learned in less than a week to swim underwater, over water, and backwards. Yess give me a hand for that. LOL
Well it didn’t stop there, I was the group translator (the only English and Spanish fluent speaker) and had never in my life work in a kids’ ministry, I was secretly scared of working with kids. My heart and my mind where into this (how in the world am I going to teach these children the word of God, I don’t have experience teaching kids, I need the proper words so they can understand.)!! And of course God came to the rescue with encouraging and loving words. “Lizbeth I have brought you here with a purpose, a loving one; These children are need of my love, I want to use you as a vessel where my love will overflow through you. Your responsibility is only to give your best with excellence in all you do and The Holy Spirit will direct every word from your mouth, DO NOT FEAR, I AM WITH YOU!!”
I was amazed by the way God was using my life to minister children and to see the children’s response, those kids stole my heart. I danced, laughed, prayed with them and together learned more about God’s character and of His unfailing love. Also I was amazed at the response of men on the streets of Jaco, when we would approach them for prayer or simply a word of encouragement. We had the privilege to bring the gospel to people on the streets and to break chains of men who were slaves of alcohol, God continue to show His love and mercy for the lost and I was more than blessed to be His instrument!!
Why did I mentioning the fears I confronted this week, instead of mentioning the needs of the City of Jaco?! Well because something that God taught me during this week was that being fearless in not about not fearing anything is about confronting one’s fears with courage, is not about never facing fears but is about knowing He is with us to confront anything in life with courage. This truth is essential to walk the walk and not only preach it but actually live it, it’s essential to give our best at all times and not hold back. One can miss so many blessings and opportunities in life just because we get paralyzed in our fears.-God many times in the word mentions “DO NOT FEAR or FEAR NOT”- and many times we think that means not fearing things in life, but it actually means not fear confronting what one fears, because He is with us and will give us all with need to overcome those fears. So it was a great way to start outreach, I took every opportunity of everything that was in front of me to share the LOVE of God and to enjoy all the blessings God had place right before my eyes. I challenge you and dare you to walk BOLD in Christ!
Walk BOLD and don't let your fears steal the blessings that make the most memorable times of life.
