Follow ETBU in Costa Rica
Wednesday's summary of the ETBU Women's Soccer Tiger Athletic Mission Experience trip to Costa Rica is provided by Senior Cristal Monzon-Hernadez.
This morning's devotional was a study on the Lord's Prayer. The team was divided into groups of four to begin and verse by verse, Matthew 6:5-15, was broken down and elaborated on. After each segment was read and explained, each group took the time to pray over the segment and how it related to their own lives. The highlight of the Bible study for me was being reminded of several promises that God had made to me and being encouraged to pray for God's grace, patience, and strength.
After the devotion, I had the opportunity to help cook brunch in the kitchen. I helped fry the chicken patties and was able to fellowship with the kitchen staff while doing so. Along with chicken patties, brunch for the day consisted of eggs, black beans, and rice.
Around 1:00, we headed to our game against a team in the second division of Puerto Viejo. On the way there, we realized that the beach was only 5 minutes from the base we have been staying at most of our team glanced sadly out of the windows longing to be at the beach.
Even though we won the game, it was the most challenging opponent we have faced this week. The team was skilled and hard working and some of the girls on the opposing team attended the clinics and games from the previous days, so we were able to build on the relationships that We already had with them.
After the game, we were treated to deliciously cold gelato from a shop right by the beach. A couple minutes later the team was delighted to spend time at the beach. The girls and I ate gelato, took hundreds of pictures in the water, and admired the beauty of the scene, which was all created by God.
After dinner, we had family night which consisted of worship, testimonies, and a sermon. Friends from the community came to join us. The worship was incredible because we sang in both English and Spanish, which reminded me that even though we may speak different languages, we still praise the same God. Two of our girls, Ashleigh and McKenna, gave their testimonies to the crowd. Ashleigh spoke of how important it is to have a personal relationship with God. McKenna told great news of her recent decision to go into full-time ministry. A man from Teen Challenge (the organization we worked with yesterday) also gave his testimony. He spoke of how he used to be a drug-addict and dealer and explained how God liberated him from that. Dr. Seely gave the sermon on what "Knowing God" means. It was cool to hear that God knows every detail of our lives and fully loves us.
After the sermon, we spent time fellowshipping with one another, as well as with the people from the community. I talked to one man, named Julio, that was also a drug-addict on the streets of San Jose a couple months ago. His story was extremely inspiring because this man is now on fire for Christ. Jesus completely turned his life around and now all Julio wants to do is bring glory to God, as well as build his relationship with Him. Some of the girls on the team played guitar and worshiped for another hour. This late-night worship is basically an everyday thing now.
I ended my night drawing with one of the missionaries on staff here at the YWAM base named Kesha, that I met the first day in Costa Rica. We have grown to be good friends over these past couple of days. Kesha completely left her home and all of her family to serve God.
God's presence was evident throughout the day. I am not ready to go back to the states yet.
