GO WEEK: Costa Rica
By Samantha DePriest
When a student prays about where God is calling them to go for TCS GO Week, they are desiring to not only make a difference in the lives of others but also for God to work in their own lives. Last month, our Costa Rica GO Week mission team was led by three of our high school teachers Mr. Brian Fourman, Mr. Chris Paschal, and Mrs. Cassie Richardson. The team traveled to the province of Pavas located in San Jose, Costa Rica. Pavas is where many refugees have come to live to escape the difficult living conditions in Guatemala. Our mission team served alongside the Fortaleza Eglesia Church (translated in English “Strong Tower Church”) and a local construction company through a partnership with Joshua Expeditions. During their time there, our students and staff helped build not one, but two homes in just three days.
Mrs. Cassie Richardson shared, “The trip was very eye opening for our students as the families we were helping are living within feet of a landfill. The sights and sounds are what you would expect, yet the hands and feet of Jesus are everywhere. Fortaleza Eglesia church was a simple building located in basically a four car garage without an altar or stained glass, yet the church is open everyday because there isn’t any government assistance there. They are feeding the poor and the hungry joyfully.”
“Mission trips are not just about what you do on the trip that matters, it is the memory that is still with you three weeks later and three months later that you cannot seem to forget.” Mrs. Richardson asked the mission team a few weeks after they returned home, “What are you still thinking about and what is still on your hearts and minds?” Don’t worry if you didn’t have one yet, you will one day. Those are the seeds that God has planted that will encourage you and gives you eyes to see and serve the least of these.”
One student shared, “I remembered how friendly everyone was in a situation where she would feel sad. I now understand the difference of joy versus happiness. The people were still so happy despite their circumstances.”
Mrs. Richardson goes on to share, “God’s provision is real. Our team was able to raise enough money to buy additional bedding and furniture for the families. The team was able to take the family grocery shopping and purchase some other much needed household items before the moving key ceremony and house presentation. It may seem small to us, but was everything to these families.”
While the team was in Costa Rica, they also were able to visit a local coffee plantation and enjoy their first cup of Costa Rican coffee with a breathtaking view. They participated in nightly meaningful devotions in the hotel and a catamaran cruise with snorkeling and banana boat rides that made for some fun memories playing in the sun.
