“God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission - I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.” - Cardinal John Henry Newman
Helping those in need on Mission in Costa Rica
I
t seems impossible at times to put into words the life changing experience a person might gather while laboring in the fields for our Father. My mission trip to Costa Rica was without uncertainty one of these times. Sixteen missionaries and I loaded our packed belongings onto a bus and left the comfort that was so common to us as we drove off into total darkness. My first attempt to rationalize what was going on as the tiny road we drove on wound up, down and around the Costa Rican mountainside in sheer darkness was halted when the awe-inspiring glow from the lights of San Carlos slowly faded beyond my sight. It was at this point that I realized, “This is for real.” This trip was going to be a mission. We rode across the Costa Rican countryside before awaking to the sound of cheerful singing, clapping and the sight of so many smiles. The most amazing and caring Costa Rican family was accompanied by missionaries who had arrived earlier that day, and they were all dancing and singing for us as we wearily unloaded our bags. The nights proceeding would be so very similar with cheerful singing and dancing as well as a sense of community unlike most anything else. The next morning we were up bright and early to pray and have introductions. Breakfast, as every other meal during the stay, was amazing and so filling! We ate traditional
Costa Rican foods such as beans and rice with pork and chicken, along with fresh fruits and fruit juices. The work, which consisted of painting walls, refinishing doors, repairing the roof and some landscaping, seemed easy while working alongside so many new-found friends all with the same goal in mind. We wanted to help others who were in need, and more than anything, we wanted to minister to the poor and elderly, which we soon had the amazing pleasure of doing. We were able to go to a small mountainside village, which was terribly impoverished. Floors made of dirt and walls of tin tied to the nearest tree is what made most of the houses in this particular village. The most elaborate home had a floor and the faintest sign of what was running water. None of them had electricity and only by small trails worn into the dirt were we able to reach the homes. We brought food and the good news of the Gospel to the families that lived here. The children all flocked to us; however, some of the adults seemed skeptical of our intentions. To everyone’s enjoyment, by the day’s end we were playing soccer with the children
and even some adults joined in. We were also graced with the opportunity to visit a retirement home with many shut-in elderly and ill individuals.
We left them with smiles, but more importantly, we left them with the infinite presence of Christ in their village. On Sunday we attended Mass at a small church in the nearest town.The feeling that I experienced just by being able to worship God with people
so far from home in such a different culture is indescribable. The individuals I encountered there forever touched me and left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. The return trip crept up on us all too soon, as we were so indulged in being about the Lord’s work and the culture of a different country, as well as so many friends and great times. In summation, the trip was entirely amazing! Isaac Adams, Graduate University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Top left: Caroline Smith with Costa Rican child. Top right: Ashley Deshotels, Caroline Smith, Rebecca Padgett and Kate Darnall. Bottom: University of Louisiana at Lafayette missionaries.
Magnificat Travel
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