These three words are essentially another name for the Church…or what God says the Church should look like. I know it sounds a little out there but let me explain my reasoning.
Love is God and God is love through and through. In retrospect, His two greatest and most important commandments are to love Him with all our heart, strength, mind and soul and to love others as ourself (Matthew 22:37:40). Everything else that God commands of us is dependent on these two commandments. Although this is true, it’s impossible for us to perfect this love for God and our neighbors. Good thing God knows us and doesn’t ask for perfection. The problem is that a lot of times we think we can get away with not loving others to the best of our ability. This is a popular issue in the Church.
Several weeks ago one of the girls on my squad did a devo over love and used an excerpt from a book she’s been reading by Francis Chan called “Letters to the Church.” In the book, Chan explains how one of the elders in his church used to be in a gang before coming to Christ. The elder has shared with the church how a gang looks more like how the Church is supposed to look than the modern day Church looks today. He described how in a gang, you are a family. Everyone would do anything for you. It’s a ride or die situation. Is that how the Church looks today? Are we willing to sacrifice anything and everything for a brother or sister in Christ? Are we being obedient to God in His command to love our neighbor as ourself?
This hit my heart hard. I’ve seen the highs and lows of the Church and long to see a more selfless love present in it. I find myself checking myself more often to see if I’m living out God’s two greatest commands; if I’m exemplifying how the Church is to look in the ways I’m apart of it.
A few weeks ago we had to say goodbye to part of the Church; to a true love “gang”. From the minute we arrived I felt the love that had to give. We were welcomed in with open arms. They sat us down to a warm meal with warm smiles and soon-to-be warm hugs. They were already my family when we arrived and now I know them better. It was tough to say goodbye, but it wasn’t really goodbye. I’ll see them all again whether on this earth or in heaven. We’ll sing and dance together for the rest of our lives; for eternal life. Someday we’ll be together in eternal love with our Heavenly Father. And the time for that is near.
P.s. Check out some photos below of my last few weeks in Costa Rica. Also, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted but I’m back and hoping to post again sometime this week to start telling about my new life in Nicaragua for the next 5 weeks. Love to you all! Chao!
Another adventure day at the beach! All the squad ladies pictured on the bottom. And in the top left is me and a friend I made in Tamarindo!
Haha…me and Maria taking all the selfies. I love this woman she has become a lovely friend here.
Tamale day!!! We spent a ministry day making tamales from scratch. It was a really good time and awesome to experience more of the Costa Rican culture.
Once again I give you some random photos of my friends being silly and cute.
A few of the hundreds of plants in the beautiful Monte Verde nature preserve!
Hiking friends at Monte Verde! Also, in the top right is Catherine and I enjoying our delicious burgers.
A treehouse in the back of a neighbors home we helped repaint. It was a lovely day full of laughs and good conversations.
My squad with Juan (guy with white shirt in the middle). This was his last night in La Vigia with us. He is a phenomenal cook and man who served us lovingly during our time there.
Last Sunday in La Vigia!
A pet parrot we were introduced to by a neighbor that we frequently got ice cream from. Beautiful colors but troubling eyes haha.
S’mores night! Basilio wanted to make s’mores to celebrate our last night there. This is us showing our marshmallow hearts.
Last morning with my Costa Rican family.
Goodbye La Vigia! This was a bittersweet day. On the one hand I was devastated to be leaving a place and people that started to feel like home, but on the other hand I knew that God had great purpose in sending us to Nicaragua.
More plants from our mid-point debrief!
Playing with pigeons in San José, squad dinner on a ping pong table and groovy times at the roller skating rink (debrief activities).
Last photo op in Costa Rica! Good times hahaha!
Okay, love gang!! 😉 Thanks for reminding me of this lesson and for the way you seek to live it out daily. I’ll take you in my gang any day!
Oh hopie, I bet it was bittersweet leaving Costa Rica, those are memories you will cherish in your heart forever! Looks like God built some amazing friendships there.Those tamales looked yummy too!May God continue to bring you joy on your next journey!love you! Gramma teresa
Hope,
Love seeing both your “old” and “new” missions in the same post! You look great, happy, and fully immersed. We pray that Nicaragua is every bit as enriching for both you and the folks there as Costa Rica has been. Looking forward to your next post, then to seeing you in person!
Love,
Gram & Gramp
Just getting caught up with this post now that you’ve been in Nicaragua for a couple weeks! What an incredible time in Costa Rica! God showed you his glory in the faces and places you found yourself in everyday. You dove straight in and held nothing back and God used your willing heart to do great things you won’t begin to understand in this life. Miss you and am proud of you! Love you sweet girl??