We have now been in Costa Rica and with our ministry partner for more a little more than a week. When we first arrived we found out we’d be doing evangelism. How in the world were we going to evangelize if we weren’t fluent in Spanish? It looked at lot like what the early disciples did. We walked from town to town praying for people. The pastor and other local believers who went with us would share the gospel and then we’d all pray for them. While I’m still working on my Spanish, I’ve figured out enough to be able to pray for those we meet and when I can’t I ask the Lord how He wants me to pray for them.
When we first started out it seemed like there was lots of time on our hands. It wasn’t like I pictured it, but then again when is it ever? I had a lot of time to think and felt useless because all I could do was pray. I have an amazing team who kindly reminded me that our prayers are powerful. I decided I was going to make better use of my thinking while we went walking. Before I could put my new resolution into practice, we got quarantined.
The life that I already thought was slow came to a halt. Now we were contained to the church and had all kinds of time on our hands. Was this really the best use of my time? Lord, what are you doing? I’ve learned to see the joy in slowing down. Most mornings look like breakfast and then several hours of sitting with the Lord and reading His Word. A few girls from the team have been sitting together to read and discuss what the Lord is showing us. We ask questions about unimportant things but fun to think about (What about Pangea?). We ask hard questions (why is this so convicting for you?). We get to share our hearts and love we have for the Lord and it is so sweet. We get to spend the afternoons walking the small village and praying. We get to read through a book of the Bible together (Ephesians) and discuss what stands out and how our backgrounds have shaped our thinking.
Submitting to quarantine has been challenging. We are here for a short time and for a reason so we should be out doing. Instead we are learning how to rest in the Lord. I’m learning what praying without ceasing and giving thanks in all circumstances looks like (1 Thes. 5:16-18). It’s easy to say these verses in your comfort zone when it’s easy to pray and give thanks, but what about when it feels uncomfortable? Time doesn’t mean the same thing in Costa Rica as it does in the States. 8:30 means more like 9:30-10:00. No one is rushed. Things will get done when they get done. Quarantine doesn’t mean the same thing for me here as it did in the States. Isolation and staying “home” (in the church) now looks community and asking God the hard questions. Resistance now looks like surrender.
Hey Shelby!!!
So good to “hear your voice!” I love that you’re all choosing to spend time seeking the Lord through prayer. Abide with him and he will abide with you. And speak boldly. That prayer language may be Spanish! Be brave, be bold, stay beautiful! Jesus loves you and so do I!!! ??
This is beautiful Shelby! ?????? Praying for you and your team.
Shelby, it’s SO great to hear about your journey! You are really growing in the Lord. And, I love that you are praying without ceasing and learning to give thanks in all circumstances. That’s HUGE!!! I need to be reminded to do those things. I will be praying for your mission in Costa Rica. Thank you for the work you and your team are doing!
Though I know this has been hard for you and your team, I love that you and your team are taking advantage of the time to rethink a lot of important concepts such as ‘how powerful are my prayers anyway and do they help’. In the US we get caught up in our self-sufficiency. The consequence of that is we subconsciously believe if we can’t do something about it, then God can’t either, so prayer won’t help. NOT true! God says “when I am weak, then I am strong[in God]2 Cor 12:10. Our prayers confessing our powerlessness are actually some of the most powerful prayers we can pray because we’re acknowledging that God can do what we cannot. The second part is our view of ‘what really is most important’. Again, in the US, we highly value busy-ness – always doing something (even if it’s watching TV or scrolling Facebook). So to not have something to do clashes with that [often subconscious] value of being busy. It makes us feel uncomfortable and like we are wasting time. Rethinking what really is of value and what is not takes time. You’ve been given a precious gift to think about these things and figure out what you choose to value and how you choose to view prayer. I’m glad you’ve been blessed with this time on your hands!