A Precious Gift, Water

While in Costa Rica, to get clean water we walked down two muddy, slippery, hills, came back up the hills, then purified it in our water bottles. The water purifier we all shared costs around $250 U.S. dollars.

The pastor of the church in Alta Mira, the village we went to, got water this way (without the purifier) for 13 years. Women and children carried heavy water jugs up and down hills every day to cook with, clean with, and drink. Think about just how much you use water on a daily basis. Then imagine having to carry that water up steep, slippery hills, about three times a day.

After we finished the water pump in Alta Mira, the pastor and his wife were indescribably grateful. Tears of happiness were shed. After 13 years, they finally had water access to the church and their home.

After you experience that, and see just how precious water is, it makes you have a different perspective.
I read an article one day where a pastor was describing what had happened while he was in Africa. His mission team was building a well in a village where they walked 2 miles a day just to get fresh water. After completing the well, the people of the village were not only able to get clean water, but they were able to produce crops and raise healthy livestock.

The leader of the village said to the pastor, "Your God has done great things for us through this well. For this, we want Him as our God."
A VILLAGE CAME TO KNOW CHRIST THROUGH WATER. If that's not cool, I don't know what is.

Costa Rica changed the way I view a lot of things. Water being #1. We simply walk into our kitchens in America, turn a knob, and clear gold comes out. We only see it as plain, tasteless water.

Take a moment next time you turn on a faucet to think how blessed we are in America. Even more blessed to have CLEAN water.

You can give someone water who needs it. Visit www.charitywater.org to read testimonies and  donate.

Costa Rica Changed Us

Two weeks ago, Southside Baptist Church's college ministry went to the village of Alta Mira with Praying Pelican Missions. There we successfully constructed a water pump that brought water from the jungle to the church. After 13 years of carrying jugs up slippery, muddy hills, the church and the pastor's family finally had water! Girls did women's and children's ministry. We washed the women's feet, symbolizing Jesus' love for his disciples. We taught the children stories from the Bible through skits and games. They had Skittles for the first time and shared them with each other, despite loving them so much and having so few.

Costa Rica was an eye opening experience. To see people have little, and be so happy, makes you think about how spoiled we really are. God worked in incredible ways in the village and with our team. Many memories were made that I'll always remember. I'm thankful for the opportunity to have served. And thank you everyone who helped me go there! Here are some pictures from the trip!

Saying goodbye to America!

Travelin' to Paso Canoas, Costa Rica!

How we slept in Paso Canoas. ENO hammocks became the official hammock of Costa Rica.

The trek up the mountain! If it weren't for the horses carrying the girls' backpacks, we wouldn't have made it up as quick as we did! 1 hour & 41 minutes!

When we got to the village, the kids started playing with us immediately! Here's Jenna & Jacob playing jump rope & Kaitlyn talking to the kids.

Oh the bathrooms... A smell I'll never forget.

A panoramic view of how we slept in the village. We all strung up our hammocks in the house & church.

 The kids learned the story of Jonah & the whale, "went fishing" & caught Skittles, & colored pictures of the whale.

Having fun with balloons

panoramic view of the school room

Painting the girls' nails! They loved it!

We washed the women's feet & painted their toenails. They never get pampered, so it was nice to be able to love on them.

Never thought I'd be playing guitar in Costa Rica! We sang Amazing Grace & Our God (in English). Even though they had no idea what we were saying, the pastor complimented me. It felt great! My country twang came out strong singing Our God though, haha!

We played soccer with the local men from the village. It was awesome to sit on hill watching the game, look up, & see the ocean. It was a view I'll never forget.

One of the best things in the village! Costa Rican coffee!

The view was amazing walking back down the mountain! I look like a true hiker here.

The team! Will, Kaitlyn, Jenna, Hannah P., Jake, Megan, Robby, Andrew, Andy, me, Hannah M., Katie, Warener, & Edwin!

 Adios, Costa Rica! You forever changed us!

About "Beauty from Ashes"

To whom it may concern, I created a blog. Everyone was doing it, so I thought I'd jump in. Not sure how much I'll actually post, but Beauty from Ashes will be here. The title of this blog comes from something my Bible study teacher said once. "God can turn ashes into beauty..." It stuck with me since. It comes from Isaiah 61.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to build up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

Isaiah 61:1-3  

"Beauty from Ashes" has become my life saying. It has encouraged me in my life, and I hope it encourages others. My only goal for this blog is to glorify Christ. What I will post or say, who knows! But what ever it be, let it glorify God.