This week in Jaco has had its hard and has had its beautiful, thankfully it’s mostly been beautiful. In order to be respectful to the people in Jaco that we will be ministering to this month, we are waiting about a week until we start doing ministry that involves really being with large amounts of people.
This has been a cool limit because it has allowed us to really plant our flag of love right in the physical places in our vacinity. We have 33 people in our house and this week we were all split up into different groups to love on both the building that we are graciously staying in, belonging to Oceans Edge ministry, and some surrounding parks.
The facilities at Oceans Edge are painted BEAUTIFULLY, mostly by super creative people that have come before us. One of Oceans Edges ministries is a super super cool art ministry. The city actually REQUESTS them to send out people to beautify the city. How cool!!!
This week us World Racers were split up into groups and sent to WORK bringing more Kingdom to the neighborhood. Some people began the plans to paint big, colorful murals in different parks. Some people were fixing up gardens, and some sent to organize the sheds belonging to Oceans Edge.
My team had a cool job, we were sent to a tiny little park next door and basically given the direction to make it better than it was. We got to to pull some weeds, haul some rusty fence, and just generally move out a whole lot of stuff that doesn’t belong in a park.
One of the locals who helps out at Oceans Edge, (and also helped us learn some Spanis), in his bare feet climbed up a super tall tree that was dying and machete chopped down all the branches that were in the way and we hauled them away. That was kinda fun!
I can’t help but think that God looks at us the same way that we got the opportunity to look at the little park this week. A big mess with a whole lot of potential for beauty.
No person is too insignificant or broken to receive grace and truth. That is some good news for sure!!! 2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks this truth saying; “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here!”
Let’s allow ourselves to see ourselves the way God sees us this week, people that are beautiful even with the mess on top, with potential to uncover more of the beauty He gave us the more time we spend with the Father.
Photos By Breanne Steindel, she’s the best, check out her blog: breannesteindel.theworldrace.org
Thank you Kati! It should be noted that “plant our flag of love” was a concept I heard spoke this week, not my own invention, but I LOVE what it means and have been using the phrase a lot.
So encouraging Courtney!! So great to hear about your eye for beauty and where it’s found in His great works that he does through us. I am so so proud of you!!!
Thanks Meggo!!! Love you friend!
You really do have a gift for writing, Courtney! I have so enjoyed every post you’ve made so far 🙂 I am inspired by your God-fixed perspective– from the ants, to the park, you are seeking and finding the Lord in all you do, and it is a blessing to me. Miss you already! xoxo
How encouraging to hear, thank you Megan!! Miss you too!
Love this and you!!!! So fun to see some pictures. You are amazing and humble. Praying for you!
“plant our flag of love right in the physical places in our vicinity”
WOW. What a beautiful perspective amid so much change, quarantine, and structure. Thank you for bringing Kingdom wherever you go, it’s radiating to all you meet (and now all who hear the story!).