As you read this you should know that I'm currently sitting on a bus, crying my eyes out as I leave a place I can honestly call home. We're making one last trip down the bumpy, twisting, hectic roads of the beautiful Costa Rica. At this moment, the once bright houses come across as black and gray. The bustling roads are empty. And the smiling faces now hold grimaces. The car reeks of tears and echoes with sobs. Not even a stray dog is seen wandering. It's almost as if the whole of Costa Rica is mourning with us as we leave our hearts to them. Of course, maybe it's just my tear-clouded vision blocking the reality of these sights.
Pull yourself together, b.
We came here two and a half weeks ago, not knowing what to expect. We were told that we'd be hosting four VBS's, cleaning the missions campus that we were residing on, and doing some activities with Cultura Vertical, the youth group that met on campus every wednesday and Saturday night. They didn't bother mentioning how much we'd fall in love with the kids. We'd also be attending youth groups, a bonfire, a lock-in, and a trip to Volcán Poas, the volcano in Costa Rica, with Cultura. They somehow failed to mention the bonds that we would make with the Ticos-the locals-as we ventured through our two-and-a-half week long trip there as well.
So what do TOMS have to do with any of this? Just a couple days before I left to meet my team and train at Liberty University, my dad bought my whole family each a pair of TOMS solely (no pun intended) because when you buy a pair, another is given to a child in need. While doing VBS one day, a good number of us, all owners of TOMS, noticed two little girls wearing black shoes that looked exactly like TOMS. Black with rubber soles and no label. These are the shoes that were given out when we purchased our stylish kicks. And now, some of the kids that came for hugs and their first full meal in days, are wearing the shoes that we so absent-mindedly gave to them.
Let's be honest, I didn't miss anything about America. If someone asked me to stay in Costa Rica for any extra amount of time, I would have done it. With just the few outfits found in my suitcase. Without a doubt. They'd get a yes before they even finished their question.
Drugs. Alcohol. Abuse. Abandonment. Hunger. Thirst. Pain. Questioning. The longing to be loved... These kids suffered from every one of these things, and more. Then they walked into these small buildings, with giant smiles on their faces. They'd hang from your arms, legs, and shoulders. They'd play with your hair, cuddle in your lap, and speak Spanish to you no matter how many times you told them, "NO HABLO ESPAÑOL!!" One of our team members said, "I don't understand how they could suffer so much, then trust us so easily." All these kids want is to be loved. And they found that in us. And I constantly pray that they'll find that in God. I pray that they'll learn that they don't have to follow the mold of drug dealing and pain, that they'll step up and make a difference in their community and change the lives of Costa Rica. With streams of tears, we said our good-byes to all four groups of kids.
But these bonds with these kids isn't where the love ends. As cheesy as this sounds, it's where it began. We met our amazing group of Ticos through the first VBS that we ran, and that night we met even more at their youth group meeting where they threw us an amazing welcome party. The night was full of dancing to songs-The Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, and Cotton-Eyed Joe, eating Costa Rican snacks, and taking those awkward "hey I just met you!" pictures. We completed two VBS's in that first week and two youth meetings. Our attachments growing ever stronger as we really start to get to know the Ticos and our daily routines.
Wake up by 6:30 a.m. (UGH!)
Eat breakfast at seven.
Walk to the public buses. Take two.
Arrive at site. Set up.
Love the kids. Say good-bye.
Eat lunch with team and Tico helpers.
Walk around town with Ticos.
Take buses back. Two.
Climb massive hill to achieve buns and thighs of steel.
Shower. Have break.
Devotionals with team.
Dinner.
Chill. In room at ten.
Attempt sleep by midnight.
The Ticos often came over on our breaks and would show us up in soccer and fuzbol. The first Saturday night Cultura meeting we attended, we performed our "Bring Me To Life" skit. The next morning we performed it for Hijos Del Rey church where I also had the privilege of assisting the VBS there with four of my amazing teammates. The second Wednesday night we were in CR, Cultura had a bonfire for us complete with s'mores and Spanglish worship. The second Friday night we were there, we had our lock-in with Cultura, complete with a gut-wrenching American Idol contest and an amazing Costa Rican sunrise. The second Sunday we were there, Cultura came with us to Volcán Paos, a volcano in CR. Monday morning, the team and I left for Punta Leona, a resort on the beaches of Costa Rica. Breathtaking. We zip lined through the jungle (upside down at one point!) then fried on the beach as we played Red Rover with Jesus. He won. Shocker.
Tuesday night we returned to San Isidro Heredia - the town that we had been staying in this whole time. We dreaded this night, yet we yearned for it. It was our last night with our beloved Ticos. They had been posting Facebook statuses all day about the sad night ahead of them. It blew my mind how we could all become such close friends in two weeks when we hardly spoke each others languages. But smiles, hugs, and laughter are all the same no matter what language you speak. That night, we prayed for each others groups and danced one last time (Salsa included!). We cried and we laughed. Teased and hugged. All for the last time. Talk of visits came up, but we've all agreed that that's in God's hands. I know that a couple of my teammates and I hope to go back as Group Leaders before we finish college. We dream, but God has an almighty plan and perfect timing..so it's all up to Him.
We were told to say good-bye at least five times before we actually pried ourselves from each others embraces and cried our good-byes. Facebook statuses of our sorrowful night galore. And sleep quickly stole us away as our tear stained cheeks and swollen eyes had had enough.
This morning, Wednesday morning, tears could still be found here and there. We ate then cleaned campus and our rooms one last time. We emptied our suitcases and repacked to be sure that we didn't bring any Costa Rican cockroaches home with us. We ate our lunch, took in the view, loaded our luggage, said our good-byes to our amazing hosts, got on the bus and sobbed. This brings you back to the beginning of said blog. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 dollars.
We've flown from San Jose, Costa Rica to San Salvador, El Salvador. It's 11:15 p.m. and I'm surrounded by my sleeping teammates on our flight from El Salvador back to the states. Landing can only be minutes away.
Back in the states, we don't know what God holds for us. But we know He has a plan, and we trust in that completely. Now excited for what the future may hold, I challenge the world to bring it on. I've got a God who is everywhere, yet always with me. He's with all of us as I write this. He's with the Ticos back in Costa Rica. He's in China, India, Thailand, Africa... He's with you. You've just got to let Him in. It's the greatest love story ever told. Just say yes. Pura Vida!
Bridget Craig.
Honourary Tica.
Signing Out.
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