Welcome to Costa Rica!

So I'm sure most of you have heard or seen me use the phrase "welcome to Costa Rica" to describe many of the seemingly crazy things that happen here in Costa Rica. Some of these are for silly things like getting to buy a coconut to drink from for about $0.50, or more serious things like almost getting hit by a bus. This week I was able to use this when I noticed a mushroom growing in my shower. Before you freak out about how gross I must be, let me just say I am always cleaning this apartment, but my shower holds water and after a quick google search I found out that when water is trapped in your grout it can cause this. There are several things that leave me ridiculously confused or asking why, like why does the outer wall of my apartment not reach the ground? Or why does a small plastic bin cost $30? Or why is it the same here that grocery stores think 1 cashier is enough when you have 20 people in line in front of you? Or why don't they just get it? Can't they see God moving in their lives? Even though I find myself asking why a lot, I am so grateful I'm not asking God why I'm here, why are You not doing more, why are you not using us and the teams to be your hands nd feet. These are questions I do not need to ask God. I've been here for over 3 months now and I know why I'm here. I know God has called me here to love on these people, to love on a culture I don't always understand or agree with, and to be a light into this dark place. I have been very blessed to be able to grow strong relationships with several locals. I'm being able to love on seriously the cutest kids ever, and to be a light into so many evil infested barrios (neighborhoods). I'm getting to participate in an amazing church and pour into the youth group. I'm even hosting a bible study for young adults in my tiny apartment! I totally love being here as a servant for God! I know God has more plans to reveal to me in His timing, but even the small glimpse of His plans that I am able to see, I know He has called me here for a reason. In these few short months my eyes have been open to seeing God move more than ever before! I think when we aren't really looking for it, we are never really going to notice it in all of its glory. I have seen miracle after miracle happen here! I saw a little girl who was crushed by a bus, who was supposed to never live longer than a few hours or days, who was declared a veggetable, walk on her own!! The church as a whole has been praying for her for months and months and she is now walking, talking, smiling, praising God, and laughing! If that isn't a true miracle I do not know what is. I have seen multiple people give their lives to Christ and be saved from their lifestyles of drug and alcohol abuse. I have witnessed God providing time and time again for families who are truly in need. Our God is truly amazing and is doing so much to bring His glory into this dark place! Working with 6:8 Ministries and Celebration Church is a total blessing. God is really using both ministries to do amazing things. Every week the church and 6:8 are feeding hundreds of people! We are a part of at least 1 feeding center everyday of the week, except Tuesdays. (We had one today though!) We are not only going into schools to teach English but God has opened the doors for us to pour out His love onto these children. The schools are open to us sharing the love of Jesus, something that would never happen at the public schools back home. God has opened doors for us to build homes for several people! In the last few weeks we have already built 3 homes and this week we are building not only a home, but adding a bathroom to a home that had never had one, and adding a bedroom to a third home! It's great that we are getting to show Christ love in a very practical way! I love how even throughout all the craziness and confusion that life so often brings, He always shows us how amazing He is! God is constantly moving and working in our lives! If you haven't been seeing His works, I pray your eyes are opened up and you see how beautiful His work is! I also want to thank everyone yet again who has helped make this happen! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement through all of this. Thank you for financially supporting me, so that I could answer Gods call and for you to be invested in this ministry! God is using you all in this ministry and using you to impact my life! Thank you all so much!