Buenos Dias, friends and family!

This has been an incredible week that has stretched and grown our faith! Although a "recap" should be seemingly easy to write, I'm finding it quite challenging after all that I have experienced and observed this week! Throughout the entire week, Delynn has given a daily lesson, which has been themed around relationships and the love of God. I have been just as challenged as the students as I have learned more about my relationship with God, others, and myself.

I am so amazingly proud of our students as they have demonstrated the selfless love of Jesus Christ this week! Many students were out of their comfort zone at times throughout this week. Despite this, I saw students interacting with adults and children with joy in the midst of a language barrier. I witnessed our students lay hands on and praying for people who were lonely, sick, and hungry. They walked through the filthy, cramped, smelly neighborhood of La Cuenca with smiles and graciousness. Our students picked up and loved children who were dirty, hungry and desperately in need of love.

I was lucky enough to witness some miracles of healing through prayer this week. One of these happened the day that we were at La Cuenca. A little girl approached one of the leaders and asked for prayer for her eyes. Matt Poorman jumped into action by gathering a small group to pray for her and I happened to be one of those people. As I approached the little girl, I realized that she probably had one of the worst cases of pink eye that I have ever seen in my life! There was no white to her eyes at all, but only red. Her corneas were clouded over and she was having trouble with her vision, especially each morning. As our group prayed, I cried behind my sunglasses. In the United States, this would have been easily remedied, but this child relied solely on faith. I was just astonished by her faith in our never-failing God! It's no wonder that Jesus said that we are to have faith like a child! After our prayer, she said that she felt warmth in her eyes and that the pain had decreased. I thought that I might be imagining at first, but her eyes were less red and watery! She had also stopped continuously rubbing them! In that moment, I felt like my faith was so small, but I am so grateful to serve a God that is at work despite my doubt!

I could continue with story after story from this week!  These were just a few of my own personal experiences and observations. Each of our leaders and students have their own stories just like these. I encourage you to seek out those who went on this trip and ask them all about their time in Costa Rica! This trip had been a huge blessing! Thank you again for your support and prayers!

Adios,

Paige DeVreese