From Nica to Costa Rica

Hello from the beautiful and lush land of Costa Rica! This month is very different from last month in Nicaragua. I am not sure I ever gave my blog a look at what life in Granada, Nicaragua was like so here it goes.. It was my first month on the race and we had an all squad month, meaning all 40 of us (racers and leadership) were living in dorm style rooms on a farm outside of Granada called Reap Granada, or as the locals called it Campo de Cosecha. Partnering with Reap and living on a farm was not what I thought I would love on the race, but it was so filling for my soul. I grew up in the country so it felt a little like home as we had agriculture and dogs all around us.

 

While living at Reap we had amazing leadership in Scott and Caitlyn, they really poured into us racers and had us all focusing in on what it looks like to claim the title “child of God” rather than an orphan mindset. I didn’t know this was something that I was struggling with until I literally had to read about it, discuss it, and think about it all the time. It wasn’t something that they forced me into thinking, but rather, I had never been aware of it before. While I still hold onto an orphan mindset in some portions of my life, I know that my papa in Heaven is still working on my heart, and friends, it is challenging and beautiful all at the same time. 

 

While we focused on becoming a child of God, we also had A LOT of time to work on spiritual disciplines such as prayer before the sun comes up, fasting, digging into the word, and observing sabbath. By partnering with Reap in Nicaragua our first month, many of us feel that we are being set up incredibly well for the rest of our race and then into our daily lives post race. 

 

BUT, don’t worry, we didn’t just sit around all day in our hammocks and pray, we went out into the community almost every day praying over individuals, families, and businesses. Serving in the local library (which I was all about!), cultivating the land on the farm and dug a lot of trenches. We ministered in the jails, prayed over individuals and families in the hospital, fed hungry workers at the city dump, and put on a basketball clinic for the men in the rival neighborhood gangs in Granada (for more about basketball you can read my squad-mates blog) Some members of my squad also kick started the Moringa project which you can read about here: (https://tiffanimccormick.theworldrace.org/post/lessons-from-the-tree-of-life-hintprobably-not-the-tree-youre-thinking-of)We also put on our first Beauty for Ashes event that myself and 2 other squad mates get to oversee and it was so beautiful as we served and loved on the women that have been serving us all month. (I hope to share that story separately with pictures at a later date!)

 

That is just a snapshot of Nicaragua you guys. It was full of so many sweet moments with my teammates, squad, and one-on-one time with Jesus. The scenery is beyond words, we had aa volcano in our backyard and the sunsets and sunrises were out of this world, and the stars guys – magnificent. Really my heart is so full post Nicaragua. But all good things come to an end and now I am living in a laid back, yet fast paced, ocean town called Jaco (pronounced Haco) in Costa Rica. 

 

We have been here one week already and it has felt like a month.. My team is here with another team so there are 16 of us living and working along side an amazing ministry called Oceans Edge. It is ran by 3 BA women who are on fire for seeing revival come to Jaco. I hope to share the story of Oceans Edge one day with you all as well because guys, God has been so freaking faithful to them in a town once compared to Sodom and Gamorah. 

 

We are going to be painting a lot of murals in the town which I will be sharing about! (Hold me accountable people bc the stories are too good not to share!) We also get to help with surf club and learn to surf ourselves which is pretty rad. I’m also helping out with youth group which is filling the hole in my heart about not being at Simpson Park for the first time in 15 years next week. Today I also dug a trench, so life isn’t all glamorous in Jaco 😉 but you guys, the Lord is showing me that I can love CR just as much as I loved Nica. 

 

If you’re still reading, you’re a champ! Here are just a few prayer requests for all my prayer warriors out there! 

1. I have a squad mate on another team in a different region of CR that is currently fighting Dengue Fever. Catherine is a trooper, but I can imagine how hard it must feel to be in the hospital and not serving with her team, so prayer for a speedy recovery and a peace filled mind as her body continues to fight Dengue. 
2. For my heart as I am missing my first week of camp in 15 years. Simpson Park holds such a special place in my heart and my 18 campers hold an even bigger part of my heart. This year’s theme is “Sent” which is fitting for me in this season, but I am praying for them as many of them have a heart for missions as well! 
3. For the town of Jaco and the Christians here. It can be so discouraging to see all the sin that is in this town, but God is so present here even more so. That they can stay encouraged that the work done here is not in vain, and truly is making a difference, even if 1% every day.
4. For continued unity amongst all 6 teams. There names are – Deep Waters (thats my team!), Vessels, Groot, Stream Team, Unknown Heights, and Mt. Valor. Also prayers for our leadership as we have a debrief this month meaning we all come together again to process everything that is happening and how to move forward. Also, our leadership is amazing, but they still need prayers! 😉 
5. For fundraising. Many of my squad-mates are coming up on the $13,000 deadline at the end of July. If you’d like to pray for them individually or partner with them you can see them all here: (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YtInL7h0NzQ) I am also still fundraising. At this point I have less than $1,000 to get to my final goal of $19,200 which is WILD. God did some amazing work in the fundraising process and I give Him all the credit which He so deserves! <3