Reflection, Costa Rica Mission Trip - February 2009
By Bob Johnson (team member)

"On the last day of our mission trip, Ray Zirkel (our Methodist missionary) asked if it was everything I had hoped for.  I paused and answered – 'Ray, honestly no…..It was so much more than I ever could have expected.' 

He smiled and asked me to explain.

'We all came to Costa Rica expecting the outer beauty; the rain forest, the beaches, the mountains, but what was truly amazing was the inner beauty of those who call Costa Rica home.  From the moment we met they embraced us.  This continued throughout the duration of the journey, in how they cared for us, fed us and prayed for us.
We went to some local churches for vacation bible school, in part to entertain and educate the kids, or so we thought.  By the time it was said and done, we were the ones with the big smiles...Not only were we the ones entertained, but more importantly enlightened.

'We accomplished so much on this trip – we laughed until we cried, we moved dirt (I never knew how therapeutic moving dirt could be), we tiled 2 rooms, painted a house and a roof, built a concrete patio and we reflected quite a bit about advancing the Kingdom of God.  I’m very proud of HPUMC for starting this movement, which has gained so much momentum and has allowed me to put my faith into action and help me work towards living my life in such a way that helps me help those in need.'

Ray smiled and said, 'Well then, we need to get more people to experience Costa Rica'.

So I say to you – are you ready for your journey – are you ready for Costa Rica?