Hey everyone!
We’ve been in Costa Rica for a whole month now! It’s crazy how fast time has flown by! So far, my time here has been exciting and sweet while also exhausting and challenging at times.
Something that has been really sweet throughout my time here has been connecting with the local children through the kids ministry at the church. This past week I had the opportunity to play soccer and volleyball with the local kids and have been able to connect with a lot of them despite my limited Spanish speaking abilities! We’ve also been invited into many people’s homes this past month and have had the opportunity to pray for them! Two women (twin sisters) in particular, kindly welcomed us into their home, offered us snacks and tea, and allowed us to pray for them. We also spent some time building a fence for an elderly woman named Juanita! Throughout the days spent building the fence, Juanita and her family blessed us with delicious food and drinks along with love and kindness!
Although I’ve found ministry to be sweet and exciting, it’s also been a little challenging at times. Something I’ve learned in the midst of the challenging times is to be content with not knowing the plans for the future. Unlike the fast paced American culture that I’m used to where we plan out the next several months and even years of our lives, here l usually don’t even know what we’re doing tomorrow and even if I do have some idea, those plans usually end up changing. I’ve learned through my time here to take life one day at a time and to be okay when plans change. I think that it’s even possible to find joy and gratitude when things don’t go the way you thought they would.
My view of this really changed a few days ago when I woke up to no running water! This meant no showers, no using the bathroom, and no drinking water which was not ideal, especially in 95 degree heat. Instead of spending the day doing ministry like we had planned, we went out to go find water. Luckily, one of the pastor’s friends, who lives a couple blocks away, still had running water and kindly offered us some. So we walked down to the house carrying jugs, buckets and water bottles and were able to fill them up there and bring them back to the church! Such a blessing! Later the next day, the running water came back on and I felt so much joy! I had never been so grateful for water in my life! Even though having no running water was completely unexpected and a slight inconvenience, there was still so much to find joy in and to be grateful for. For example, if we didn’t lose water, we wouldn’t have experienced the kindness of the neighbor who generously offered us water!
We live in a world where unexpected things arise and disrupt our plans all the time. In these times it’s so easy to become upset or ungrateful about things not going your way. However, we don’t have to be upset! Instead we can choose to find joy in God and be grateful for all the ways he has blessed us (even if that’s as simple as the sunset or a stranger saying hi to us as we pass by them on the sidewalk!).
Thank you guys so much for reading my blog and for all your support! I love y’all so much!
-Dailey 🙂
Also BTW we have two weeks left here in Costa Rica and then we will be headed off to Nicaragua for the rest of our time. ??
Dailey, we are friends of your Nana and Grandpa who have shared your mission trip with us. We are praying for you, not just us but both my Bible Study Groups are praying for you as well and for those you are serving. Thank you for all you are doing for God’s people!
So happy to hear of the all of your experiences. I had to laugh at “no running water”. It reminded me of the times at Shoansy when the well ran dry. It is so easy to be upset when things don’t go as planned, but I always try to look on the bright side and find good to what God has handed me. Enjoy your experiences and learn all that you can from them. Thanks for the update. We are sending lots of love and hugs to you and all of those that you encounter.
Dailey!! I love your zeal for life! You always find the hope in every situation. In my Bible study this week, we learned from the Gospel of John that Jesus is the vine, God is the vine dresser and we are the branches. Jesus tells his disciples if we abide in him we will bear much fruit. What an example you are of abiding in Jesus by showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control and gentleness! We are so proud of you! Love you BIGGER! Mommy
How much joy you are bringing to the small part of the bigger world we all are living in… you are still part of the ray of sunshine – goodness follows wherever you may go.
Love, G
Dailey, I’m so impressed that even during the moments when things aren’t going as planned you are staying present in the moment and staying positive. It can be difficult at times to remember that even things like not having running water are part of God’s plan to help us grow in our faith, strengthen our character, and cherish the things in our lives that we tend to take for granted. The benediction that the pastor of my church always says is to “go forth and bear witness to the love of God so to that those who love is a stranger, may find in you a generous friend” and the work that you are doing is truly putting those words into action.
Love you always, Jacky
Amazing stories and experiences! Thank you for sharing them and your perspectives. You’re doing so many great things as you always do.
Thanks for the updates Dailey! We love hearing about all that you are doing and learning! It is so easy to lose gratitude when we live in abundance .. what a beautiful reminder for us all to give thanks in all circumstances and to remember that our daily interruptions and inconveniences are often divine appointments ! We love you, are so proud of you, and are praying over your continued GOOD work for the Lord! Keep loving God and loving people and the rest falls into place!! With love, Demetria and Matt Borges
I had dinner last week with your grandmother Lynn, my lifelong friend. We talked about your exciting adventure. She is so proud of you for following your heart to give of yourself and gain this invaluable life experience. I’m in awe of your courage in not taking the easy path to college. You will be a better and different person when you enter UNC in the fall. I hope you will soak up all the wonderful moments to learn, love and laugh. The memories will be with you forever! Enjoy!
–Patsy
Absolutely love hearing how God is teaching you and stretching you through this experience! Thank you for sharing these stories and moments with us… love.
Dailey,
I love reading about your updates & challenges. It really affirms how blessed we are in the states.
As you know, when we continue to praise God during our challenges, He produces a harvest.
Your special relationship with Him is providing so many opportunities & opening doors. His spirit is dwelling in you. Continue to do amazing things!
Betty Z
Hello Dailey,
Your Nana gave me your info. This is the first time I have written in a blog.
I am very impressed with what you are doing in your life. Please take care of yourself as you take care of others. We have been watching lots of basketball in the last few days. My grandson is a student manager with the VA Tech team. You two should meet.
Hope to meet you myself someday.
Peggy
Dailey, Loved reading your update! You are such an inspiration to all of us. You have definitely made an impact on our lives. We read about your stories and realize that we should be so grateful for what God has given us even as simple as watching the sunset. There are so many people who are not as fortunate as we are. When you experience the things you have seen, it puts everything in a different perspective. Dailey, you are doing God’s work & we are so proud of you! You are a very special, courageous person. Love! Nana & Grandpa