Maria's Birthday!

I am sitting here trying to reflect over the past month... I've been a poor blogger. But hey- now the summer is almost over, the last of the mission teams have come and gone, and now it's time to do just that: reflect. May He receive all Glory!

Right after the fourth of July, we had a celebration for one of our friends Maria! She was turning the big 3-0! Sarah and Daniel have known her for most of the time they've lived in Jaco. Maria used to clean the house for the Barretts. Her and Lester (her husband) both gave their lives to the Lord here at Sarah and Daniel's kitchen table- so she has a special place in Sarah's heart.

What a beautiful lady indeed! I had the privilege to talk with her a few times since being here and have learned so much about her life. I respect her greatly. She has grown up with a lot of pain and suffering, and even though she has only being walking with the Lord for a short time, she radiates His beauty and joy- especially in such a dark city!

Sarah really wanted to do something special for her, so one day we were thinking and then it came! Light Bulb went off: Surprise Party! Booyah! So we went to work. Sarah secretly invited her closest friends and I helped with decorating :D Some of the ladies that cooked for the first mission team came over again and fixed a traditional Nicaraguan dish (Tacos, but fried-- sooo yummy! AND I got to make my first corn tortilla! woo)

It has been one of my favorite nights by far. I think Daniel and I were the only people who could not speak fluent spanish in the house the whole night. It was so great watching friends be friends. So much laughter and smiles and great food! haha! Here are some pictures:

Maria making her wishes....

That's right, the finished product: Yumm!

All the girls, plus Jacobito! hehe

The Pre-Party, getting the shhh "surprise dinner" ready!

It was a fiesta!

You know, people think that going to another country is a grand thing...especially when it is in the name of some cause. This night showed me so much more about my tiny, inferior ways of thinking. I saw that we are all people. We are all made in the image of Jesus Christ... and the longing of our hearts are still the same- regardless of our nationality. We all long to be Loved, by the One who Authored Love. We all have a need to be filled, one that only Jesus Christ Himself can do. It was such a beautiful picture of what community in God's global church looks like. Whether I'm at the beach in Jaco, Costa Rica, or the blistering hot city of Columbia, South Carolina, or the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina-- my heart and people's hearts can be connected in the same way... we can all be connected by the One who made us. Sometimes it just takes us looking for His image on those that are 'different'.

Happy Birthday Maria... thanks for showing me that Love.