God vs. Jacó

For those of you who don’t know, I’m currently in Jaco, Costa Rica. We’ve been here for 16 days and have already learned, grown, seen and experienced so much. Good and not so good. Regardless of the “not so good” we have thoroughly enjoyed our time here so far. We’ve loved learning about the city and meeting the people that live here.  

 

Something that I have learned since being here is how emotionally affected I am by my surroundings. Jaco is a city known for lots of drugs, alcohol, prostitution and having a “good time”. It’s also a tourist trap. People come from all over to have a “good time” here in Jaco. As I’ve walked around Jaco over the last 16 days I have felt some deep emotions of sorrow, sadness and a sense of people feeling lost and brokenness. I can look at a place or person and pick up on those emotions very quickly. I didn’t realize it was affecting me so much until about day 5. It has been an interesting realization and process. 

 

These emotions from the environment overtook my thoughts for about 2 days. I was carrying the weight of all that sadness and it was really affecting me. I was so sad and didn’t even know why until God showed me. After the Lord graciously allowed me to realize this sadness wasn’t coming from myself and that there wasn’t anything “wrong with me,” it was easier to process. 

 

I prayed a lot for Jaco and the people that live here once I realize I was picking up on emotions around me. I was listening to a song called “Revivals In The Air” (by Bethel) while praying one day and the Lord spoken to me through that song, about Jaco! It was so cool and lifted my spirits big time. It brought me hope and joy for Jaco. It left me knowing that Gods hand is over this city in such a big way, even if the people don’t know it yet.

 

The lyrics go like this:

 

Oh I can feel redemption on the wind

Forgiveness like the tide rolling in

Taking up the space, where shame has lived

Receiving all, that you died to give

 

Let the wind blow

Let the tide roll

‘Til the earth knows 

You’re a God of love

 

Let my dry bones, sing a new song 

All the glory, to the God of love

 

Oh I can see a valley of dry bones

Rattling moving bone to bone

You breathe a breath of life into our lungs

Marching on our knees we March to love

 

Let the wind blow

Let the tide roll

‘Til the earth knows 

You’re a God of love

 

Let my dry bones, sing a new song 

All the glory, to the God of love

 

Revivals in the air

Oh catch it if you can

He’s moving on the wind

The dawn is breaking 

Oh lift your eyes to see

He’s better than you dreamed 

And everything you lost

Loves returning

 

What God told me through listening to this song is that He is bringing so much redemption, forgiveness and peace into Jaco. The people here might be shameful and sad but the Lord is going to fill those spaces in their lives with His love and goodness. You can feel God in the wind here. It blows through occasionally and man is it a treat (it’s super hot here). The tide rolls constantly and God is there. He’s rolling into Jaco through the ocean and it’s so special to see that. People come here for the beach and a “good time”. Regardless of what people actually want to be doing, most people find themselves at the beach at some point. Every time they’re there, they are spending time in the powerful presence of God. Everyone is always in a better mood after spending time at the beach. The ocean kind of reminds me of how good, intentional, powerful and wonderful God is. The waves are powerful but underneath the waves there is peacefulness.  I like to think of the tide rolling in as God gently kissing Jaco. Our father is so sweet and tender and He is going to redeem the lives her that need redeeming.

 

While we have been in Jaco we have done a lot of manual labor and painting, as well as partnering with the local church doing youth ministry and child care. One of the bigger projects we are doing at the moment is painting the city park. We are painting a very long mural that wraps around the park. It represents Costa Rica and all of the beauty that this country has to offer. It’s also a way to make Jaco more beautiful. We hope that this mural lets the people that live here know that they are valued and their city is cared for. Lots of local kids come to help us paint in the afternoon and it’s such a sweet time. Forming friendships with the locals here has been my favorite part of being in Jaco so far.

 

If you would like to be apart of all the Lord is doing here in Jaco there are a few things you could do to support me while I’m here. The first thing is prayer. Prayers that the Lord continues to move in this city and the people that live here. Also that He would continue to move in my life and everyone on my squad. The second thing you could do is subscribe to my blog by clicking the “subscribe for updates” button. This will send you an email every time I post a new blog so you can keep up with my journey. The 3rd thing you could do to be apart of this journey is supporting me financially. If this is something that you or someone you know might be interested in, I would be so grateful if you prayerfully consider it. I have exactly 1 month to hit my next fundraising deadline of $13,000. Right now I am $3,382 away from meeting that goal. If you have any questions please feel free to text, call or message me and I’d love to talk with you. My responses might be delayed but I will get back with you as soon as I can. Thank you for everyone’s support so far and for helping me get to this point! It really means a lot to me to have such an awesome support system. 

 

Love y’all,

 

Brianne