Divine Appointments in Costa Rica!

Never miss out on the divine appointments God has for you. 

“Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.” -Psalm 25:4

As I look back on our time here in Jaco, I see that the Lord did so much in and through our squad over the last month and a half:

• We helped renovate parks and clean up the beach.
• We partnered with the children and youth of Jaco in painting a HUGE (and super rad) mural at the city park.
• We  created a flash mob dance and music video for the Jaco youth.
• We served at Horizon Church through children’s ministry, youth ministry, worship, babysitting, business as ministry, and church marketing.
• We volunteered (and got our hands dirty) at the Jaco Recycling Center.
• We helped members within the community with home moves, renovations, and construction projects.
• We put on a women’s retreat for the women on our squad and our sister squad called Beauty for Ashes.
• And (my personal favorite):

We got to know the people of Jaco and love them.

Each day, I would make it a goal to learn the names of each person serving me:

Idania, Oscar, Byron, and Damíen at Bohio Cafe; Karen and Rosy at the boutique next door; Joel and José at the beach surf school; Sigry at the other boutique; Andreé at the ceviche restaurant; Roberto at the ice cream shop; and Cindy at Taco Grill.

How blessed I am that I had the opportunity to know each of these people and love them!  Each day, I woke up excited to see my friends, new and old, while never wanting to miss out on any new “divine appointments” the Lord had in store for me.

Every day, I encourage you to do this:

1. Ask the Lord to show you the divine appointments he has for you.

2. Be interruptable.

3. Be friendly! Say hi to all people and greet them with warmth and love! 

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” -Isaiah 55:12

4. Ask for people’s names.  Every server, every coffee shop barista, every store clerk – ask the person for his or her name.  (You’ll be surprised how impactful this is.)  Think about it: you’re acknowledging them on a personal level beyond service at this point; you’re creating deeper intimacy. 

5. Remember their names (or try to).  Next time you see your new friend, you’ll be able to greet her with a friendly, “Hey María!”  

   Pro Tip: If you don’t remember someone’s name, just ask!  It’s okay to ask for people names again!  They oftentimes might’ve forgotten yours too, and your asking for their name invites a safe space for that person to ask for your name back!

6. Be willing to go deeper into friendship and ask the Lord how he wants to use this new relationship for His Glory.

7. Be bold in sharing God’s love and your own testimony.  Rely on Holy Spirit for the opportunities for these discussions and for all the words to say. 

   When I ask Holy Spirit for the words, He willingly and abundantly takes over.

Never miss out on a divine appointment Jesus has specially ordained for you.  You never know how much you might bless someone just by saying hello. 

You might be the only person that is kind to them all day. 

You might be the only ounce of Jesus they ever know in his/her entire lifetime.  

“Take advantage of every opportunity because these are evil times.” -Ephesians 5:16

Rejoice always in the Lord so that people might see your divine, radiant joy and come to know Jesus through your kindness and heart for God.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; Again, I say rejoice!” –

Philippians 4:4