Wow 3 weeks in Jaco, Costa Rica and I’m on my 3rd park cleanup. To be completely honest the work we’re doing isn’t exactly what I expected. But looking back, God has brought a lot of self revelation through the work. 

At the first park I realized that we all have weeds inside of us that need to be pulled. Some are shallow and are easy to pull while others have been really deeply rooted in lies that we have to uproot in our lives. The deep ones take a lot of time, effort and community to help uproot but in the end it’s worth the hard work. I’m currently still working through the uprooting process but the self awareness is there so baby steps. 

The second park taught me A LOT (another post coming for more self revelation (this park is the Central Park of Jaco. We scrubbed a very very large wall clean and are now in the process of painting a mural with the help of the community)). The main thing though is the fact that God has had us use broken brooms/brushes, smelly paint, simple water and hard labor to make a wall new again. It’s showing me that it’s kinda what God is doing in my life and the lives around me. He’s using broken and simple people to bring life, healing and beauty to those around us. I’m learning that I don’t have to be put together or altogether healed for Him to use me, I just have to make myself available. Available to get messy. Available to do the hard or mundane work. Available to be interruptible to say yes to what He has me planned to do. To trade my “good” plans for His ultimate best plans. 

I’ve only been at this new park for one day and honestly it’s been my favorite ministry day so far. I’m realizing (metaphorically speaking) that sometimes God is cleaning the park in us so that others can come and enjoy what we have to offer. Whether it’s to find fun, life, childlike faith, freedom, community, or love.... we all have something to offer to the world around us. 

Thank you to everyone who has been praying and supporting me!

McKayla