Hello from Jaco, Costa Rica! It has been officially a week since I’ve been here and I’m loving it! It is beautiful and wonderful to see the world through a brand new biblical lense because of my month and a half of training in Georgia! It’s incredible what you can see God doing if you look for it! I would love to fill you into some of the amazing things God is doing here!
For ministry about half of my squad (around 20 people) is working at a place where homeless people can spend the day! We provide them meals and are able to talk with them! Through my 4 years of Spanish in high school and prayers that God would bring the knowledge back, I have been able to have some conversations with not only the homeless people, but also the other volunteers and locals! Their stories and testimonies have been such a beautiful reminder of God’s grace and faithfulness! In this program if the participants can stay sober for 3 days then the company will send them to a rehab facility in San Jose. As I talked to one of the men who was about to leave for San Jose, it was amazing to see him talk about how hard the past 3 days had been and how he reconciled with Christ and had to rely on the Lord for his strength to stay sober.
Another testament to God’s faithfulness is how He has been able to answer my prayers both big and small. One day the people on my squad were talking about how at the beach they saw macaws (the big red parrots). Since I missed seeing them, on my walk home I prayed to God saying, “I want to see one, I want to see a big red bird.” After my prayer I looked over and saw a field of chickens and I laughed. Not exactly what I was looking for but a red bird nonetheless. However, the next day on my walk home from the church, I looked into the sky and saw 4 big red macaws flying over me in the sky! And just after that I saw an iguana about a foot away from me! This just goes to show how God is so willing to answer my prayers and He will even answer them in an overflow! Thanks God!
More stories to come, God willing! Thank you for all the prayers and support! I am so grateful!
I love hearing your stories about the joy this adventure is bringing to you.
Thank you for sharing! Love you!??
What a great update!
Oh, Kenz! I love your sense of humor and I can hear you laughing! I admire your pure faith in God! Love to hear your stories! We love you. Thank you for the pic of you and the huge pineapples (that I think you gave away, right?)
Grammy & Granddad McCollough
So good to hear about your world! Sending hugs & love!
Oh sweet girl!! I laughed!!! I have definitely found God has a wonderful sense of humor!! Praying for you daily, excited to hear all of your journey!
Love you!
I love it! Keep sharing your stories with us! And keep looking for more answered prayers!
Oh sweet Mackenzie, such a wonderful blog, I can hear your joy in serving God and how he is working in all ways we didn’t even imagine. Such a blessing to hear about answered prayers. I love you and am proud of you. You bring joy to my heart. Grandma GG
Dear Mackenzie,
Loved the message you shared…can just picture the chickens, macaws & the iguana! Your faith, your spirit & your heart all make me smile!
I look forward to continuing to follow your amazing journey!
Love & hugs,
Grammy Penny
Dear Mackenzie,
Looks like you are having an amazing time and blessing those you encounter! Love hearing about your experiences.
Take care!
Linda and Stan
We enjoy every blog, text, message and chat with you and love hearing about how God is working in your life! Your pure joy is contagious!! We love you so much, sweetie!!!
Love,
Mom and Dad
Love ya more than life Kenz, miss you everyday! I measure your growth, call by call, and love how God is leading you!! Say hi to Gus for me 😉
So great to hear your stories and the way God is working in and through you! So many beautiful sights to see in Costa Rica. It’s truly a place that easily reminds you of how amazing Gods creation really is. No doubt there are many more blessings coming your way!! Un Abrazote Mackenzie!!
I can hear the delight in your words. I love how expectant you are for the Lord. I asked to see a rhino on safari and we saw 12! God loves to bless us with sweet surprises.
Hey!!! So happy to read your updates! Keep them coming as you’re able to! Continue praying for you and the squad!
How blessed we are to have you share this experience with us all. You are doing His work and may I say doing it well. We miss you and pray for continued success in your ministry and travels.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us! You are a blessing and you are being blessed in the work you are doing! Joy and peace to you, Mackenzie!
So proud of you as I am sure your family and Grandparents are??
I love reading your blog and hearing about all of your adventures. Your growth in Christ is so great to watch. You are an amazing person and I’m happy to be related to you.
AH! I’m just getting to read this post, Mackenzie. God really is e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e… if you look for Him. Thanks for having eyes to see and a heart to share how God is present with you in Costa Rica. Even in something seemingly small like the macaws flying over you (and not only one, but FOUR :)). God is capable of abundantly MORE than we could ever ask or imagine.
Hi, from your SP friends! Glad to hear that you are thriving in CR. Using your Spanish in your work must give you a deeper experience with the culture, leads like you are just observing. Glad you are noticing God’s work all around you. xo