This year, God has been leading me not just to love Him as a daughter, but to learn how to operate as part of Him within the big C Church.
Being relatively new to the Ride Nature community, I had only just begun to tap into the uniqueness of bringing together people who love Jesus and action sports, but I was excited to dive deeper into it. The girls were so open about their faith, speaking with such confidence about it, and acting with such intention when putting it into practice. It's a special space to connect so easily on surfing and so deeply because of Jesus.
Going on this trip, I wasn't sure what to expect, but nothing can be that bad when the math is Jesus + girls trip + surfing.
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However, my flight schedule had a bit of an issue, so I was rerouted to San Jose. This meant missing the pickup from Liberia Airport and the first night with the team, but fret not - God had a plan. Because of this, Jacqui (team leader) connected me with a couple who'd just moved back from being missionaries at Ride's Nica HQ and now live in San Jose. They picked me up at midnight from the airport and dropped me back off at 5 am for my teeny tiny, beautiful view, but kinda scary, domestic flight. This couple gave me a bed, provided food for me, and prayed over me - they were so generous to me; I was wrecked by their kindness. I was a complete stranger to them, and they showed up so huge, not because of anything except for being totally in love with Jesus, which was very apparent and inspiring. I left their home encouraged, honored, and challenged in my own walk with Jesus. These events set the tone for our trip to Nosara. God first, me last is the fullest way to live life, and the more I operate in this mindset, the more the people around me can be blessed by it also. And how precious it is to be around people who are active in it.
The only thing connecting me and this couple in the heart of San Jose is our shared love for Jesus. That's wild!
When I finally arrived in Nosara, we got in a quick surf and then hit the ground running, hosting a camp. It was such a privilege to help create a space where girls could get their feet wet and learn to surf. And to do it alongside this Ride community was awesome.
The families were also a fun and dynamic group. The parents were excited and blessed that their girls got to attend a two-day surf camp. A dad, stoked out of his mind, that his girls were surfing, a mom on the verge of tears, grateful to get her daughter to camp, and other parents inspired and reminded that there is a God watching over them.
In the past, I had never paid attention to the importance of encouraging the local Christian community, but on this trip, I noticed it. Supporting the local church, where people can grow and be encouraged in their faith, is not something to be overlooked. One of the moms told us, "If you want to see your nation saved, do missions in Nosara; it's mostly Americans coming in search of a spiritual something here." Nosara's big on soul searching, and, amazingly, we got to partner with a healthy church ready to welcome them and share the love of Jesus.
We had the opportunity to put on a women's night with the church and also visit a couple of women's homes to pray for and encourage them.
Walking into one house felt exceptionally special. The woman who lived there had a blood clot in her foot and wasn't mobile. When I heard her story, God put it on my heart to wash her feet, and a burning sensation in my stomach prompted me to be obedient.
Kneeling down with the first splash of water, the Holy Spirit fell - tears, prayers, and singing filled the room. We were all wrecked.
To have the chance to follow Jesus, page by page, was surreal. "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." It was so cool to have the opportunity to take him up on it, and it was heartwarming to see how touched and encouraged she was, as well as the rest of us.
Coming from the quiet Utah mountains into Costa Rica, the noisy landscape and creatures were very apparent. And I began to think about how God uses creation to reveal what He calls us to. We're called to be still, quiet, and know God fights for us and is in control, much like the mountains show me. We're also called to praise the Lord at all times, which the jungle of Costa Rica was doing.
Creation did not cease to give Him praise the entire time.
God truly showed me a new beauty in community while I was there. Hanging out with some of the local girls and team members who are passionate about Jesus and love surfing brought something back to life in me. I left Nosara feeling so seen and so encouraged to keep God the center of it all. The world is constantly battling us and nagging with its "did God really say?" but I left Nosara more confident than ever that God is good, He has a plan, and we are blessed when we live together in unity! For this, I am eternally grateful.
