A night in Jacó, Costa Rica
~6:38 PM Wagz, Elizabeth Wagstaff – my teammate, and I were rushing back from the grocery store.
We were making a Nacho Bar dinner for 19 people and needed some final food items.
With our arms FULL of groceries, because, oops, we forgot our reusable bags!, we kept our speed walking pace back to the Ocean’s Edge ministry base. Jacó is a small beach town.
As we turned the corner off the main street, three Ticos, Costa Rican men, were standing by a large trashcan.
We quickly said ¡Hola! and kept walking.
Wagz looked back a couple times…
“I don’t have a good feeling about how those men were acting.”
“Okay, let’s go back.”
There was a fourth man lying on the ground by the dumpster. He was passed out from drinking all day. Wagz had seen one of the standing men put out his cigarette on the unconscious man’s pant leg.
I had a conversation with the men in Spanish…
Rachel — Hello! My name is Rachel. My friend saw you hurt his leg. Why did you do that? (Silence) All people need respect. Men, women, friends, people with alcohol as an enemy and problem.
Tico — He is just a drunk. He drinks alcohol all day.
R — All people need respect. Help me help your friend.
T — He isn’t my friend. Give me some of your food. I’m your friend. (The man said smirking and coming closer)
R — No
(I gave him a long look and pause)
R — You are not my friend. I can help you… (with a meal later and a Bible)
But the man who had put his cigarette out on the pant leg became embarrassed, grabbed his jacket and left.
Then I said to the two other men standing and watching…
Rachel — What are your names? … It’s nice to meet you. Can you please help me help this man?
Ticos — He is a drunk. He will be here tomorrow night.
R — I am only here for a few days, but you live here.
T — Okay, Good night.
The next day Wagz and I walked past the dumpster area. The man who was drinking wasn’t there. We prayed, sang worship songs, and on the walk back saw one of the men who was standing and watching riding his bike. When we called out his name with a smile and wave, he returned the greeting.
God helped me travel to the place of mercy and forgiveness.
Mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm
It was in my power to not extend compassion or forgiveness, in person and in my heart. And in that moment my bucket of love and compassion for the man with the cigarette and the men standing by watching was… empty.
The day after I realized my mind is capable of holding onto how the man acted, as if I could somehow punish or harm him from a distance.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Since the Lord’s love and mercies never come to an end but are new every morning for me, I want to extend that same mercy to everyone I meet. Family, friends, teammates, squadmates, ministry hosts, Uber drivers, and people on the street are all worthy to receive my mercy.
James 2:12-13 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
“Mercy triumphs over judgment! Prejudice fuels judgment… Jesus came to reveal the mercy of God. Mercy is the antidote for prejudice. Prejudice will limit the way you love. Mercy will express the way you love.”
January 22, 2019 Deon Vanstaden
A month before our meeting with the Costa Rican men, I had asked the Lord to teach me about mercy. God is so faithful to teach and lead us into more wisdom when we ask and submit to Him. Is there a question about faith, or an aspect of God you want to explore more? Ask God to show teach you about His mercy, compassion, faithfulness, provision… He desires to come alongside us and give wisdom.
{HUGS}
Rachel
I have exciting trip news to share with you!
This has been a year of trusting God to continue opening countries for us. We recently arrived in the Dominican Republic! Then we will be heading to Turkey (June 6th), and possibly Georgia or Uzbekistan (~July), Kyrgyzstan probably for 2 months (~August-September), potentially Nepal (~October), then returning to the states in November!
This route and countries may still change! Thank you for your prayers for open doors, readied hearts, and for my squad to live in humility and quick obedience to Holy Spirit!
