Hello!

Semana Santa was March 29-April 4, 2021. This is a special Holy Week leading up to Easter! Scroll to the end for a week in review video!

Monday: Sabbath, a day specifically for Resting, Refilling, and Recognizing Jesus as Lord. In the afternoon we went adventuring in Costa Rica's mountains!

COSTA RICA

My squadmates laughed and agreed with this physical lettering idea!

Tuesday & Wednesday: Preparing for the children's events this week! I was part of the Beauty for Ashes team facilitating two children's events this week! Mary, Wagz, Jenna, Jackie, Victoria, and I came together to plan and put on special events for the community!

Thursday: Children's Camp, one day VBS at Horizon Church. 47 children came!

Friday: Family Fun Day in the park, Good Friday Service (I watched and played with sweet little ones!)

Planks and Yoga: necessary warm-ups before watching energetic little ones!

Saturday: Praying as a Squad We were taking this week for intentional prayer and fasting. I didn't take pictures or videos on Saturday. Our squad leadership set aside this day as a time to connect with God and each other.

Sunday: Easter at Horizon! Then squad dinner at an Indian restaurant!

Night Ministry: This week our host set aside 4-10pm as ministry on the streets. Many people throughout Costa Rica come to Jaco on vacation for Semana Santa. Other people travel to Jaco for Spring break or a quick trip before rainy season (Hello, thunder and mosquitoes!). 

Squadmates were stationed on a rooftop interceding and covering groups in prayer. Groups of three would walk on the streets and pray for opportunities to share the hope and truth of Jesus! It was amazing praying with people, having conversations about Jesus, and inviting them to the family events. Many friendships were made and have continued to develop from the nights with intentional walking and praying. 

One story! On Thursday evening I returned to the interceding building midway through feeling rather depleted. Friends on the rooftop prayed over me and encouraged me to speak out the identity of who God is and who I am in Christ. Filling up on TRUTH I continued praying then felt Holy Spirit's nudge to go stand on the nearby street corner. We went down and immediately multiple families began walking by, including a large group of 30 kids and parents! God gave me the Spanish words for inviting families, answering questions, and sharing about Jesus! 

Hannah, our ministry host, said we are creating a new atmosphere in Jaco. We are rebranding the city as a place of light by painting the murals, creating family safe events, and showing the love and peace that come from Jesus.

{HUGS}

Rachel