Although still on US assignment this year, in February I was blessed to go back to Costa Rica to host the American Baptist Women's Ministry Tour to Nicaragua and Costa Rica. After meeting this amazing cross-section of women leaders who serve nationally, regionally, state-wide and locally, I introduced them to my Costa Rican friends and colleagues who are responding to real life with real faith. 

Real life in Costa Rica includes many of the same challenges present in the US: unemployment, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, illegal immigration, labor exploitation, and racial intolerance to name just a few.  Though many aren't proud of it, sexual tourism, commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking are also part of the Costa Rican reality. But before we get too smug, we need to admit that they are a very real part of the US reality as well. Reality hit home when we saw so many of the sexual tourists in the upscale red-light district known as "Gringo Gulch" who looked as if they could be one's cousin, brother or spouse.  It is often when we travel a distance that we learn the most about what is closest to us. 

For many on the trip, growth happened once they left their comfort zones and survived. They were stretched to go to places they'd only heard of or read about before. Though many red-light districts and "seedy" areas exist in US cities and towns, these good church folk don't often frequent them.  Together with a group of good Costa Rican church folk, they braved this uncharted territory together, hands held by those with whom they couldn't even hold a conversation.  Growth happened in the intense grieving of innocence lost and God-given dignity defiled as we witnessed slavery in the form of entertainment. Growth happened as well when we shared life and lunch at the Rahab Foundation with 15 women, many of whom are still active in the sex trade. We learned their names, heard their stories and began to see them not as "prostitutes" but as people precious and loved, daughters of God.

Grace happened throughout the week in beautiful sunsets, flora and fauna that took our breathe away, laughter, quiet conversations, impromptu metaphorical faith reflections, a choking incident successfully intervened, spontaneous beach dancing and wave frolicking, relational tensions honestly resolved, adventure walks, an accompanied hospital visit, a translation tragedy turned teachable opportunity, friendships formed beyond language barriers, candles created, children hugged and outsiders valued. 

When these 13 ABW ladies went back to their many and varied home locations they took with them more than memories, they took back changed lives. Changed to see their own neighborhoods with new eyes. Changed to live life differently, to pay attention to the glimpses of grace all around them. Changed to share their own stories and the stories of their new friends. Friends whose lives and language are different, yet whose hopes and dreams are very much the same. With similar struggles of wanting to see God's best for their families and loved ones, they now work together as partners with God and each other to live in grace.

Thank you for the awesome privilege of being a part of God's amazing grace in Costa Rica. Because of your prayers, partnership and support, people are coming to know grace, growing in grace and being changed into grace givers. 

Grace and peace,

Mylinda