Doors – Shiroles, Costa Rica

by Karis Heinze, EM Summer Staff in Costa Rica
Karis was a part of the Costa Rica Immersion team that traveled to Coroma, Costa Rica, last summer. This summer she is helping facilitate short-term mission trips in Shiroles.

Costa Rica has captured me all over again.

It's funny how God has this way of bringing you back to things you thought you were leaving behind forever. Last summer, I traveled home feeling torn between two different worlds. I missed home—my friends, my family, my bed—but I also ached at the thought of never being able to return to beautiful Talamanca—its mountains, the cool rain, the smell of cooking meals over the fógon.

I went back to Arkansas and eased back into my normal routine. As graduation crept closer and closer, I felt pressure to start "growing up" and make "grown up decisions." What do I do with my life? Where do I go now? I had no clue where to even begin.

In this strange process of growing up, I felt like I was wandering through an endless corridor of doors, peeking behind each one. Each door was a venue, an outlet, an opportunity to move forward in life. While praying and waiting, none of these doors ever stayed open. Some would be cracked for just long enough to let me see into it, but then pull itself shut again.

After a while, it became very discouraging going to all these doors that never opened. I began to feel hopeless and alone in this strange season of life. Even while all these doors were opening and shutting all around me, there was one constant source of security. God assured me, gave me glimpses into how He was shaping me throughout the whole process.

A year after going to Costa Rica, I've found myself returning. It's no coincidence, either. Sometimes God makes us wait things out so we can fully appreciate what He is bringing to us. I'm falling in love with this culture all over again. I love the sunsets, Victor's sense of humor, Sara's kind heart, and the hope they all have because of God.

This past week and a half has been an adjusting period. I had gotten used to being American again, forgetting how to live simply and find joy in small things. I would become terribly homesick and frustrated with myself when I failed to communicate in Spanish.

There was one night I came home after a long day of working at the church and sat on the floor of Victor and Sara's kitchen, my summer hosts. My heart was hurting, missing home. It was settling in how far I was from all the comforts of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

"How are you feeling?" Victor asked me.
"I'm fine," I lied.
"How are you really feeling?"

They knew. They could see right through me. The encouragement that came from the following conversation is one that has made the struggle of missing home and stumbling through Spanish so worth it.

Sara and Victor made me a part of their family the moment I walked in the door of their pink house. While I fought back homesick tears, they told me how much they cared for me. Any part of me that wanted to give up and go home melted immediately when Sara hugged me that night and told me not to be sad. They truly are the most generous, kind people I have ever encountered. They work ceaselessly, even when it means waking up at ridiculous hours or going to bed super late. Every time Sara lights a fire to cook over or Victor hammers a nail into La Iglesia Minonita de Shiroles [the church EM teams are helping build], they do it with a love that reflects Christ.

Last Sunday, we sang a song in church that had a line that has penetrated my heart:
"Yo nunca me rendiraré. Hasta que Cristo viene, yo camino con Él."
"It means: "I will never give up. Until Christ comes, I walk with Him."

The love Victor and Sara have for their community, for the people they work with, for God, has made everything different. I know that this summer will be challenging, but it will be amazing. After hearing pieces of their stories and the vision behind their church, I am so incredibly honored to be working with them this summer. To be even a small part of their lives for a couple months is a door that God opened and let me walk through. And words will never be enough to describe how humbling it is to be here now.

You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.

View Small Team Trips

For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.