We met this amazing woman named Carmen who has an organization that helps the poor in Alajuela, and tonight I just got home from helping. It is 1:00 a.m.. We left at 5:30 and went straight to the church until 8:00 to pray and worship. It was a Catholic church, but it didn't seem like it to me because everyone was dancing and singing; there weren't as many rituals as I've seen in the U.S., and it didn't feel as formal. At the church, I met a beautiful little girl who was one of the children she helps. We were instantly attached, and I spent the rest of the evening with her by my side. We left the church together (there was a huge group about 50 people) on a bus that went to four different cities to pass out food to the people and try to bring them joy by singing and dancing. We had to wear a red shirt of the organization to help us be safe and stay in our group. When we arrived in the middle of the first city, we got out to pray and started the music. We danced and sang as we passed out food. It was like a party in the street; not a really sad or scary thing that I was anticipating. However, then we went to another place. It was a very small building, and there were over a hundred children waiting for us there when we arrived at about 10 p.m. at night. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. As I walked in I saw a boy, and I was in shock because it was real life. He was wearing such ragged clothes, as I approached him a I smelt a horrible stench , and I could see he was starving in a way I had only seen on those depressing African t.v. commercials for Save the Children. But this was real life. After a minute of shock, Jesus both broke my heart for him and opened my heart to him. He was so excited to meet me and have me there. We played games with him and about eight other kids. I was also able to pray with them, sing songs, and serve them food. They were so excited to eat, and many of them hadn't eaten in days. We made another smaller stop in the city, and finally a last stop at about midnight. Cockroaches scrambled the streets, stray dogs dug through the trash, and I saw quite a few people sleeping on the streets under a cardboard or sheet. We walked around in our large group for safety passing out food and drinks....
Many people don't understand why others go to another country to help when their own country needs help. I want to get one thing straight, the thing about tonight is I really didn't help the people here all of that much-- they helped me. To see people have such open hearts toward a stranger and to see people be so joyful and love Jesus so much when they hardly have anything is amazing. To see others give up their WHOLE evening and go help strangers after an exhausting day of work on a weekly basis.....to see others trust in God so much that they don't have doubts or fears... COSTA RICA IS HELPING ME WAY MORE THAN I AM HELPING COSTA RICA. I hope to be able to give back in some way, and I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to do that yet. The organization, their church, Carmen, and many others we have met here are making a hugeeee difference in the lives of these people and are so inspiring to me! I am so excited to get to know them more and work with them more.
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