Last week, my sweet Holy Spirit filled teammate Jala which I call “Mackie” was walking in front of me. We were on the way home from the beach and headed back to our base. While we were walking, we heard the usual calls, comments, and noises from Jaco men as they see two White women walking through their town... Normally, my teammates and I ignore it and continue to focus on our destination and mission. 

However, last week, I didn’t ignore it because I couldn’t ignore it. Suddenly, I looked at Mackie and allowed her to pass in front of me, I gently touched her back to guide her onto the side walk instead of the road, and I kept looking around and behind Us to make sure we weren’t being followed.

I had a deep urge to protect Mackie. Whether that was to allow her to go first and I cover her back or to guide her to the sidewalk to get her out of the street, I wanted to protect her. 

Yet, this new feeling wasn’t just because my teammate and I received a cat call, it was because Jaco is a broken place. 

Prostitution, clubs, and parties run the streets while drugs and alcohol keep the business going in this stunningly beautiful town.

Why do I say all this? To make you feel sad for me or feel some sort of emotion besides jealousy when I mention the beautiful country of Costa Rica? 

No. I say this to share the reality that even in a beautiful place and country, This place still bleeds dark colors. 

However, my teammates and I offer something transformative, we offer the gift of the Holy Spirit and the invitation to life. 

In this life, we have a choice when faced with darkness. We can shove our way ahead, push our teammates back, and fearfully run forward to try and run our way out of any interaction with injustice or we can take the way and lifestyle of Jesus. Who not only stepped back, but stepped down into the dangerous places in this world.  

He walked slower and felt the brokenness before He fixed it, and He’s inviting us to do so as well. 

Walk slower. When injustice, brokenness, and pain collide with your paradise lifestyle and day, don’t push forward in pride or avoidance, but rather walk slower, bring community along, and walk together towards hope.

I can’t fix Jaco, I can’t instantly make all the brokenness be fixed but I continue to walk slowly and offer hope. My teammate Mackie does an amazing job at this. As we walk past individuals involved in prostitution, she will kindly say hello and even comment on the beauty of their eye color or the way their hair glows in her Costa Rica sun. She’s someone who I deeply love, admire, and am grateful to partner with. 

She’s someone who models what it looks like to walk slow, love boldly, and listen gracefully.