-
When people tell you what to expect from a mission trip, they probably tell you about serving God, sharing your faith, making a difference, and changing lives. What they might not tell you is how greatly your own life will be impacted by this trip. The Costa Rica mission trip was truly a life-changing experience and I will never forget the people we met, the stories we heard, the memories we made, or the love we felt.
I remember the day I was selected to go on this trip. I was sitting at lunch when I got the email. I couldn’t contain my excitement, and I wanted to tell everyone about how in a few months, I would be going to Costa Rica on a mission trip. I remember seeing the list of people going on the trip and not realizing that those strangers would become family… that they would teach me that home isn’t always a place. Sometimes home is a group of teenagers who share a love of God and serving others, who jump with the speed bumps, know every word to “Kiss Me Thru the Phone,” get matching souvenirs, lean on each other at the end of a long day, almost get kicked off a plane, stay up until midnight braiding each other’s hair, rock the vans back and forth, and always hug each other during the sign of peace. I wouldn’t have wanted to experience this unforgettable adventure with anyone else.
The most bittersweet thing about this trip was meeting people and bonding with them, but having to deal with the fact that you may never see them again. Within ten minutes of meeting our partners, like John, Jill, Emerson, Erick, Elena, Taylor, and Maria-Elena, it felt like we’d known them our whole lives. They made an impact on all of us and formed close bonds with us in such a short time. They laughed, cried, and sang with us. Their stories and their smiles are absolutely unforgettable. Saying goodbye to them on the last night was heartbreaking.
Before our first shoe distribution, I was nervous about the language barrier. I know a solid ten Spanish words, so I thought it would be difficult for me to communicate and bond with the kids. I quickly discovered the power of a genuine smile. Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when we gave them new shoes, played games with them, or tried to talk to them was so meaningful and heartwarming. At our first distribution, my friend and I were fitting shoes, and we were having trouble finding a pair that fit this one girl. She said her favorite color was pink, and her face lit up when we found a pair of light pink sneakers that fit her perfectly. At that distribution, we also met a boy named Daniel. One of our missionaries brought Rainbow Loom bracelets for the kids, and Daniel took a bunch of them and then gave them out to the missionaries. That act of selflessness meant so much to all of us, and I still haven’t taken off the bracelet he gave me. At our last distribution, which was at a preschool, I was at the coloring station. There was a little girl who said she wanted to color with me. She sat next to me, and I helped her pick out what crayons to use in her Disney princess coloring book. Her name was Valentina, and I ended up being her partner later on. We ran through the field together and tried to throw our beach ball as high as we could. Even though I couldn’t really talk to the kids we met, I was still able to form bonds with them. I wish we could have spent more time with them and helped them more. The most important part of the distributions wasn’t giving out shoes; it was giving love.
Now that I’m home from Costa Rica, I realize all the privileges we have and the things we take for granted. I felt guilty coming home to a house with air conditioning, food in the fridge, safe water to drink, a comfortable bed, and a car in the garage. I want to thank our parish for giving me this amazing opportunity, and I’d also like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this whole experience. Without your generosity, funding, and prayers, this trip wouldn’t have been possible. This mission trip changed my life, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
—Michaela Golik, Missionary