Paige Kepes, Missionary

As you might have heard 24 students, 6 adults,and Father Jay recently traveled as missionaries to Costa Rica. We traveled with an organization called Soles4Souls, which helps provide footwear and jobs to communities in need. Costa Rica is a country in Central America that suffers from economic poverty. Before we left for Costa Rica we expected to help and give to the Costa Rican community, however we received way more than we could have ever imagined sharing. There are no words that could ever express the love, joy, and contentment I have gained through this mind blowing experience. 
         
While in Costa Rica I learned to love in a way that I never realized possible. One night during a large group conversation we talked about what this bible verse means, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matt 22:29) While there are countless interpretations, I take it as we must have love everyone whether its easy or difficult. As humans we naturally judge people before we have even spoken to them. This is human nature, however to live in the light of Jesus we must decide to be kind and show love to everybody and anybody no matter what our initial judgment is. The words ‘neighbor’ and ‘thyself’ stick out to me. As ourselves we know what has happened to us and what hardships we have faced, but we have no way of guessing what someone has gone through without showing enough love for them to share and open up. 
         
The joy I got to see and experienced while in Costa Rica was unquestionable. The kids we met had such open hearts that they shared their joy with us, complete strangers, who didn't even speak their language. At a preschool we visited I got to hang out with a little boy who had so much laughter and energy it was contagious and impossible to not enjoy being around. As I mentioned earlier, we left thinking we were going to be giving shoes, but it was way more than just shoes. We got to form real relationships, that were not tainted by society's expectations or pressure. These relationships were easy to build because of the joy the people we met shared with us. 
         
Before experiencing the Costa Rica way of life, I was always rushing thinking “what happens next” or looking forward to something else. While in Costa Rica I discovered a true contentment that comes with patience.  When I took a minute to appreciate where I was, I started to realize every moment, no matter how small, has value and beauty. I found true contentment in being and focusing on what I was doing while not worry about what I was going to  do next. 

I cannot just call this a trip because it is way more than that. It's not only 6 days spent in a forign country with a group of random people. It is the starting point for a new approach to life. The memories that were made will easily be remembered forever, but it’s that feeling we experienced that will take work to hold onto. After arriving back I hope to be able to share the unquestionable love, joy and contentment our group felt and was privileged to experience while in Costa Rica.                      
 
Thank You For Your Prayers and Support
Sincerely,
—Paige Kepes, Missionary