Rain

On Thursday, we did an ATL, an Ask the Lord exercise, where after a session of prayer, we write down any thoughts or draw any pictures that God puts on our hearts, things that he wants us to look for, and then with those things in mind, we step out in faith letting God lead us to the people we should meet.

We prayed, asking for God to reveal what He wanted us to look for during our two hours out. After while, the fruit of our prayer session lay before us: a fire hydrant, an umbrella, a woman with a long dark ponytail holding an umbrella and wearing high heels, a car crash with people talking, a boy standing holding a book over his head, the group standing underneath a shelter chatting with someone, and the phrase ¨The bus is coming".

All while this happened, the rain outside continued, growing heavier and heavier. But even that would not stop us.

Praying for God to guide our steps and our lips, we stepped out into the downpour. Within minutes any part of us not covered by a raincoat was soaked through. Nonplussed,  we pushed forward, thrumming with excitement and warmed by passion for what God would have us do.

Within minutes, we began to see possible interpretations for the things written down. Our first stop was next to a fire hydrant. We helped clean out the leaves blocking the gutter, exchanged smiles, and thanks, and walked on. 

Across the street, a woman with a long dark ponytail, an umbrella, and high heels scurried toward the bus stop. Our conversation lasted only a couple of minutes and I'm sure she thought we were all strange but on we went.

On the next street we met a woman sweeping cockroaches off her front walk into the sewer. We stopped and asked if she needed any help.

She asked us where we were from and what we were doing in Costa Rica. We told her that we were missionaries and that we wanted to help. After praying for her husband and her, we continued on. At the next corner, we prayed again, not only for the things that we wrote on the paper but that God would open our eyes up to more.

It´s not two minutes from that prayer that we all stop at the fire station. From inside the gate, our marvelling is noticed and a man gestured for us to come in the station from the other side. Surprised by his welcoming attitude and excited for a new opportunity, we walked through the other side of the station.

The man, smiling widely, led us around the fire engine, pulling out equipment and letting us fiddle with it. He let Mike try on the official uniform: a heavy coat, pants, boots, oxygen tank and mask, and a helmet with a shield. He showed us the workings of the fire engine, the hose and where the water comes out. We got to climb into the fire truck, put on the flashing lights, and ring the siren. 

He only spoke a little English and the rest of us only a little Spanish, but it was if the language barrier didn't exist. For the next forty minutes, he let us ask questions about his life, his dreams, his beliefs, his passions, and his job.

We found that we were in a similar business: saving lives. His might be the physical bit and ours the spiritual bit but it was with these commonalities that the conversation continued.

He led us on a tour of the station and the rest of us tried on the fireman's kit. As time whittled down, we asked to pray for him and his team. We laid our hands on him and did. Having had such a great time, we were a bit reluctant to leave, but we walked on to the exit anyway.

¨Good luck in Panama,¨he said, smile wide, walking us out of the gate.

As we left, he handed us a chocolate bar, one given to him just moments before from one of his team mates. Even, I, a person who doesnt like chocolate but feeling blessed by his generosity, ate a square. I can honestly say, hands down, best chocolate I´ve ever tasted.

My team couldn't stop smiling and even more couldn't wait to get back to our hostel and tell everyone else what had happened. 

Walking out in faith, I learned a lot. Opportunities for new relationships and interesting conversations are everywhere. You don't need to be extraordinary for the extraordinary to happen.

More than even that: God speaks and if we stopped our jabbering long enough to listen, we can hear. We don't need anything but a heart willing to love. He wants us to lead great lives and is willing to guide us if we have faith enough to take his hand.