The Mountains Melt Like Wax When the Lord is Near....

I woke up this past Thursday morning still reeling at the last two days in La Cruz and thought, "This is my life." I felt somewhat overwhelmed and intimidated at all that lay in front of me now. The Lord reminded me of Psalms 97 and how mountains melt like wax before Him. I smiled to myself, that's right after all, I saw government officials hearts melt like wax. Susannah and I headed out Tuesday morning on the 4am bus to La Cruz, Guanacaste. It was the roughest bus ride, packed out to standing room only, thankfully we had seats together. There was very little space for our legs, let alone our backpacks. The bus was not direct, so we knew we were in for a long, rough ride. However, our hearts were so full of God and anticipation as to what possibilities were in store for us, we just laughed.

We spent the ride praying and sharing what each of us had felt the day before in prayer. We read scripture to encourage us and keep us focused. We arrived into the humble and friendly little town of La Cruz and my friend Jackie was there to pick us up. We then hit the ground at what felt like lighting speed to meet with the pastor and help where needed. The pastor didn't need us yet so we decided to go with Jackie to the border and she would show us around and we could see where the kids are and what a typical day at the border is like. The Costa Rica/Nicaraguan border was not a new experience for me but it was for Susannah. I enjoyed watching her eyes widen in shock/surprise at the chaos because I know I had that exact same expression in July when I traveled across!

Jackie had many connections and we followed her around trying our best to keep up. First stop was a friend of hers who happens to be the head of all of immigration for Costa Rica. She introduced us to this kind lady and explained why she was showing us around. The lady raised her eyebrows, told us we were very brave girls. She then proceeded to give us information and tips. We thanked her and as we were turning to leave, she stopped us and gave her phone number. She said that no one ever cared to work with the children at the border in the way we did and that if we ever needed anything or ran into trouble to call her; we had her full support. We were surprised and very grateful. This was just the tip of favor that was ahead of us that day.

It just so happen that on this particular morning, everyone who was anyone was there at the border. By the end of the day we had met the Chief of Police, the House Minister, the head of Customs and the head of the community who was also a doctor. Each one had the same reaction and response as the lady over immigration. All saying thank you for wanting to help, no one ever wants to work with these kids, it is dangerous but they would give us police protection and full rights to roam the border and work with the children. Jackie looked at us at one point and said, "Girls, this is amazing, these people are never available to talk!" she also said it was amazing we had such support from them and favor.

Next stop, walk across the border and talk with Nicaragua. We marched right across and were waved on because we had been with such important people, they did not need to see our passports. I was barely able to take this all in and all Susannah and I could do was laugh in amazement at our day thus far! We were able to get the same responses from them and their advice and information.


We were asked by the House Minister and also by the head of Customs to attend a meeting the following morning where all the important country officials would be gathering to discuss issues on the borders of Costa Rica. Susannah and I agreed but were a little freaked out and overwhelmed. However neither of us were backing down. We returned to the church in La Cruz where fourteen pastors in the surrounding regions of Nicaragua and Costa Rica were meeting. We told them all we had learned and the permission granted us. You can imagine their excitement and amazement.

We gathered that evening with members from the the church in La Cruz and planned a Fiesta for the children at the border. We would feed them and just befriend them and have the church youth do a drama. To join us in helping to feed would be the church in Rivas, Nicaragua. We will have games and my personal favorite, a pinata!

The next morning Susannah and I were asked to speak at the meeting to share our hearts. We told them we honestly had no experience and did not feel we knew more then they did but we had a heart and burden for these children who are exploited and who sell their services at such young ages. The hearts of the officials were moved and we were granted permission from both countries to hold the fiesta inside the borders between both nations!

So on December 5, our project "Amor en Acción" ( Love in Action) will outreach to the children at the border. Everyone we have told has been shocked we were granted such favor and opportunities. I am not anymore because God says, "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness,and all the peoples see his glory."