My family and I had the amazing opportunity to live in San Jose, Costa Rica for a year before we moved to Mexico City. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with incredible rain forests and beaches, active volcanoes, and rich wildlife. But the most beautiful thing about Costa Rica is the people. Some of the best friends we have are those we made while living in Costa Rica that year.
In 2004 Community of Faith built a children's home for orphaned and abandoned children in Costa Rica; and a community center in the very poor neighborhood of La Carpio in San Jose. One of the joys of my life has been the privilege of returning to Costa Rica every year to visit those sites and to visit my friends.
Saturday at 5:00 p.m. was the "Copa Laura" in La Carpio, Costa Rica. This is one of the sweetest things that has ever been done for me in my life. My sweet friends in Costa Rica – Steve, Antonio, and the kids of La Carpio – planned an indoor soccer tournament in my honor. They have already dedicated their soccer seasons to me and they pray for me before every game. I can’t even express the feeling I had when I read Steve’s blog post about the tournament. How / Why would people love me so much? God has overwhelmed me with His love through so many people in my life. I am humbled that they would care enough to even think of me in the midst of their own difficult lives, let alone plan a whole tournament in my honor. Steve, Antonio, my La Carpio kids, the love of Jesus is shining brightly through you! Thank you for encouraging me today!
La Carpio is one of the first places I will go when I am well, and I am already planning a giant celebration with my sweet Costa Rican family and friends. God has blessed me “exceeding abundantly beyond all I could ask or think” by bringing you into my life! I love you all and I can't wait to see you soon!
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." Ephesians 3:20
Sign advertising the tournament:
Winners of the upper division:
Winners of the lower division:
Visit www.lalodelacarpio.blogspot.com to keep up with what's going on in La Carpio.
What an incredible honor, Laura! You are so loved and covered in prayer! I can't wait to celebrate with you when you beat "Bob"!
ReplyDeleteThis is the coolest thing ever! People love you because you are a beautiful, beautiful person, Laura
ReplyDeleteYou are such a person of peace and you exude love. That is why people are drawn to you. I love this story of costa rica. We are adopting from Ethiopia and are interested in another adoption. Are kids from that orphanage in CR available for adoption? That is my heart...kids who need families. Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteI want to go to your giant celebration!
ReplyDeleteHi, Laura! I just wanted to say that Ephesians 3:20 is one of my most favorite Scriptures ever! One of best sermons I ever heard on that verse was one Mark preached many years ago one night at CFBC! I still have notes from it in my Bible! It has certainly proved to be true in my own life and I am praying that for you also! So cool about the soccer tournament!
ReplyDeleteTent Party @ COF???? I can't make it to Costa Rica. :-(
ReplyDeletei will be going to La Carpio in just a few weeks with a team from Woodlands Church
ReplyDeleteour team had a planning meeting tonight and we heard all about Steve and the good work he is doing there. looking forward to meeting him and the people of La Carpio
please know that many people from Woodlands Church have been praying for you