Through a Parent’s Eyes

In June, I traveled to Pavas, Costa Rica, with the global(x) East Cobb InsideOut team of students. Together, we worked alongside Hope Partners, our global(x) partner, to serve the community and the children at the Hope Center. This visit was incredibly special and transformative. Watching these students, including my son, was such an honor and a joy. They are amazing teenagers. They inspired me daily and have been a huge sense of hope for their generation. They made friends, gave 1,000 hugs, played tag to the point where their knees were sweating (who even knew that was possible?!) They painted, they scraped, they cleaned, they danced, they shared their light, their love of God, and lived completely in the moment. It was a beautiful thing.

My heart expanded, my faith deepened, and my East Cobb family grew. What a gift! God’s presence was so evident in the community of Pavas. Seeing the work being done there by Paula, Lonnie, Lucy, and all the interns and staff at the Hope Center filled me with peace and contentment. Their dedication and the tangible difference they are making is a true testament to God’s goodness. 

I always leave a little piece of my heart in Pavas, and this trip was no different. But I also left with a deep sense of knowing that God is imbedded in these children’s hearts and spirits. It’s written all over their faces, in their hugs, and in their play. It might be the most vulnerable community in Costa Rica, but it’s also the richest in God’s love. I’m already looking forward to returning. There’s no doubt about it—I’ll be back.