Wanna Go Swimming?

My first swimming teacher was an Olympic competitor. Although highly accomplished in the water, she patiently gave each of her students plenty of time to get used to it, playing games with them (“Blow bubbles and make a motorboat!”) and giving them practical tools to be able to feel comfortable in the deep end. “Look at me! Look at me!” we would shout, anxious to show her how brave we were becoming. But, for all our great instruction, I never knew if I could really swim until I got out there, away from the safety of the edge of the pool, and put all I had learned to the test.

That swimming instructor was my Aunt Bonnie, who was slated to swim in the U.S. Olympic Games that were cancelled due to World War II. Although she was prevented from ever being able to feel the tug of a medal, her neck was encircled with the arms of hundreds of young children who knew she would gently nudge them into deeper and deeper water, until they were enjoying the freedom and buoyancy she loved. Every kid at the San Diego Yacht Club knew her as “Aunt” Bonnie, and I was quick to point out to them that she really was my daddy’s sister, my aunt. 

When I first came to Costa Rica in 2016, I was “holding on to the pool’s edge” with everything I had. It was my first international missions trip. I had decided to go largely because Pastor Mike had been cajoling, encouraging, and gently nudging me and my hubby Stephen to go for a couple years. He and Pastor Teresa were going to take this great adventure, and we felt as sure of a “calling” to go as two apprehensive newbie missionaries could feel.

Flash forward to this year. The prospect of being able to return to La Escuela en Funcion Piedad de Linda Vista was so exciting, and so daunting at the same time. I was going to see those precious kids again? I was going to be able to hug my amigas who cooked our amazing lunches in the school kitchen? Could I afford it? Would anyone feel led to contribute? Would I be taking a spot meant for someone else?

God made sure that my anticipation was rewarded and all those fears were put to rest. I was blessed with support contributions of a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, and countless prayers of encouragement and spiritual defense. Seriously, when you hear someone at Newbreak say, “Missions trips will change your life!” it is not hype. The way God moves in the “great unknown, where feet may fail” as He “takes me deeper” is unlike anything that I have ever experienced. I found myself saying “sure, let’s go for it” so many times! It was a week of hard work, warm hugs, increasing familiarity with a second language and a new appreciation for how God loves to bless us and grow our faith.

Divine appointments became almost common. The right person, the needed skill, the item we “forgot” was supplied, just as the moment of need arose.

Example: We didn’t have Pastor Luis’ name on our guest list for the Teacher’s Appreciation luncheon, and Kendra realized he would probably be in attendance as we were setting the tables. No time to shop – no idea what he would like – what can we do? As Lauren and I put our Amazon-purchased thermal coffee cups into the Amazon-purchased gift bags, we knew time was running out. Amazon Prime can only do so much, and it doesn’t yet serve Costa Rica. We only had enough cups for the teachers on our list, and Pastor Luis would not have anything.

That’s when the Lord reminded me that I had my Santa Biblia, a side-by-side Spanish-English Bible. It had given me much help in reinforcing the worship I was doing in Spanish, and yet I had never written in it, and it still looked like new. For over a year, each time I would reach for a highlighter, the Spirit would say, “No, just make a note of it on your worship music”. I was going to leave it in my room that morning, but I felt the Spirit say, “You’ll need that today – take it with you.” Could Pastor Luis be the reason?

We wrapped the Santa Biblia in gold tissue paper and set it in a gift bag. It was a perfect fit. When our guests opened their gifts, Pastor Luis’ face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning getting his wildest request. He read the dedication page, “To our friend, Pastor Luis, from Newbreak Church San Diego” and reverently told Pastor Darrel in Spanish, “I only have one Bible – and it’s falling apart!” All we could do was stand in awe of how perfectly God had coordinated everything.

We really don’t know the impact we will have on a mission journey when we sign up for it. We only know it’s something we might find valuable in our life’s experiences, or helpful in our spiritual growth. But it is only when we live the mission, and then look back on it, that we truly find out why we were there.

I will carry the memory of these gracious, generous, loving people with me for the rest of my life. Their love for Jesus, for each other, and for us, is nearly overwhelming, until you get used to it. But, becoming secure in that love has made me understand God’s love so much more. 

As we said goodbye I used my newly-learned Spanish phrase often: “Hasta proximo año” – “until next year”. It’s not a question of how I’m getting back – I know God will make a way. I’ve experienced deep water. I’ve learned there are wonderful people out there with me. And I’ve seen God surprise me over and over again, with what He can do, and how He will work, if I put all that shallow-water training to the test and take the risk.

How about you? Wanna go swimming?

- Cindy Pellett