take a walk in the park

When I heard we were coming to Jaco, I knew one of their ministries involved transforming the city and reaching the community through their art initiative. The city of Jaco was known as the modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah of Costa Rica when our host moved here. She began transforming the city, one light post at a time, bringing hope and light to the darkness that consumed these streets.

I loved reading about this ministry and was hopeful for the opportunity to be a part of this project. Art has been something I’ve always enjoyed but really have come to appreciate and find joy in it over the past few years.

On our first day of ministry, our host shared the city wanted to partner with Ocean’s Edge to transform the main city park. They loved what Ocean’s Edge has done around town and wanted to tell a story and tie it all back to the heart of the city. 

Over the past three weeks, my team and I have broke ground on this vision and transformation. The first day when I walked with my teammate Macy to the park, we both just chuckled in disbelief at the size of this wall. The city has gifted this ministry such trust to transform this space into a beautiful park to bring life to the heart of Jaco. 

Macy (my teammate) and I spent the first week walking the town compiling all the previous artwork on the light posts and sketching designs for the walls to send off to the mayor for approval.

We got the thumbs up and in week two after our ‘travel quarantine’, we broke ground at the park. I am so proud of H squad for jumping into this vision and saying yes. Saying yes to scrubbing endless amounts of walls, priming walls, sketching walls, and now painting those very walls. 

The community continues to show up while we are in this park. They continue asking questions and coming alongside us to transform this space. The number of kiddos who giggle and smile getting to help paint THEIR playground is so tender.

Art ministry may be one where people question the impact of the project. It’s not the ‘traditional’ view of evangelism but let me tell you it’s been beautiful. The number of times my squadmates have been able to pray over people in the park, invite them to church with us, share the gospel or just laugh alongside those who show up. There are families that come each day to help us because they have enjoyed it so much. That’s why we are here – to spread His joy and hope. To live a life of ministry that points people to Jesus just for being who He created us to be. 

There is transformation happening in the heart of Jaco and it’s beautiful. Stay tuned for an update on the painting of the wall and all the other ministry that happens in the midst of this massive project  (:

~ KK (No worries, masks are being worn when around anyone outside of our world race bubble in the park)