From the Perspective of a Senior Staff

As we begin closing our time here in Costa Rica, two of our summer staff shared some reflections on their Royal Servants mission trip experience.

“Between the time I arrived at Training Camp to leaving our ministry location, I could argue that I gained more wisdom about the Bible, the importance of community, and relationships than ever before in such a small amount of time. Though it took me time to discover the purpose behind all the abnormal processes that Royal Servants has set in place, I later gained an immense appreciation for them as they pushed me to become someone I never believed I could be and do things I never thought I could do.

While some moments were harder than others, I was able to find joy in each and every single one of them. When I lacked courage, I was met with motivation. When I lacked strength, I was met with shoulders to cry on and support me. When I lacked confidence, I was met with my identity in Christ. When I lacked comfort, I was met by the hands and arms of our amazing leaders. And when I was afraid, I was reminded of the one who is in control; the one who called each and every member of our team to the same place at the same same time. God.

I was encouraged to come as a staff, regardless of my lack of leadership experience, but I feel incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to walk into such of a fulfilling role. As much as I have been able to see myself grown, I’ve also been able to see the many ways my students have grown as well. As a team we’ve experienced God work both in us and through us each day on the trip, providing us with memories we’ll never forget. My hope and prayers from this day forward will be that everyone who’s thinking of doing a mission trip through Reign says “yes” to God’s invitation, and everyone who leaves takes with them all they’ve learned in order that we may join in God’s rescue mission for the rest of our lives.”

— Katelyn

“After being at our debrief location for a few days, one of the things that I have been reflecting on is what the Lord has done and how He has worked through our ministry here in Costa Rica. Coming on this trip, I initially was solely looking forward to the outreach ministry where we would be sharing the gospel with the people of Costa Rica. I didn’t take much time to think about the work that we would that would be done in me, let alone the students on the trip.

As I’ve been thinking back on the past 5 1/2 weeks that I’ve been away from home, I can now see that the Lord has been working through but also in so many of us; from the senior staff, summer staff, students, and even the Costa Ricans that we have had the privilege to work alongside from the church in Cachi.

As a summer staff have really appreciated the duality of my role. On one hand, I get to be heavily involved with students by discipling them through our D-Groups. However, I get room to grow personally, right alongside the students. The growth I have seen through them within these past weeks has really impressed me. The combination of no phones, long, uninterrupted quiet times, crew responsibilities, and more have led to an increase in maturity, attention, spans, and life skills. This growth has not only been in these practical ways, though, but also spiritual. After a teaching on baptism, two of our students felt led to be baptized in a waterfall that we visited later that week. For me, that is when I realized that the intention of Royal Servants is not only for outreach ministry, but also, and just as importantly, for the practical and spiritual growth of the youth on our team. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has been individually preparing each of us to do back home — how amazing it is to think of the exponential impact we can cultivate!

A more personal way that I have seen the Lord working on our team while simultaneously growing his kingdom was during one of our street ministries in a town called Orosi. After a few frustrating previous days, I was feeling discouraged by the language barrier and felt that because of this I was not connecting well to anyone I had talked to while ministering. Following some pick up soccer and performances, I met a woman and her young daughter. Surprisingly, she spoke English, and because of this, it was easy for one of my teammates and me to strike up a conversation with her. We were able to discuss our performances, share the gospel, and pray for their family. She then opened up to us and shared that her husband had recently passed away, creating a very difficult time for her and her daughter. I’m not sure how deeply our conversation stuck with her, but it struck me as a good reminder and lesson that God knows and hears our frustrations. Looking back at this moment, it is one out of many ways that the Lord has worked not only through our team, but also in it.”

— Natalie

Praise God for all that He has done in and through our team. May He alone be glorified.

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For the Costa Rica Team,

Annika Warren

Royal Servant Trip Leader

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