My feet are firmly planted back in the U.S. after leading a student mission team to Costa Rica. Kissing the ground over here, friends. And warm showers. And breakfasts that don’t include rice and beans. Oh, and winters that make it impossible for wild iguanas to roam freely in Georgia. So.many.kisses.
We left Costa Rica. But Costa Rica hasn’t left me. I can’t stop using Costa Rica’s unofficial slogan: Pura Vida (pure life). It’s a phrase tikos (locals) use without abandon and I’m on the official bandwagon. Want to say hello? Pura Vida. Roll your eyes and say ‘whatever?’ Pura Vida. Exclaim ‘YOLO’ (you only live once)? Pura Vida. Quote the Lion King and yell ‘Hakuna Matata?’ Pura Vida. Say goodbye? Pura Vida. Describe how awesome something was? Pura Vida. Seriously, it’s an acceptable phrase in any situation. Even at a funeral. No lie.
It’s emblazoned on every hat, t-shirt, and bracelet at every market stand hawking touristy wares. It’s plastered on billboards. Hanging on businesses. Featured in advertisements. Repeated on TV. Stuck on every surface imaginable. Like happy, blissful propaganda.
But Pura Vida is so ironic. Tikos think they have pure life, because their country is beautiful and their way of life ‘uncluttered,’ but we as believers know that a pure life only exists through Jesus. It was because of His sacrifice – His blameless, unblemished sacrifice – that we have the promise of pure life. We have a pure, perfect Savior. Without Him, Pura Vida is nothing more than a kitschy phrase on an ugly airbrushed shirt. And believe me, they were ugly.
I am so grateful that the Lord allowed us to share that same message with kids and families in Dominical last week. Many have experienced our perfect Savior and true Pura Vida for the first time. That’s reason to celebrate!
Pura Vida,
Allison
love, allison 