GAP through the eyes of Priscilla North

“1, 2, 3, fall” Ron Bishop said excitedly, as he reached out his arms to catch the falling beautiful brown haired girl whom I had yet to know as Madalyn. The morning of September 12^th, 2011 brought on the same exhilaration as the first day of school. The orientation room at First Baptist Church of Woodstock for G.A.P Year, Class of 2012 was filled with new faces. The atmosphere of the room was warm and inviting, very much contrasting the chill in the air outside.  All of the students and I sat in curiosity as the girl fell halfheartedly fell backwards to be caught by Mr. Bishop. “That, Ladies and Gents, was a trust fall” Ron Bishop said through a kind smile, “and trust will be a principle element to your experience in Costa Rica.”

Little did I know as I was sitting there wondering why trust would be so valuable during the next 9 months of my life, Ron Bishop was sharing a priceless truth with us.  Trust has been an extremely significant part of my experience here in Costa Rica. Trusting Jesus. Trusting that His plan is good, trusting in His word, and trusting Him with my future. Coming into G.A.P year, I honestly had no idea what I would be in for. In Washington D.C, where I’m from, the mention of taking a year off from school to pursue a relationship with Jesus is completely unheard of. Trusting Jesus wasn’t an option for me, it was the only way to survive the “you’re kidding me, right?” looks I would receive whenever people would ask me why I “threw away” my opportunity to go straight to a university after graduating high school, to go be a missionary for a year. Trusting Jesus was the only way my tired and aching body endured a 3-hour mountain hike the students took during the first semester.  Trusting Jesus gets me through Spanish class when ‘yo entiendo nada’ (I understand nothing!) Trusting Jesus is what has gotten me through times when I miss my twin sister, my family, and America in general.  Trusting Jesus has helped me plan out my future and discover what my passions are.

It is month 5, semester 2 of my G.A.P year in Costa Rica, and I can confidently say that I am a completely different person then I was back in that orientation room on September 12^th of last year, and that is only because I put my trust in Jesus. Allowing Him to direct my path and guide me here has opened my eyes and heart to not only the beauty of Latin American culture, but also to many inspiring and life-changing people.

I recently had the opportunity to do a 2 week ministry at a Christian summer camp here in Costa Rica. By serving and getting to know the un-churched kids and teenagers at the camp, I got a front row seat to lives being impacted for Christ, and I even got to share the gospel a few times, in Spanish! Jesus has opened up so many doors for my future because of the trust I’ve placed in Him. He is the reason I’m attending Liberty University this upcoming fall. He’s the reason for all the wonderful friendships I’ve made here. He is the reason I have eternal life! So far, my time in Costa Rica has been nothing less than incredible, and I am so eager to see what adventures Jesus has planned out for me next. But the journey’s all about trusting…trusting in Him. Closing your eyes, letting go of your fears, and falling into the arms of Jesus Christ.