Vamos.

So, a few months ago in the midst of a sunny, workless afternoon, a couple co-workers and myself concocted an idea to buy a ticket to a random destination in the world and go on vacation. (Yes, welcome to the life of an admissions counselor or as a fine hip-hop artist would say a "Go-Gettah.") At first we were thinking South Africa, then upon the remembrance of the fact that Costa Rica has amazing surfing and of course acrobatic monkeys, we started toying with the idea of Costa Rica.

Over the next couple of weeks after the idea of Costa Rica was mentioned, I have never heard or seen so many things about Costa Rica in my life. The next day I ran into someone who just got back from there, I started seeing news articles about Costa Rica, I was dreaming about Costa Rica, and finally -- the last straw -- the brew of the day at Starbucks was from ... yep ... Costa Rica! I mean, seriously, it was written in the stars basically. But, all jokes aside, a few days later there was a bigger confirmation that we were definitely destined for the shores of Central America.

I was assigned to visit this random high school in Lakewood just down the street from my work. So I arrived at the high school (about 40 kids) thinking that this trip was going to be a complete waste of time. However, I went in sat down and started chatting with the guidance counselor on staff there. We talked substantially about her students, the high school, and college and I did what I do best: pretend to know what I'm talking about. Then, somehow we got on the subject of travel and she started telling me about a trip she had recently taken to ... Costa Rica. However, her story did not entail legends of jungles, wild parties, surfing, handsome Costa Rican men, or the narcotic-like coffee. Instead, her eyes lit up when she talked about working with Nicaraguan kids ("nicos"). She told me how poorly the Nicaraguans are treated in Costa Rica because they illegally migrate by the thousands to Costa Rica in search of a better life. Her and a group of her friends volunteered with some of the nico kids and she said it literally changed her life to spend time with these precious children and tell them -- to their utter shock -- that they were loved not only by them but a terrificly fantastic man named Jesus.

The minute I heard her story I knew ... We had to go. I got back to the office and told my co-workers, and surprisingly, they too had it placed on their heart that this "vacation" was an awesome opportunity to volunteer. Excited and totally exhuberhant, we purchased our tickets on a whim.

That was six months ago. Now, two days away from our trip, reality is setting in that we are actually going! We still don't know where exactly we are going to volunteer in Nicaragua, but I am confident that the Lord will lead us to where He wants us to be. So, if you are reading this, please pray that God uses us down there in anyway he pleases and that we are obedient to His call. We have no reservations, no plans, no itinerary, and are virtually open to any opportunity that arises. I just hope it is not a Nicaraguan prison because man, I hate prisons.

Also, I checked the surf report yesterday and let's just say ... like the thief on the cross next to Jesus ... soon, I too, will be in Paradise. And by Paradise I obviously mean ... Costa Rica.