It might seem odd to start my blog with a post about my latest mission’s trip. However, the trip inspired me to start this blog…so there’s that. Here we go…
Have you ever been a part of something in which it was COMPLETELY evident that God’s hand was upon it? That is the best way I can describe the Shiloh Costa Rica missions’ trip of February 2026.
For me, it started with the ability to go on the trip. With my precarious health over the past six years, I wasn’t even sure a trip like this would be possible. God paved the way for me in multiple ways, but it wasn’t without Him giving me a few lovely tests. My kidney function was stable – around 33% – and thus my husband (surprisingly) gave his stamp of approval for me to go. Then…test number one…my kidney function tanked in December (26%) and I felt pretty yucky. Doubts started to creep in and I had some worry enter my mind – would I be able to even go? God was faithful and he sustained me through the challenges of a red eye flight and the social vigor of the conference and church service.
Another potential obstacle for me was the financial means to go…i.e. test #2. I had quit working less than a year ago in order to take care of my health and have more time with my kids. That meant, however, that we had less disposable income than we used to. God was SOOO good in this regard. I had endeavored to trust Him to provide and HE DID! The first surprise came when we visited Kyle’s relatives for Thanksgiving. I told Kyle’s great-uncle about the upcoming trip. He asked me some questions and then slipped me his contribution later that evening. I was so surprised! God paved a way for me to be fully funded with the help of the lovely people of Shiloh as well as one of my college accounting professors/mentors. How could I not feel God’s hand upon me?
Beyond my own experiences, the ladies on the trip each had the perfect testimonies to compliment the them of the women’s conference – beauty from ashes. I personally was nervous about being so vulnerable to near strangers as well as putting together my own teaching materials for the first time. The first night, God used Michelle and my testimonies to break the ice with the women of Rio Frio and allow for closer relationships that transcended the language barrier. Several women completely touched my heart by sharing what my testimony meant to them. The difference in the demeanor of the ladies between night one and two was palpable. By the last night of the conference, the women were willing to open their own hearts and be vulnerable with us. It was as beautiful as the people of this community. The relationships built during the conference enabled a lot of fun to be had with a bilingual BUNCO game and a lot of socializing after church on Saturday.
God blessed the team with a group of men who put the needs of the team above their own. They handled meals like champs and did not allow the ladies in the kitchen to help. They dedicated their free time to helping Ted and Gracie Quiocho with odd projects around the mission house and property. This dedication enabled the women on the team to focus on our messages and relationships with the women of the conference.
On top of everything else, there was a sense of spiritual rest during the trip. Satan was doing his best to deter us and hinder us but God (obviously) prevailed. When we arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica after a rough red eye adventure by plane, we were told by Ted and Gracie that the three roads to Rio Frio were closed due to above average rains for the non-rainy season. Call on the prayer warriors! With people in Phoenix and Costa Rica praying, we not only had rooms to stay in at a hotel but God opened the road with the shortest commute time (3 hours vs. 5) the next morning.
Once we made it through the journey in a twelve-passenger van (there were 12 of us…) and a small trailer hauling our luggage, we enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the Rio Frio mission’s property. Ted and Gracie have done a beautiful job of making it a place of worship and of rest. The team spent a good chunk of time with God and nature each morning, which prepared our hearts to pour into the Rio Frio ladies as well as our missionaries. I felt God’s presence as I prepared for my session and did not feel nervous while I was up in front of the group. I knew that I was just the vessel!
Another blessing on the trip was the gift of conversation. I have asked God many times over the years why He had me minor in Spanish when I was in college. I have complained (often) of my lack of opportunity to use my Spanish (ha!) Well, my grammar and conjugation were very rusty but God enabled me to speak conversationally with the women in their native tongue and even help the non-Spanish speaking women of the team to communicate. I did not teach in Spanish but I was able to read the scripture from their Spanish bible translation to the women during my message! The team was very blessed to have three fluent Spanish speakers in addition to my rusty Spanish, which enabled the missionaries to spend less time on translation! Also, small credit must be given to Google Translate…
An unexpected blessing that I received on the trip was a humbling appreciation for the hearts of the people Ted and Gracie serve in Rio Frio. We had the opportunity to visit the home of a family in the church with three children. It was amazing to see the skill and labor that was put into the building of their own home, while only spending money that they had already earned. The community lives in poverty but they have a pride of ownership and a mentality to live within their means. With as little as they have, the Rio Frio conference ladies gave the Shiloh ladies a thoughtful handmade gift – a notebook and pen – to thank us for coming. Our last night in Rio Frio, Ted and Gracie held their weekly church service. The worship was beautiful and the fellowship afterwards was truly blessed. Two of the church’s young men cooked the meal for the entire church, without complaint.
It is truly difficult for me to fully express my thought on the Costa Rica trip. God worked through me and for me as well as the other members of our team. He strengthened and built relationships that I will treasure, including with my fellow team members. I came home from Rio Frio with a few additional tests from God. The last day in Rio Frio, I tripped on the door threshold and hit my knee very hard. I made it through the last two days of the trip with a large hematoma and a lot of pain, which is continuing on past the end of the trip. I also received lab results showing my kidney function dropped down to 22% (for reference, if it drops below 20% I would have to attempt to get back on the transplant list and potentially get dialysis). God is ironic sometimes because I then needed to use the tenants of my own message to the Rio Frio ladies, honest lament to God, to get through my own struggles!
If I had to sum everything up, it would be that God is good and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the Rio Frio community.
❤ Gabrielle
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