Sunday in Liberia

Donia Carmen
Although Rich and Kylan never served together in Liberia, Rich "replaced" Kylan in this area so they knew all of the same people.
Including this beautiful woman who housed the missionaries on her back porch. That's right, not in her basement, or extra bedroom, but on her back porch. Once you saw the back porch you wouldn't feel bad for them. Except maybe for the mouse that I saw race across the floor and under the cabinets?

I was so touched by these incredible members that have so little, but are willing to give all that they have. I will never forget walking into the home of the branch president, seeing the poverty and hardship they are surrounded by, and then sitting down in sacrament and observing the branch president's gentle strength, his wife's selfless love to feed the missionaries every day when she has so little, and their son's reverence as he prepared and blessed the sacrament. The gospel is true, and it brings happiness to those that embrace the message of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It really is that simple.

Nearly 10 years have passed since Kylan and Rich walked the streets of Liberia as missionaries. In that time, the work has flourished. What was then a small branch that struggled to fill the chapel of this humble building, has become two large and growing branches that are soon to move into this brand new building.

(Kylan did bring church clothes to wear, this photo was taken after he had given them to one of the young men in the branch)
The beautiful new district center of Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Amalfi, her husband Guillermo, and their three daughters, were one of the families that both Kylan and Rich taught. They shared a special connection with this family and were determined to find them. And because they are no longer active members of the branch, we weren't able to see them at church, but instead had to track them down Tico style. It took us over an hour of honking, asking questions, turning around, knocking on doors, and asking for more directions before we were able to track down their bakery. Once we found it the girl working called Amalfi and within minutes we were in their home.
It was an incredible experience to sit back and watch Kylan in his "missionary" mode of reaching out, loving, and striving to touch this beautiful family. It was truly a blessing that we were able to find this family, and with the miracle that is facebook we hope to stay in better contact!

Standing in the roots of one of the famed Guanacaste trees
(after eating one of the best meals of the entire trip!)
And we pack up the car for the 5 hour trek south to Manuel Antonio!