hey friends & family !! 

writing this blog to you from jaco, costa rica - a small beach down on the pacific coast. this month we are partnering alongside a ministry called ocean's edge for supportive missions work in the community. our ministry hosts have been actively shaping the city through involvement in the church and local projects. this past week my group hosted an event for those in the homeless community to provide them with some physical aid, as well as an opportunity for rehab. we also have been touching up some light post paintings around town! more stories to come!

in about 3 weeks, team leading is over. team leaders go home. 

BUT ! if you haven't heard, although my time as a team leader for team lydia is quickly closing, my time with them, as well as the rest of the squad isn't over yet. 

i will be staying on with another team leader (hey jason!) in order to support our squad leader isabel and to continue in the discipleship of gap i. this means 6 more months on the field than i originally intended - we will be traveling to several more places in costa rica & then continue on to colombia & eswatini. 

my heart beats for the kingdom of God & in turn it beats for this squad. it's an honor to do life with them on the daily, and i know there is MUCH more in store. 

with that being said i am fundraising a bit more in order to stay ! i have already had a handful of people commit to partnership and now only need $1,529 to be fully funded! i would love to be fully funded by the end of the month - when team leaders leave & i officially step into this new position. one of my girls, adalie, came up to me today to faithfully pray that i would be fully funded THIS week !!! as she comes alongside me, i want to believe faithfully in what she has professed! 

if you want to be a partner in the journey it would be a JOY to have you on this team - this is a place where God is glorified & people are loved !

in order to give financially there is a donate button at the top of this page where you can give ANY amount. i also have venmo - gretchenwaters and paypal - gretchenjwaters@gmail.com. 

thank you in advance, it means A WHOLE LOT. it's truly an honor !

more updates & adventures to come ,

gretchen :)