By Estela López
Area Missioner and Formation Coordinator
“Being One Each Other’s Harvest”
The one-day “Caminando con Cristo” retreat, focused on spiritual renewal and intentional discipleship, has arrived in Costa Rica with the support of Global Partnership in Mission. This lay-led ministry, supported by clergy, seeks to renew our call to follow Jesus and remind us that discipleship is a journey we walk together.
On Saturday, September 5, 45 lay leaders and clergy representing 11 churches gathered at El Buen Pastor Cathedral. We shared testimonies and our faith, sang, prayed, and praised God together. We were challenged to live lives increasingly shaped by Jesus and reminded that we do not walk this journey of faith alone.
The movement of the Holy Spirit began even before we arrived in Costa Rica. In Texas, churches in Houston and Austin collected prayers to create a prayer chain for this first retreat.
Virginia Córdoba, Mauricio Umaña, Nancy Urreacheaga, and the Rev. Pedro López also generously sowed their time and gifts, accompanying the Costa Rica team throughout the planning process and traveling to be present for this first retreat.
On the day of the retreat, I continued to witness God at work through those who left their homes very early and traveled long distances to participate. I was deeply inspired by the stories of clergy and lay leaders who work secular jobs during the week and dedicate their weekends to serving their faith communities, some serving as many as three different churches.
If at any point I thought I was coming to Costa Rica primarily to bring something to share, I discovered that I was the one who received so much more. I return inspired by these lay leaders and clergy, carrying with me a fresh anointing and a renewed desire to continue serving God and God’s people with love and faithfulness.
Perhaps this is part of what it means to “be each other’s harvest.” We sow love, faith, and hope into the lives of others, trusting God to bring the growth. Sometimes we plant, other times we water, and along the way, we discover that God also transforms us through what others have planted in us.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6–7
Caminando con Cristo, which began in 2023, is also part of the fruit of what Mrs. Laura Montes and the Rev. Alejandro Montes planted in me through my experience with the Arco Iris spiritual retreat. After that retreat, Laura walked alongside me, discipled me, and showed me through her example the power of a life of prayer. Today, I understand more deeply that what others have planted in us is not meant to end with us; we are called to plant it in someone else.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to lay directors Cris Castro, Trudy Clark, and Patricia Grandison, spiritual director the Rev. Patricia Furtado, and Bishop Orlando Gómez for embracing and supporting this initiative.
The next Caminando con Cristo in Costa Rica will take place on September 4, 2027.
The seed has been planted. Let us keep walking, watering, and trusting that God will give the growth.
Watch our journey here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/928360673662443
